College decision help!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm deciding between Vassar, Bowdoin, Boston College, and UChicago. I got onto the waitlists of Notre Dame and Vanderbilt, so I'm thinking of campaigning for those, too. I also got into Tufts, but that's the only campus I've visited (for their Voices program) and I found it just off-puttingly liberal and crazy.</p>

<p>I'm a half-Hispanic male. I'm looking to study anthropology/linguistics with computer sciences. I want to study abroad during my undergrad, and I really am looking towards grad school (I'm thinking Ivy - Yale or Dartmouth). In my campus, I want a good night life and social scene, but also really active on campus activities. I've been involved in my high school literary magazine, etc. I want to be really involved. Politically, I'm moderate I guess, leaning towards conservative. I'm nondenominational Christian, but so long as there's a church nearby or something, I don't really need a huge religious presence on campus. I do want to party and network. Campus beauty, etc., is important. I'm aware that BC/UChic are in way bigger areas than Bowdoin/Vassar, but the latter two are close enough for me. Location of all four are fine. </p>

<p>I'm visiting towards the end of April, and I know really the sense of campus will be what makes me decide, but I want to know what I'm heading into, too. I'm really unfamiliar with the reputations of the colleges. Prestige, and name, are very important to me, though, considering I want to get into such a competitive grad school.</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated!</p>

2

<p>My son and daughter-in-law both went to Bowdoin and got into the grad schools of their choices - top programs. They loved Intervarsity there and are conservative but didn’t feel too trashed by the mostly liberal student body/faculty. They wouldn’t change a thing about their amazing college experience there - doing things they could never do with professors at a larger school as far as primary research goes. Both published work in conjunction with professors, as well. It was an extremely diverse student body and is an absolutely beautiful campus. Being outdoorsy themselves, they loved the location near the coast and the athletic life on campus. Both did sports, supported sports teams for fun and still go back and visit professors. Food service - AMAZING! Locally grown/raised /organic food as much as possible cooked entirely on campus by an amazing staff - not some random food service corporation. Be sure and eat there! The lobster feed at the beginning of the year for freshmen is pretty sweet.</p>