Help cut schools from my list!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Or suggest some not on this list. Prospective Spanish or Romance Languages major, wants to be near a city, intern at a newspaper, magazine, or publishing firm and eventually be an editor. 28 ACT. I've worked two jobs since I was 16 (one for several months before I turned 16). Two volunteer positions I've held for 2+ years that I'll be able to put on the app. I'm hoping to narrow this from 35 or so to 15 or less.</p>

<p>This is just a "research more" list, not a list of schools to which I will most likely apply. In addition, this list is in the order listed in the front of the Fiske Guide (by state). I marked schools as I went, so this is in A-Z order by state.</p>

<p>Arizona State University
Chapman University
Loyola Marymount University
Mills College
Occidental College
University of Redlands
University of San Francisco
Scripps College
University of Southern California
Whittier College
University of Colorado--Boulder
Eckerd College
Florida Southern College
University of Miami
New College of Florida
Agnes Scott College
DePaul University
Lake Forest College
Goucher College
Hood College
University of Maryland--College Park
Boston University
Brandeis University
Emerson College
Wellesley College
University of Minnesota--Twin Cities
Barnard College
Eugene Lang College
Fordham University
Sarah Lawrence University
University of Cincinnati
Ohio State University
Lewis and Clark College
University of Oregon
Reed College
University of Pittsburgh
The Evergreen State College
University of Washington</p>

<p>And schools not in the Fiske Guide (100% open to those, by the way):</p>

<p>Temple University
University of Central Florida
University of South Florida
Loyola University of Chicago</p>

2

<p>What's your GPA, current State Residence, and how important are finances to you?</p>

3

<p>4.0/Alabama</p>

<p>Finances are pretty important. My EFC is 0, but I do have some family members who would help a bit if it was an "either I get the money or I can't go" situation.</p>

4

<p>You have a huge range of schools. I'm not going to say that it's impossible to like both Barnard and Ohio State (they were essentially my two top schools) but they are quite different and many people wouldn't feel comfortable at both.</p>

<p>Maybe you should reexamine what you are looking for in a college, and then cross out either some of the huge state schools or the small liberal arts ones. You don't have to toss out all of them, but you don't need so many of the type you're leaning away from.</p>

5

<p>Personally I would cut University of Central Florida, and University of South Florida. I live in Florida and these schools would not provided you with the opportunity for a serious intern position.</p>

6

<p>Replying to Kelsey G - I haven't really looked into these schools. They're just schools I've heard are decent. I'm asking you guys to give me your opinions on their Spanish programs, because it's hard to find that kind of information online.</p>

7

<p>Okay. Anyone else?</p>

8

<p>Umm, that list is really random. You need to decide LAC vs University, Public vs Private, Size, Location Desired, etc. Once you decide on these it is a lot easier to get a list down.</p>

<p>For Example, Reed and USC are light and day differences. You really need to find out what you want to have...</p>

9

<p>I don't know what I want in a school yet. I'm just asking you to give me your opinion on the Spanish programs at these schools.</p>

10

<p>I would take Reed off the list coz of
1. Sucky Financial Aid
2. Academic rigor [a lot]</p>

11

<p>ill give it a go. idk about the spanish programs. u need to give us more info. without it, we cant help u that much. this is just my opinion.</p>

<p>x=no dont apply y=yes apply</p>

<p>Arizona State University Y<br>
Chapman University X
Loyola Marymount University X
Mills College X
Occidental College X
University of Redlands X
University of San Francisco Y
Scripps College X
University of Southern California Y
Whittier College X<br>
University of Colorado--Boulder X
Eckerd College X
Florida Southern College X
University of Miami Y
New College of Florida X<br>
Agnes Scott College X
DePaul University Y
Lake Forest College X
Goucher College X
Hood College X
University of Maryland--College Park Y
Boston University X
Brandeis University Y
Emerson College X
Wellesley College X
University of Minnesota--Twin Cities Y
Barnard College X
Eugene Lang College X
Fordham University Y
Sarah Lawrence University X
University of Cincinnati Y
Ohio State University X
Lewis and Clark College X
University of Oregon X
Reed College X
University of Pittsburgh X
The Evergreen State College X
University of Washington Y </p>

<p>And schools not in the Fiske Guide (100% open to those, by the way):</p>

<p>Temple University Y
University of Central Florida Y
University of South Florida Y
Loyola University of Chicago X</p>

<p>just my opinion. most of these i never heard so i put a x on them</p>

12

<p>I know someone who got a need-based full-ride to Reed, so don't cross it out just for FA reasons. Academic rigor, however, is definitely something to consider.</p>

<p>And you can pretty much ignore socalsoccerdude's ratings. He obviously hasn't heard of any LACs. But with such a long list, it's not realistic to ask someone to rate the Spanish programs at each of them--that's something you need to research for yourself. A sample search string to get started: "site:collegeconfidential.com <schoolshortname (-college="" uni)=""> spanish"</schoolshortname></p>

13

<p>Also, I can tell you a little about the LACs, though not about Spanish or Romance languages in particular.</p>

<p>Mills College - Small all-women's school in CA. A good regional rep.
Occidental College - selective but not crazy-selective LAC in Los Angeles. Certainly fits your proximity-to-city criteria, although publishing will necessarily be based in NYC.</p>

<p>Whittier College - I've never heard of this school, which is rare considering how much time I've spent researching LACs. CC has no information on it. Students Review (that may be blocked, I don't know), which is a good source of NEGATIVE information, has reoccurring complaints about the campus and the student body. Look deeply into this school.</p>

<p>Eckerd College - One of Loren Pope's Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL). Pope's book is excellent, so long as you keep in mind that he only reports the positives. Known for Environmental Science, I believe, but that doesn't preclude strong Spanish.</p>

<p>New College of Florida - Quirky public LAC in Florida, but with decent merit aid and a low price. Very left-leaning, I'd almost say radical liberal. Professors give narrative evaluations--like at Reed and Evergreen--instead of letter grades. Student body is known for smoking pot, as many ultraliberals are, which may or may not be an issue for you.</p>

<p>Agnes Scott College - Women's college in Atlanta. Good regional rep for academics. One of the CTCL.</p>

<p>Lake Forest College - Traditionally known as a preppy dumb-rich-kids school outside Chicago. They've been trying to change that image, but remnants remain.</p>

<p>Goucher College - Former women's college with a still skewed gender ratio. One of the CTCL. Strong in creative writing, at least; also requires EVERYONE to study abroad for at least 3 weeks, and will give you a $1200 voucher toward travel costs. Near Baltimore.</p>

<p>Hood College - Just barely within commuting distance of DC. I don't really know much about it--the vibe is sporty, perhaps?</p>

<p>Emerson College - Pre-professional school for the arts. I get the impression that changing majors is difficult; it's not really a liberal arts school, but can be great if you know what you want. Located in the heart of Boston.</p>

<p>Wellesley College - One of the best women's colleges in the country. Located outside Boston. Among the remaining Seven Sisters, it is known for pre-professionalism--lots of high-powered graduates who go on to become leaders in business or politics. Hillary Clinton is a famous alumna.</p>

<p>Barnard College - Another powerhouse women's college with strong ties to Columbia and is located right across the street from that Ivy. Obviously in the middle of NYC. It's become more selective, but still easier to get into than Columbia and offering essentially the same pluses (unlimited cross-registering both ways) with a liberal arts experience.</p>

<p>Eugene Lang College - AKA The New School, right? In NYC (the Bronx?). Great for a very specific type; do more research on it.</p>

<p>Sarah Lawrence COLLEGE - Also gives narrative evaluations, I believe. Unique course selection system involving interviews. Skewed gender ratio--about 30% male. You will either love it or hate it; I have a friend who transferred to Bryn Mawr her sophomore year because she fell into the latter category, and on a superficial level she seems to fit in with the student body (purple hair, horror writer).</p>

<p>Lewis and Clark College - Another left-leaning activist college, quirky but not as "special" as Sarah Lawrence or Bard. Lots of pot, though no pressure to partake (liberal = tolerance). Study abroad is a strength. Located outside Portland, a great, liveable, artsy city.</p>

<p>Reed College - Also outside Portland. I don't remember whether it or L&C is closer. Known, along with Swarthmore, for being one of the hardest schools in the country academically. Unique atmosphere, similar to L&C but with more stressful nights in the library (which is open 24 hours) and more obscure intellectual discussion. Also more selective than L&C, and meets full demonstrated need.</p>

<p>The Evergreen State College - Similar to New College of Florida--a quirky public LAC using narrative evaluations for grades.</p>

<p>Hope that helps!</p>

14

<p>^ That was a big help! Thanks!</p>

15

<p>"most of these i never heard so i put a x on them"</p>

<p>How is this helpful?</p>

<p>"I know someone who got a need-based full-ride to Reed, so don't cross it out just for FA reasons."</p>

<p>Reed indeed guarantees to meet 100% of need for eight semesters for all accepted students.</p>

16

<p>I think that a 28 ACT may not put you in a particularly good position for Swarthmore, Reed, Wellesley, or Barnard.</p>

<p>One of the better ways to assess a language program is to look at the faculty and course catalog. More faculty + more courses (especially advanced courses)=better dept, usually. Also look for study abroad opportunities linked to the dept.</p>