Hi everybody! I’m a current junior and could use some guidance with the college search. I currently have a 3.8 GPA and although I haven’t taken a real ACT yet, I got a 30 on my diagnostic test, and my practice tests keep improving. I like to keep busy, so along with my rigorous schoolwork, I do a variety of extracurriculars.
I think (?) I want to be a music critic/executive/writer/journalist, so general non-performance music, music industry, and journalism, creative writing, and even English majors and minors are of great interest to me. I’m asking you to add on to my college list! I have a bunch of totally different colleges on here that I like, so I’m really confused on what I really want.
In no particular order:
Lafayette (toured and liked, afraid it’s too small)
Syracuse (toured and really liked, programs seem amazing for both areas I love, but I’m afraid it’s too big)
BU (toured and liked)
Northeastern (toured and loved, music industry and journalism programs seem to be top-notch)
University of Rochester (toured and sort of liked- I think it may be too science oriented for me though)
NYU
Brandeis
Hamilton
Colgate
SUNY Purchase
Bucknell
Lehigh
Please add on and/or give me any additional info on the schools listed above!
If that’s a 3.8 UW I would focus on the more competitive of the schools you mentioned: Brandeis, Colgate, Rochester, NYU.
Keep in mind that some of these (Rochester, NYU) have distinct “music schools” with their own admissions criteria, etc. (in Rochester’s case, it even has its own campus).
@soze Thanks for your input! Yes, my UW is 3.8. Have you toured Brandeis and Colgate? I think I like the idea of a distinct campus and I’m Jewish, so I have a gut feeling that Brandeis may fit, if I can get in.
Well, I went to Brandeis, so yes I’ve “toured”
I toured Colgate with one of my kids a few years ago.
It was nice, but here’s a quote from a close friend who went to Colgate:
“If you’re not in a fraternity or on a sports team, you will not have a good time there.”
As far as getting into Brandeis, keep in mind Brandeis has alternate submission options in lieu of ACT/SAT’s. If you don’t get at least a 32+ on the ACT, then don’t submit and I think you’ll have a good chance.
@soze Oh wow, ok! How was your college experience at Brandeis then? I have a friend who’s a freshman there and she seems to love it so far. Thanks for all of your advice, I’m only a junior, so if I have any questions, I’ll message you
@MYOS1634 Never heard of Mizzou, is it in the northeast?? If at all possible, I’d like to stay within driving distance from college to home (I live just outside of NYC)
I second Mizzou, and would also recommend you look at Emerson. It’s definitely a reach but if you end up doing well on your ACT, it might be worth giving UPenn a shot. They recruit for writers (believe it or not) and actually have a program in place where every year 1-2 students intern at Rolling Stone (due to an alumni connection w/ a senior editor there). It’s all through the Kelly Writer’s House: http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~wh/. You can contact the recruiter, Jamie-Lee Josselyn and ask for more information. Her recommending you for Penn of course won’t necessarily get you in (b/c it’s still an Ivy League!) BUT her recommendation can help tip an applicant over the edge if they’re already competitive. I went to a presentation they did and was really impressed with the KWH slates of speakers, events, and publications–the students publish several really professional-looking magazines, so there are great opportunities to engage on campus and get good clips. (I went to BU for journalism, so I was comparing it against my experiences going through a more defined, trade-like program)
Based on the diversity of your list, the course descriptions within their catalogs should be similarly diverse. As you read through the descriptions, you should be able to get a feel for the style of education you will most likely prefer. Creative writing, whether as a major or just as a sampling of courses, is often taught both broadly and deeply, preparing you for a variety of post collegiate pursuits. The course offerings you see in this field should appeal to you. If you want to learn about the music business specifically, this can be done either through specialized academic programs – which may be available at some of your current choices – or internships during the summer or at other times – which might be your main option if you study at others. The balance you prefer between these elements will help you choose your college. The broader your academic interests, the wider you may want to explore as an undergraduate. Somewhat counter-intuitively, this could lead you to one of the smaller LACs on your list.
Mizzou is the University of Missouri. Not in the Northeast. A good journalism school but does not meet your criteria. There are other schools just as good that meet your requirements.
I think the schools you have on your list are solid. I would start there. As you do some more research into them and compare them you will start to identify the types of things you’re looking for in a school.
Thank you all for your guidance, it’s greatly appreciated! @proudterrier I’m attending the Ivy League Model UN Conference at UPenn in January, so I’ll definitely scope it out even if it is a reach. What do you know about Emerson? How did you like BU? @merc81 Do you know of any LACs with strong creative writing programs? I definitely agree with your career preparation point. Sorry for all the questions guys, I’m very new regarding this whole process!
Brandeis? Well, obviously I think it’s the greatest possible undergraduate experience available, but of course I’m biased.
Visit, sit in on a class or two, have an on-campus interview and talk to as many students as you can.
Someone above mentioned Emerson, which is a fine school but I don’t think you’re going to find too many 3.8UW students there. I think you’re a bit over-qualified.
@elenaclaire828: These online articles discuss the creative writing programs at a few of your current choices, plus others:
“The 10 Best American Colleges for Writings” / USA Today
“The 10 Best Colleges for Creative Writers” / The Freelancer
“The 25 Most Literary Colleges in America” / Flavowire.
By all means keep exploring options that are not discussed in these articles. The University of Rochester, for example, has an excellent English department. In limited lists, some really good choices can be omitted.
