<p>U(C) deferred me, so I'm reconsidering my college list. My RD list includes several reaches that I would be happy to go to, but my main safety school (Pitt) still doesn't really excite me. </p>
<p>What I am looking for now is schools that I can gain acceptance to, but that offer the intellectual atmosphere and widespread hunger for knowledge that is characteristic of Chicago. I am interested in studying Art History and International Studies. I would like to go somewhere that is within a 10 hour drive of PA. I'm in the top 5% of my class, got a 1440 / 2230 on my SATs, have good ECs, and can write a satisfactory essay. </p>
<p>I only really need to apply to 1-2 more schools, as long as they are ones that I should get into. So far, I'm considering Bard and Oberlin, but I figured that the expert CC community may be able to shed some light on my situation. So please, fire away! I am all ears.</p>
<p>There are few other schools that are known specifically for the hyper-intellectualism of Chicago. I'm sure there are many other schools full of students that obsessively love learning, but only Chicago has that specific public image.</p>
<p>Case Western is definitely a nice school. Berkeley is fairly intellectual and competitive, but it is outside of your distance range, and the deadline has passed. I would consider Williams, Amherst, and Swarthmore, but those are difficult to get into, and I'm not sure if that is the level your are looking for.</p>
<p>OK. I have no idea what's within a 10 hour drive of you, so these schools may be out of range. Are you planning on driving to/from school...? If not, it's sort of irrelevant: a plane flight is a plane flight.</p>
<p>Take a look at Carleton as a good match. They're known for spectacular teaching. You may like Lawrence as a safety. I know a couple of people who went there, and they all loved it and did very well. I think it attracts students who are pretty intellectual. Reed would be a very natural choice for you given that you're considering Bard and Oberlin, but it may be too far for you. It would probably fall into the match category, as would Oberlin I think.</p>
<p>Anyway, I didn't apply to any of these schools (or really ones like it), so take my advice lightly. Search some past posts for other discussions on this topic to get other ideas.</p>
<p>Do you have good match schools? If so, I really doubt you'll end up with Pitt as your only choice, but it still makes sense to look for an extra safety or two.</p>
<p>(re: chocolatelover03) those are all good suggestions, but I don't think any of them would be safeties for most people. what about antioch (is that going to still be around?), kalamazoo, beloit, lawrence university, and hampshire. knox college also comes to mind, but I don't know much about it so I don't know why.</p>
<p>Wow! Thanks everybody for all of the advice. I am currently reading up on some of the suggestions and trying to make a decision about what schools to add to my list before this weekend ends.
Reed and Carleton were both dream schools of mine, but my parents say that they are too far away so the cost of transportation on top of tuition would make college too expensive. Real bummer, though, because those schools sound like exactly the sorts of places I'd be interested in.</p>
<p>I would definately second Case Western - it is a likely for the OP, with a good art history department, and a world class museum right next door.</p>
<p>Brandeis and U of Rochester are also intellectual schools - but I am not sure of the art history angle.</p>
<p>Oberlin should be a match - but it is not entirely predictable. </p>
<p>ohio_mom, thanks for suggesting Brandeis! I checked it out and it seems like just what I'm looking for (hopefully my parents do not think it is too far away...)</p>
<p>anyway, I'm filling out an application now!
Any additional suggestions are 100% welcome</p>
<p>if location is a big deal for you, collegeboard.com has a search engine that can find schools within a given radius (50 miles, 100 miles, 200 miles, etc). try it, i found it helpful.</p>
<p>Hmmm...what about Sarah Lawrence? Maybe Skidmore or Goucher as well (Goucher would be a super saftey for you, but if finances are a concern, you'd probably get merit aid there).</p>