<p>I desperately want to become a good writer. I live in a small town, and my biggest goal in college is for me to “expand my horizon.” Basically, I want to learn more about everything…to write a good novel some day and purely because it is interesting. I don’t want to post any stats because I don’t care about prestige. I would want a list of schools that range anywhere from Harvard’s name to my local CC, as long as it fits my needs. </p>
<li>It needs to have a good writing program. This is the most important to me. </li>
<li>If I manage to actually write something decent, I want to go to a college that could help me get it published and recognized. (I am guessing that this would be in a big city.)</li>
<li>I would like the school to have a campus. (i.e. no NYU) I would prefer gothic architecture but as long as there is a lawn, I am good. </li>
<li>I would like diversity. I want to learn as much as humanly possible while I am at college. Not only from the school books, but from the people and environment I am surrounded by. </li>
<li>I want to keep an open mind, so I am willing to look at colleges all over the world. My only request is that it doesn’t reside in California or Canada. </li>
<li>I am a conservative girl with a liberal view…if that makes sense. I am not religious, I enjoy a party or two, but I am pretty conservative when it comes to drinking, hooking up, etc. </li>
<li>I really love school spirit. I enjoy going to sporting events, and I would like to be able to wear my college’s name across my chest proudly. </li>
</ol>
<p>You might say that I have quite the tall order. If anyone could find a school that is spirited, liberal, and has a good writing program with a nice campus…I would applaud you. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bundle!</p>
<p>Look at Flagler University in St. Augustine, FL. I think its a bit conservative, but I've heard good things about their writing program and it has an amazing campus(the main building is an old hotel)</p>
<p>It doesn't have all the colleges in the U.S., but profiles a lot (like 1,000 or so) of colleges based on some different qualities (that you seem to want) besides just strict academic or political prestige.</p>
<p>Also, I hafta commend you on taking this approach to finding the college for you(not caring about ranking etc, just looking for exactly what you want)</p>
<p>Bowdoin College might be to your interest as well since it is LAC.</p>
<ol>
<li>"It needs to have a good writing program. This is the most important to me", Bowdoin has an extremely good english department and it has fabulous writing center program. I can tell you that writing has drastically improved because of professor and my writing assistant.</li>
<li>"If I manage to actually write something decent, I want to go to a college that could help me get it published and recognized. (I am guessing that this would be in a big city.)" Bowdoin would give you the oppportunity to get your name out there since its a well established LAC and is known by many.</li>
<li>"I would like the school to have a campus. (i.e. no NYU) I would prefer gothic architecture but as long as there is a lawn, I am good." Bowdoin has a very nice campus it has both an old and a new feel. You have buildings from the 1700s all the way until 2005. The Quad is filled with spaceous pathways that are lined with big ancient trees, much like most Ivy league schools.</li>
<li>"I would like diversity. I want to learn as much as humanly possible while I am at college. Not only from the school books, but from the people and environment I am surrounded by." At Bowdoin you'll learn both from teachers and books. There are some classes where the professors have been soooo good that I haven't even needed to use textbooks are references, because I could soak up all knowledge from their lectures. You also find that students at Bowdoin are really driven and interested topics so they are willing to discuss mateial outside of class.</li>
<li>"I want to keep an open mind, so I am willing to look at colleges all over the world. My only request is that it doesn't reside in California or Canada." Bowdoin is located in Maine. You will meet some of the nicest and friendlest people in world in Maine. Imagine a world where cars stop nearly 10 ft ahead to let you cross the street (it happens at Bowdoin), and drivers will even apologize if they roll over into the crosswalk.</li>
<li>"I am a conservative girl with a liberal view...if that makes sense. I am not religious, I enjoy a party or two, but I am pretty conservative when it comes to drinking, hooking up, etc." In general Bowdoin is considered liberal, but not many of the studnets are politically active. People will most definately respect your views and are highly open minded. As for drinking, hooking up, etc. if you don't like that scene you have the option of chem free housing, this will give you flexibility of drinking if you wish and nice, quiet and clean place to study.</li>
<li>"I really love school spirit. I enjoy going to sporting events, and I would like to be able to wear my college's name across my chest proudly." Bowdoin studnets are really into their sports and come out to support their teams. Colby, Bowdoin's Arch-rival, games are always sold out for Hockey and Football. I went to a Hockey game this yr vs. Colby and I almost ****ed in my pants from all the excitement.</li>
</ol>
<p>Kenyon has one of the best literary tradition in the country and it publishes its own literary journal, the Kenyon Reivew. Its English major is the most popular and one of the strongest major in the country. And chances are, you will be able to work with professors in editing the Kenyon Reivew.</p>
<p>In terms of campus beauty, Kenyon has one of the nicest architectures in the country. It is ranked 12 in the Princeton Review and there are many Gothic buildings in Kenyon. Kenyon is located in Gambier, Ohio (which is really small... this can be a minus point I guess but then hey, this small community does enhance the school spirit - the spirit of a community). And Kenyon has got a "Kenyon is not next to Uganda shirt". I thought that is pretty awesome!!! Kenyon is currently working on its diversity... yeah and the class of 2010 is expected to be one of the most diverse in Kenyon's history...</p>
<p>In fact you should check out more LACs... Most LACs fit your descriptions of the college you want. But Kenyon particularly stands out because it focuses on writing, writing and writing. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Check out these schools that have creative writing as one of their most popular majors, meaning the students will probably be interested in a lot of the things you want too:</p>
<p>I's say your 7th "need" (school spirit and good sports) limits the universities. Here are a couple that will:</p>
<p>Duke University
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
University of Notre Dame</p>
<p>If you are willing to overlook #7, then you have far more universities that could fit your profile. Check out the following:</p>
<p>Amherst College
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Carleton College
College of William and Mary
Columbia University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Emory University
Georgetown University
Harvard University
Haverford College
Middlebury College
Oberlin College
Princeton University
Swarthmore College
University of Chicago
University of Pennsylvania
University of Virginia
Vanderbilt University
Vassar College
Weselyan University
Williams College
Yale University</p>
<p>I would have added a couple of California schools, but you specifically said you weren't interested in California.</p>
<p>I have visited Kenyon and absolutely hated it. If you are serious about school spirit or sporting events of any kind I would stay away from most of the smaller/LAC type schools - esp. Kenyon, its awful and boring
sorry if that was harsh, lol</p>
<p>My own suggestions are noted above with explanations, but here they are again:
Duke
Denison
Miami U
Michigan</p>
<p>irish200: That may be true. But I doubt things will remain this way when the latest $60 million Kenyon Athletic Center opens next Jan. It sure will attract some of the best sports people in the country. </p>
<p>And Kenyon being a boring place? I wonder where did you get that idea from. There are tonnes of concerts/ plays going on. It is even listed as having the best college theatre in the Princeton Review.</p>
<p>Wow...thank you thank you thank you! I didn't expect so many responses so quickly. I have my college book out and am highlighting furiously. Duke has been a dream for a while...but I also currently hate them because of their basketball team :)</p>
<p>Is Yale the school that doesn't include frosh grades? Or is that Princeton? </p>
<p>If you have any other suggestions...by all means, keep posting! My mother will love you :D</p>
<p>P.S. Does anyone know the link for that other site that is similar to CC but it is the UK addition?</p>
<p>Exactly, the thriving town of Gambier and Mount Vernon are not exactly college towns. Kenyon really is not in a town, it is isolated on top of a hill, and the book store is one of the only stores- no bars, restaraunts etc. This individual stated they wanted a place alive with school spirit and sports- those people generally are not into plays (and that is the vibe I felt when I visited Kenyon, they stressed plays and theatre every chance they could as if it were the only activity to do). I have seen the Athletic Center models but still remain unimpressed by the school in the social realm in general. I do not mean to be offensive, but in my opinion, other schools have much more to offer.</p>
<p>haha about Duke-i suggested it and also personally hate the blue devils
(i also grew up in columbus, ohio and hate michigan even more)
--still, both match your descriptions</p>
<p>I will be happy to help and think it would be more useful if you could post your stats and location. And possibly add more criteria.</p>
<p>once again...
Miami U (ohio), Duke, Michigan, Denison</p>
<p>*feel free to PM me and I could give you my email address so I could help you even more</p>
<p>for more info on miami- it has begun an enormous campaign (First in 2009) to improve campus life, academics and the student body</p>
<p>including:
rennovated football stadium
indoor football practice facility
new softball stadium
new ice arena (this is a beauty- team is currently #2 in the nation)
2 parking garages (one underground)
new engineering facility
new business building
new psychology building
new fine arts and dining facility
new engineering quad</p>
<p>You have mentioned in your earlier post that you want a school that has great academics but Miami U definitely doesnt fit into that description.</p>
<p>
[quote]
My sister went to Miami and I attended Kenyon. Her education simply simply wasn't in the same league. To this day, she struggles with what I can only characterize as a complete inability to write effectively or even with appropriate grammar.
It seemed as if her personal growth was stunted at Miami.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>In addition, Miami U does not even have diversity. It's as white as bread if you want to say and it's more of a J Crew typed school. Perhaps you should consider other schools like Brown and Vassar like what SBmom mentioned earlier on.</p>
<p>Okay, I don't want to turn this thread into a brawl lol because frankly, that is where its heading.</p>
<p>Miami's 'lack of diversity' has little to do with race. In fact Kenyon is 84% white, whereas miami 87%. The reality is most students at Miami are wealthier, for a public school-but the same could be said of most private schools (most of those mentioned in this thread)
As a student, I wore 'preppy' clothes almost 5 times as much at home as at school. Most people wear sweats to class and around campus.</p>
<p>In relation to my reference to bars and restaraunts- i was simply describing the social lifes limits. And Kenyon's social life does not have much to offer.</p>
<p>Miami offers a great education, and is among the top public universities in the country. It is considered one of the original 8 Public Ivies.</p>
<p>Still, I do not want to get off track here and would love to continue to help if you have any questions.</p>