I challenge YOU... to find me my dream college!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey everyone! I posted a week or two ago about finding a big party school that also has great academics, but I'm still on the hunt (and will be for at least another year) for LACs and universities that are great fits for 4+ years of my life. For reference, I'm a white, female junior (not looking for fin aid) who's looking into Georgetown, Brown, Claremont McKenna, Tufts, Macalaster, Bowdoin, Amherst, and Stanford (feel free to offer your opinion on how these colleges would or wouldn't fit my interests). I'd like to major in either International Relations or Poly Sci, but other interests include creative writing, psychology, French, and philosophy. I'm looking to go to law school, but might change my mind.</p>

<p>Location: By far my most flexible criteria for a college. I live in California right now and wouldn't mind staying on the west coast. However, I'm more interested in branching out to either the midwest, east coast, or south. In terms of urban/suburban/rural... ideally I'd like suburban, however I'm open to rural colleges as well. What I don't want is NYU or Columbia; I would be a bit overwhelmed in the middle of a big city, but being located near one is a plus.</p>

<p>Student Body: The most important qualities I'm going to look for in a college are diverse, motivated to learn for the sake of learning, and politically aware/conscious. Ideally I'd love to see bookworms hanging out with jocks, democrats with republicans, and blacks with Asians. I know: I'm an idealist, but this is kind of how my high school is and I really love it. I'd love a very friendly student body, and one that doesn't have too much competition, bragging about grades, etc.; the more laid-back, the better. Politically, left-leaning would be ideal, but I'd also like a healthy mix between conservatives and liberals that stimulates debate and discussion about major issues. I wouldn't want to go to a college where the majority of students is politically apathetic, or academically is just there to "get through four years of college and work at daddy's company." It's okay if the school has a religious affiliation as long as the student body is still diverse and, preferably, religious classes aren't required (does this rule out Georgetown altogether?).</p>

<p>Social Scene: Work hard, play hard. I know there are parties at every college, but I want to find one with a decent amount of school spirit; D1 or D3 athletics are fine as long as there are decent turnouts at big basketball and football games. A good basketball team is more important to me than football but it doesn't really matter that much; I'm not looking to play a sport, just chant at the top of my lungs. In terms of a Greek scene, I could go with or without, as long as the rushing process isn't hyper-competitive or "*****y" or anything. A lack of Greek scene is fine as long as there are other options for students in terms of GOOD parties, dances, and other social events. Essentially, I want to be able to find something really fun to do at least 2-3 times a week, and not encounter a bunch of students who complain about having nothing to do.</p>

<p>Size: To be honest, I'll consider everything under about ~10,000 undergraduates. I love "tweener" university/LACs like Brown and Tufts, with a heavy undergraduate focus but a bit bigger than typical LACs—but again, very open on the size of the university or college. </p>

<p>Academics: Academics are my #1 concern in a college and therefore I want excellent and accessible professors (not too many TAs), small classes, and a flexible curriculum. Also... a bit of grade inflation would be nice (though not necessary) because I eventually would love to go to a highly regarded law school and would like to have a solid GPA. I don't want to be slaving away on Saturday nights (except before midterms), but I do want to be challenged by and interested in the material I'm learning.</p>

<p>In short: Politically aware (preferably liberal), fun-loving and friendly student body with a lot of school spirit, decent sports and diversity at a medium or small university or college in either a rural or suburban environment. As silly as it may sound (especially on CC), assume that I can get into any college. I've done quite a bit of research (especially on big-namers) and it seems like no college I've researched has met all, or even most, of these preferences and standards (hopefully one eventually will, out of ~2,600-3000 in the U.S.). </p>

<p>Thank you for actually reading (or skimming) this long post and thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!</p>

2

<p>Claremont McKenna fits your WANTS.
Pomona College would be a runner up to Claremont McKenna, and i say this only because Claremont tends to have the "jocks" and the "nerds" and you have both politically active people, who statistically are half liberal and half conservative or at least half leaning towards the left and half leaning towards the right.</p>

<p>Claremont McKenna is also the party school of the claremont colleges. they work hard and play hard. they're kids who are serious about their future, and I believe they have no TAs</p>

3

<p>Carleton, Oberlin, Grinnell, Wesleyan, Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, Vassar, etc. meet most of your criteria.</p>

4

<p>I agree Claremont McKenna</p>

5

<p>It sounds like most of the schools you are looking at fit your preferences pretty well. I actually have a lot of the same criteria as you...so I've been looking at similar schools.</p>

<p>One piece of advice though: SERIOUSLY reconsider Claremont McKenna. My sister goes to Pitzer -- another one of the Claremont Colleges, you know? -- and she says that Claremont McKenna students are narrow-minded and nearly all republican. Also, apparently all the guys are creeps and jerks. So, if you're looking for a politcally active/liberal campus, it seems like CMC and you may clash a bit. If you like the idea of the 5 college consortium, though, consider Pitzer and Pomona...they're both more liberal and have what you're looking for.</p>

6

<p>claremont mckenna and pomona, definitely. brown also seems to fit your criteria - left-minded, diverse, etc... maybe george washington? it's a good size and if you're looking at georgetown you might as well. however, gw is not as big on the sports as georgetown is, but it doesn't have the religious component. both schools are labeled as fairly 'rich' and 'preppy' however, hindering the diversity a little. and gwu and georgetown are obviously in the best location to study polisci or international relations. good luck!</p>

7

<p>Generally, I like your list (although not so keen on CMC for you...).</p>

<p>Might want to add: Dartmouth, Williams</p>

<p>Also: Haverford, Pomona, and Wesleyan (if you can give up the sports thing... which would also be true for Bowdoin, Brown, CMC, Macalester, and Tufts)</p>

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<p>
[Quote]
One piece of advice though: SERIOUSLY reconsider Claremont McKenna. My sister goes to Pitzer -- another one of the Claremont Colleges, you know? -- and she says that Claremont McKenna students are narrow-minded and nearly all republican.

[/Quote]
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<p>Eek! I definitely had never heard that before, so thank you for the input. I was more under the impression that Claremont McKenna students were stereotypically republican but in reality a good many of them were democrats; I'm sure your sister knows better than I do though! Regardless I'll probably apply to four of the five Claremont schools (I love the consortium, location, and a ton of kids from my school always go there) unless one of them is a major turn-off when I visit.</p>

<p>
[quote]
however, gw is not as big on the sports as georgetown is, but it doesn't have the religious component. both schools are labeled as fairly 'rich' and 'preppy' however, hindering the diversity a little. and gwu and georgetown are obviously in the best location to study polisci or international relations.

[/quote]
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<p>Yeah, I've considered GW because of their fantastic polysci/IR programs (like Georgetown), but I'm a little turned off by their lack of campus... also I know someone who goes there who says that safety is a major issue (and the police department not informing students of crime), and most classes are taught by TAs. However when I visit DC schools, I'll definitely stop by GW and maybe take a tour to see if the positives outweigh the negatives. </p>

<p>
[Quote]
Might want to add: Dartmouth, Williams</p>

<p>Also: Haverford, Pomona, and Wesleyan (if you can give up the sports thing... which would also be true for Bowdoin, Brown, CMC, Macalester, and Tufts)

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</p>

<p>Yeah, I do love Dartmouth and am visiting there this spring because I've heard the campus is beautiful, but mistake me if I'm wrong in saying that Williams is even more isolated than Dartmouth? My friend's brother goes there and said that it takes him a whopping 10 hours to get home (flying, no less), and that there's VERY little to do in Williamstown. I'm sure it's quite similar to Dartmouth, but since Dartmouth is a wee bit larger I thought it might be a bit less suffocating than Williams (I'd prefer Amherst to Williams because of its cute college town and five-college consortium).</p>

<p>I also realize that if I sacrifice the sports factor and school spirit, then a ton of schools pop up as GREAT fits (including some of the ones already on my preliminary list, as you listed :)). I love Haverford and Pomona but don't know too much about Wesleyan; I'll look more into it (as well as Oberlin and Grinnell) now that a couple people have mentioned it. </p>

<p>Thank you everyone for the fantastic feedback!! It's very helpful and I love how supportive everyone on CC is :) (Soooo much better than my school's ONE college counselor...)</p>

9

<p>Also to raleh -- I'd take your sister's description of CMCers with a grain of salt. CMCers aren't predator-Republicans. Just like Pitzer kids aren't stupid hippies. (An accusation that often gets unfairly lobbed their way.) I say this as a lefty, female CMC grad.</p>

<p>Each campus has a lot of diversity and personality that extends beyond simple stereotypes. (Though said stereotypes are extremely useful when it comes to good-natured, cross-college ribbing.)</p>

10

<p>Sounds like you would love Dartmouth. Phenomenal spirit, great academics, the most undergrad focused ivy where profs invite you to their homes, non stop parties, great law school admission stats.</p>

11

<p>I think you might like Northwestern. Since NU has so many strong, diverse programs, it attracts a variety of students, and the proximity to Chicago allows lots of opportunities without actually being in the city. Obviously, the sports teams aren't super, but there still is school spirit, even if the students are always cheering for the losing team.</p>

12

<p>hmm I think you'd like Notre Dame, Boston College or Gonzaga actually</p>

<p>those 3 schools have great school spirit and have great athletic events and are very strong academically especially Notre Dame</p>

13

<p>Penn (work hard, play hard, great academics, but i don't know if Philadelphia is too overwhelmingly big and busy for you. it's certainly not NYC though), Northwestern (you can't go wrong with Chicago and its 'burbs), Tufts (again, you can't go wrong with Boston and its 'burbs), and Boston College (it's Catholic, so it might not be as liberal as you want it to be)
Swarthmore, Wellesley -- (let's give up the sports..)</p>

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<p>In regards to the comment about Claremont McKenna, I think every school has it's stereotype, ask the kids from Claremont what Pitzer or Pomona kids are like, and you'll hear unfavorable comments about them. Ask the Pomona kids about Claremont and Pitzer and you'll hear unfavorable comments about them. The thing with Claremont McKenna is that it is probably the most "career orientated" school of the Claremonts excluding Harvey Mudd. A lot of them are interested in politics and business, and with fields in politics and business you get those unfavorable ideas of what each represent towards the progression of culture and society. Yet there are those who aren't there just to make money, and are there because they are passionate about making a change for the good. You honestly have to visit, because I applied for fall 08 as a transfer, and will apply for fall 09. My personality would most likely fit with either the Pitzer or Pomona student body. But what draws me to Claremont is what they have to offer as a school. The administration has been by far the friendliest and least elitist of Pitzer, Pomona, and Claremont. </p>

<p>I just feel Claremont often gets the bad rep, because of a rivalry that might exist. Similar to UCLA vs USC. Ask any student from each school what they think of the other, and they're bound to associate them with the stereotypes. Yet that's not the WHOLE school. Both schools have it's plusses and its negatives.</p>

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<p>@liek0806: Thanks for your two cents on the Claremont McKenna discussion—I've also heard that it is the most career oriented school of Pitzer, CMC and Pomona, but never considered that a deterrent from applying. Also I find it interesting (albeit unsurprising) that you said CMC's administration is by far the friendliest and least elitist; one of the main reasons I prefer CMC to Pomona is because I've heard that Pomona is quite elitist in their attitude toward the other Claremont schools, and in general (coming from a CMC student of course). Overall I completely agree about the rivalries and ensuing stereotypes; a Cal student's opinion of Stanford is probably unfavorable regardless of which college is a better fit for the individual. I know all colleges have at least somewhat of a healthy political mix, but that generalizations will always be made... definitely going to visit come springtime to form my own opinions about each of the schools.</p>

<p>I was a little surprised to hear ND, BC, and Gonzaga—all three are Catholic, right? Nothing whatsoever against this aspect, just generally speaking many of the Catholic/Jesuit campuses, especially as I've heard ND, tend to considerably lean toward the right politically. I've definitely considered BC because of its great athletics, school spirit, location, academics, and location, but have never considered looking into ND super-thoroughly (I might ask my aunt about it; it's her alma mater). I like Gonzaga because of its location (LOVE Washington State) but don't know much else about it. </p>

<p>Haha on Northwestern, it's actually always been on my list— I love the fact that it's a decent distance from home, but not too far, and also like its close proximity (but not directly in) to Chicago (also a plus that it's Obama's turf, for rally opportunities and such!! :)). Like to hear that it has a lot of school spirit regardless of a team's record; coming from a high school whose football record was like 1-12, me and my friends still went to all the games and loved it! Again, great to hear these good suggestions of good fits for me. Thanks everyone!</p>

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<p>Here are the descriptions of the students at Boston College, Gonzaga, and Notre Dame: (BC is in MA so I don't think you have to worry about being too far to the right, I live in Boston so I know)</p>

<p>Boston College
"Boston magazine once described the BC student body as “a J. Crew catalogue with a slight hangover,” and while students protest that “there are a number of students who do not conform to such a vision of the student body,” they also admit that “there are a lot of preppy people at our school. Girls usually wear skirts and Uggs (unless it’s freezing out, but it has to be very, very cold), and boys usually wear jeans and t-shirts or collared cotton shirts.” And yes, “the typical BC student is White, Catholic, usually from the Northeast, who probably had family who went to BC,” but with 9,000 undergrads, “We have students from all sorts of backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations.” BC students tend to be extremely ambitious; they are “those super-involved people in high school who were three-season team captains, class president, and straight-A students. [They] have carried over that focus and determination into college.”"</p>

<p>Gonzaga University
"“There is not a lot of diversity at GU,” where “a majority of students are white, upper-middle class.” They “are active and generally good students, but they don’t take school too seriously” and “like to go out.” While they may not love learning for its own sake, they are “intelligent go-getters” who are “eager to grow and eager to explore the world.” Most “are or have been involved in sports, either intramural or varsity level. Also, most students are involved with the communities around them, either through services like ‘Campus Kitchen,’ which serves food to those in the community, or programs like ‘Campus Kids’ or ‘SMILE,’ which bring elementary to middle-school kids on campus as an after-school activity to play with and be mentored by the students on campus.” Undergrads tend to be “at least moderately religious.”"</p>

<p>University of Notre Dame
"Undergrads at Notre Dame report that “the vast majority” of their peers are “very smart” “White kids from upper- to middle-class backgrounds from all over the country, especially the Midwest and Northeast.” The typical student “is a type-A personality that studies a lot, yet is athletic and involved in the community. They are usually the outstanding seniors in their high schools,” the “sort of people who can talk about the BCS rankings and Derrida in the same breath.” Additionally, something like “85 percent of Notre Dame students earned a varsity letter in high school.” “Not all are Catholic” here, though most are, and it seems that most undergrads “have some sort of spirituality present in their daily lives.” “ND is slowly improving in diversity concerning economic backgrounds, with the university’s policy to meet all demonstrated financial need.” As things stand now, those who “don’t tend to fit in with everyone else hang out in their own groups made up by others like them (based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.).”"</p>

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<p>Gonzaga may not be a good fit for you since diversity is kind of lacking, and Notre Dame may be too religious</p>

<p>I'd definitely look into Boston College though</p>

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<p>In regards to the comment about Claremont McKenna, I think every school has it's stereotype, ask the kids from Claremont what Pitzer or Pomona kids are like, and you'll hear unfavorable comments about them. Ask the Pomona kids about Claremont and Pitzer and you'll hear unfavorable comments about them. The thing with Claremont McKenna is that it is probably the most "career orientated" school of the Claremonts excluding Harvey Mudd. A lot of them are interested in politics and business, and with fields in politics and business you get those unfavorable ideas of what each represent towards the progression of culture and society. Yet there are those who aren't there just to make money, and are there because they are passionate about making a change for the good. You honestly have to visit, because I applied for fall 08 as a transfer, and will apply for fall 09. My personality would most likely fit with either the Pitzer or Pomona student body. But what draws me to Claremont is what they have to offer as a school. The administration has been by far the friendliest and least elitist of Pitzer, Pomona, and Claremont. </p>

<p>I just feel Claremont often gets the bad rep, because of a rivalry that might exist. Similar to UCLA vs USC. Ask any student from each school what they think of the other, and they're bound to associate them with the stereotypes. Yet that's not the WHOLE school. Both schools have it's pluses and its negatives.</p>

19

<p>If you are academically competitive, how about WashU in St. Louis and Rice. I believe WashU is a D3 basketball power, and Rice has D1 sports. Both are great schools with good social scenes and fit your size criteria.</p>

20

<p>you may want to look at Colorado College as well.</p>