I need help finding good schools for me. (Vis.arts, communications, linguistics?)

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hello!
Recently I have decided on (at least for now) the main subjects I want to study in college. I'm most interested in Visual Arts (especially graphic design and media arts), Communications, Linguistics, and possibly English. I really want a school that can address all of these areas. I realize that's an incredibly odd combination, and it's unlikely I'll find a school that matches all three of those areas well, but as close as possible is what I'm looking for.<br>
I also want a school that has a study abroad program (I am currently considering becoming an ESL teacher, so I really want to travel abroad during college before I hop on a plane to South Korea and possibly change my mind haha), very good diversity, and lot's of extracurriculars/clubs. If it could have more kids than my high school of 4,000, that'd be just dandy. The sports scene isn't super important to me--I'd be willing to become a football freak, but I'm just as willing to attend a school that's not really big on sports. What I do want that is often closely tied with the sports team is that sense of community and school spirit! It doesn't have to be overwhelming, but something about the independence of schools like NYU deter me a little. I also like schools that actually have physical campuses.
Last, I know there are a variety of people at all schools, but I'd love to go to a school where I knew I could find my kind of people. I'm a really artsy/creative, quirky person. And by quirky I mean goofy, nerdy (but not in the I LOVE MATH IT'S SO FUN sort of way), has an emotional relationship with nintendo, loves cupcakes, internet memes, and kittens. It's frustrating because I hear people toss around the term "quirky" about so many schools, but I never know what kind of "quirky" people mean?</p>

<p>So that's a little bit about me and what I want. I have the grades/courses/test scores to reasonably aim for a top 10 school, but I'm looking for anywhere from #40 to #1. One of my favorite schools right now is USC (it seems like a perfect fit except for location), and also Northwestern because I live outside of Chicago. After that, I'm lost (and for all I know those aren't good choices haha!)</p>

<p>Thanks for any advice~!! ^^</p>

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<p>What’s your home state? Given your listed preferences, a state flagship would probably serve you fine, particularly if you get into the honors program, unless you live in a state with very poor public universities.</p>

<p>How much can you afford? Remember, colleges can cost almost $60k a year, so unless you know that your parents will be willing to contribute that much, you’d better look for a school that gives excellent financial aid (assuming there’s not too much of a discrepancy between their income/assets and what they can afford to pay), or a school that gives preferential financial aid to its most qualified applicants.</p>

<p>If you have an unlimited budget, and are willing to go everwhere in the US, Tulane, Boston College, Wash U St. Louis, Syracuse, and American University might be possibilities based on your stated preference for USC.</p>

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<p>Take a look at Ithaca College (NY)</p>

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<p>Sorry for the late reply, I’m from Illinois.
I am extremely fortunate and have no financial restrictions.</p>

<p>Thank you to both of you I’ll take a look at those schools!</p>