<p>I go to an east coast elite top 20 LAC. As you can imagine, there are A LOT of rich kids. I'm looking for schools with kids of more humble, down-to-earth backgrounds. </p>
<p>Is Ohio Wesleyan one of these schools?</p>
<p>Yes, as is the College of Wooster, Grinnell, Earlham, Reed, Lewis & Clark, Beloit, Hendrix, Knox, etc...</p>
<p>LACs, unfortunately, have a harder time with socio-economic diversity, so you'll have pockets of affluent kids at those places too. They will be less obvious though than their East Coast counterparts. </p>
<p>Perhaps, what you may be noticing is the difference in how kids communicate as well? My friends from the East Coast tend to talk a lot, are quick to give an opinion, gesticulate some, break eye contact to look at the ceiling, and tend to drop titles of people, books, etc...more readily than my friends from anywhere else. It might look like they are a little arrogant, come across as priviledged, or live in a little bit of a bubble. Often times, they are not aware of how that can be percieved by others who are not used to their style of communication. I used to dred going to school in MA from the Pacific Northwest because it took some time to change gears.</p>
<p>Luckily, outside the Corridor of Power, people and colleges tend to be more laid back. The work might be intense, but communicating may be easier. I'd suggest schools in the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, the South (they like to dress well, but are very approachable), and the Southwest. Again, I hate to use general terms, but my East Coast friends tend to be very much the hyper, type A personalities. Either that or they are a little neurotic. BTW, my Dad is an East Coaster, so I know how it can be.</p>
<p>Perhaps, what you may be noticing is the difference in how kids communicate as well? My friends from the East Coast tend to talk a lot, are quick to give an opinion, gesticulate some, break eye contact to look at the ceiling, and tend to drop titles of people, books, etc...more readily than my friends from anywhere else. It might look like they are a little arrogant, come across as priviledged, or live in a little bit of a bubble. Often times, they are not aware of how that can be percieved by others who are not used to their style of communication. I used to dred going to school in MA from the Pacific Northwest because it took some time to change gears."</p>
<p>"Again, I hate to use general terms, but my East Coast friends tend to be very much the hyper, type A personalities. Either that or they are a little neurotic. BTW, my Dad is an East Coaster, so I know how it can be."</p>
<p>Wow...that's it exactly...</p>
<p>thanks so much for the insight</p>
<p>No problem...I really feel for you.</p>
<p>I had to adjust, and believe me, my first semester was tough....but now I can laugh at it. For instance, the feel of Grinnell is way different than, say, Wesleyan, even though they share some characteristics....</p>
<p>The key is to catch your peers outside the classroom and once you get them going, they'll relax a bit. Just keep in mind, when they speak...they might just want to complain about something. I chuckle to myself, sometimes, when they are off on a tangent. Just picture the Jack-in-the-Box Ball attached to their head and you'll be fine. ;) Just nod, and ask them a question. I usually use: "I was just curious to know why........?"</p>
<p>Also, in a social situation where there is no faculty or staff around they will relax, even if it takes a sip of alcohol to do it (I'm not advocating anything)...you'll be surprised at how mellow they become. Just be prepared for them to go back to the norm in class. It's just a mask of sorts.</p>
<p>Other schools: Guilford, Austin, Macalester, Ursinus</p>
<p>A state school, not an LAC, is where you'll find the most middle class kids. The real middle class is often priced out of private schools.</p>
<p>Small bit of info... Galesburg where Knox college is located has two stores- Salvation Army and Good Will... Knox students renamed them as Salvation Armani and Gucci Will.... they are very popular among Knox students...
per my D there a few North Shore kids there/ affluent suburbs Chicago/ but majority of students are nice.</p>