Friendly, politically-active LACs in small towns? THANKS!

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hey, I'm brand new to CC! I'm a high school junior starting to build a list of schools. I've visited a few schools, and have a pretty good idea of what I'm interested in, but I need help finding that right group of colleges. So I'm here looking for input and suggestions! :) Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>I'm looking at LACs, mainly. I'm planning on studying English, political science, history and environmental science. </p>

<p>To give you an idea of what caliber of school I'd fall in with...I have about a 3.7 unweighted GPA and am in the top 10% of my class. I have fairly solid ECs as well that focus on international understanding, service, writing and public speaking. I was also a non-paid intern for Obama's campaign. </p>

<p>I'd like to go to a school in a cute small town/city (under 70,000 people) that's about an hour away from a large city. It would be great to be near a lake, ocean, mountain, forest, or all of those. I wouldn't say region really matters, though I prefer the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. </p>

<p>Campus community is also really important to me. I want my college to be very politically active, open, accepting, friendly and energetic. This probably sounds corny, but I hope my classmates will be as excited about life as I am and ready to make a difference! I don't want to focus to be on sports, partying, drugs, drinking, or Greek Life, though a little of each is fine. </p>

<p>Oh, and studying abroad...definitely want to do that, so a college with a lot of great, accessible programs would be excellent. </p>

<p>So far I like Grinnell, Whitman, Pitzer, Wesleyan, Carleton, and a few more.</p>

<p>Do any other schools come to mind that I should look at, and maybe visit?</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

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<p>Oberlin and Kenyon also seem to fit.</p>

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<p>You should really check out Middlebury! It's so cute :]
Although it's in the northeast...but seriously, cutest school ever with perfect views of the Green Mountains. It's a premier school for studying abroad too and they're very environmentally conscious. They have their own organic gardens and harvest them each year, and they have cows which occasionally pass by lol</p>

<p>Check out Reed as well...it's in Oregon and they have lots of rose gardens apparently, and that's about as much as I know!</p>

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<p>Thanks for the suggestions! </p>

<p>mp153: I actually received some mail from Kenyon a few days ago...maybe I should go and read it. </p>

<p>Abbie10390: I doubt I'll be able to get into Middleburry, Amherst, Dartmouth and Williams! Ahh! I also don't remember liking some of those schools you listed from a guidebook my cousenlor loaned me, mostly out of concern about the social atmosphere (too preppy and mainstream, too much drinking, etc.). Do you know more about this? I'll look again, though. It's been a while.</p>

<p>And an open question/comment: </p>

<p>One of the main things I'm concerned about, but forgot to mention, is lack of diversity in a small school. Not just racial or ethnic diversity, but also diversity in income, hometowns, and opinions especially. While I would definitely consider myself liberal/progressive, and would like to go to a progressive college, I'm not sure if some schools are just too much. I want my ideas to be challenged and surround myself with a wide variety of people from all backgrounds. So long story short...is diversity typically, well, lacking at liberal arts colleges? Or is this a problem at some more than others?</p>

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<p>I was going to say Reed, but Portland has ~530,000 people, and over 2 million in the metropolitan area. The actual part of the city Reed is located in, though, doesn't exactly feel urban. I'm not sure about the focus on drugs, supposedly 50% of Reed student smoke marijuana it at least once before graduation, but I think that, as with any campus, you are able to avoid it if you so desire. Everything else in terms of your requirements is satisfied.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Abbie10390: I doubt I'll be able to get into Middleburry, Amherst, Dartmouth and Williams! Ahh! I also don't remember liking some of those schools you listed from a guidebook my cousenlor loaned me, mostly out of concern about the social atmosphere (too preppy and mainstream, too much drinking, etc.). Do you know more about this? I'll look again, though. It's been a while.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I actually edited my post because I reread your information and realized I was way off with the lack of partying haha. But anyways, I think Middlebury still fits what you're looking for. It's really not a party school, and I don't think it's too preppy...not sure about this though, I guess it depends on the person. I know it's competitive and all, but you'll need some reaches and it's just something to consider. I don't think it's way out of your league (top 10% is impressive)...but you'll get a better feel how it fits in once you take the SAT/ACT.</p>

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<p>wow I failed so hard trying to help you haha...I forgot Reed was a huge hippie/pot school too. Might not be too appealing for you eek!</p>

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<p>Ok, thanks! I'll give Middleburry a closer look. </p>

<p>I'm not sure how I'll do on the SAT/ACT, but hopefully well. If everything fails, I think a lot of schools, including Middleburry?, are becoming SAT/ACT optional. I took the PSAT this fall and should be getting my scores back soon. I guess I'll find more about where to apply after I take the ACT in Feb.</p>

<p>Oh, and don't worry about it! I looked a Reed a little, but have gotten mixed signals on the social scene and workload.</p>

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<p>Definitely read up on Kenyon! I decided not to apply because I had to choose between it and Oberlin, but I liked it a lot. And it definitely seems to fit what you want.</p>

<p>A friend of mine also really liked Puget Sound, in Washington, but I can't vouch for it myself.</p>

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<p>How about Haverford? I know it's in the north east but it seems to fit almost everything else.It doesn't have mountains and stuff, but it's a nationally recognized arboretum and has a 2 mile nature trail that is simply beautiful. And a one acre duck pond. =) Plus it's only 8 miles from philly but it has a small town feel.</p>

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<p>mp153: what would you say is the main difference between Kenyon and Oberlin, at least for you? The two schools seem very similar at first glance.</p>

<p>keenonkeane: I've never even heard of Haverford before! But it sounds ideal. I visited Philadelphia last year and I really liked the city. Thanks!</p>

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<p>heh, most haven't but it actually is one of the top schools in the country (ranked #10 in US news and world report, if you care about that)</p>

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<p>Oh, and any idea about the diversity issue in post 4? My parents keep on bringing that up...they want me to go to my state school, which I would probably enjoy, but I want to explore all of the options.</p>

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<p>Do you know anything about transporation from Haverford to Philadelphia?</p>

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<p>oh. there are two trains (one on each side of the campus) that heads straight into Philly (I think it's like $3) and it's only a twenty minute ride =)</p>

<p>btw, I don't go to Haverford, I'm just an insanely obsessed senior who applied ED and knows a lot about it =)</p>

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<p>I'm very liberal, politically, and I felt that Oberlin was more attuned to that. Not that Kenyon wasn't of course. You're right, they are both VERY similar at first glance. As a writer, it's been hard for me not to just send in an application to Kenyon, as they have arguably the best creative writing program in the country. I also found that Oberlin was generally more artsy (the town itself is very into art and the school has a music conservatory, as well as other strong arts programs). That's what set it apart for me, at least. ALSO, I research schools in part by going onto the facebook group of their freshman class and seeing what kind of people they attract. Because of this, I felt more inclined to Oberlin. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thank you! I know public transporation is generally good in Philly, but I wasn't sure if there were trains on campus. I see myself staying on campus a lot, but it's nice to have that option of getting away, especially on the weekends. And good look with your application!</p>

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<p>Thanks! I'm totally freaking out at the moment! :O I'm pretty sure that the one train is like a 2 minute walk from the edge of campus and the other is across the street.</p>

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<p>Oh, and thank you, too, mp153! The writing program would be a big draw to me, as I'm also an aspiring writer. I may have to do some Facebook creeping for further investigation. haha</p>

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<p>For safer admissions choices, maybe take a look at Beloit, Knox or Earlham.</p>