This summer, I will be touring colleges and have a preliminary list of schools I’d like to see. At the top of this list is Princeton University, along with UVa, Toronto, and University of Georgia. Others include Tulane, Drexel, Brandeis, William and Mary, Berkeley, and UChicago.
My conundrum is that only a select few can get into Princeton (I’d apply SCEA), and there is a good chance I will be ranked in the 20’s or 30’s/500 in a large urban public school.
There is, however, one aspect of Princeton (and Harvard) that is appealing, and that is the “preppy” culture that exists there. I know it’s odd and its even something that turns people off to these schools, but its something I identify with. I’d also like these schools to have a reputable PoliSci/History department with an undergraduate focus.
My question to you is, what schools are you aware of that are preppy (think secret societies, etc.) with decent debate teams, greek life (or party scenes), while also maintaining a high quality education? I will be sure to consider these schools thoroughly, and would be happy to provide additional information.
Thank you in advance.
P.S. I’m aware that threads like this may exist, I have investigated, and there weren’t straight forward answers.
@codemachine, the list of schools you’ll be touring really runs the gamut – I don’t think I’ve seen many lists from kids in the New Jersey area that contain Berkeley, Chicago and the University of Georgia. I know from previous posts that you are a current 10th grader, so kudos to you for casting a wide net.
At this point, I suggest seeing schools in clusters based on geography. If you are going to see UGA, why not add Emory, Emory’s Oxford College campus and Georgia Tech (if you are still interested in CS).
If you are looking for a preppy-feeling campus, consider visiting Washington & Lee (big Greek scene) while you’re seeing UVa and William & Mary. Add Georgetown to your list, too.
Once you see some of the schools on the list you should have a feel for what size you like best and can plan more forays accordingly.
Thanks! I will be sure to! I am Jewish, but I’m sure they’re all inclusive. @psywar
@GnocchiB Thanks! Actually, after much deliberating, soul-searching, and letting go of monetary goals, I decided that forcing myself to love CS was a bad idea, even if I had experience with software engineering and may have even been good at it. Taking pre-APUSH really turned me on to Government/History, so I have been focusing on schools strong in those areas. Georgetown EA is attractive because a) they don’t reject anyone and b) you can apply to other schools EA (private or public), unlike if you applied SCEA to, say, Princeton.
I’ve wanted to travel for a long time, not necessarily to get away, but just to, as you say, “cast a wider net”. My guidance counselor is a good guy and has been known to surprise some kids into top ivy’s as “surprises”, but I can’t count on his connections, while also trying to be realistic in wishing for Princeton, but would accept a school like UGA or Berkeley.
I believe they pull a lot of kids from the same/similar boarding schools (Exeter, Andover, Hill, etc.) and they’re all very New England. I know the reputation is relatively comparable (for an LAC, that is) but how selective are they ED?
Considering your academic interests, here are some preppy schools that are very strong in history and political science. Unfortunately, the better the faculty/department rating, the less undergraduate-focused it will be:
Boston College
Bowdoin College
Claremont McKenna College
Colgate University
College of William and Mary
Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Duke University
Elon University
Georgetown University
Hamilton College
Harvard University
Miami University of Ohio
Middlebury College
Northwestern University
Pepperdine University
Princeton University
Sewanee: The University of the South
Southern Methodist University
Texas Christian University
Trinity College
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Richmond
University of Virginia
Vanderbilt University
Wake Forest University
Washington & Lee University
Williams College
Yale University
Really, Reed is considered preppy? I know its a small LAC, but its in Portland and the unofficial school motto is “Atheism, Communism, and Free Love”. I kind of assumed it was for hippies (knew it was for hippies) but it has been on my list before.
I’ve heard Washington and Lee a few times, but how about Franklin and Marshall and Washington ans Jefferson in PA?
Bates, Carleton, Vassar, Reed? NO. NO NO. OP, do not go to those schools. What??? Just because Bates is in Maine, does not mean it’s preppy. Vassar, preppy? On what planet? I also don’t necessarily think Hamilton is preppy. It has a very arty culture and is open curriculum. Even W&M I would not truly describe as very preppy, because it is known for having a lot of quirky students. @codemachine , do look at F & M, which I think is not too preppy, but probably preppy enough. Excellent school. The other schools, I mostly agree with, although beware of expecting Brandeid to be preppy. A lot of Jewish kids go there, but not sure how preppy it is. Anyway, have fun exploring!
Thank you, @Lindagraf. I was about to post the same thing. And I’d add Union and Lafayette to the preppy list in the LAC category. Haven’t visited either, I’m mainly going off of descriptions of the student body in princetonreview.
@codemachine Seton Hall is more of a city school. If you want preppy and Catholic, BC, Villanova, St. Anselm and St. Michael’s are the way to go. St. Anselm is the home of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics and hosts several of the nationally televised debates. If you want preppy and politics that is one to look at. It has a dominant hockey culture, another preppy indicator.
As far as history goes, you would be a pig in mud at Gettsyburg in terms of preppy.
I’m confused as to why some feel Bates and Hamilton aren’t preppy. Maybe they aren’t a 10 on the preppy meter, but when you have schools that are 70% caucasian more than 30% of all students on varsity teams, especially sports like lacrosse, crew and squash, and 50% of students from private schools, I would say preppiness is baked in the cake. Perhaps not obnoxious, but certainly evident.