Fit?

<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 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><a href=“Tumblr”>Tumblr;

<p>These people seem very helpful</p>

<p>Thanks for the link! It’s been really helpful. I know asking people on the internet isn’t the best strategy, but when I visited NCF a few months ago, I liked everything but Pei Court. Albeit, I was pretty hungry and lightheaded since I forgot breakfast (stupidly) so that had me worried that I wouldn’t like the student culture there.</p>

<p>Hey Ashley, I have some friends that go to New College and I’ve visited it myself. It doesn’t sound like you’re going to have any problems with fit, just from what you’ve said so far. It seems like there’s pretty much a niche for anyone, and most people don’t really care if you’re not hyper-liberal or whatever. That’s funny that you didn’t like Pei, that’s one of my favorite parts of the school. I dig the grungy/communal vibes.</p>

<p>@ReganBuschell. Yeah, I’ve heard a lot of people say they liked it, but I’m talking to someone who goes there and says it grew on them. You said you have friends there? If you don’t mind me asking, are you not at NCF b/c you don’t like it/liked another college/univ better or b/c you’re in high school or something and going to NCF? If it’s the last one, it must be nice to already have friends there. All of my friends seem really squeamish(?) about New College. </p>

<p>Anyways, it’s pretty much decision time already.</p>

<p>Ugh, this post is sort of embarrassing. I’m actually afraid I’ll go to NCF and people will recognize me from this post! Which is RIDICULOUS. I know. No one will, but yeah. </p>

<p>OP: *my mom’s disappointed. Sorry.</p>

<p>Don’t like Palm Court? What’s not to like? </p>

<p>New College is such a great school, unless you are looking for things like Greek life and tailgating parties. I don’t see what you would have to worry about, according to how you describe yourself.</p>

<p>I don’t know. It was a little uncomfortable. I can see how once you’re accustomed to it, it becomes cozy? Maybe? There were things I liked, but the bad feelings sort of overrode them.</p>

<p>Yeah, Greek life and tailgating parties are part of a few bigger reasons that turned me off of the bigger universities I was accepted to (price turned me off the private liberal arts colleges X[ ). I fall asleep at sports games and I’m pretty ambivalent about sororities and frats.</p>

<p>When I was there the people who dropped out were often the people that couldn’t hack the work or the people who decided they had to major in something NC didn’t offer. There were also a lot of people who dropped in – transfer students who stayed and graduated. There were also a variety of people there; not everyone was a hippy.</p>

<p>I’m a junior right now and I’ll be applying next year. It’s my top choice right now and I’m trying a drag a few of my other buddies with me to visit again after AP exams. I’m jealous that you have the chance to go so soon… One more year for me :(</p>

<p>@ redpoint. Sorry if I offended you? I didn’t really think EVERYONE was a hippie, but it seems like most are. Even alumni have called it a hippie school. </p>

<p>@Regan I’ve been excited for college since sophomore year but after a while, the reality of it got pretty intimidating. My parents didn’t help. Not to say that’ll happen to you! It’s probably just me. I’m still really wanting to go and get started, you know? I guess I just put it on a pedestal before and a month ago I was still freaking out over that.</p>

<p>Oh, no offense taken at all. I’m sorry if it comes across that way. I call New College a hippy school also–well, at least it was in my day. These days maybe it’s more hipster, I don’t know. I also remember a whole group of more conservative people, oddly, mostly in the poll-sci/history depts. </p>

<p>The person who was known as the biggest drug dealer became a lawyer :)</p>

<p>You will have fun. Maybe you will see my kid there, too, in 2014.</p>

<p>Oh ok. Sorry for making that assumption! Yeah, it seemed like there were more hipsters. I mean, I saw a lot of free flowing skirts and stuff but only saw two people I actually thought were real hippies, neither in skirts. </p>

<p>Maybe. I’ll have to wait and see. X)</p>

<p>I’m the best friend she mentioned! I’m the best friend!!!</p>

<p>Regarding post #7. I always see that as a concern for my many prospective students in general. Always stating they aren’t into Greek Life or the sports fanaticism and that’s a reason not to attend a particular school.
I go to a large state school that has a large Greek life and football is a huge deal.
I don’t party at all and have lived on campus and currently off campus.
Because I don’t enjoy or want anything to do w sororities or fraternities I simply don’t go to their parties. Greek Life is not forced upon anyone. I do enjoy going to the football games bc it’s a break and it’s just fun but I never went to every game. The days I didn’t go the campus was quiet and easy going as everyone is at the game. I also never dealt with the tailgaters but did pass by and was offered free food…which is not a bad thing.
What I’m getting at is those things should not factor into a college decision. Large uni’s also have a great diversity of people. Even if sports and Greek life are popular it doesn’t mean it consumes the school and students feel the pressure to conform. When I lived on campus I never felt bothered or felt like it interfered with anything.</p>

<p>In regards to the hippie-ness or whatever. Stop being so judgemental. Don’t let other peoples clothing style or lifestyle choices stop you on your academic goals. Keep an open mind and you will meet new and interesting people. Though the majority seem like the über liberal there are also some on the polar opposite. Diversity is the spice of life. I wouldn’t focus on who’s too much of this or too much of that.</p>

<p>@michelle. LOL. Hiii!!!Love you.</p>

<p>Well, what’s right for you isn’t right for everyone. Not all colleges will be good for an individual and I know I’m not the only one who worries about things like that. I just wanted to make the best choice for me. </p>

<p>You’re acting like I said I didn’t like liberal people or something. I just felt insecure and stuff, but I guess that makes me judgemental. Although, I am pretty sure I never said I would foresake all academics if no one wanted to be my fwiend.</p>

<p>@ashleyhughes8: Love you too, haha. </p>

<p>@papertiger87: She never said anything about it affecting her studies, obviously it won’t. It’s just kind of awkward being the odd one out all the time. It’s even worse if you’re the only “normal” person in a group of “odd” people (Not that hippies are odd, just not exactly the picture you get when you imagine an average student). And obviously EVERYONE can’t possibly be extremely liberal, just like everyone at sports schools isn’t a jock. It’s just nice to fit in.</p>

<p>You get me. I mean, you worded my concerns better than I did. That’s just it. I don’t want the next four years to be an awkward fest. Thank you! </p>

<p>Although, “fit in” is currently a poison phrase, lol. X)</p>