<p>I'm a junior, and I'm debating between going to a small LAC or a large research university when I go off to college in a year and a half. All the schools that fit my criteria are either quite small or very large.</p>
<p>Also, if anyone knows any schools that could fit some or all of the following criteria, I would be much obliged if you would share!</p>
<p>3.6 GPA
12/96 Rank
30 ACT
Strong music program
Strong psych program
Preferably in the midwest area (flexible)</p>
<p>I play the flute...soooo, big major conservatories are probably out of my reach, but I am quite accomplished on my instrument...going to state every year so far, private ensembles...etc.</p>
<p>So far I have Lawrence University, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, and Oberlin College on my list...but I would really like to get a few more!</p>
<p>Any opinions/ideas/anything? Thanks so much ahead of time!</p>
<p>Try UW-Madison for large. I really don't understand this big vs. small debate, I am very adaptable, so I really don't see why this is a big deal when choosing a college.</p>
<p>Wait, I can see why, it just doesn't really affect me.</p>
<p>There are a lot of schools between mega-huge UMinn. and little Lawrence. How about considering some mid-sized universities as well?
Are you only interested in the midwest, or will you consider other parts of the country? Have you visited any of the schools on your list yet? That might help you decide what's too large, and what's too small. Don't feel you HAVE to have a list comprised entirely of one type of school or the other --- there's nothing wrong with a list with a few LACs, a few mid-sized universities and a few mega-schools. You will find your preferences will clarify as senior year goes on.</p>
<p>If only the midwest, you might check out St. Olaf, Carleton, DePauw, Indiana U, U Michgan, Northwestern. </p>
<p>If you're open to other parts of the country: U of Rochester, Tufts, Vassar, Emory, Furman, Skidmore, Southern Methodist, Southwestern, Rice, Vassar. </p>
<p>I'm sure others will have further suggestions once we know if you're open to the whole country or want to focus on the midwest.</p>
<p>By the way, Lawrence and Oberlin (and UMinn.) are great schools, don't worry about not aiming high enough if you like them.</p>
<p>I'm open to the rest of the country - I'd just prefer to be within a driving distance of home. However, if there is a wonderful school out there that is outside that bubble, I'm not going to not go there just because of that.</p>
<p>I'd prefer it to not have a religious background either - I've had enough crazy Christians in this town to last me a lifetime. (Nothing against religion...some people just take it to an insane level.)</p>
<p>I loooove Carleton...I believe it is quite a reach, though. Also, the music program isn't very strong...? At least that is what I've read. Also, I haven't taken any SATII's <em>bad ang!</em> but...I suppose there is still time if I brushed up on my subjects that I took back freshman/sophomore years. </p>
<p>I know Lawrence and Oberlin (less Oberlin, but still) are match/safeties academically, but they are more competitive in their conservatories.</p>
<p>Also, if I went to UMinn, I would try to enroll in their honors program. </p>
<p>AND (last point!) I really am not keen on UWisc's music program for undergrads...plus, that is just too close to home for me. (I grew up around Madison...it's an AMAZING city and an AMAZING school. I just...no.)</p>
<p>If there are any medium sized schools out there - that would be very preferable! I just haven't found any that really fit yet, though....but I'll look into suggestions! Thanks a bunch!</p>
<p>Just a suggestion -- if you put "music" and "psych" and "midsized college?" in your thread title, you might get more people to comment who would know about this.</p>
<p>I thought this thread would be about deciding between a big and a small school. I was going to say, visit both kinds. My kids thought they didn't have a preference until they visited some schools -- then they found that they did.</p>
<p>FWIW, I suggest do not assume that Oberlin is a safety academically for you.
Also I am not sure its conservatory is materially more competitive in admissions than its Arts & sciences college; I recall the % admits being quite close, and possibly even tilted slightly in the other direction. I could be wrong though.</p>
<p>Looking at the composite admissions rate at a conservatory can often be misleading. You really have to look at the rate for your own instrument or voice. </p>
<p>There are currently 19 flute majors at Oberlin, meaning they take about 5 a year on average. The main flute teacher there is Michel Debost who, while not as well-known to the general public as a Rampal or Galway, is very highly-regarded in the flute world. In fact, he succeeded Rampal as the Professor of flute at the Paris Conservatoire in the 80's and was principal flute in the Orchestre de Paris from 1960 to 1990. He singlehandedly puts Oberlin in the top handful of flute programs in the country, making it a reach for any flute player. Oberlin IS one of those "big major conservatories" so far as flute (and several others) is concerned.</p>
<p>The potential good news for the OP is that Debost also teaches secondary lessons for about a dozen non-flute majors. It might still be possible to take a 30-minute per week lesson with him as a student in the college. The other flute teacher there, Kathleen Chastain, is also quite good.</p>
<p>BTW the better news, if you don't quite make it up to the level of these two luminaries, is that at least some of the conservatory students are accomplished players and teachers themselves, and also give secondary classes. My daughter's taking instruction from a con student in her instrument, and says she's the best teacher she ever had.</p>
<p>Not the midwest, but I know Rice has a great music program worth checking out (At least I think...). </p>
<p>Other LAC's include Grinnell, Macalester, and Kenyon. They are all amazing! </p>
<p>Though at this point you may not know whether you want to go to a big or small school, you will get a good sense of what you want when you start visiting. I thought I wanted a big university in a city, but next year I'm heading off to a small liberal arts college in a rural location. </p>
<p>So yeah, don't worry too much, visit/do overnights, and you should be fine =)</p>
<p>Re small vs large: Know thyself. Some people will be happier melting into a sea of people and having enormous variety of choices. Others will be happier with more intimacy and connection, small classes. Both small and large offer unique benefits, the trick is knowing which ones will help you the most.</p>
<p>Remember: if you are from a HS of 1200+ and yearn for "bigger" consider that in HS, a kid like you would be a top 10% kid, all your classes are probably with the same 100 kids... In college, you will have 1200 kids at more or less your motivation/ability level. Thus I think a college of 1200 offers more 'peers' than a HS of 1200 does.</p>
<p>The Shepherd School of Music at Rice is indeed excellent. It is also one of the best buys among top music schools. It is on the small side with 300 total students, of whom only 125 are undergrads. That means that most years they enroll just one or two undergrad flute majors and some years none at all. It is a good idea to check with them before submitting an application to make sure that there is at least one available spot. </p>
<p>The flute teacher there is Leone Buyse, another well-known and highly-respected name in the musical world. Unlike many conservatories, Rice looks not only for musical talent but also for high academic achievement in their applicants.</p>