<p>What I looking for in a college:
I want to go to a small liberal arts school in the eastern half of the United States (i.e. anywhere east of Texas and the Dakotas). The school must have significant grant aid and decent LD services. A robust psychology program is also must, but most LACs have good psych departments. Gay-friendliness is a factor, as is the quality of the housing. Since I have terrible admissions anxiety, I am only applying to colleges that accept 50% or more of their applicants. </p>
<p>My list:
Smith - reach
Grinnell - reach
College of Wooster - match
Kalamazoo - low reach or match
Beloit - match
Guilford - match
Hendrix - match
Agnes Scott - not sure
Wells - match</p>
<p>Any thoughts before I start filling out my applications?</p>
<p>Other than having dropped your safety (UT-C), I think you came up with a great list! While I expect you’d be fine without a safety, I’d put it back on in the unlikely event that ALL your schools deny your application or FA is not what you need. It’s not worth the anxiety. If you’re willing to spend the time and money on that many applications, you should be good to go.</p>
<p>It sounds like you have put a thoughtful list together. Just one comment though -
Grinnell RD was around 27% last year. It is a fantastic school in its own right but as it is known for financial stability and generous merit they were inundated with applications last year - this may continue because of uncertain economic times. You should still apply but you might like to know this may be a high reach due to recent changes. I know a number of applicants (my D included) who were wait listed last year with extremely high stats - they were in a position similar to most top 10 LACs of turning away many highly qualified applicants. Other than that I don’t know much about the other colleges on your list except Beloit, which my D attends and enjoys very much - she is intending to major in psych but ironically did not take a psych class yet but she is a first semester freshman only - Beloit’s psych department does have a good reputation though.</p>
<p>Fine schools–but many of your criteria might be equally available in more Eastern schools, such as Clark, Goucher, Manhattanville, Washington College.</p>
<p>Do not rely too much on 50% or greater admit rates–first, you only need 1 admission, so who cares if some say no; second, those rates may be inaccurate for varius reasons–look more to how your individual stats compare.</p>
<p>Re gay-friendly, remember to check not just the school, but the surrounding community</p>