Hi! I’m Katie, and I need some major help on my college search and will greatly appreciate anyone’s thoughts.
I REALLY want to get into creative writing, so that’s a must, but I’m also interested in psychology and other sciences (I don’t know for sure yet, because a lot of things interest me).
I live in Virginia, so the closer to home the better, but it’s not a necessity. The prime college I’m looking to get into at the moment is Oberlin, with which I’m practically in love. Alas, I’m afraid that I won’t get in or be able to afford it, so I definitely need to look into other colleges.
I’m looking for small/medium sized colleges, because I’d prefer a closer knit college over a huge university. I’d rather not be in a big city, and I’m definitely not thinking of getting into an ivy league school or anything hahaha.
Academically, I have all A’s, GPA over 4 (weighted), in the top 10% of my class, but I don’t have many extra curriculars Also my first SAT was a 1900, though the last(second) one I took I think I did better, but I haven’t gotten my scores back yet.
Personally, I’m pretty introverted (though I can open up quickly at times), “artsy”, and generally casual, in the sense that I’m easy going and that I’d pick jeans over a skirt any day.
Sorry, I’m rambling; overall, I need help finding colleges that:
Have a great creative writing program and possibly science (?)
Are smaller and more liberal
Are somewhat affordable (I can compromise/get help from family)
Are close to VA or at the very least on the eastern side of the U.S.
“The 10 Best American Colleges for Writers” / USA Today
“The 10 Best Colleges for Creative Writers” / The Freelancer
“The 25 Most Literary Colleges in America” / Flavowire
These lists will not be inclusive of all schools that could be good for you, but they are not a bad place to start. Some of these schools will also have strong psychology and science offerings. Many provide excellent financial aid.
@Erin’sDad , Well my household can only afford very little, but my grandparents are practically rich so I will probably be able to get their help, so anything really
If you like Oberlin, take a look at Goucher. It is both closer to Va and more likely to give you merit aid. Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland has a strong writing program and is generous with merit aid.
Also, look very closely at your in state options to figure out which one is most appealing to you. Virginia has a bunch of strong in state options.
@LeftofPisa I will definitely have to look into Goucher and Washington College. Also, I have looked into many Virginia colleges, but haven’t found much that appeals to me. Maybe I’m being too picky… I know UVA is a no
Lesley University in Cambridge has a Creative Writing major and several different psychology-related majors, iirc. You’d probably be able to get some merit aid from them, although their need-based isn’t the best. Brandeis also offers Creative Writing.
If you’re not a rising senior (aka you have more summers before you go off to college), Susquehanna (recommended above by Gandalf himself) also has a summer writing program. My friend attended last summer and had lots of fun.
Skidmore, Connecticut College, Sarah Lawrence (albeit weak in Science), Bard, Wheaton (MA, not IL), Guilford, Eckerd, New College of FL . . . Emerson is excellent for Creative Writing, but it’s urban and has little in the way of Science. The same is true for Eugene Lang/New College.
@International95 and @woogzmama I have looked into Sarah Lawrence and it doesn’t seem right for me. I have also looked into Emerson, but like you said it’s urban and not very science-y.
Thank you @gandalf78 (I’m a big fan of your fireworks) and @bodangles though I am sadly a rising senior, so I guess I missed out on that opportunity but I will definitely check out Susquhanna, it sounds familiar.
As to all the other colleges, @“Midwest Dad” @SpringAwake15 , I know what the rest of my researching will consist of
If you plan on doing any college visits, the best option IMO is to go when school is in session, so you can see what the student body is like and get a feel for the place. Good luck.
Check into the requirements to get into Creative Writing classes at schools - i believe that both Kenyon and Oberlin ask for writing samples and professor approval before acceptance into upper level courses. Not sure how restrictive this ends up being or not.
Re:#15, @gandalf78 - I fear that you, and many others on CC, allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. Many students and families can only visit colleges during the summer, and that still - from my experience - is superior to not visiting at all.
^ I am glad to find another person who uses the phrase “Perfect is the enemy of good.” :>) (Sorry I can’t figure out this darn emoticon thing – it’s supposed to be a smiley face.)
I agree that visiting in the summer – when no students are about – may arguably be better than no feet on the ground at all. But the worst college visits we’ve had have been under those conditions; and in some cases no visit at all – relying instead on the lovely pictures in the marketing materials we get periodically – would have been more effective.
Also my first SAT was a 1900, though the last(second) one I took I think I did better, but I haven’t gotten my scores back yet.