East Coast LACs for a West Coast Student

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Greetings all! I am a HS junior looking for college suggestions. Recently, I have started thinking more seriously about my college search. I am interested primarily in schools on the East Coast. I have spent my whole life in Cali and love it, but I want to open myself up and take the next four years to explore new experiences.</p>

<p>Community will be an important aspect of my college choice. I’m 95% sure that I want to attend a liberal arts college. I really like the smaller close-knit feel. Diversity is also a key factor. I want the opportunity to interact with people from all different walks of life. Beyond that, there are just a few other things I require. The school should be environmentally and have vegan dining options. Finally, I’m looking for somewhere that is LGBTRQ friendly, preferably with an active community.</p>

<p>Academically, I would like to combine film studies and biology with a double major. I am also considering minors in politics, biology, or economics. Both small classes and the chance for professor interaction are a must!</p>

<p>In terms of stats, I have a 3.92 UW GPA at a good private school. My HS doesn’t rank. On the SAT I scored 690M, 740CR, 750W. My EC’s are fairly good too. I’m very active in PETA and Amnesty International. I also founded the PAISN (Palestinian Anti-Israel Solidarity Network) at my school. At this stage I am just starting to think about rec’s and essays…</p>

<p>Schools on my list so far are: Vassar, Amherst, Oberlin, and Swarthmore. </p>

<p>What might be some other good fits?
Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Wesleyan certainly sounds like a fit – liberal, arguably the strongest film program of any LAC, and very LGBT friendly. Possibly New College of Florida, Bard, Sarah Lawrence, and Hampshire as less selective options. I had somewhat similar wants (vegetarian and LGBT friendly) in a college and liked Bowdoin and Haverford quite a lot; whether they’ll fit you, I don’t know.</p>

<p>It’s larger than what you’re looking for, but I recommend considering Ithaca as well. It has ~6000 undergrads but very few graduate students, and it has long been LGBT and environmentally friendly.</p>

<p>If you have questions about LGBT life (especially T), I recommend getting in touch with the LGBT office on campus, provided there is one.</p>

<p>[Consortium</a> : LGBT Office Directory](<a href=“http://www.lgbtcampus.org/directory/]Consortium”>http://www.lgbtcampus.org/directory/)</p>

<p>Do you have a school you can get into and afford? A good safety is the most important school on any college list.</p>

3

<p>Wesleyan sounds like a fantastic option. I’ll do more research on the school – thanks!</p>

<p>To tell you the truth, I have not thought that much about a safety or two. Cost is not an issue as my parents are lawyers. I was thinking LACs that are still good fits, but slightly easier to get into. Do you think Oberlin might qualify given my stats?</p>

4

<p>Consider Haverford. Strong in the biological sciences. Bi-consortium with Bryn Mawr, consortium with Swarthmore and UPenn. As selective as Vassar and Oberlin.</p>

<p>Oberlin would be a match for you–not a safety.</p>

5

<p>OK, really appreciate the help. </p>

<p>Could someone recommend a solid LAC that would be more of a sure bet?</p>

6

<p>I think Bard and Hampshire could be matches-safeties.
Vassar seems like it has a lot of your requirements.</p>

7

<p>Wheaton College (MA)
Connecticut College (CT)
Hobart & William Smith (NY)
St. Lawrence University (NY) </p>

<p>Best of luck in your search!</p>

8

<p>Wesleyan seems to be about as close to a perfect fit as it gets.</p>

<p>Among less selective LACs, I think Hampshire would be a good choice. Other possibilities include Bennington, Ithaca College, Clark University, and Marlboro College. These are not really safeties, though, if cost is an issue. </p>

<p>For something in the middle (between the reaches and the low match/safeties), check out Mt. Holyoke. It does have a Film Studies program ([Film</a> Studies :: Mount Holyoke College](<a href=“http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/film/]Film”>http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/film/)) and, like Hampshire, has the advantage of being part of a 5 college consortium.</p>

<p>You say you attend private school, so does that mean your family income/assets are too high for need-based aid? If so, but if cost is still an issue, you may want to check out some of the midwestern colleges that offer merit scholarships (which the New England/Mid-Atlantic LACs generally do not). Oberlin falls in this category. Others you might like (in settings you may prefer over Oberlin’s) include Macalester College and Colorado College ([Film</a> Studies track](<a href=“http://www.coloradocollege.edu/dept/en/englishmajor/filmstudies.asp]Film”>http://www.coloradocollege.edu/dept/en/englishmajor/filmstudies.asp)).</p>

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<p>OP: Just curious… what does the “Palestinian Anti-Israel Solidarity Network” that you founded at your school do?</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>geesh, this should eliminate many schools from consideration</p>

11

<p>I am also a junior, and looking at similar schools. I’d recommend checking out Middlebury. If you are willing to look outside the east coast, Reed Collage in Portland, Oregon and Whitman in Washington seem like the kind of school you are looking for.</p>

12

<p>Wow, I’m curious about that too. If thats what I think it is, how will that kind of club be looked upon by admissions?</p>

13

<p>Haverford
Wesleyan
Conn. College</p>

<p>Since you mention a Midwestern college, you might also look into Kenyon and Macalester</p>

14

<p>I wouldn’t brag about that group at many Eastern LAC’s…:D</p>