<p>Okay, so sorry if this seems juvenile but the thing is, I was accepted to New College with a decent scholarship for instate ($4000/yr) and I like the opportunities I'd have, the academics, and what I see on virtual tours. I've been trying to get my parents to let me visit in a week or two (before it's too late) but they're turned off by the liberal-ness. Especially my mom, she already thinks I'm a crazy feminist and is disappointing I'm no longer so interesting in the Christian College she wanted me to go to (I want to go to medical school and feel like it'd be waaay to risky. Students get into medical schools but...not necessarily the ones I'd be crazy about going to.) </p>
<p>They even have the little things I want (thesis, archery, neurobiology, etc). </p>
<p>But, the problem is, I don't know if I'm liberal enough. I mean, I'm normal. I'm not some crazy conservative who thinks all the vaginas need to be sown shut and the gays rounded up into a conversion camp or whatever, but I'm not an ultra hippie who wants to be one with nature and feel the marijuana in my aquamarine soul, you know? I've gone to an Art School for the past few years and actually made the most awesome best friend and got along well except for all the idiots at my school, so maybe I'm prepared but I'm not 100%. I'm calm, introverted, and laid back, but heard that people who don't fit in there tend to drop out. I don't want to drop out. </p>
<p>Any replies would be awesome. X)</p>
<p>I’m a New College grad from long ago, and just visited it with my daughter. I’m not entirely sure what you are asking–are all NC students crazy liberals? From my experience, it wasn’t like that. Some people were a bit wacky, plenty were not. Yes, most people were liberal, but there were a few hardcore conservatives, even. Plenty of us were laid back, calm, introverts. Plenty of people did drop out, but it wasn’t about the scene, it was about the ability to do the work. One did have to be self-directed. I didn’t feel like anyone was holding my hand. Not everyone could cut it. I think it’s a fantastic school and would be happy to send my daughter. Probably if you saw it your fears would be alleviated. Happy to answer any questions I can.</p>
<p>Um, sorry! I think the kind of student I meant was: hipster. We’re so special?" I’ve been at an art school for what feels like forever. It’s all the strictness of a normal high school with twice the self satisfaction. I guess I wanted to know that NCF wasn’t like that. </p>
<p>I don’t know. I had a brain fart all over the computer. I guess my other concern is that I’m not interesting enough? But that’s not something the internet can fix. </p>
<p>Thanks for your reply!</p>
<p>I transferred out of New College for a number of reasons, the most important of which was the atmosphere. For me, New College was oppressively close-minded and I often felt attacked/stifled in my classes due to the fact that there is a very vocal and extreme political community. The drug culture was another related problem. If you don’t think you are liberal enough, you’re probably right. Also, I did not find the community to be particularly intellectual due to these two problems (despite a rigorous curriculum). Dogmatism consistently got in the way of frank, open discussion. Also, I think its unfair to say that the people who drop out/transfer are not academically motivated. Most of those who were thinking of transferring were like me–felt it wasn’t a good fit. For me, transferring actually upgraded my academic opportunities as I got into two highly selective schools and recently made the dean’s list.</p>
<p>Thread is almost a year old. </p>