Dilemma!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>for awile i was content about college, but a few more waitlists/rejections came my way than expected and now i have no clue where to go.. i would like to be a science major, perhaps later, and still undecided about, med school. it is preferable to have a small, close knit community (lac)
my options are:</p>

<p>willamette - $8,000 scholarship, $2,500 finantial aid
does anyone have any experience with this college? i heard the classes fill up fast and people have problems getting the ones the want, even the ones important towards their major. i also heard there is nothing to do on the weekends. clarification please?
lewis and clark:
i am concerned about the social life there, the accepted student messageboard was filled with posts typical of extremely politically active people, and might be steriotyped hippies, and that just isnt me.
cal poly san louis obispo:(biochem major)
eeeekkkk, definitely high academically rated, but it is sort of ugly and... definitely not liberal arts
uc davis, uc irvine, uc santa cruz
loyola marymount university:
i dont know, even if it is the perfect size in the perfect location, is it really worth $40,000 for a not-so-great education?
university of redlands: (my parents REALLY want me to go there) ($13,000 scholarship) this is probably the cheapest option because it does not cost so much in the first place. it's weird, people at my school thing redlands is HORRIBLE. </p>

<p>i have a 3.7 W at one of the nations top-ish highschools (i have seen alot of articles about contra costa schools in magazines and stuff, monte vista being at the top) moderate amount if AP/honors. definitely DIDN'T slack senior year (honors anatomy, calculus, physics, econ/govt, AP lit, advanced photo) 600 V, 690 M, 600 W. swimming all four years (won award), won award in photography, CSF, NHS, play multiple musical intruments, treasurer or spanish club, mission to mexico (build houses), link crew, took courses at the local community college, summer job as a lifeguard/swim instructor etc. i am kind of thinking the problem with the schools i was waitlisted at was the fact that i hadn't done anything AMAZING or that i only took spanish up to level 3 and got a C in that. or that i am a white female from california. waitlist: Elon, Villanova, University of Richmond
rejected from ucsb and occidental. i can definitely see ucsb, occidental, richmond, villanova (popular cuz of their basketball now) </p>

<p>i don't know. i am having a tough time with all this stuff and figuring out where to go. </p>

<p>wow, sorry about the length of this post</p>

2

<p>I heard Redlands is located in a boring area and is in fact nicknamed "Dead Lands"...so maybe you should visit all the colleges first before you make a decision.</p>

3

<p>Are you really interested in biochem? I'd recommend Davis . You really should go visit if you haven't already. The students report a very close knit community feel, which is unusual for a university. My neice loved her four years there - and it's actually very well-rated academically - probably the strongest choice you have in that regard. The people are really friendly and diverse, smart but not really intense and competitive. Even if you don't consider the cost, Davis is a great choice. With the cost difference, it really seems like the best choice.
Santa Cruz and Irvine also have their charms, but with your concerns about Lewis and Clark, SC may be a little too crunchy. Irvine doesn't have that close-knit feeling that you like about LACs.
Redlands is also a neat little school. Can you make a visit to Redlands and Davis before May 1? Good luck with your decision!</p>

4

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<p>Redlands or UC-Davis are my top 2 for you.</p>

5

<p>i visited there once.. it was indeed in a very boring area</p>

6

<p>UCD or UCI.</p>

7

<p>Davis for sure. Irvine is too much of a commuter school (especially on weekends) to offer the sense of community you're looking for.</p>

8

<p>i don't necessarily think you should make a quick judgement of the students at Lewis & Clark so fast just because i know at least at my school the people who post on public blogs or whatever just end up having a lot of time on their hands like me, and aren't a good representation of the students that attend the school.</p>

<p>also i think if you stick in a school near a city, at the very least you'll always have somewhere to escape if you hate your school or the people there.</p>

9

<p>my big problem is i really had my heart set on a liberal arts education, love everything about it. is it worth it to go to a less "selective" or "prestigous" college to get a liberal arts education?</p>