Help choosing between two LACs before 5/1?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Well, I only have a few days to commit and I've narrowed it down to Colorado College and Lawrence University (and maybe still Grinnell). Any insight in helping me choose between them would be appreciated. I've visited and I really like both. </p>

<p>I'll try to accurately describe myself: somewhat laid-back, procrastinator, some might say "quirky" and/or creative, generally happy, independent, sometimes adventurous. I dislike the idea of a school dominated by Greek life, preps/jocks, excessive partying, but I want to have fun and be somewhere exciting.</p>

<p>I want to study foreign languages/linguistics, anthropology, and possibly studio art/film photography (not as a major) and MAYBE even some environmental stuff/biology/geology(?) on the side. I think it'd be nice to be involved with the student newspaper and intramurals and I am interested in the environment/sustainability. </p>

<p>My parents don't want to me to worry about Colorado being a bit more expensive, but it is (although we'd manage).
-I think the block plan could work really well for me
-I loved the area and outdoor opportunities
-People seemed fun and nice. </p>

<p>Additional Colorado perks: </p>

<p>-it's a bit more well known (I don't have to tell people where it is either because it's in the name, unlike Lawrence)
-more selective
-seems like better study abroad capabilities
-larger student body (2000 vs. 1500 makes a difference to me)
-easier to get to from home
-more ethnic and geographic diversity
-I liked the dining hall better
-student newspaper and general involvement seemed more impressive</p>

<p>Perks for Lawrence: </p>

<p>-linguistics major (only a minor at Colorado and the class offerings are minimal)
-it's need blind so it seems like it's less of a rich-kid school like Colorado (but I don't know how much that matters)
-they have two cool artists that teach photography there
-people are really nice (I think that's a midwestern thing)
-I wouldn't have to leave my comfort zone (but maybe that's not always a good thing)
-seemed slightly more involved environmentally (SLUG)
-curriculum seems a bit more flexible/easier to take what I want and more AP credits transfer </p>

<p>Lawrence Neutral:
-the Conservatory brings in a lot of music-related things but I don't care so much about it.
-if I really want to do outdoorsy things they have a club that goes places</p>

<p>Lawrence Cons:
-NO ONE from my area has heard of it
-maybe a little too small
-trimester seems a little more complicated for studying abroad
-weather is better at Colorado
-more "weird"/less physically active people (Colorado seems a bit homogenous in student body which is neither bad nor good in my opinion)
-new president this coming year so I don't know what that'll mean
-more complicated to get to from California</p>

<p>I know I'll be happy at either, but I have to choose one. I think I'm leaning towards Colorado even though it seems more logical to go to Lawrence. It seems like my parents prefer Lawrence. I keep leaning back and forth though. Sorry this was so lengthy, thanks for reading.</p>

<p>Also I don't know what I want to do after college. Being really rich later in life is not a priority but I don't want to be jobless either.</p>

2

<p>Why didn’t Grinnell make the final cut? No linguistics? Too nerdy?</p>

3

<p>Colorado College is one of the strongest LACs in the country for environmental science. Lawrence doesn’t come close to what CC offers its undergrads in ecology, the geosciences, and other aspects of the major. Also, IMHO the block plan works best for environmental science since it allows the professor a great deal of time to take a class into the woods or another place and do field work. That being said, have you checked how easy it is to major in a foreign language at Colorado College? It seems, though people have claimed other wise, that the block plan would make it difficult to master another language since classes are incredibly fast paced and language is best learned with slow and steady practice, and then eventual immersion. </p>

<p>It doesn’t sound like you’re very serious about linguistics, although that may change depending on how you like your first class in the subject. If you end up loving it, then you’d be forced to merely minor in the subject at CC, whereas at Lawrence you could spend most of your time as an upperclassman studying it. </p>

<p>From what you posted, it sounds like you’d enjoy CC more, but I think that hinges on how serious you are about a linguistics major. If it’s more of a passing interest, I wouldn’t place much stock into it, but if you’re dead set on the subject, go to Lawrence.</p>

4

<p>Introductory language classes at CC are taught as double block classes (2 credits, 2 blocks). This allows intensive study while learning the basics. The highest level classes are taught as adjuncts, spread over the semester in addition to your main classes. (This is also the case with some music classes).</p>

<p>As for finances, CC has one advantage over Lawrence and most other schools - their affordability guarantee. If your family’s financial situation improves over the next 3 years, that doesn’t necessarily mean a reduction in aid. They generally treat outside scholarships toward your family contribution, as well as outside support - so the tuition your grandparents offer to pay doesn’t count as untaxed income when computing your need for institutional aid. Those factors tipped the scale for me - the campus itself did it for my D. She is planning to major in Anthropology, and minor in Art - so maybe you’ll see her on campus, but only if you choose Colorado!</p>

5

<p>There are 6 language houses at Colorado College.
[Language</a> Houses ? Residential Life ? Colorado College](<a href=“http://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/residentiallife/housing-facilities-information/language-houses/]Language”>http://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/residentiallife/housing-facilities-information/language-houses/)</p>

<p>The block plan gives you great flexibility to schedule off-campus study, including study abroad. If you arranged a couple back-to-back blocks of language study right before or right after a study abroad term (or summer of language school), you’d get a prolonged immersion experience. </p>

<p>CC seems to be very strong in geology. The location and the block plan are both beneficial for that major.</p>

6

<p>Linguistics is the study of language itself, not the study of a foreign language, but linguistics major or minor usually does require a language proficiency.</p>

<p>In terms of fit, it sounds like you should pick CC, but in terms of academics, I think you need to decide how important linguistics and language study are to you, and how conducive the block plan is for that.</p>

<p>There are not many LACs offering linguistics, but after Carleton and Swarthmore, Grinnell now is probably one of the strongest (at least that I’m aware of), since it has a new linguistics professor who has beefed up the program considerably so it is possible to get a pretty strong background through the Concentration or an Independent Major. I, too, am curious, though, about why Lawrence is preferred over Grinnell. was it Grinnell’s smaller
size?</p>