Does it exist?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I’m a senior in high school looking to apply to college. For the most part I know what I want in a college but I didn’t really think I could find my “dream” college, as in, one that fits within all my criteria. This didn’t bother me too much. I began to settle with some colleges that had some things I liked but overall, I realized, I wasn’t all that fond of. Then it occurred to me that it certainly couldn’t hurt to ask and see whether or not my “dream” college, so to speak, actually exists.</p>

<p>Female from Maryland.
GPA: 3.5</p>

<p>SAT:
Critical Reading: 700
Math: 680
Writing: 650</p>

<p>= I’m heavily involved in theater in my school. I love watching theatre productions and I typically don’t act in them but I love the behind-the-scenes life. I was on the stage crew 9th and 10th grade for every show and I’ve been Head of the Costume Crew for the productions in my 11th and 12th year. I’d like a school to have a fairly involved theatre life, though I’m not planning to major in drama.</p>

<p>= I’d like campus setting to be more rural/small town, perhaps even suburban but I do not want an urban campus. I’d love a pretty campus.</p>

<p>= I'd like to be in the northeastern area of American as I like cold weather.</p>

<p>= The school would have to be coed.</p>

<p>= I’m thinking of majoring in English or Communications. I love to write and it’s my dream to enter the publishing business as an editor.</p>

<p>= Open-mindedness on a campus is preferable. I’m very quirky, eccentric, etc. I don’t dress in typical fashions (most of my clothing is either handmade or hand-me-downs), I’m into the fantasy genre, I love artsy things. I come from a middle class working family. Ergo, an atypical student body is favorable. I apologize for stereotyping but just to get my idea across, I don’t want my peers to solely be collar-popping, upper-class preps.</p>

<p>= Sports are not my thing. I don’t mind watching a football game with my friends every once in a while but a sports-centered college is not going to be comfortable for me.</p>

<p>= I’m a Christian (protestant) and my religion means a lot to me but I do not think I want to attend a Christian College but rather attend a club or group when I get to college.</p>

<p>= Lastly, I don’t wanting drinking (and I suppose the partying that typically goes with it) to be the epitome of the college student’s social life. Drinking/drugs does not interest me in the least. I realize that you’re going to find it to some degree at just about every college but I’d prefer is it were more subdued and that there are plenty of other things students do on a campus, like going to band/music concerts, plays, lectures, etc.</p>

<p>So, I thought that I was becoming a bit to picky with my "dream college" but I realize that if I don't ask, I can never know. So, please, if you know of any college that seems to fit this description, please let my know. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>try wesleyan… i think it might be a good fit.</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

3

<p>Have you looked at Connecticut College?</p>

4

<p>try St. Mary’s College Of Maryland, there’s not a big drug/alcohol scene, it’s right in your home state, is very open-minded and probably is the best state school in Maryland. It’s in a small town on the water, very beautiful and has amazing academic programs!</p>

5

<p>What about Skidmore?</p>

6

<p>Maybe Drew in NJ.</p>

7

<p>Clark u, in Worcester, Mass.</p>

8

<p>I’m busting out the mascots since it is a list</p>

<p>Wesleyan University Cardinals
Bates College Bobcats
Skidmore College Thoroughbreds
Connecticut College Camels
McDaniel College Green Terror</p>

9

<p>UGH, the mascots. That is SO annoying and it doesn’t even mean anything in the large scheme of things!</p>

<p>You never specified why it had to be a co-ed school – I think there are some great women’s colleges in the Northeast that would suit you. I mean, if it’s just your personal preference that’s fine, but I meet a lot of young women who don’t want to go to a women’s college because they believe they’ll never see guys or because their social life will be with all women, and it’s absolutely untrue. I went to a women’s college for undergrad and many of my closest friends from college were men.</p>

<p>In any case, I second Bates, Skidmore, and Connecticut, and raise you Babson College, Bard College, Bowdoin College, College of the Holy Cross, College of William and Mary (it’s not quite in the Northeast – it’s in Virginia), Dickinson College, Hampshire College (although the atmosphere could be preppy it probably won’t be as bad as Amherst), Haverford College, Ithaca College, Juniata College, Lehigh University, Marist College, Middlebury College, Muhlenberg College, Sarah Lawrence College (definitely an atypical student body, very artsy, not into the whole party scene thing and suburban but close enough to the city to have fun – however, it’s mostly female), The College of New Jersey, Tufts University (these kids may be kind of preppy too, but I met a lot of Tufts kids and they’re cool), and Vassar College (also definitely atypical student body).</p>

10

<p>Ugh it’s Juillet, the most annoying person on college discussion! Jk.</p>

11

<p>I’m cutting down on my mascot usage.</p>

12

<p>You will have to compromise on at least one point. I don’t know of any “quirky” colleges that don’t have more than the usual trouble with drugs, and many rural schools have drinking issues. However, these quirky colleges are also often open-minded to the extreme and there won’t be any pressure to do drugs/alcohol–you just have to be accepting of others when they do it.</p>

<p>Also, the NE is not the only cold part of the country! If climate is your only reason for the geographic limitation, do consider the Midwest. There are many schools there that otherwise fit your criteria–Grinnell, Oberlin, Carleton, Beloit. (Well, I don’t know about the strength of theatre.)</p>

<p>Also consider Vassar and Wesleyan (drugs more pronounced there and at Oberlin, drinking at Carleton due to locale).</p>

<p>Conn College speaks “artsy prep” to me, but YMMV. I second the rec of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, which may also be affordable! And possibly Bates, the most artsy of the Maine colleges.</p>

<p>Juillet offers a comprehensive list, so I will offer selected commentary: Middlebury is more granola prep, Dickinson and Lehigh are more sporty. Schools like Bard, SLC, and Hampshire are GREAT for a very specific type of student–you may or may not find them TOO quirky, as I did. If that type appeals, also consider Bennington and Marlboro.</p>

13

<p>Another school in the midwest you really should give a quick look at is Cornell College in Iowa. They follow a block plan where u only take on class for three and a half weeks. Just check it out!</p>

14

<p>I wonder what school you work for.</p>

15

<p>i actually don’t work for cornell, I am just a very happy student and I want more people to know about the school.</p>

16

<p>If that’s true, cornellC08, you should consider only suggesting your school when it truly fits the OP’s criteria. Or at least add caveats. For instance, in this case, Cornell College is not located in the NE; you can still mention it, but you should mention how it DOESN’T fit as well.</p>

17

<p>O, for sure. Thanks! I know I should have included more information - i’m glad you caught me.</p>