Looking for a college that "fits" me!

College Search & Selection
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<p>I've been narrowing down colleges in my list and applying for them, but I've never really looked into what colleges have a culture that really fits my character. (Visiting, reading about, and asking others about colleges doesn't seem to be doing it for me.) My parents don't have much experience in US colleges either, so I'm stuck. HELP?</p>

<p>The colleges I'm applying to so far:
UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, Johns-Hopkins Uni, Northwestern Uni, Carnegie-Mellon Uni, Uni of Southern California, Stanford University, Cornell University</p>

<p>I'm definitely willing to change this if I learn more about them!</p>

<p>I'm a very balanced person, and want a University with a high standard of education and a helpful, friendly community that is DIVERSE. Also, the college should have many clubs and traditions (I love a integrated culture!). MUSIC is a priority for me, as I may be minoring in Music Performance, playing in the marching band/wind ensembles/orchestras, and attending concerts, etc. The college needs to be pretty LIBERAL, but not party-scene or hipster culture liberal. Here's a kicker: I would really like a college that has standards with an organized schedule, but still have the FREEDOM and time to pursue my other interests (kind of like Johns-Hopkins). The college should also be nearby a city and have a LOT OF THINGS TO DO (I come from a planned community, so I would really like stores, restaurants, and tons of off-campus activities and resources (beach, malls, national parks, airport, etc.). </p>

<p>I know my expectations are very defined and numerous, but if there are any colleges that come to mind, please tell me! Very much appreciated from a kid who knows California, Europe, and China well, but not the rest of the states!</p>

2

<p>OH and I am majoring in many professions, depending on the college: Engineering of all kinds, Law, Music, Business, and Computer Science</p>

3

<p>Do you have anywhere specific in the country you’d like to study, and what is your financial limit?</p>

4

<p>I like the east and west coasts more than the center, and financials are not a limiting factor at this moment for most colleges <50,000.</p>

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<p>Wouldn’t most colleges fulfill that criterion?</p>

6

<p>Interesting that you would list JHU as that school. The students I know at JHU are studying so hard that they don’t have time to pursue other interests.</p>

<p>I know it doesn’t meet your “coastal” requirement, but Michigan might be a place to consider. Although if you can get into Berkeley, not sure it is worth the OOS tuition.</p>

<p>You do know that some of the colleges on your list are over $50K/year now, right?</p>

7

<p>Tufts, Holy Cross.</p>

8

<p>Holy Cross does not have engineering or business as undergraduate majors; computer science is rather limited (most upper division courses offered only once every two years).</p>

9

<p>Some of the schools in your list are considered to have very competitive student bodies which seems different than the atmosphere you are looking for?
Since your interests are VERY broad and include business and engineering, a school like Holy Cross is a poor choice, and Tufts does not have business (though otherwise might be a good choice). Your list is some state schools (are these your safeties) and really high reach schools. Don’t you have anything in the middle?</p>

10

<p>I would take CMU off the list, there’s very little flexibility and almost no crossing over between schools. I’m not even sure you could minor in Music Performance there.</p>

11

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<p>If you decide to take up Medicine too, there’s no way you’ll have time for a wind instrument. Have you considered switching to cowbell?</p>