<p>Hello everyone,
I'm looking for colleges right now - planning to major in business and possibly double major in business admin/political science. Or, I could drop that and go after an English degree. I'm not so excited about that path, though.
I was homeschooled through high school and had good SAT I scores, and a 3.94 gpa. I know I can get into almost any school (short of the ivies, darn it) but I'm taking care to look for one that suits me. I need a small school,</p>
<p>-preferably in the Southeast US
-under 2,000 students
-serious academics
-good financial aid or inexpensive to begin with</p>
<p>Does anyone have any ideas? I have looked at Sweet Briar College (VA) and I love it - but I wonder if there are any I'm missing. What's out there?? Please respond, app deadlines are getting close!
Thanks so much, in advance!
~Grace</p>
<p>Check Rhodes College in Memphis. It is a gorgeous college with outstanding merit aid that meets all your criteria. If Texas is not too far away, look at Southwestern University.</p>
<p>LACs often do not have business or business administration majors though, so if that is a serious interest you would have to go on Web sites of various colleges and see what majors they offer and how you could make them work for your specific goals.</p>
<p>What about looking at one of those guide books about best colleges in the South or something? That would give you an overview of what is out there adnalso give you a sense of what schools are good numerical matches for you.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, Business programs are smaller entities within larger universities. As schools like Cal, Michigan, UNC and UVa, the Business schools typically have fewer than 350 students per year and classes tend to be on the small side. Other good schools to consider are Emory and Georgetown.</p>
<p>All of those schools have excellent Business programs and Political Science departments.</p>
<p>Yup . . . Davidson. Your undergraduate major would be Economics, not Business (the same as if you went to Harvard), and you could double major in Political Science or, if your political interests are global, the Dean Rusk International Studies Program. I know a woman whose three sons went to Duke, Duke and Davidson. She says the one who got the real education was the Davidson grad.</p>
<p>Looking at Davidson, they seem intense, and I like that. But I am afraid of not being able to get into grad school... and I'd like to hit the ivies for grad school... I'd have a lower gpa from Davidson because it's so tough there. I have no doubt it's a better education, but will grad schools think so? What's its reputation with the Ivy League schools? Just trying to think ahead.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions/input! I'd never heard of Rhodes. Will investigate. I am actually seriously considering Emory, even though I don't like it much: too big and urban. This is great, anyone else...?</p>
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What's its reputation with the Ivy League schools?
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<p>It has an extremely good reputation. Ivy League schools will recognize it.</p>
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But I am afraid of not being able to get into grad school... and I'd like to hit the ivies for grad school... I'd have a lower gpa from Davidson because it's so tough there.
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<p>It's okay for it to be <em>lower</em>, as long as it's not <em>too low</em>. Grad programs won't mind that you got a 3.6 at Davidson vs the 3.9 that you would have gotten at an easier school (to completely make up some numbers). If you are going for a PhD, research experience, recommendations, and fit with the department will matter more as long as your GPA is adequate.</p>
<p>Also, Washington & Lee started a major full-ride scholarship program last year. It was all-male not so long ago, so they may still place a priority of highly-qualified female applicants.</p>
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<p>I'd have a lower gpa from Davidson because it's so tough there. <<</p>
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<p>You said you wanted brilliant. Any school that is brilliant is also going to be demanding. They go together. And Ivy League grad schools probably wouldn't be that impressed with a school full of "brilliant" slackers.</p>
<p>Davidson's reputation is stellar...one of the finest colleges in the country and graduate schools (yes, even the Ivy grad schools -- perhaps especially the Ivies) are fully aware of the rigor and excellence of a Davidson education. Another fine LAC in the South East you might consider is Furman.</p>
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Also, Washington & Lee started a major full-ride scholarship program last year. It was all-male not so long ago, so they may still place a priority of highly-qualified female applicants.
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<p>W&L is also one of the few LACs I can think of that has an actual undergraduate Business School.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I simply had to ask the questions about Davidson because at **************.com people were complaining that Davidson's rigor wasn't recognized by their grad schools. But you get mixed reviews from those guys.</p>
<p>Sorry, the comp starred it out. I'm not sure how much I should listen to them (does anyone else here go on what they see there?) as it usually seems like just a lot of people whining. But then - I've never been to college, and they have! You know?</p>
<p>Davidson College is well respected by grad schools. Although not a LAC, check out the Univ. of Richmond--you might be pleasantly surprised. If you plan on getting an MBA, there is no need to study business at the undergrad level, so Sewanee-The Univ. of the South might be an option. However, as class valedictorian, you should not fear Davidson's demanding academics & tough grading.Your SAT I scores for each section would help greatly in making college suggestions. Consider Oxford at Emory--a small two year school that leads to junior admission to Emory or, since you may be a conservative Christian, transfer elsewhere as Emory is fairly liberal & about 34% Jewish.
Your "perfect match school", however, is Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois (not to be confused with the liberal, formerly all female Wheaton in Massachusetts). Don't worry too much about cost as need based financial aid is available. Wheaton (Illinois) retains 95% of its students. This is an excellent school for all of your interests. Furman University in South Carolina as well as Wofford are match schools. (Furman recently announced significant merit scholarships.) Wofford, Wheaton in Illinois & Furman Univ. are must apply schools based on your posted background & interests, in my opinion. Wofford, in South Carolina, is the smallest school with approx. 1,200 undergrads.</p>
<p>Furman's a nice Davidson alternative, with a fabulous campus. CW, I see where Grace said she'd been homeschooled, but I didn't pick up that she's necessarily looking for a conservative Christian campus.</p>
<p>Hi Grace--I hope you would take a close look at the University of Richmond. Richmond is a LAC at heart but it also has one of the best undergrad business programs in the country. With about 2900 students, it is slightly larger than what you said you were looking for. I think the size is really ideal--big enough to have a lot of variety but small enough to have an intimate academic environment. We also have a great financial aid program. Need blind and meet 100% of demonstrated need (for U.S. citizens and permanent residents). Also have generous merit scholarships as well. Visit University</a> of Richmond to learn more and contact me anytime via PM if you'd like to.</p>
<p>Just curious: how does someone who has been a homeschooler throughout HS have a meaningful GPA? What is it based on? I really am curious, not intending the question as an attack! :) </p>
<p>BTW, I assume you are aware that homeschoolers are often advised to take a number of SATIIs when applying to selective schools?</p>