<p>I am looking to major in religion (especially South Asian religions) and either biology/astronomy/environmental science. I would like a school that is socially nurturing but not big on drinking/hardcore partying. I would not particulary like to live in a city, but I would like easy access to one. Money is not a factor. I do not think I am taking financial aid at any of these schools. I have not really visited any of these schools (BIG mistake I know). </p>
<p>Here are my chocies in alphabetical order:</p>
<p>-Brigham Young University
-Bryn Mawr (15k merit)
-Bucknell
-Cornell
-Emory
-Mount Holyoke (15k merit)
-New York University
-Penn State UP
-Scripps
-Smith
-University of St Andrews
-Wellesley </p>
<p>Right now the choice seems to be mainly between Bryn Mawr, Cornell, and Wellesley. My parents REALLY want me to go to Cornell because it's an Ivy or Bryn Mawr because it's very close to home and I'll get money there. However, I believe Wellesley may be the most academically challenging school out of all of those I got into.</p>
<p>Other than that, I suggest that you read through the individual program descriptions at the websites for Bryn Mawr, Cornell, and Wellesley and see if you feel that one or another speaks more loudly to you. You also have three weekends this month to make quick trips to visit campuses. That would be a good idea too.</p>
<p>Tell your parents that BMC and Wellesley are fully Ivy-peer institutions, and have plenty of name recognition for the things that you want to do. The reasons for choosing Cornell over BMC or Wellesley have more to do with the size of the institution and the overall breadth of offerings. Wellesley may be marginally more challenging than BMC (there is continual argument about that one but it is like wondering how many angels do indeed fit on the head of a pin), but if you have something better to do with the roughly 60k saved by attending BMC, don’t feel bad about making that choice.</p>
<p>Don’t know what you mean by South Asian religions, but it doesn’t get any better than Cornell for SE Asian studies. Wisconsin and U Chicago are the big names for South Asia.</p>