Having trouble with my search

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm looking for a pretty specific type of school. First off, I want to go to a top liberal arts college. The student body I'm looking for is somewhere between "normal" and liberal, but this is less important than there being a prominent sense of community and support among the students. I don't necessarily need strong school spirit, but rather an atmosphere largely non-judgmental, caring, passionate, and calm. I'm pretty much set on Haverford near Philadelphia, but beyond that I'm beat. "Strong sense of community" just isn't a box to check off on college search websites... Any advice? Here's where I am:
Definitely interested and applying -
Haverford
Oberlin
Swarthmore
Bard</p>

<p>Looking at/don't really know much about -
Middlebury
Macalester
Carleton
Amherst
Wesleyan
Bates</p>

<p>BTW I'm a Male HS Senior</p>

2

<p>Well, given your description, I was about to say – Haverford, so glad you have already found it. </p>

<p>Most parents (such as myself) responding to these types of inquiries start with the safety question – at least one school you know you will be admitted to, can afford to go to, and will be happy to go to. Often the state flagship, but back east, that is less true than in the midwest where we have lots of strong state flagship public schools. The challenge is, admission at top LACs is so tough, that you need to go deep into the pool to find safeties. </p>

<p>I would say Oberlin has a potentially similar vibe to Hford – smart, independent, non-judgmental. Also, one of my favorites is Grinnell, though if you are east coast, the idea of Iowa may be an non-starter. We never made it to Macalester to visit, though always heard good things about it. It is in St Paul, rather than Minneapolis, so a little quieter, not quite as urban. The other schools you list are tough admits, so applications without visits and interviews – especially if you are on the east coast and could have managed visits earlier in the app cycle and didn’t – will be more challenging. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>What about the other Quaker schools? For example, if Haverford is a reach, Earlham would probably be a match, and Guilford would almost certainly be a safety.</p>

4

<p>MUHLENBERG COLLEGE!
It’s my top choice, largely * because * of the “strong sense of community”. I know a lot of schools just throw that around because they know it’s something people like to hear, but Muhlenberg means it. The second you visit campus, I think you’ll understand (if you do visit, of course.) It’s in Allentown, PA, which seems like it’s around the area you’re looking for. </p>

<p>It’s less selective than pretty much all of the ones you have on your list (all of the ones I recognize, at least). 43% of applicants were admitted this year. That’s not extremely selective like Swarthmore (my reach reach reach * reach * school), but it’s still enough to assure that you’ll be surrounded by intelligent human beings similar to yourself. Plus, since you’re looking at such selective schools, I’m assuming you’d get in no problem. </p>

<p>It seems to me that you’re into schools that have a wow-factor associated with their names. I encourage you to look beyond that. I was the same way at some point. Then I took my SATs and realized, “Wow, Yale and UPenn will never have me with these scores!” So, I had to look past the big names to find a school that had similar quality people but was less selective. Assuming your scores are not as pitiful as mine, you obviously won’t have to encounter such a dilemma. However, you should really do the same thing I did; open up your mind to schools that DON’T have that immediate wow-factor. Once you do that, you’ll find hidden gems like Muhlenberg. </p>

<p>(That’s not to say that Muhlenberg DOESN’T have a wow-factor. The mother of the kid I tutor was impressed when I said I wanted to go there, and some lady that works at the pool my mom goes to said, “Wow, your daughter must be * smart *!” when my mom told her that I was going for an interview there. The only reason it doesn’t have that immediate wow-factor with everyone is because it’s a * hidden * gem. Those who actually know the name * will * be impressed.)</p>

<p>Plus, the honors programs seem within reach for you (if, of course, you’re a good candidate for all of your current college choices). Honors program students get an annual stipend of $4,000 a year. </p>

<p>They’re good with financial aid, meeting 94% of demonstrated need overall (and meeting 98% for ED applicants!! The ED deadline is Jan 15, which is also the RD deadline, so if you visit and decide THIS IS IT like I did, you can still apply ED last minute. Also, if you think you’re going to need lots of aid in college but you still want to go ED, they allow you to get what they consider an “Early Read” of your financial aid. They’ll estimate what you will get as your package * before * you agree to ED.)
They also won’t whittle away at your financial aid after the first year like some schools do. They guarantee to give you the same aid you got your first year until your last year unless there’s a drastic change in your financial situation (like if you win the lottery or if you have a sibling who graduates from college).</p>

<p>The college is Lutheran affiliated. A good portion of the student body is comprised of Jewish people, and a good portion is comprised of different variations of Catholicism. This was initially a turn-off for me, because I’m * far * from religious, but they’re so “non-judgmental” that it doesn’t really matter. </p>

<p>I’m not sure how much more I can say without getting annoying. My infatuation with Muhlenberg knows no bounds. I hope you can take my advise and feel the same way!</p>

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<p>I would argue that LACs in college towns have a stronger sense of community than those in urban areas (with suburban LACs being somewhere in between). LACs in college towns usually have the ability to provide on campus housing to everyone and few students look for housing elsewhere (as seniors often do in urban LACs). All the action is on campus, so students don’t disappear into the city on weekends. Students put all their time and effort into on campus ECs, internships and jobs rather than seeking out these opportunities in the city. All that works to create a very strong culture and sense of community. For some, it’s too much - they want to be able to get away and be anonymous and they need more diversity in their environment(s). For others, it’s their idea of social and academic heaven.</p>

<p>S was at Grinnell and loved it - because of that very strong sense of community. (Lots of cross applicants from Carleton, Macalester and Oberlin by the way- and they offer merit aid). For D, it would have been too much and she chose a different route. If Haverford feels right to you, it sounds like you want something in the middle - the suburban LAC that’s also part of consortium. That gives you more options than a LAC in a college town, but it’s still got a stronger ‘core’ than an urban LAC. A similar school would be Pomona, part of the Claremont consortium.</p>

6

<p>Amherst is the most selective of the bunch, but if you are only looking for community, Haverford or Oberlin will suit you fine.</p>

7

<p>muhlenebrg is awesome! kittycatwindow is on target!</p>

<p>I would also look at college of wooster, hendrix college and allegheny college </p>

<p>if you focus to much on the name you may find yourself missing out!</p>

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<p>

<em>advice</em>** Sorry for the spelling error! I wrote this at like 12 in the morning.</p>

9

<p>Thanks everyone. I was trying to avoid any sort of “chance me” post…guess I made you assume things because of the big names I listed. I’m in an awesome situation because I’ve already gotten into Bard on their “immediate decision” program (non-binding, found out November 5), so I don’t need to worry about a safety, though I’m not crossing less-selective schools off my list. I think a lot of the “hidden” schools you suggested have higher-percentage acceptance because the applicant pool is kind of self-selecting, along with the lesser-known name. I’m definitely going to check out muhlenberg, earlham, and some of the others. I’m looking to stay in the northeast or midwest…luckily my grades and SATs put me in a pretty good position, and money won’t be an issue if the school offers need-based aid. Thanks for your help everyone.</p>

10

<p>Yay! Congrats on Bard!</p>

<p>Good luck with everything else!</p>

11

<p>zobroward- you have once again peaked my interest. Please tell me more about COW, Muhlenberg, Allegh., and co! Thanks!</p>

12

<p>Maybe Holy Cross and Colgate.</p>