<p>I've decided to post in the Parent's forum to get a new (and hopefully more well informed) perspective. I'm a rising high school senior from New Jersey and my college search has really been utterly confusing. At anyone time I have a list of schools I want to apply to, but that list is constantly changing. Hopefully someone here can give me some suggestions, because I would think the things I'm looking for are pretty common</p>
<p>Geographically: I used have some restrictions but I've lost most of them trying to find more schools. Basically I'm not the biggest fan of the Midwest and the deep South, but even there, there is some leeway. The most imprtant thing for me is that I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. I don't have to be in a big city, but atleast a small city with a sizeable population and things to do. By water would be a plus</p>
<p>Campus: I would really like a defined campus. No NYU buildings scattered all over the place. As far as size goes anywhere from LAC to around 10,000 (or even more) is alright with me, as long as its not a mega-huge school (Penn State, Rutgers, etc.). As far greek like goes, I personally don't love it, but I'm not sure I have the luxury of ruling schools out because of it.</p>
<p>Financial: I'm sure a lot of families are in this situation. We make too much money to get any significant amount of financial aid, and yet we can't afford over 40k a year for some expensive private school. Therefore I want a school with good merit aid possibilities and/or low starting cost</p>
<p>Academics: I obviously want a school known for good academics. I want to study Biology, but I'm not going choose a school by the strength of their bio program.</p>
<p>So yeah. I think those are some pretty common wants in a school, but I;ve really become disheartened by my search for schools. I feel like I've done a lot of research and I have visited a good number of schools, but no moments of divine enlightenment. Any help would be great</p>
<p>Keep looking, but look for places you'll be comfortable. The perfect fit doesn't exist.... there should be dozens of places where you could be yourself and enjoy your experiences. College is what YOU make of it, good or bad.</p>
<p>If you can, visit as many schools you can. Look at a big, medium and small enrollment schools. Get a feel, ask questions, form a list of possibles. From that list of probables apply and see what they will do for you. Both of mine did this and ended up with their 2nds and almost no debt after 4 years. Their original 1sts would have hung them each with around 50k in debt. </p>
<p>Guess what? their number 2's (3's or 4's) are providing them with wonderful experiences and great educations. Far from perfect, they make it work. The big thing is to keep an open mind until you see the offers.</p>
<p>Also...list some of the schools you think you like...and why you think you like them. And...some of the schools you thought you would like, but now think you might not like (and why.) Of the schools you've visited, which ones did you like the most and the least? Other than the campus criteria you've already listed, do you know why you did or didn't like them?</p>
<p>Geographically, size-wise and campus "style" -- you've given some good parameters, but the very knowledgeable parents on this site will be able to give you some more suggestions (and why they think these colleges might be a good choice for you) with stats and more information from you. </p>
<p>(For example...in CT, Yale, Trinity, Conn College, Wesleyan are all schools that should meet your campus criteria, but may already be off of your list for stats or some other reason. Lots of schools in Mass, NY and PA that might also meet the criteria you've listed so far, also.)</p>
<p>As far the campus style goes, I mean its hard to say. Nice looking would be good. I tend to be pretty liberal, but I don't have to (or want to for that matter) want to go to a school that has a liberal tag. I guess I'm a bit of the quirky side but I have some preppiness in me too; so I'm looking for some balance in that department. I also don't love cold weather; I don't think I could make it Maine or Minnesota, for example. Also, I want to have to drive to be able to go places. </p>
<p>Some schools I've had experience with:</p>
<p>Cornell- my brother went there. Not really my style, too cold, too intense.
Chapel Hill- my sister goes there and I like it a lot. i persoanlly would like a school that is smaller, though. franklin street is really great
Wake Forest- i enjoyed my visit and i like the campus a lot. my main concern is that the students are quite homogenous; plus it'd be better if the school were actually IN winston-salem as opposed to near the city.
Davidson- probably my first choice school at this point. its a bit strange because i don't really like school that are known as similiar to davidson; its just special for me
W&M- i really like the campus, but not enough of campus
Duke- again the campus was great, but its just too crazy difficult to get into
Rhodes- haven't visited it but some people have suggested it. i like the look of the campus and the area, but I never really been that far south and i don't not sure how that would mesh with me</p>
<p>Basically I have no trouble liking campuses lol. For me its more about what surrounds the campus. Schools in New England tend to be expensive, which I why I have looked south more (not necessarily because I've decided on going to a southern school; please do not get that impression).</p>
<p>I agree with MomofWildChild. Rice is a lovely, small-ish school with good bio programs (right near the medical center). Very pretty campus, definitely in the city but not all the way downtown. It's in Houston, but Houston isn't the deep south; it's a very diverse city. It also has cheaper tuition than many similarly ranked schools.</p>
<p>Another vote for Rice and Rhodes - the selectivity and atmosphere are different, but the surroundings - small school in or near large city with water available, are similar. Both Houston and Memphis are big air hubs, which should alleviate some of the problem with being far away. Some other ideas - schools in the Chicago suburbs, Florida private schools - Stetson and Rollins and Eckerd and Flagler (maybe too pricey). Trinity Univ in San Antonio - great location, but maybe expensive to get there. W&M???? This one may be too pricey, but how about Emory? Emory has the option of Oxford College as well.</p>
<p>Maybe Vanderbilt? Awesome campus in a very cool southern city with an excellent biosciences program. D has friends there who are liberal, conservative, gay and straight. All seem to love it.</p>
<p>PS My D got a very good aid offer from them as well</p>
<p>Son got good merit offers both at Case Western and University of Rochester, I suspect you would too. Both have alot of research opportunities, are strong in science and affiliated with excellent medical schools. I don't know much about
the biology departments, but suspect they are excellent.</p>
<p>Rice- ummm its in Texas and I just don't know, I never been anywhere near there. Plus its a reach so I'm not sure its worth the bother </p>
<p>McGill and Vermont. I don't really think McGill is what I'm looking for for my undergrad experience; it's too big and too urban and not residential, which is something I'd really like. Vermont, perhaps, but I think it'd be too cold and its not particularly selective so if came down to it, I might as well go to TCNJ.</p>
<p>I am starting to really like Rhodes, though, but I would need a solid merit aid package</p>
<p>If you really liked Duke, you can certainly give yourself at least one super reach school.</p>
<p>Agree with Emory, Vanderbilt and Rice. Add WashU (St. Louis). Georgetown...although it may be a bit more of a reach, too...but maybe not so much for science/liberal arts (versus SFS..which is a reach for most students.) If you're willing to consider cold New England or Chicago....Tufts, Boston College, Trinity (Hartford), Brandeis, Northwestern. If any interest in West Coast... you might look at the Claremont Colleges. In PA Carnagie Mellon (pitts too cold?), Villanova. Franklin and Marshall, Dickinson, and Muhlenberg might be too small... like campus/atmosphere of William and Mary...but could be worth considering.</p>
<p>I'm going to be a junior at Rice this year, and I think you might like it. We have a lot of students who also applied to many of the schools on your list.
I'm from NY, and so the TX thing can be a little scary, but Houston is actually a pretty cool city. It's the 4th largest city in the US (though you'd never know while you are around/on campus), so there is a tremendous amount of diversity here. It's great to go out to all sorts of ethnic restaurants, go to cultural things (Houston has a ballet, opera, symphony, and several professional theater groups), etc. And despite what you might hear, the weather is great during the school year outside of september and october.</p>
<p>I would consider at least one or two schools that are merit "lottery tickets." Rice gives a pretty good number of large scholarships, and it's possible you might get one at Emory or even Duke. Worth a try, anyway.</p>
<p>But in terms of schools where you might be more likely to recieve scholarships, I second Rochester (although the cold weather thing might not work for you) and University of Richmond.</p>
<p>42% of Rhodes students received a merit award this year. I think you are in good shape for a nice award. If you choose to apply let them know you are serious about attending. Direct contact with your adrep is the way to go. They can be quite the advocate when they believe in you. ;)</p>
<p>My D has been there 5 days and it keeps getting better. Everything has been top shelf. The amazing thing about Rhodes , compared to some of its peers, is that there is a tremendous amount of geographic diversity (77% OOS) . D's suitemates are from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Maine, Connecticut, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas . It really makes a difference. It seems these kids are all committed to making campus life great.</p>
<p>Among the bigger name schools I"ll also trumpet Rice, Emory, Vandy, and Davidson, UMiami and WashU.</p>
<p>Don't sell Rice short for being in Texas. Houston is a lot of fun and very modern. Further, Aside from it great academics, Princeton Review just ranked Rice Univ. as #1 for "Race / Class Relations Friendliest." Since this is based on student surveys, I think it does say something about the campus.</p>
<p>You won't go wrong with Rice. Tulane might be an interesting option, especially if you are looking for some merit money -- and a new cultural experience!</p>
<p>The search can be overwhelming. It is so hard to keep all the important factors in mind as you review schools. We used a web consulting service that collected all our preferences (academic, environment, greek life, etc) in a detailed survey, and then made recommendations. We second-guessed it for months, but every time we came back to one of the initial recommendations that the system made.</p>
<p>I too will echo with Rice, Vandy, Emory and Rhodes. We did a Nashville visit a month or so ago and Vandy is right in the middle of Nashville but with a very clearly defined campus. Dean of Admissions made it very clear that this was not your "grandfather's nor father's Vandy". Campus is a national arboretium. Also spoke of nice merit aid as well as generous financial aid.</p>
<p>Son received a very nice package from them this past year. We also saw University of the South-Sewanee. 40-45 minutes south of Nashville maybe 30, depends. WOW. Just WoW. Beautiful campus, great people and a huge campus. Very outdoorsy. Panoramic views. Could be considered remote by some but the town it is in is nice and local Wally world is 10 minutes away. Nice programs and decent merit aid. Was not expecting to be soooo impressed.</p>
<p>I think you'd like Emory and U of Miami. Both offer merit aid. U Miami bases a lot of aid on stats, so check their website. Atlanta is nice, lots to do, MANY people attend from MidAtlantic and NE states. Both by medical schools, so research opportunities. Center for Disease Control is in Atlanta</p>