<p>I apologize if this thread is not in the right section; I am new to the site and although I searched briefly, I did not find any specific sub-forum for these types of posts. </p>
<p>Anyways, I am currently a senior in high school and I have been accepted at the two universities listed in the Title above. At first, I was deadset on Claremont. However, now that decision time is growing closer and closer, I've started to wonder if CMC is the place for me. I hope that maybe some parents and students here could give me some insight of their own.</p>
<p>Now, a little background information about myself. I have always been very socially and politically active and I am someone who genuinely loves to learn. That curiosity of mine led me to Oman where I am studying abroad for the entirety of my academic year through the State Department's Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad program. I wholeheartedly believe that self-education, at least for me, is the most fulfilling way to learn and I know I would thrive in an environment that facilitates that. </p>
<p>While in college, I hope to major in Econ with maybe a minor in Near East Studies/Arabic or International Relations. As I mentioned earlier, I am very active politically/socially, so I feel like I want to get into qualitative economics more so then quantitative which is extremely heavy in econometrics. After living and studying abroad, I know that I want to continue to do so after college, and I am pretty sure I will apply for the Peace Corps or maybe even work with my host-aunt at UNICEF here in Oman. All I know for sure though is that I want to do something meaningful and I have never really been concerned with cashing a big pay check. </p>
<p>This leads me to my dilemma. CMC seems to be ideal in many ways. One, it is probably the premiere LAC for Econ in the nation and its proximity to other elite LAC's like Pomona only makes it more attractive academically. Additionally, all CMC kids I've spoken to have praised their career services department and spoke about how grant money for internships is readily available. Coming from a low-income family myself, this is very important to me. Lastly, I appreciate the fact that CMC has no frats and despite its reputation as a very wet school, it seems to be safe and all inclusive. </p>
<p>However, as I've really begun to research Colorado College even more, I feel like it may be a slightly better fit socially. CC seems to offer a more authentic liberal arts feel. One, I am worried that CMC's reputation as a relatively conservative, career-driven environment may attract people I might not get along with. I know I'd prefer to be surrounded by other students who share my passion for education for educations sake. I must stress that I am not wary of CMC because it may have a higher concentration of conservatives. I actually appreciate diversity in political beliefs and I myself am not entirely liberal on all issues; however, I do have a deeply-embedded belief that everyone has an obligation to their community and to the world and I do not want to be in an environment where maybe that is forgotten among the promises of success in the job market. Although I like to consider myself a very physically fit person, and CMC does stress athletics, I am in no way a 'jock' like many CMC students are made out to be. As much as I may enjoy hiking, lifting and playing tennis, I'm an avid reader, a huge history buff and I'm still really into comics and video games. Additionally, as a kid who grew up in Maine and Wisconsin, I know I'd love the Div I. hockey and the mild summer/winter climate in Colorado Springs. Plus, the Rockies are right there! Enough said. Also, Colorado College seems to be stronger when it comes to study abroad programs and certainly places more of an emphasis on internationalism, despite the fact I think there is more of an international student presence at CMC. </p>
<p>However, Colorado College's career services department is pretty weak and I know kids often have to search for internships on their own. Most importantly, and this is truly the root of my indecision, Colorado College's academics and rankings are just plain weaker (albeit, not by much) than Claremont McKenna's and something about passing up a better academic institution in CMC still irks me, especially since I have friends who will be matriculating at other 'elite' liberal arts colleges as well. I know I shouldn't care about what my friends are doing, but hey, I'm only human. </p>
<p>In terms of aid, Colorado College has left only a couple thousand unaccounted for on a yearly basis and that wouldn't change all four years, even if my mother got a job. I could graduate from CC about 15k in debt. On the other hand, CMC has essentially given me a 'free ride' for my freshman year. Still, the question is not whether my mom will get a job, it is when and I am afraid that if she were too, it could cause tuition to skyrocket for me, since CMC says my aid package is subject to change on a yearly basis. Her job would most likely still place us in the 0-30k income bracket, so I'd still probably receive a considerable amount of aid, but it certainly wouldn't be as ideal as it is now. </p>
<p>Sadly, I did not have the chance to visit either college because I have been away for a year or so now, so I am kind of trying to get a feel on my own. I have contacted students from both institutions as early as October and I felt like many of my reservations and worries had been resolved then. However, they are coming back and therefore I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could perhaps chime in and tell me what they think. </p>
<p>Thanks for your time.</p>
<p>Best,
Dylan</p>