<p>Also accepted into Tufts, but I have no clue what my financial aid will be yet. I was offered essentially a full ride to both Middlebury and Haverford, and my sister attends CMU, so I assume I will be offered a similar package (full ride). :)</p>
<p>I'm interested in International Relations and Japanese. Study abroad is MUST for me. I want to experience a real winter during school too (I'm from FL). I would prefer a pretty campus, mostly because I have this deluded fantasy of attending Hogwarts, lol.</p>
<p>I want to not only learn in college, but have fun too! Some sort of social scene would be nice. </p>
<p>I'm a bit 'dorky' I guess, so I don't get along with stuck up rich kids; I know this from experience because my town is incredibly wealthy and the kids are extremely spoiled. I do not want to have to deal with it in college too! :(</p>
<p>I'm not into sports, so that won't be factored into my decision at all. </p>
<p>So where should I go? Advice please! Any personal anecdotes would be appreciated. Thanks :D</p>
<p>So you’re interested in international studies, languages, and study abroad opportunities? The obvious answer based on strengths in those areas is Middlebury. Also–you’re going to find plenty of rich kids at any school that costs more than $50,000/year. </p>
<p>You won’t be able to evade the “rich-kids”, but there are plenty of people that may not necessarily be “super-rich” and aren’t spoiled brats. You will simply not be able to evade them at a LAC, ironically enough, as the “liberal arts” have historically been the showcase of a rich intelligent family.</p>
<p>i agree with the above poster, Middlebury is probably your best choice.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, how did you get your full ride scholarship?</p>
<p>I got my scholarships from financial need. Any EFC or summer work contribution in my packages can be covered with the outside scholarships (I’m actually attending a conference right now to accept a $21,000 award). But even then, the most I’m being expected to pay at any school is $4000 a year so far.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help guys. :)</p>
<p>Middlebury will provide you with everything you are looking for. Good luck! </p>
<p>I am not intimately familiar with them, but my S and I researched Haverford and Middlebury quite extensively for his college list, and I would bet that Haverford would be a better match for you than Middlebury. I don’t think you should dismiss Haverford quite yet.</p>
<p>Austin, why?? Any particular reasons? Thanks :)</p>
<p>Haverford is part of a consortium with Bryn Mawr (BMC) and Swarthmore, and Haverford students can take classes at the U of Penn as well, so academically all your needs should be met. </p>
<p>Haverford is very close to BMC and Haverford and BMC students regularly take classes on the other campus. You implied that you have concerns about finding a social environment that you would feel comfortable in, and the proximity of BMC would give you more of a choice of social as well as academic environments. </p>
<p>Also, you claimed you felt “dorky” and that you wanted to avoid “spoiled” kids. I would guess that students who feel as you do may find the Quaker atmosphere at Haverford, which emphasizes social responsibility and the importance of maintaining a caring and respectful attitude toward all other students, more welcoming.</p>
<p>I also believe there would be less emphasis on sports at Haverford.</p>
<p>I think that CM and Haverford students could be a bit nerdier and less of what “type” of student you are trying to avoid. Of course Middlebury is a great school too.</p>
<p>austinareadad–most of your strengths involve proximity to other schools. I say someone should choose a school based on what IT offers, not what is available nearby. If she’s interested in studying abroad, Middlebury has 37 schools in 17 countries. </p>
<p>OP–size and location are two of the biggest factors at play. Haverford is less than half the size of Middlebury. If you want a really small school, then Haverford might be a better fit. Also, you need to decide between rural Vermont and suburban Philly. </p>