I need to decide on an EDII college

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello all</p>

<p>I applied EDI to Vassar College, but still have not heard back. However, in the mean time, I am getting all of my other apps ready, finalized, and complete. However, I'm having trouble choosing an EDII college to apply to in the event I'm rejected or deferred from Vassar. And it's between two colleges:</p>

<p>REED COLLEGE: Since the beginning of my college search, two schools have remained in my mind throughout the entire process; Vassar and Reed. As aforementioned, I've already applied to Vassar and it has always been my top choice school. Yet Reed has always been close to my heart aswell, being one of my other top choice schools. </p>

<p>I liked Reed mainly because of its location and academic atmosphere. Though location in relation to home isn't important, being close to home is kind of nice (I live in AZ). Furthermore, I thoroughly love Portland. It is an eclectic, vibrant, artsy city that is manageable and full of opportunities. </p>

<p>In terms of academics, Reed fits me perfectly. I really enjoy class conferences and discussions, immersing myself in the reading, and studying what it is I'm passionate about (the humanities, Reed's specialty). Learning in an environment where the sole focus is on intellectual gain is thrilling to me. And Reed's quirkiness is very attractive to me. Reed has a distinct flavor to it.</p>

<p>My problem with Reed is that, well, it just doesn't have a sense of balance to me. I'd like to major in either Int'l Affairs, Linguistics, or Psychology. Reed doesn't have IR (my top choice major), and has a small Linguistics. Psychology, of course, is great. But that's psychology, a major I'm sure is good anywhere. Not only that, but Reed lacks alot of language options (Japanese especially, which is a language I want to continue studying in college). And studying abroad can't really be done given Reed's academic rigor. Lastly, though I wouldn't mind studying alot in college, I do want to be able to actually go into Portland, have friends, go to concerts, etc every now and then. These activities are questionable when placed in the Reed context.</p>

<p>((please bear with me, I know it's alot to read..))</p>

<p>Macalester College: I've only been looking at Macalester closely b/c it has all I want; IR major, Linguistics major, Psych major, study abroad opportunities and support, balance of academics and social life, etc.</p>

<p>However...I can't get a sense for the FEEL, FLAVOR, AND DISTINCTION of Macalester...Reed is thought of as an intellectual institution with quirky students. But I can't put my finger on what Mac is...Not only that, but the midwest is cold!! And I really like the NW culture as opposed to the MW...</p>

<p>If it helps for context, I'm also applying to Whitman, Grinnell, Middlebury, Oberlin, and Skidmore. I've also gotten into Lewis and Clark College (EA), which is acting as my safety school.</p>

<p>So...Where should I apply EDII to?</p>

2

<p>Reed! but i'm biased. really though, you should only apply ED if that's the ultimate school for you. if you applied ED to vassar and you get rejected, then yeah apply to your second choice ED 2. but if you dont have a second choice or get deferred, just wait for regular. you'll survive i promise!</p>

3

<p>Why Reed, lol? I really love it, but I guess I just need that few last words of inspiration/motivation to make me apply. Are you at Reed yourself?</p>

4

<p>no, i am not, but i would love to go there! it appeals to me because of the intense academic environment and the unique, quirky, out there feel it has. i feel like reed is very welcoming of all types of people, but you have to be willing to work really hard and learn!</p>

5

<p>Thanks for your input inspiration08!</p>

<p>Further thoughts?</p>

6

<p>I don't know why you want to apply ED II. You have a wonderful list of schools, and if you are deferred, you might still be admitted.</p>

<p>Why not go RD and then choose once you know where you've been admitted?</p>

<p>Macalester is often a choice for those students who like Vassar, in fact, more often, I think, than Reed. It is more laid back than Reed, although sophisticated as well.</p>

<p>Oberlin is often a choice for those who love Vassar as well.</p>

<p>Both my children were deferred from their ED schools. Once was ultimately admitted; one wasn't. However, the one that wasn't had wonderful choices during the RD round. He got into some very competitive schools RD.</p>

7

<p>I concur with Mythmom. You don't "need" to apply edII to another college -- the ones you have picked out are all excellent, but all a bit different from each other, in intensity and culture (for example, Oberlin has a conservatory for classical music and jazz). If you haven't visited these schools, you might be better off waiting until RD and then visiting the ones that you are accepted to and making a fully informed decision amongst your options.</p>

8

<p>Nobody "needs" to apply ED II; however, the advantages to doing so are the same as for applying EDI : better chance of admission, for one. (Getting it over with sooner would be the other).</p>

<p>Why do I think so? A Vassar admissions person out and out told us so at D2's information session last year, which was after the EDI deadline.</p>

<p>The disadvantages are also the same: having to make a commitment early, and not comparing FA offers.</p>

<p>This is something to strongly consider if you clearly have a strong college preference, are sure about it, and are willing to deal with the FA consequences.</p>

<p>Personally if I hadn't yet established that I really wanted to attend a particular school above all other options, for sound, well-thought out reasons, I would not apply ED to it. Do all homework first.</p>

<p>On the other hand, if you do all homework in time, and are certain that if you got into every school this is the one you would choose, well then why not pick up those extra admissions odds.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
However...I can't get a sense for the FEEL, FLAVOR, AND DISTINCTION of Macalester

[/quote]

Then don't apply EDII here. Suppose you get there and hate the feel of Macalester. It has happened. That's why visits are so important. I can't tell you the number of kids who found a school that looked perfect on paper, visited and HATED it. But they discovered that before making the commitment to attend. Finding out after making that commitment can be devastating.</p>

<p>And my d visited and fell in love with a school that, on paper, didn't look like it would fit her at all. She's happily there now as a freshman.</p>

<p>Echoing monydad, don't apply ED to a school you haven't visited.</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
I thoroughly love Portland. It is an eclectic, vibrant, artsy city that is manageable and full of opportunities. ... My problem with Reed is that, well, it just doesn't have a sense of balance to me. I'd like to major in either Int'l Affairs ... Reed doesn't have IR (my top choice major), ... Not only that, but Reed lacks alot of language options (Japanese especially, which is a language I want to continue studying in college). And studying abroad can't really be done given Reed's academic rigor. Lastly, though I wouldn't mind studying alot in college, I do want to be able to actually go into Portland, have friends, go to concerts, etc every now and then. These activities are questionable when placed in the Reed context. ... I've also gotten into Lewis and Clark College (EA), which is acting as my safety school.

[/quote]

L&C sure sounds like a great choice for you. Portland, more balanced than Reed, Int'l Affairs, Japanese, strong study abroad program, a bit more time to enjoy Portland. And not that it matters much, but the L&C campus is dramatically beautiful. Maybe you should consider L&C... ;)</p>

11

<p>Well, Vassar rejected me...Oh well. I received an email about it this morning.</p>

<p>But over night and all day I've done alot of thinking about my EDII school (and alot of research.) I've realized Reed has an International Comparative Policy Studies major (basically a fancy word for International Relations!) This makes me ecstatic. Not only that, but Reed has a foreign language exchange program thing with Lewis and Clark, where students can take language classes at L&C.</p>

<p>So, theoretically, I can make my Reed experience work for me. Coupled with the fact that I have come to love Reed's atmosphere and location, I've decided it would be a good place for me to be. </p>

<p>I will be sending off my EDII app tomorrow. With confidence.</p>

12

<p>going ED without visiting isn't THAT big of a difference. Most schools are large enough to have several different niches, depending on your interests. I applied EDII to Emory without ever visiting. Got in. Yes, they are annoying people, but there are also lots of cool students.</p>