<p>I'm really confused about which college to attend. I have a few options I'm considering but I'm just really unsure which to choose. I want my college experience to be the best it can be while still helping pave my future. I applied mostly to LAC's because I definitely prefer a small community where I could really fit in. My top choices are Swarthmore, Vassar and the Fordham Lincoln Center Honors program so if you could give me any advice/tips I would really appreciate it.
I'm a somewhat socially awkward nerd. I'm not really geeky but I tend to spend most of my time studying (even if I procrastinate by watching Game of Thrones or playing video games every now and then.) I like science most and I'm considering pre-med but I'm not completely sure yet. I might choose a different field of science or even a different subject entirely after I explore different options. I think it probably seems like I fit in best at Swarthmore and I definitely got that feeling when I visited the school but I'm more than a little intimidated by the intense workload. I went to a pretty rigorous high school and I'm really burnt out right now. (Getting a bunch of college rejections really didn't help.) I also tend to work kind of slowly, partially because I lose focus kind of easily and partially because I tend to overthink everything I do. So here I am still deciding.</p>
<p>Some Pros and Cons</p>
<p>Fordham (Lincoln Center)
Pros
-Honors Program
-Honors classes/professors
-Small community (in the program)
-Internships New York
-Full scholarship (w/o room and board)
-Close connections with faculty
Cons
-Commuting, not doming
-Mixed group of students (less quirky/socially awkward people like myself)
-Fewer Science Majors/classes
-Not much research
-Larger core curriculum
-Grade deflation for Honors classes (not everyone else)
-Jesuit/Catholic tradition (I’m Jewish)
-Somewhat less prestigious than the other two
-Lack of a campus.</p>
<p>Fordham isn’t a bad option and it’s great to have a free ride but I would probably fit in here least of the three schools. I’m a bit awkward so making friends was never my strongest skill (though I’m friendly when I talk about something I know well) Commuting there would probably only amplify this problem. I’m also not Christian so I feel a little out of place hearing about their spiritual weekends or having reverends/priests as my deans. This also pretty much rules out any dating over the next four years, something I’ve never experienced but would probably like to sometime soon. However, I really like the Honors program and I feel like I would fit in with them really well. It would also help me form close relationships with faculty members and its location should make up for the lack of research on campus. I know there’s fewer science majors at the Lincoln Center Campus but I have the opportunity to take classes at Rose Hill and possibly transfer there should the need arise.</p>
<p>Swarthmore
Pros
-Nerdy, socially awkward students (just like me)
-Easy time fitting in
-Academic atmosphere
-Prestige
-On campus research
-Beautiful, small campus
-Decent Jewish population
-Science focus (among students)</p>
<p>Cons
-Great grade deflation
-Heavy workload (again I tend to work slower)
-Not too much financial aid
-Further from NY
-Stress level (which I’m not always great at handling)
I did the overnight at Swarthmore and I really liked the atmosphere. I made a bunch of friends in one day and I definitely felt like I could fit in. The only real issue was the insane workload. I work slowly and I’m afraid I’ll have trouble there. Even if I just barely manage it, I could easily get burnt out from all of the stress. According to faculty, it’s also harder to do research throughout the year when there’s so much classwork. Nonetheless the atmosphere felt the most comfortable based on my experience.</p>
<p>Vassar
Pros
-Quirky but more artsy kids (definitely nice but not quite as perfect a match)
-Pretty Academic also but still fun
-A moderate amount of research opportunities
-Nice Campus
-Manageable workload
-Largest Jewish Population (of the three)
-Happy Students</p>
<p>Cons
-Less science focus
-Not too much financial aid
-Less prestigious than Swarthmore</p>
<p>Vassar seems like a good choice because students are still nice and kind of quirky but they seem to be a bit outgoing and artsy. I would probably fit in but it wouldn’t be the perfect match Swarthmore was. Still I like the atmosphere and I would probably find my niche. The workload seems high enough to make it still academic but definitely the most manageable of the three. There’s definitely less of a science emphasis among students which means I might have a bit more trouble fitting in but it also means more availability for research so that isn’t too big a problem. I feel like it’s a warm and accepting community without some of the stress of Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Brooklyn BA-MD</p>
<p>Pros
-Automatic enrollment in a Downstate Medical School.
-Easiest workload and no med school apps
-Small but less connected honors community
-Proximity to home.
-Full scholarship
-Small program and connections with a few faculty members</p>
<p>Cons
-I don’t actually know if I want med school yet (though being a doctor definitely sounds promising)
-Large size (student population that is)
-Not prestigious
-Not very intellectual
-No community/atmosphere
-Barely any science majors
-Mediocre academics
-No relationships with professors.
-Core curriculum</p>
<p>This isn’t really my top choice but I can’t help wonder what it would be like to skip med school apps. I’m not 100% sure about med school yet but skipping apps definitely makes the process easier. Still, it’s missing the intellectual vitality and warm community that the other schools have. It’s bigger, colder, and less interesting overall but of course it definitely isn’t a bad option.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for the help. Hopefully this will also help someone else in a similar position. I also got into Haverford but I didn’t mention it here because it felt kind of cold when I visited there. It didn’t quite have the community feel of Swarthmore or Vassar and it’s a bit more limited in options. Nonetheless it’s still a consideration. At this point I’m just trying to figure out what will be best. I know I fit in best at Swarthmore but I just don’t know if I can handle the work and stress there. Fordham is less of a match for me personality wise but the workload is somewhat better and the full scholarship definitely helps. Though the lack of science majors and less intellectual feel make it somewhat less desirable. Vassar is the best balance of intellectual and happy overall but it’s not free and not quite as nerdy as Swarthmore. Still people make friends fairly easily I’m just really confused about my decision. If anyone knows where a nerdy, shy kid like me would fit in, please help. Thanks again.</p>
<p>As someone in the LC Honors Program, I really recommend it. Way less core classes, professors are some of the best in the college, your own room to study/do whatever in, preferential treatment in class selection. I also got a full ride, so we are kind of equal.</p>
<p>
The Honors Program is very small, no more than 18 people. Everyone fits in well.</p>
<p>
LC is barely Catholic. There are tons of Jewish kids, and there’s a Jewish people club. No one cares, most people aren’t religious.</p>
<p>
Plenty of people like this. A lot of loud extroverts, yeah, but I can assure you that you won’t be alone.</p>
<p>
A fair concern. LC doesn’t have many science classes. One of my friends (also in Honors) is doing Biology for pre-med and she says it’s fine. You might take some classes at RH though. Physics is also here, I think.</p>
<p>
Not a problem if you are in Honors. I took 3 required classes first, semester, 2 second semester, and 2 last semester. Next semester (I had to take this one off), I am not taking any. After Spring 2015, I will be done with my core, sans some senior values courses. Honors core is what a good core should be: A few quality classes. Normal LC core is terrible, I agree.</p>
<p>If your major has an important class at the same time as an Honors class, you are allowed to not take the Honors one that semester.</p>
<p>
Not sure about this. Nearly everyone got As and Bs in the Honors classes, mostly As. I will be honest, two classes (Religion and Trends in NYC) were cakewalks (but some of the best classes I’ve ever been). One class was super hard (English, basically a grad level English class!), two were hard but doable (Art History, History). Depends on the professors though, which change every year. It’s definitely not a “everyone gets Ds or Cs” thing.</p>
<p>
Maybe, but Honors + good grades help out.</p>
<p>
Personal opinion, I don’t mind. You can always visit RH if you want a campus for a bit!</p>
<p>At the end of the day, it’s your call. Where do you feel happiest? Do think about finances, though! A full ride is hard to pass up in this day and age. I recommend Fordham and tried to answer to your cons, but it’s a personal choice. Plus, if you come here, I’ll help you get acquainted (we’ll see each other at Honors stuff anyway).</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the info. It was really helpful and definitely influenced me (in a good way). I do like Fordham and I think it has a lot of what I’m looking for. I was a little nervous about making friends when there’s no real campus and fewer nerdy kids but everything you said made me feel a lot better. Thanks for all of the great help. </p>
<p>@JohnDough1, my oldest daughter went to Swat and my youngest is at Fordham LC (in the theater program). Your pros and cons seem well-thought-out. To be honest, I think a smart, nerdy, shy intellectual would be most at home at Swarthmore (I know kids who went to Vassar and they seemed more preppy, sporty-- but that may be just my small slice.)</p>
<p>One thing you didn’t note is that Swarthmore is in the Quaker consortium, so you would be able to take classes at UPenn, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford. My daughter took full advantage of this and took a Penn class almost every semester. She also had a job in the city (it is very easy to get to downtown Philly by the train that is on Swarthmore’s campus.) </p>
<p>As for grade deflation at Swarthmore-- definitely true (I teach at Penn and have a perspective on this.) But my daughter’s friends were not hampered by lower GPAs when applying to grad school in academia because the deflation is understood. I can’t say if this is true or not for med school, however.) </p>
<p>As for religion, being Jewish is not going to make a difference at Swat; I think it would be minimal at FLC. </p>
<p>As for campus, Swarthmore is truly gorgeous (the campus is an arboretum.) My daughter adored it at first, but it also started to drive her crazy (city kid) which is why she traveled into the city at least once a week. </p>
<p>No problem John. I just checked the classes for next year. You would have Maginn for History, which honestly makes taking the Honors program worth it. I don’t know the other professors, so I can’t comment on the difficulty of the classes. However, knowing the Honors Program, it won’t be a problem if you work hard and participate.</p>
<p>Thanks. I definitely felt at home at Swarthmore, more than any other school. It’s a bit difficult to compare since I only stayed overnight at Swarthmore but I definitely felt most comfortable there. That’s a good point about the Quaker consortium. Do you know if there’s a limit to how many classes that can be taken at the other schools? That really increases the breadth of courses. It probably is also occasionally helpful when the low grades and high stress classes at Swat become overwhelming. </p>
<p>Thanks so much Matachines. That sounds great. I really do like the honors program at Fordham. By the way, my real name is Brandon. </p>
<p>
My daughter took classes most semesters.I think the rule is that you can only take classes in the consortium if they are not offered at your school (which makes sense.) </p>
<p>My daughter said that she could work incredibly hard and do her best work at a Swat class and never really be able to predict what grade she would get. At Penn, if she showed up and did the work (she is a good student) she always got As. That said, the Swat students aren’t there for the grade. They are highly engaged.</p>