<p>I think Rice U is a nice balance of intellectualism and fun somewhere between Chicago and Stanford.</p>
<p>By the way, Diocletian, that article on Chicago admissions was great. Thank you for including it, it's very interesting.</p>
<p>Re: "Where fun comes to die."</p>
<p>It's sort of a pastime here to come up with these sorts of jokes*, e.g., "The level of hell Dante forgot," "If it were easy it'd be your mom," "Where the only thing that goes down on you is your grades," "Where the squirrels are cuter than the girls and more aggressive than the guys," etc. And though there might be a grain of truth in them it's more our desire to be devilishly self-deprecating. Yeah, we get it, we're nerds. So what?</p>
<p>Anyways, there's a definite social life here on campus, although it has a very different character from most other schools I've been to. We have fraternities, although they're very minimized compared to most schools, even peer institutions. As a first year there will be a segment of upperclassmen who will want to show you all this, but for me it all became very boring very quick. If you want crazy parties they're there, although probably not as crazy as elsewhere, and if you prefer more subdued parties, they're there, too. But Chicago isn't some barren social wasteland where everyone has taped glasses and pocket protectors. <em>snort sort</em></p>
<p>Just remember, you're in Chicago. CHICAGO. There's so much to do and if people tell you otherwise they're the sort who think fun only comes at the end of a beer bong or who are too lazy to go out looking.</p>
<p>*: My favorite one, though, isn't a saying, but rather a shirt. I think it's a house shirt from a house in Burton-Judson, but it has a large Brontosaurus with one of its legs raised and a tiny spot on the ground underneath its foot. There are two arrows: one, pointing to the dinosaur, reads "University of Chicago";another, pointing to the spot, reads "you."</p>
<p>I think maybe you want to give Brown another chance. At least apply, you never know. I went to Columbia for a year and transferred to Dartmouth because socially Columbia just wan't that fun. Also, truthfully it was more "snooty" in many ways than intellectual. Its hard to explain but there are many "better than thou" types who manage to be totally silent in class discussion. I found people were all about all nighters in the library to get their As, but not too much intellectualism (the big picture stuff) in the dorms. Perhaps not where "fun goes to die", but definitely not "where fun lives" either. </p>
<p>My experience to Chicago is that it is very similar to this, but socially far worse. Honestly when I visited a friend (twice) there all I could think about was how lucky I was to not go there. I think Chicago and Swarthmore won't be socially that engaging at all. Lots of "better than thou" types who like to segment people who party as "those people" if that makes sense. I guess in a nutshell, it feels judgemental.</p>
<p>As for Stanford I think you might be frustrated at times with some of the laid back athletics types, but remember its stanford, there are going to be many many intellectual people. You'll find your niche.</p>
<p>It seems like you want an intellectual school with social options. I think Harvard, Yale, Amherst, Brown all are great choices for you in the top 10.</p>
<p>Those sound great... can you give me any more ideas at colleges that area a little less selective as well. I mean, I think I have a very strong application, and have a good shot at all these places, one can never be sure these days. I had thought about Grinell, McGill and Vassar as more match/safety places- what would such places be like? Any other ideas?</p>
<p>Vassar is a perfect match/ safety (and such an awesome school!) I think those choices you mentioned are great, you might want to check out Carleton and Pomona as well.</p>
<p>It seems like Wesleyan may have a combo of a lot of the characteristics you seek.</p>
<p>Wesleyan, WashUSt.Louis, Emory, Rochester, Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, along with a lot of those already mentioned.</p>
<p>Also, Dartmouth might be worth applying to as well. There is a wonderful LACy intellectualism and a great social scene, if you don't mind the occasional meathead with a toga there is alot going for the school. Truthfully it was so easy to build such a great off campus scene. Sometimes it felt like dead poets society.</p>
<p>Check out Seton Hill University....
Everything that you are requesting, we have! Being a recent grad, I highly recommend!
Check us out!
<a href="http://www.setonhill.edu%5B/url%5D">www.setonhill.edu</a></p>
<p>TourGuide- wouldn't you think that Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, and to some extent Rochester, are a little technical? I see them as sort of more science and math than humanties and social sciences...</p>
<p>They have big reputations in the sciences, but I think they would all be fine for econ and other non-science fields. I'm sure people will be more than happy to jump in and provide details. Everybody on collegeconfidential seems obsessed with getting in the very best departments, in which case you're competing with everybody else who follows the obvious trends. An under-used tactic is a contrarian approach, in which you apply to the NOT-so-famous programs at really good colleges. With this approach, you increase your chances of acceptance, and the departments are usually fine--they just don't get as much publicity and attention. I think for undergraduate studies, it's usually better to choose the college you like, not the department.</p>
<p>I just think those schools don't have the LACy intellectualism Monsieur is looking for.</p>
<p>Slipper, don't you think they'd be sufficiently intellectual if he stayed away from the pre-meds at Hopkins and the engineers at CMU? I mean he's looking to major in Econ, not philosophy, so I'm guessing his idea of "intellectual" is a little more practical than the usual head-in-the-clouds definition. Anyway, even if the likes of CMU and Hopkins are given the boot, I'm pretty sure Rochester would be ok.</p>
<p>MIT is good in economics and bad at sports...</p>
<p>Thank you for all the help thus far... based partially on your advice, I've assembled a preliminary college list:</p>
<p>Harvard (SCEA)
Princeton
Yale
Columbia
Amherst
Swarthmore
Chicago
Vassar
UMichigan
McGill
Rutgers</p>
<p>What do you guys think of that? Are there enough safeties? Am I missing any good schools?</p>
<p>I'm also considering the following:</p>
<p>Stanford
Haverford
Grinnell
Carleton
Rochester
MIT</p>
<p>What's your feeling on those? Do you think they meet the criteria I mentioned before? If so, which schools should I kick out to make room for them?</p>
<p>Thanks again for all the help!</p>
<p>Try Caltech too. There isn't a more beautiful campus anywhere and the economics program is second to none. IMHO, Caltech is better than MIT. I'm from the midwest and I'm used to snow, but Pasadena>>>>>>>>>Cambridge.</p>
<p>It's a good list. I think that you will be accepted at Chicago. You have the stats, and it also seems to be a great fit for you. No, fun does not go there to die. It's a stereotype, a joke that stuck. If you do not need financial aid or merit aid, your list is long enough.</p>
<p>
[quote]
the economics program is second to none
[/quote]
Wow, you're generous. I definitely think that Caltech (micro) economics is highly underrated, but there are definitely better overally economics programs in the country. I'd go to Chicago if I were the OP.</p>