I've looked at so many schools I'm going insane... match me?

<p>I'd rather not say (it's just an internet rule I have), but I'm close to Evansville.</p>

<p>Ok, I've been researching more and I would probably get just as much financial aid going to a good school compared to a more affordable school, since they are richer and whatnot. My family makes about 18,000 a year, so I'd desperately need a good aid package.</p>

<p>I've decided since I love Chicago, I would shoot for U of Chicago and my bf could go to Art Inst. of Chicago. I would be very very proud of myself if I got into such a good school. I'm guessing that's a reach for me. I looked at the essay choices, and I seriously thought, "***?"</p>

<p>I'll probably apply to Emerson, since it's in Boston, and just seems to fit. I just keep coming back to it. There's Boston Art Inst. for him.</p>

<p>This is a reach, but Washington University in St. Louis. I have family in St. Louis. One of my friends, who is super-smart, is going there. I read somewhere that only 1% of the kids that go there got 500-600 on the math section of their SATs. I would have to be in that 1%. Work experience is an important admission factor, which is good because I've been working 15+ hours a week since 16. My bf could apply to U of Missouri. I hate my friend because she was stoned when she took the SAT and still did better than everyone in my school. Sheesh.</p>

<p>Also, John Hopkins & Maryland Art Inst.</p>

<p>Maybe NYU?</p>

<p>I really don't know about the atmosphere of these schools. I want a "traditional" learning experience, where you sit and take notes and sort of absorb what the prof. is saying, but small enough so if I needed to ask a question, 300 students wouldn't be staring in my direction. I would like to be able to have fun, but I'm not really going to want to go anywhere where there's a lot of drugs/alcohol all the time. I would like a somewhat liberal school, but not waaay out there. </p>

<p>Also, at the tougher schools, is there cut-throat competition to be the best? I'm a very laid-back type of person, so I would rather have a laid-back type of learning environment but with people who still enjoy learning for the sake of learning, not to just to try and be on top.</p>

<p>I'm sorry if I keep changing my mind about things... my family has learned to ignore everything I say.</p>

<p>haha.. i think i read a post that said "u of chicago is where fun come to die" that is pretty much true. Washington-St. Louis is a major reach i would think since they are getting morr selective every year, but thats no reason not to go for it i would say. Im not sure if JHU has a decent english program but I do know that baltimore isnt the greatest town on earth... NYU is basically a new york copy of u of chicago as far as student personalities go... Dont know much about emerson but i do know that the cost of living in boston is insane so you will need to get a good job.</p>