Help me make a decision

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Just some back round information, I will be a college freshman next year and am interested in studying international affairs, foreign languages, literature, environmental science, in that order. I'm also interested in studying abroad. My college experience has to be one in which I am engaged intellectually and am with likewise people. A certain sense of liberalism and political activism is also very important to me. Furthermore, I'm gay, so I want to attend a socially diverse and accepting school...</p>

<p>I'm currently in a position where I'm waiting to hear about a Waitlisted position at Pomona College. My mother attended, and I was told that I am somewhat of a high priority waitlist candidate. In the mean time, I have been accepted to Lewis and Clark, University of Puget Sound, Whitman College, and Oberlin College. I was rejected from Vassar, G-Town, and Tufts. I was also waitlisted at Connecticut College. And that is the focus of my dilemma.</p>

<p>I received a voicemail from a Connecticut College admissions officer who said that he is "excited to receive a call back" and "anticipates that admission is possible" for me. As it is, I've turned down offers from all of the aforementioned colleges and will be mailing a "YES" to Lewis and Clark. I opted against Whitman and Oberlin because neither offer a dedicated International Affairs program. UPS' International Economics major didn't suit my interests, and I didn't like the overall feel of the campus either, so I turned that down.</p>

<p>If I had to rank my choices right now, it would be...</p>

<p>Pomona
LClark/Connecticut
Oberlin
Whitman
UPS
my state school (bleh)</p>

<p>So, I'm in a limbo of sorts. I could mail the LClark deposit now, be totally set and happy, and wait to see if Pomona admits me (which, according to the admissions person I've been in contact with) is quite possible. In the mean time, I have to make a choice about a college NOW. From the sounds of it, CC would want me to commit to them. </p>

<p>I'm attracted to CC for its apparently strong IR program and wealth of study abroad options. But I am very concerned for the aforementioned "liberalism" and "social diversity" factors. From what I understand, CC is decidedly liberal, but not as liberal as, say, Oberlin. Though CC enjoys a higher ranking and sense of prestige than LClark, both offer EXACTLY what I want, and have strengths in the EXACT things I want to study. </p>

<p>I know LClark is accepting. I got a feeling of diversity and openess when I visited. Not only that, but it's in Portland, Oregon...Can't get much more liberal than that. But part of me wants to get away from the west coast and get out to the east coast. Part of me wants to study in CT for a few years...</p>

<p>But will I be accepted? Is there really some pervading sense of northeastern snobbery at these schools (i.e. Connecticut College, Amherst, Middlebury, Skidmore, etc)? </p>

<p>Also, let's say I do opt for the position at CC, but also receive an acceptance from Pomona...Can I still back out of CC?</p>

<p>Gah...I would post this all on the CC board, but it's fairly inactive, so I thought I would ask around here...Thoughts?</p>

2

<p>Say yes to Lewis & Clark</p>

<p>Wait and see on those waitlists. If you get off of either waitlist, decide then.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

3

<p>I’m surprised you didn’t apply to Middlebury. Every interest you mention falls within Middlebury’s best known and most respected departments.</p>

4

<p>You will be accepted just fine at Connecticut College. There isn’t the kind of “snobbery” of which you seem to be afraid.</p>

<p>And yes, if you accept Conn College (or Lewis & Clark) and get in off the waitlist at Pomona, you can change your mind. You may, however, lose your deposit to the first school.</p>

5

<p>arcadia, I actually considered Middlebury very closely. My twin brother (who also uses this account from to time) applied and was accepted, but is choosing to attend Macalester instead because he likes St Paul and felt Middlebury to be a tad too…preppy. Which I didn’t feel. I really have no idea why I didn’t apply. Part of me subconsciously wanted my brother to stand a good shot, and if we both applied, his chances may have been lowered. I don’t know, really. I guess I just don’t like the area too much.</p>

<p>Anyway, I got off the phone with ConnColl earlier today (around this morning) and they have offered me a spot in the class of 2012…Now I just need to make a decision between LClark and Conn. So unbelievably difficult. Chedva, why do you feel Conn to be so accepting? Are you a current student?</p>

6

<p>No, I’m a parent. But I know kids who go there, and I know the area.</p>

7

<p>You seem more comfortable with the idea of L&C.</p>

8

<p>^That’s true. But that’s only because I’ve been making myself love it in fear of not being accepted to Pomona. I’ve made myself become excited about it, and have thus come to really love the school. It’s a weird mentality/subconscious thing.</p>

<p>Like I said, I could happily attend LClark. But CC looks really fantastic too, and I don’t want to make a decision I’ll regret later…</p>

9

<p>bump 10char</p>

10

<p>some advice please?</p>

11

<p>bump 10char</p>

12

<p>I don’t understand why no one seems willing to help you…</p>

<p>Anyway, in relation to your other schools, Conn is probably just a tad less liberal. Everything I’ve read about the place seems to indicate an accepting student body, but L&C is a very socially diverse environment with accepting people. </p>

<p>Both are great choices, both will accept you for who you are, but there’s a certain demographic present only at L&C and not at Conn. Vice versa too. Like you though, I’m curious to see what other think about the situation..</p>