<p>I'm really interested in three of the universities I got accepted to and got enough aid from all so that it's not an issue. Now I'm just lost as to what I really want from my college, as each has characteristics that appeal to me
Amherst--it's really far north (I'm coming from living in a warm climate), but it's got the incredible small college attention and great sociology, language, and economics programs, which is what i'm currently thinking of majoring in.
Pomona--it's a little too small and I'm not the biggest fan of living in california
UVirgina--it's kind of the perfect location for me, however, I'm geared toward the liberal arts aspects of Amherst and Pomona, and I dont know if I can get that from UVA (I'm in the Echols honors program though, so it would give me much more liberty as an aundergrad though).</p>
<p>I'M LOST</p>
<p>Well, I'm facing a similar problem - I've lived in the South my whole life, but decided that I wanted to go up north for college. So I applied to some northern school, some southern schools. Now I have to choose. Ultimately, I think the question is: Will you be able to handle the change? I thought I could - wanted to break out, try something new - and now I'm having second thoughts. Have you visited? Do you feel comfortable in both environments? I am personally refusing to let snow be a deterrant (and I would choose snow over un-airconditioned dorms in hot hot Southern weather anyway).</p>
<p>I do think that UVA would offer an amazing education, but if what you really want is a small community of undergrads, then Amherst seems to be the best fit. Academically, I think that UVA will be able to offer incredible opportunities, and the catch with larger schools seems to be that you get what you want, depending on your effort - so if you try hard, nothing will hold you back. However, I can definitely relate to your wanting to be part of a small LAC environment, and Amherst is one of the very best - I personally love it.</p>
<p>I live in Massachusetts. Amherst is a great school. But are you really prepared for the cold? It's not just that it can be bitter in the winter, the problem for me is that winter seems to drag on endlessly. We don't really "do" Spring in New England, there's just that Mud Season between winter and summer. It won't be consistantly "warm" (i.e. above 60) until May.</p>
<p>But Autumn in New England is SO BEAUTIFUL.... Sept and October make the rest of the year bearable!</p>
<p>I have relatives in the Carolinas, so I see the "culture wars" between North and South. I like different aspects of both areas, but I can see how someone not familiar with one area could go thru culture shock. </p>
<p>College is a great time in your life to try something new and different. If you've never lived in the North, it's as good a time as any to try it!</p>