Looking for Columbia-esque schools

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>Although I'm just a freshman, I'm already thinking quite considerably about what sort of college or university education I might want to pursue. Currently, my so-called 'dream school' is Columbia. In terms of grades and EC's, I'm fairly well qualified (I haven't taken boards yet). Regardless of these factors, I understand that my status as a non-URM, non-athlete, and non-legacy (although I do have a close family member who is a former member of the Board of Visitors and could write a rec) puts the odds against me for admission, even if I apply ED, which I will likely do. </p>

<p>While I'm dedicated to staying motivated and producing my best work in HS for the next 3.5 years, I feel that the possibility/probability of being deferred/waitlisted/rejected at Columbia would be less of a letdown if I allow the prospect of attending other schools sink in for a bit.</p>

<p>So, with that said, I like Columbia because of the following factors:
-Strong, application oriented Philosophy department
-Coexistence of liberal politics and more traditional curriculum
-Dedication to liberal arts over preprofessional degrees
-Intellectual, cosmopolitan, open-minded climate among students
-Proximity to vibrant life (city preferred, but I understand that even small towns can be interesting
-High quality student newspaper
-De-emphasis on Greek life and intercollegiate athletics
-Great, inspiring library</p>

<p>What other schools, including ones which are both equally selective and less selective, also most most of these criteria?</p>

<p>Thanks much!
-wmmk</p>

2

<p>Hmmmm...some ideas (note that I don't know about philosphy departments, so that might make some of these ideas not work for you):</p>

<p>--If you're a girl, think about Barnard. And not because it's right across the street, either. It doesn't have the same kind of core as Columbia, but hits on a lot of the other criteria. </p>

<p>--UChicago comes to mind, and probably is the closest I can think of to meeting all of those criteria, though some might say it has a different overall "vibe." Still, check it out!</p>

<p>--Check out Reed. Much smaller, and I'm not sure about all of those catagories (Philosphy program, library), but it is VERY libreal and intellectual, while still having something of a more traditional curriculm (not quite like the Columbia core, since I think there is only one required class, but the distriubtion requirements and junior comp exam are very strict), and it's right outside of Portland, which is a fantastic city.</p>

<p>--NYU is very different from Columbia in many ways, but seems to hit a number of the criteria on your list. BU too.</p>

<p>--Maybe Rice? I don't know that much about it, but from what I've heard it hits many of those catagories.</p>

<p>--Also try Tufts.</p>

<p>I think the hardest thing to find will be schools with curriculums like Columbia's, but you should be able to find a number of great schools that fit your other criteria--the ones I listed above are just the ones that came to me off the top of my head.</p>

3

<p>I also second the recommendation for Barnard, and will add Fordham to the list. I have many friends at Fordham who absolutely LOVE it there. </p>

<p>Also, Rice is an amazing school. It has a different vibe from Columbia, but has many of the same high points. You might really like it. I can't recommend the school enough.</p>

4

<p>Oh yeah, I've heard good things about Fordham. Also, if you're willing to go bigger, maybe some of the UC schools (Berkeley comes to mind)? Also perhaps Georgetown.</p>

5

<p>Georgetown is a good one too!</p>

6

<p>Princeton for:
-Strong, application oriented Philosophy department
-Coexistence of liberal politics and more traditional curriculum
-Dedication to liberal arts over preprofessional degrees
-Intellectual, cosmopolitan, open-minded climate among students
-Proximity to vibrant life (Its a quaint town)
-High quality student newspaper (Arguable :-P )
-De-emphasis on Greek life (def an emphasis on athletics though)
-Great, inspiring library</p>

<p>NYU for
-Strong, application oriented Philosophy department
-Intellectual, cosmopolitan, open-minded climate among students
-Proximity to vibrant life (city preferred, but I understand that even small towns can be interesting
-De-emphasis on Greek life and intercollegiate athletics
-Great, inspiring library</p>

7

<p>I second Princeton</p>

8

<p>Wow, thanks much! This is why I love CC...</p>

<p>While Barnard would otherwise be perfect, I'm a male. Drats. </p>

<p>Fordham also sounds interesting, but what about the fact that it's a Jesuit school? I'm on the fence between Judaism and Agnosticism, so I'm not sure if I'd fit in. Additionally, I'd be a bit wary of majoring in Philosophy at any religiously affiliated school. Should I be?</p>

<p>I actually went to primary school at UChicago's Laboratory school, so I'm very familiar with Hyde Park and the U of C vibe. I'll definitely look there. </p>

<p>NYU and BU could make perfect safeties. Does NYU even have a real campus? </p>

<p>Tufts looks great, I'll definitely take a look at it next time I'm out on the east coast. </p>

<p>I don't know tons about Reed, but it seems like a neat place. I'll try to do some research on it.</p>

<p>Rice is a bit to preprofessional-centric for my tastes. </p>

<p>Princeton seems great, but I'm not sure I'd have much of a chance of getting in. Even if I keep a ridiculously hard course load with great grades and boards and solid leadership EC's, I think the fact that I'm not really doing anything exceptionally remarkable outside of school would put me at a disadvantage at HYPS. I just worry that newspaper editor, principal orchestra bassist, and member (hopefully future president) of a few political clubs won't really be impressive enough. Additionally, the stigma about Princeton preppiness is a bit discomforting. Also, aren't eating clubs essentially coed frats without Greek letters? Even so, I suppose I could either join Terrace (which is supposedly liberal) or just be an independent.</p>

<p>Georgetown also looks great, but I'd need to make sure I'm comfortable with the religious affiliation before I considered it.</p>

<p>How well would Amherst and Yale fit my criteria. I happen to be a legacy at both (although my dad actually went to Yale for grad school, not undergrad, but I'm not sure how much that matters).</p>

<p>Finally, are there any other schools you'd recommend? I'm not too concerned about size right now, so don't hesitate to name some comparable LAC's, even if they aren't in places quite as interesting as NYC!</p>

9

<p>I would recommend Vassar (without knowing much about its philosophy department...)
As for your criteria:
-Coexistence of liberal politics and more traditional curriculum
Well, Vassar has no core curriculum other than a foreign language requirement and a "quantitative" requirement (anything with numbers, not necessarily "math").. certainly liberal politics</p>

<p>-Dedication to liberal arts over preprofessional degrees
Obviously</p>

<p>-Intellectual, cosmopolitan, open-minded climate among students
Ah, cosmopolitan is definitely out, but the students are certainly very bright and open-minded. The place is like a tolerance haven.</p>

<p>-Proximity to vibrant life (city preferred, but I understand that even small towns can be interesting
If you were to visit the school (in Poughkeepsie), you'd realize that its immediate atmosphere is moderately unimpressive, but the campus is so bustling in its own bubble that students are NEVER bored.</p>

<p>-High quality student newspaper
Has one of the longest running weekly college newspapers in the USA</p>

<p>-De-emphasis on Greek life and intercollegiate athletics
No Greek life on campus as it despises exclusivity and is anti-clique in every way possible. Sports aren't that important either (DIII). Teams are successful but more for love of the game than tailgating (no football team).</p>

<p>-Great, inspiring library
Well, its basically the most beautiful library in the world, and has one million collections. </p>

<p>Here are pictures of the gorgeous library: <a href="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v156/100/98/1155540123/n1155540123_30055524_3906.jpg%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v156/100/98/1155540123/n1155540123_30055524_3906.jpg&lt;/a>
<a href="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v156/100/98/1155540123/n1155540123_30055522_3270.jpg%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v156/100/98/1155540123/n1155540123_30055522_3270.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>It's funny because when I think of Columbia I would NEVER think it similar to Vassar, and yet here I am...</p>

10

<p>I would definitely have to say U Chicago. Columbia calls U Chicago their sister school when it comes to their curriculum. In collaboration, i am almost sure, they created their core curriculum. The atmosphere is very intellectual and cosmopolitan.</p>

11

<p>
[quote]
Fordham also sounds interesting, but what about the fact that it's a Jesuit school? I'm on the fence between Judaism and Agnosticism, so I'm not sure if I'd fit in. Additionally, I'd be a bit wary of majoring in Philosophy at any religiously affiliated school. Should I be?

[/quote]

The religious affiliation isn't as strong as some would assume, and due to the heavy Jewish population in NYC, I don't imagine that fitting in would be a problem. There are plenty of non-Catholics. </p>

<p>As for academic perspectives, the Jesuits are a pretty liberal group. The required religion class doesn't have to be in Catholicism (instead, you can study other things, like world religions), and I've heard that the philosophy department is pretty well-balanced. </p>

<p>It's worth looking at.</p>

12

<p>I don't think most colleges are visibly linked to their religion. My mom's side of the family is Catholic, but my uncle was always wary of those conservative views. After an uncomfortable stint in a Catholic high school, he went to Georgetown. And LOVED it. </p>

<p>Obviously, this was "back in the day" (I'm a freshman too), so I'm sure their Jesuit identity is even more hidden now, but he actually felt Jesuits to be pretty accepting. It's not like Notre Dame, or anything! As far as religious tolerance goes, I'm not sure there's any better place than NYC or DC. And don't let it dominate your choices!</p>

13

<p>Look at some of the top LAC's, they match a lot of what you want.
(Although they do tend to be isolated)</p>

14

<p>Cool! My mom is actually Catholic and went to Marquette, so I've heard lots of great things about the Jesuits. I'm definitely open to the possibility of any school as long as it's an accepting, intellectual place where I can feel comfortable. </p>

<p>Vassar actually sounds like a neat place; the campus truly is beautiful. As a hetero male (who is very liberal and has a good number of gay friends), I don't want the stigma of being a male at a formerly all-girls school to influence any decisions, but it might be a bit awkward being one of the only straight guys on campus. That said, correct me if I'm wrong. </p>

<p>I'll definitely look at all of the top LAC's. Wesleyan and Amherst seem like good matches for me. </p>

<p>Again, thanks much!</p>

15

<p>I remember a Vassar dad on here awhile back made a post about visiting the campus and being shocked at the high number of males.</p>

<p>That should be a good sign?</p>

16

<p>Vassar is 40% male--I don't think all of them are gay! You should be fine :D</p>

<p>(Also, since you're looking at it, if you have any questions about Wesleyan, feel free to PM).</p>

17

<p>hey - I see that a lot of people gave you a bunch of schools to look into. i found a great site you could go to to check them all out in one place (campuscompare.com) -- it will save you time instead of going to each school's website....they also have a cool match meter feature to help you find colleges that would match your personality - and a great search tool. good luck!</p>

18

<p>Haha, one of the only straight males...I promise you'll be fine. Sure, there are probably more gay guys here than at a more typical college, but really - most of the guys are straight.</p>

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<p>Amherst has an open curriculum, not exactly what you seemed to be looking for.</p>

<p>With that said, Reed has a fantastic Humanities program that all freshman take, and U Chicago, as stated, has a similar 'core'.</p>

<p>Outside of that, other schools to consider would be:
Deep Springs (I STRONGLY suggest this school if you are interested in philosophy/humanities/intellectual endeavours/agriculture [and if you are a male])
Swarthmore
Bard
St. Johns
Wesleyan</p>

<p>Also, if you do well in school, and reasonably well on your standardized tests, and show PASSION in your ECs, then you will shine, and such involvement in politically minded clubs/ a variety or ECs tossed in as well would not be 'frowned upon' by any means. With all of your philosophical interest I am sure you can conjure up a fantastic essay, and maintain a fighting chance at each and every school to which you apply.</p>

<p>I also apologise for my Deep Springs fanboyism, I really am infatuated (I visited a few weeks ago).</p>

20

<p>“I do have a close family member who is a former member of the Board of Visitors and could write a rec”</p>

<p>Go set down and ask for advice and help….</p>