<p>I come from a lower income family and am looking to attend a Liberal Arts College. Will I have a problem with "fitting in?"</p>
<p>Oh god not another thread. You weren’t here 2 weeks ago when there was another “what is life like at a liberal arts college” and it quickly devolved into 6 pages of BS majors saying everyone sits around on the grass playing a guitar and smoking pot followed by 6 more pages of BA majors saying that it’s harder than it looks (the major…not the sitting on grass playing guitar and smoking pot part).</p>
<p>sorry 
…</p>
<p>I’ll just say that I don’t think there’s very many schools where someone would have trouble “fitting in”. Most schools are fairly large and there is no one cookie cutter type person that goes there.</p>
<p>I just have this (probably misconceived) perception that at most LAC’s rich northeastern kids are abundant.</p>
<p>Probably not.</p>
<p>I’m from a low-income family and went to a high school where the majority of kids are from the upper middle class or upper class. Most of my friends are from wealthy families, but that doesn’t mean they fit the “spoiled brats” stereotype – they’re nice and fun to spend time with, and income difference is never made an issue (: There definitely will be a big percentage of “rich northeastern kids” at NE LACs, but that doesn’t mean you won’t fit in. It’s college – people either won’t notice your low-income status, or won’t treat you worse because of it (and if they do, they’re not worth your time). They’ll be too busy having fun with you (;</p>
<p>“Rich northeastern kids” abound at rich northeastern colleges.</p>
<p>Go to Grinnell.</p>
<p>^ or Carleton</p>
<p>I attend one of those rich Northeastern LACs. Can a low-income student fit in? Sure. Lots of students on financial aid. Also lots of rich kids. How well do you tolerate being in an environment where 50% of the student body are very obviously from (at least) upper middle class backgrounds?</p>
<p>I hope I would be able to fit in. I only have a problem with rude rich people. Is there a good number who would be considered “rude?”</p>
<p>I’m attending [tomorrow!] a “rich Northeastern LAC”. I’ll let you know how it is … Lol. I come from a low income family also.</p>
<p>
I have met very few rude students and they were scattered across the full socioeconomic spectrum (as far as I can tell).</p>
<p>The only time that the income differential bugs me is right after breaks. Some people come back from spring break raving about their trip to Hawaii and shiny new Macbook Pro and the 500 new songs they got from iTunes. All I can counter with is eating Ramen noodles and watching three seasons of the Simpsons on my laptop.</p>
<p>Basically, you’ll be fine as long as you don’t compare yourself to the students who are better off financially.</p>
<p>As a college student it is your duty to fit in. The reason we go to college is to obtain a high level of thinking. We adapt and grow to our surroundings. If you choose not to grow then you will have a miserable time. It’s up to you.</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone who responded and please let me know what you think jenonymous</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard from friends at more affluent LACs, the biggest difference is that people will pay for taxis, dinner, etc without worrying about splitting the bill. The problem is when you’re the one who ends up with that responsibility, since you “can’t” ask people for the money they owe you.</p>
<p>Finally…</p>
<p>There’s a lot of drum circles, acoustic guitar playing under trees, smoking weed and “deep thinking”…</p>
<p>… much better</p>
<p>Bump10char</p>
<p>Okay, I’ve been on college campus for two whole days, which isn’t saying much, but I absolutely LOVE it here! The majority of the people seem so open and friendly and greeting each other and shaking hands by introducing themselves. Granted, things like that happen during orientations so I don’t think my input counts a lot, but so far so good :)</p>
<p>I go to a more affluent school. The only thing that bothers me sometimes is some students don’t really care about money at all…like they’re just used to spending and spending (on their parent’s dime). I work and pay for a lot of my stuff, so it just annoys me sometimes haha.</p>