Let The Searching Begin!

<p>Aloha! I joined the CC community a little less than a year ago and it is finally time for me to get serious about my college search as I will be a senior (yay!!) this year. I have a few schools in mind, but I would love to get more opinions on other schools I should look at. </p>

<p>My Criteria:
1. I would like it to be in/near a city.
2. To have a nice campus (I prefer the older gothic buildings with sprawling lawns)
3. A good sense of community and school spirit...perhaps even a good sports team :)
4. A good balance of academics and social life. I am definitely the work hard/play hard type.
5. I am VERY interested in creative writing. This is important to me. The school MUST have a good English department. A good education program would be a plus.
6. Size doesn't matter much but it can't be TOO big. I am not a fan of classes that have 300 kids. </p>

<p>Thanks for the help in advance. I am a simple girl from a small town who is look for a bit of a change :)</p>

<p>rice sounds like it might be good for you...
actually, if someone knows about creative writing there, please post, because I would like to know as well
on their tour they said 'we have lots of oportunities for people interested in writing' but never really went into that...
they do offer a number of writing courses in their course catalogue.
(I am looking at places similar to what you are looking for <3 creative writing)
Brown, tufts maybe? look into yale</p>

<p>consider colorado college -- meets all the criteria you listed (including education) and has a unique block program. Hockey is the big sport, but they have many other sports teams to cheer (hockey is the only division I). small classes, small school -- it is in colorado, so you have lots of access to biking, hiking, skiing, rock-climbing -- most of the kids are active and enjoy lots of different activities.</p>

<p>colorado college is rated in the top 25 for LAC's, but because of its location away from the east and west coasts, it tends to have a higher acceptance rate (although it gets more selective every year).</p>

<p><a href="http://www.coloradocollege.edu%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.coloradocollege.edu&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>you have to list some of your stats, so we can recommend appropriate/realistic schools for you</p>

<p>My son, the creative writer, is going to Johns Hopkins. Fits most of your criteria.</p>

<p>Thanks for all of the suggestions so far.
As for my stats...</p>

<p>GPA:
Frosh-3.3
Soph-3.8
Junior-3.5ish (Haven't got report card back yet)
CUM- I think around 3.6</p>

<p>Schedule is mildly difficult:
Junior- Honors English, Honors World History, Honors Chems, Newswriting, Spanish 3, Alg 2. </p>

<p>Senior-AP Chems, AP European History, Physics, Honors English, Newswriting, TA, Alg 3.</p>

<p>BTW: School only offers AP Chems, Bio, English, Euro Hist, Calc, and Art. </p>

<p>I got Cs my frosh year, but I have been a straight A/B student since then (with the exception of second semester math junior year).</p>

<p>ECs:
Newswriting-Editior in Chief (11-12)
Aloha Club (11-12)
Tennis (9-12)
Tennis Community Club-did community service and attended practice 3 days a week for 2 hours (9-11)
Private Tennis Lessons (12)
Spanish Club VP (11-12)
Part-time job (Summer before junior year, but quit when tennis seasion started, and will start work again when school starts)</p>

<p>For my list of schools so far I was thinking....
Boston College-Reach
Boston University-Match
Providence College-Safe Match
University of Pugest Sound-Match
Gonzaga University-Safe Match
UCSB-Reach</p>

<p>Correct?</p>

<p>and any more college recomendations?
thanksssssssssssss</p>

<p>UCSB shoudln't be a reach unless you're not a california citizen.</p>

<p>I'm from Hawaii :(</p>

<p>Have you looked at Barnard? Writing is their thing. Their board chairman is a Pullitzer prize winner, Anna Quindlen. The big classes are intro classes like Bio or Art History intros with about 200 students. You can also take classes at Columbia except for the core. The combined Barnard/ Columbia catalog can give you an idea of class sizes:
<a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/bulletin/uwb/home.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.columbia.edu/cu/bulletin/uwb/home.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I don't think I have a chance at Barnard :(</p>

<p>Surfette, Boston U. is very strict about required high school courses and they require math through precalc. -- I don't know whether "algebra 3" qualifies. My d. was accepted to Barnard but waitlisted BU, and I think that the math was a major issue. </p>

<p>Anyway, the only point I am trying to make is that BU may be a reach, no a match. (And while I would love to see you at Barnard, I think you are right - the GPA probably isn't high enough to make you competitive for admissions there). </p>

<p>Check the Colleges that Change Lives list: <a href="http://www.ctcl.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ctcl.com/&lt;/a> and the colleges listed here:
<a href="http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/articles/brief/06average_brief.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/articles/brief/06average_brief.php&lt;/a>
"A+ Options for 'B' Kids"</p>

<p>I just visited BC and I have never been in such awe. Ever aspect of the school is perfect for me...except for the admissions. What could I do to improve my chances at BC and my other reach schools?</p>

<p>did I miss your ACT or SAT scores? that will help with determining where you fit..</p>

<p>Ohhh so sorry. </p>

<p>SAT 1810
V630 M580 W600</p>

<p>I saw that you had Gonzaga & also BC(as your reach)...if you like Jesuit education check out Seattle U, Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount. They might offer good matches for you (& being West coast, be a bit closer for travel issues).</p>

<p>Another Jesuit uni. that doesn't get much mention is Regis University in Denver, CO. Great location & again, a bit closer to you to keep travel costs in check.</p>

<p>Providence and Holy Cross are very similar to BC in atmosphere/school spirit. Providence would be a great safety for you, and Holy Cross is typically a little easier to get into than BC.</p>