<p>I've got an initial list of schools that I like for their academics, but I want to also consider more personal factors. My SAT scores are 730/740/650 after the first go, and hopefully I'll be getting my writing score past 700 in October, along with the Reading/Math scores to around 750. My GPA/QPA, course load, ECs, leadership positions, volunteering, et cetera are all strong. This is my current list:
Swarthmore
Johns Hopkins
Dartmouth
Yale
Carleton
Rice
University of Connecticut
SUNY- Geneseo
Colgate. </p>
<p>I'm interested in English, particularly creative writing, and I'd like to work in publishing or go through graduate and doctoral school and work as a college professor (probably at a state school/community college, but still).<br>
I am 130% a non-drinker, I will not imbibe a single sip of alcohol while at college, which I know probably sounds super lame, but I just really don't like the feeling of being out of control (I'm NOT super religious or anything.) So, I want to go to a school with a large non-partying fun scene, where a lot of people would rather watch a movie or hang out than go to a party full of drinking. OR just a school that won't judge a non-drinker. I also am not a big fan of fraternities/sororities (I know Dartmouth is VERY heavy with frats, but I like everything else about the school.)
Liberal, not conservative, but also not super extremely liberal. Just normal.
Happy students! (Based on reviews of a college by students, Princeton review, et cetera.)
Beautiful campus
Studio art classes available
Generally not stuck-up/extremely preppy students
A pool available for use!
Nice dorms
Good school reputation that will help in the future, especially with grad school applications.</p>
<p>I second Kenyon. Knox, too.
If you don’t like drinking or being around drunk people, do NOT consider Darmouth. Lots of schools share Dartmouth’s other characteristics.</p>
<p>To be fair, Kenyon is not a “dry” campus – nor are any of the colleges on your list. Every one will have a hard-partying contingent. But pretty much all will also offer a substance-free dorm arrangement – they are not always perfect, but odds are good you will end up with a sub-free roommate and most of your dorm will not drink. And if you choose to seek out non-drinking friends, you will find them at pretty much all of those colleges.</p>
<p>If you genuinely want a school with less partying and you are female (you don’t say), consider women’s colleges. The partying scene is generally toned down (although it is there). To truly escape alcohol on campus, you have to look at placed like BYU. Doesn’t sound like that is what you want, but you should ask questions about their sub-free living at all these colleges if you can. So schools like Mount Holyoke (I seem to remember a super nice pool there, too!) or Scripps might be a fit.</p>
<p>I second the recommendation of Kenyon, but think the OP’s stats are quite high for Knox (and the Kenyon campus fits the beautiful campus/creative writing/studio art requirements perfectly). They have a new art building at Kenyon that is fantastic. And Kenyon must have a pool – they won an NCCA DIII swimming championship the year we visited, I think beating longtime rival and swimming powerhouse Dennison.</p>
<p>If I were you I would choose a route that minimizes your debt. Publishing is very hard to break into – my D1 graduated in spring 2012, and she only has a couple of friends from her graduating class who don’t have “real” jobs yet – one of them wants to be in publishing, but last I heard she has only been able to find unpaying internships since graduation. She is working at those, hoping for a break. Another friend graduated from Harvard Phi Beta Kappa in 2011, and was rejected from every PhD program in English she applied to – she ended up getting into a 1 year masters program at U of Chicago, and is trying again with PhD applications. Just saying you are headed into one of the toughest professions to break into (publishing or English professor). Don’t do it with a lot of debt hanging over your head.</p>
<p>I have to second the Knox possibility. It has one of the finest creative writing programs in the country with professors from some of the finest colleges (including the Ivies), a fabulous Studio Art program and the great flexibility to create your own classes/programs etc. They have “workshop” classes that focus on one genre of writing each term that meets from 7PM-midnight once a week to discuss what’s been written over the week. It has one of the most creative and flexible programs for a college, pretty opposite from Kenyon from that point of view. </p>
<p>The social life is very varied, drinking is absolutely not a requirement for a fun time, Greek life is small. Service and involvement with the community is strong. Professors are interested and available nights, weekends, for dinner with their families, just a big family atmosphere. Be aware that there is no hiding in this school however as it is small.</p>
<p>You are smart for looking at what the schools offer besides academics, you’ve got large and small schools on your list. Look through each schools websites but for a better “feel” you need to visit. Good luck!</p>