<p>As I begin to compile my college list, I was wondering whether any of you could provide any insight into the culture/academics of the following schools--what you liked/didn't like. I think, to a certain extent, a "type" of student creates a list of colleges with a similar "feel." I would probably describe myself as quirky and artsy w/ an interest in philosophy/language/art and (a bit bizarre) biological science. I am looking for a college with not only a good science department, but also one where significant attention is given to fine arts. To what extent do these colleges attract students like myself? Also, can anyone suggest other colleges that fall into line with these? Thank you very, very much. </p>
<p>1) Wellesley
2) Smith
3) Swarthmore
4) Carleton
5) Brown (Not an LAC, but it seemed similar in culture/size/philosophy)</p>
<p>If you're checking out Carleton, I would recommend looking at St. Olaf as well. I'm not sure what area of fine arts you are looking at (ie music, dance, theater, etc) but they have an excellent music program, and their science department is very, very good, too. It might be a little on the conservative side, but, especially if you are planning a visit to Carleton, check out St. Olaf as well (the two colleges are right across town from each other in Northfield, MN).</p>
<p>"Quirky and artsy" would be a fine description of many students at Smith and Brown (both with open curricula, very good fine arts departments as well as art history, and strong in biology. Languages at Smith generally speaking would likely be stronger.) "Quirky" would describe many students at Swarthmore: "artsy" is generally not their strong suit. "Artsy and Wellesley" would likely appear in the same sentence often (all the women's colleges are generally stronger than their co-ed counterparts in the fine arts), but I doubt "quirky" would often be a word they would use to describe themselves. From the little I know, Carleton would be a slightly paler shade of each.</p>
<p>My daughter applied to 3 of the 5 colleges on your list, and gave serious consideration to applying to another one of them.</p>
<p>So far as I could tell, they are all great schools in their own way, and probably have a lot of overlap in the type of people they attract.</p>
<p>The differences that we perceived are for the most part obvious (ie Wellesley has no boys, it's really cold in Minnesota, typically). </p>
<p>She also applied to :</p>
<p>Barnard, Macalester, Vassar, Pomona and Oberlin. You may find a somewhat similar tone, to varying extents, at some of these other schools.</p>
<p>I would say that Wellesley seemed to us to have a more pre-professional, careerist bent than the other LACs on this list, to a small degree. Could be wrong though.</p>
<p>Her specific academic interests were different than yours, so I can't say how these places qualify on that score.</p>
<p>I go to Swarthmore, and while not everyone is in the arts, many, many people are. There <em>are</em> strong, if non-traditional, arts, though they may not be excerpted from any western canon.</p>
<p>I think you are on the right track and all of the schools you mention would be worth putting on your initial list.</p>
<p>I would be a little careful with non-specific questions about various departments, especially with interests as broad as yours. So much of the answer to those question depends on what you have in mind. </p>
<p>For example, a Bio major who wants to also study art/art history would have different requirements than an Art major who wants to take a few bio or philosophy courses. Or a school that has good language for a French or Russian major might not be so good for Japanese if they don't offer Japanese! Finally, it is quite possible for a school to not be "known" for a particular department (relative to the bigger departments at the school) and still offer a really good undergrad experience in that less-known smaller department.</p>
<p>My advice would be to continue focusing on the big picture qualities of each school. The rest will sort itself out as you look up departments at each school's website, talk to current majors in those departments, meet professors, etc.</p>
<p>As far as I know, all of the schools you mention would at least be OK for everything you mention.</p>
<p>Among the top LACs, Williams has one of the most dynamic arts scenes. The arts including fine art, theater, dance, classical music, jazz, literature are heavily funded and supported. There are three serious museums on or near campus, a new $50 dollar performing arts center and very good departments in each of these fields. Simultaneously Williams social studies and science programs are among the best in the country. It is common and encouraged for kids to major in diverse fields combining sciences or idea based disciplines plus one of the arts. Art and biology or philosophy and music would not be a bit bizarre.</p>
<p>Quirky is one of those words that has begun to make my hair stand on end, like preppy or intellectual. Yes, there are quirky kids at Williams, if you define quirky as smart, funny, outspoken, curious kids who think differently and have confidence in their ideas. </p>
<p>Williams is a little bit like each of the colleges on your list, but not like any of them in entirety. In character, Id say it overlaps the most with Wellesley and Carleton. Visit, make up your own mind, but beware of stereotypical images. My son who is heavily invested in studio art and art history has found Williams an ideal choice. Obviously he didnt look at Wellesley or Smith, but from among the East coast colleges that he considered Hamilton, Skidmore, Conn College, Swarthmore, Yale, Brown he felt that Williams had the best studio art department in the context of a rigorous liberal arts education.</p>