<p>I know there are a lot of college comparison threads out there already, but I really can't make up my mind at all. Reed's position as my #1 choice school has been in a state of great fluctuation mainly because, although the school seems fantastic, I'm afraid that what seems like a huge workload, while manageable, would leave me with little time for a social life and extra-curricular activities (especially off-campus, in Portland and its fantastic music scene). Another more recent albeit far lesser fear is that Reed, with its classical curriculum, might not be ideal for my goals (I think I'd like to ultimately be involved with the facilitation of the arts in some way, possibly publishing). </p>
<p>I've been both blessed and cursed with a lot acceptances. Any advice or comments on my choices would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>My current top two, besides Reed:
Sarah Lawrence College - not quite as presitigious as Reed, but I sometimes think that its curriculum might be better suited to me. I'd have to pay pretty much the same amount as at Reed (~$14,000) to attend.
Lewis & Clark College - I'm not crazy about the school, but financially, it seems like a good move (~$4000)</p>
<p>The next 3:
Oberlin College - seems great, but I really don't think I'd like to spend 4 years in Oberlin, OH (location in a city really means a lot to me) ~$7,000
Hampshire College - somewhat better location and I go back and forth about their self-designed curriculum ~$11,000
NYU (Gallatin school of individualized study) - I think I'd love it there, but it seems unlikely financially. ~$20,000</p>
<p>And the others:
Bard College ~ $23,000
Occidental College ~ $9,000 (but I hated my visit)
Emerson College ~ too much for the school
Eugene Lang College ~ same as Emerson</p>
<p>Thanks (soooooooo much) for any comments. This choice is becoming one of (if not) the most difficult of my life</p>
<p>You do have some tough choices to make. My S. also has two of your schools on his list: Reed and Hampshire, as well as Whitman. His academic interests also appear similar to yours, in that possible post undergrad work is a distinct probability. That said, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of your choices. We live outside of Portland and it is a great place with lots to do , both culturally and recreationally, so both Reed and Lewis and Clark would be fine choices and it sounds like economically L/C might be a tough one to pass up. My S may be headed to Hampshire for the same reason (no loans in FA pkg) and the nice thing about it is the 5 college consortium to allow for a bit of variety from the pure small LAC experience. In the end I would weigh all the options and go with your “gut” Good luck wherever you decide to attend.</p>
<p>i get this idea that part of the culture at reed involves being pushed to your limits. i think a lot of kids find ways to have fun (if you go as hard as i tihnk you do, you need to have fun). you probably arent alone in your feelings about reed. </p>
<p>ps- if you think ur a better fit (not just curriculum) at s. lawerence, then go there! prestige is no sub for being exactly where you want to be. although i should say im waitlisted so you declining admission might help me (although i am being honest- i felt i should say something)</p>
<p>pss- i have a friend who was struggling with his decision to go to caltech last yaer(hes pre med and he knew caltech would not be good for his gpa). in their admission material or something, they had a line (this is my crappy memory): “you got into caltech because you CAN do the work to succeed here. whether you want to do the work is another question”. i think it was more of a peer answer then a formal answer from the university. however, the idea is pretty useful.</p>
<p>Take that buster, you should go to Sarah Lawrence College (I applied there as well) if you’re really nervous about the curriculum at Reed. The reason why is because Sarah Lawrence has an articulation agreement with Reed. Meaning, you could transfer from Sarah Lawrence to Reed if you want to. Which is really cool. So if you’re not into Sarah Lawrence after such and such a time, and still into Reed, you can transfer yet again.</p>
<p>If you ask me, Lewis and Clark isn’t at the same level as the rest of your schools. It’s not a bad school, just less challenging than SL or Reed. However, affordability is a major consideration, especially once you factor in loans. Are you and your parents able to afford $14,000 a year?</p>
<p>What would your major(s) be? Do you plan to go to grad school? Have you visited your top choices?</p>
<p>I get the impression that Reed is awesome for giving students a very well-rounded, rigorous classical liberal arts foundation and preparing them for grad school, but it is not at all vocationally-oriented so only getting a bachelor’s degree might not be enough to work in your field. Additionally, it is nearly impossible to double major there and they don’t offer minors. So if grad school isn’t on your agenda or if you want to do something like business or journalism (majors which don’t exist there), I would probably rethink Reed.</p>
<p>If your only hestitation is the workload, I feel like Reed is selective enough to admit the people who can handle the workload, assuming they don’t slack off. Reedies still participate in extracurriculars and have a social life. I’ve talked to a student there who is involved in theatre in the Portland community and that is a huge time commitment. There is another thread about the workload which you should read- basically, consider it a full-time job (40-50 hours/week) with overtime once in a while. Is that something you would thrive on?</p>
<p>I would suggest contacting your top choices and seeing if they can connect you with students and professors in the area you’re interested in to learn more about the curriculum and your options during school and after graduation.</p>
<p>And if you do end up at a school which is not a good fit, you can always transfer.</p>