<p>Well, Zombiequeen, what criteria are you using in your college search? What do you want the student body to be like?</p>
<p>I'm glad he made this list because I'd also like a preppy, well-dressed, well-maintained student body because those are the kinds of kids I fit in with. I wouldn't really fit in at an artsy fartsy place like Reed or Oberlin where people dress like hippies. The character of the students is one of the biggest aspects of the school. Why is it so hilarious to begin a list of schools based around that?</p>
<p>For what it's worth, many (if not most) of the "preppy" schools are also notable for having little-to-no diversity and serious drinking issues. "Preppy" doesn't automatically equal "good character."</p>
<p>Preppy may not equal good character, but neither does artsy. Many artsy schools have superiority complexes and drug issues, IMO.</p>
<p>It just all depends on what you're looking for. Besides, no matter what the stereotype or reputation of the school is, you'll be able to find people like you SOMEWHERE and make friends.</p>
<p>uhhh conn college should not be anywhere near the schools you list also as "safety." your gpa is average for conn. im an alum, and also went to grad school at an ivy. and i can say with 100% confidence that my education at conn was SO much better. smarter people, better profs.</p>
<p>Davidson, Vandy, Colgate and Denison are the closest fits. Gettysburg
and Lafayette from PA also fit the criteria. Too many schools on your list are more liberal than you think.</p>
<p>I wouldn't describe Brandeis as preppy at all. There are some, but I don't think that's the general population. There's no Greek system and it's pretty artsy, I think. Also quite liberal. That said, there are preppy, conservative, non-artsy people. Or maybe it's just the people I hang out with. <em>shrugs</em></p>
<p>CAn someone please define preppy for me ...we throw that word around a lot. ...is it that a lot of kids actually come from private schools (the literal definition), or is it the clothes? Is it the frat scene? Is it just a high proportion of uppermiddle converntional white kids???? what is this concept of preppy???? at my high school preppy is an insult...sat ome places it is a compliment...at some places its just a description...</p>
<p>Preppy is mostly just a style of dress. It describes the type of person who puts a lot into their fashion and accessories and likes to shop, do their hair, etc. It also usually means people are fun-loving, party-going, social butterflies. It usually, but not always, goes along with an active Greek scene and a generally upper-middle class student body.</p>
<p>Well, as a safety/match I'd suggest Juniata college in Huntingdon, PA. Very conservatie, preppy student body even if they tend to dress much more casually. A good amount of partying and a great programs in the sciences. Not super focused on sports, but I'd say a good 70-80% were lettermen in HS. Also, it's very very easy to get merit aid.</p>
<p>Umm GW is most definitely not conservative. I really wouldn't categorize it as preppy either. For one, GW is located in the middle of DC (an extremely liberal city). Most of the students are very politically active, and an overwhelming majority are liberal. Yes, you might be able to find your niche at GW because there are plenty of fraty conservatives, but even the frats have tons of minorities, jews, and gays. One of my friends from high-school is a kappa sig at GW, which is the best frat here in my opinion, and he's openly gay. I love that GW is so accepting but this is definitely not common, especially with southern schools. I'm a current GW student, also. Still look at GW but if you come to here expecting conservatives you're in for a shock!</p>
<p>OrangeIsland.. just out of curiousity, why is it that you want to go to a preppy school? I guess I never understood the attraction to the preppy culture (this isn't a criticism or anything of that nature, just wondering what your thoughts are.. lol... my HS is pretty damn preppy and I still don't really get it.)</p>
<p>college is presumably a time to learn and experience.... wouldn't this be a good time to plunge in and mix it up with other demographics and be a little less comfortable than one was in HIGH SCHOOL....???????</p>
<p>Spiker, it makes sense to go to a place of diversity, but equal, if not more, sense to go to a place where one will feel comfortable. Although I would be surrounded by people different to myself, I never considered a super-conservative, super-preppy, mostly pre-professional school because I wouldn't have fit in and would have been miserable. Most people who transfer do it because they clashed with the culture of the school that they attend. I think it's great that orangeisland knows the type of school that he's looking for. I second Northwestern and maybe add Michigan or U of I to that list.</p>