Hippie / Intellectual / Musical looking for Liberal Arts college

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hey everyone :)</p>

<p>I'm from France, and i'm looking to go to college in the US. I'm looking for Liberal Arts colleges that have certain social atmosphere, but also a certain academic level.</p>

<p>First of all, the social atmosphere. I'm looking for a kind of hippie vibe (it doesn't have to be totally dominant, but as long as there is quite a group, meaning not 90% of the college, but not a group of 3 kids either). Hippie meaning liberal, nature-loving, respectful, artistic, quirky, original, eclectic and very importantly musical. I'm looking for people who are in to rock n roll from the 60s and 70s. (I'm not closed into the genre, i love all kinds of music, but the thing is i want to start a rock n roll band, and it's important to me to land in a place where i can meet some kids who are like minded, meaning who have a passion for 60s/70s rock and who want to create similar music, with a new touch, not like most of the music today (why is there almost no rock n roll?)...
I'm also looking for some kids who would like to be politically active, who would stand up for what they believe, who have an opinion that they want to fight for, who ready to protest.
I also would like to meet some kids who are thinkers, who like the intellectual stimulus of a good book / movie / picture / painting / conversation, rather philosophical and imaginative, but still down to earth.</p>

<p>Academically, i'm looking for a stimulating school. Not too competitive, but with really interesting courses, good teachers, and interesting abroad / summer programs. I want to study botany / plant science as well as music, so schools that have solid courses in these fields are of interest to me.</p>

<p>So the schools i'me checking out are (not west coast because too far from home, but east cost or mid west) Wesleyan, Oberlin, Carelton, Middlebury, Macalester ...</p>

<p>From what i've read, these schools do have this mentality and academic strength to them. However, i've also read that Wesleyan isn't what it used to be, not really hippie anymore... but then again i don't know.</p>

<p>So i would love some feedback!!</p>

<p>Thanks, Peace</p>

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<p>The problem is that no one in America uses the word “hippie” to mean what it did forty years ago. Forty years ago it meant someone with no ambitions, who stalwartly awaited the iminent collapse of capitalism while following their own artistic whims. Nowadays, it seems to include just about anyone who isn’t a Republican. You can be premed, studying for the MCATs, but that “soul patch” below your lip or those jeans that fit just a little to tightly would tag you as a hippie. Have you read, “The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo”? Salander would be considered a hippie in the United States.</p>

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<p>IMO neither of you are right. Today we don’t use the term “hippie,” we use “hipster” to describe what the OP is talking about. And I haven’t read the Steig Larsson book but from what I’ve gotten Lisbeth Salander wouldn’t be called a hippie, she would be a punk or goth.</p>

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<p>I think you are on the right track with Oberlin.</p>

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<p>I don’t think that Middlebury has the vibe you are looking for, although it is a great school academically. The others on your list look good. You should check out Bard College as well. It is a bit easier to get into than the others but has a lot of what you are looking for.</p>

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<p>Swarthmore definitely has that hippie vibe and is highly intellectual. Hampshire is hippie but not so intellectual.</p>

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<p>Sarah Lawrence (close to NYC)</p>

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<p>MorningGlory, I’m thinking of going to france? Are there any good english speaking schools I can apply to for fall of 2010?</p>

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<p>Oberlin</p>

<p>Bard</p>

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<p>If Oberlin, Carleton, and Macalester are close to what you want (and Oberlin sounds like the closest, by the way), then Grinnell should certainly be on your list. Similar vibe-less hippie than quirky, although it has it’s hipster element too. Not as much music as Oberlin (there are musical performances every night of the year), but comparable to Carleton in that respect. Of the group, Grinnell has the smallest ave class size, the newest facilities, good merit aid and no distribution requirements either.</p>

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<p>Skidmore also comes to mind, though it is more artsy than hipster. Smith could work if you’re female. If you’re willing to dip below the northeast, New College of Florida.</p>

<p>There are a number of other schools with that reputation (Bennington, Marlboro, UNCA, Warren Wilson, Eugene Lang/New School), but I’m not sure if they meet your academic needs.</p>

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<p>Oberlin College
Vassar College
Wesleyan University
Sarah Lawrence College
Colorado College
Swarthmore College
Whitman College
Pomona College</p>

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<p>Pitzer fits really well, methinks.</p>

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<p>Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA is another option to consider</p>

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<p>Carleton, Whitman, Grinnell.</p>

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<p>I would consider Lawrence University. [Lawrence</a> University Biology Department](<a href=“http://www.lawrence.edu/dept/biology/]Lawrence”>Biology | Lawrence University)
[Admissions</a> - Lawrence University](<a href=“http://www.lawrence.edu/admissions/]Admissions”>Admissions & Aid | Lawrence University)</p>

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<p>Oberlin seems to have what you are looking for as well as the musical component. Everyone has made some great suggestions for you already but I would also add Reed, and UC Santa Cruz, Evergreen, Warren Wilson. I see there is some debate about the term “hippie” and “hipster” which actually are not the same at all. The “hipster” movement is what has evolved out of our Beatnik culture of the 50’s/60’s – they are intellectuals if you are going to stereotype, and although they are usually liberal and passionate about politics, the true activist schools have more “hippie” types. So you may want to think about whether you are looking for just a generally laid back vibe or whether you want passionate activist-culture (Bard would fit this and also has a strong music dept.). All the schools already mentioned have both the hippies and hipsters. Wesleyan is more of a “hipster school”. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I disagree. I think Middlebury is one of most hottest schools in the country for environmental activism. You’ll find plenty of smart hippies there.</p>

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<p>SUNY New Paltz</p>

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<p>I would not put Middlebury on that list, based on what you’ve described.</p>

<p>But I would put Haverford, Swarthmore, Vassar, and Wesleyan into the mix.</p>