<p>Hey all, spring break is coming in a few weeks, and there has been a hassle over plans in my family about the college search and where I should go, etc. Basically I was an underachieving student earlier in high school but now I'm applying myself more as a junior; I have a 3.63 UW GPA but it would be over 4.0 if my school did weighted with lots of advanced, college credit, and AP stuff. A 2070 SAT and a 216 PSAT will likely make me eligible for NMSF in the fall. My parents and I are heading up to Macalester to check them out and will hit another college in the vicinity while we're there. I'm looking to major in something around Geography and Economics, and double majoring in both is a possibility.</p>
<p>It's somewhat difficult, however, because I have no preference for conventional dichotomies like large/small, urban/rural, see the benefits and drawbacks as roughly equal, and feel that I could adapt to either one. I'm looking for schools with classes that challenge and have intelligent professors, with interesting students that are different and proud of it, and that have a good indie music scene. If anyone's got any suggestions, I'll look into them. UChicago would be tough to get into but I was thinking about them as well.</p>
<p>Here are a few possibilities you might want to at least explore.</p>
<p>Two other LAC’s that are very good, but also very selective, are Carleton and Grinnell. One slight step down are Beloit and St. Olaf. If you’re interested in UChicago, than Northwestern might be worth a look. Finally, there are the big state universities: University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota, and University of Iowa. Both Madison and Iowa City are known a very good college towns, and Minneapolis-St. Paul is a vibrant metropolitan area. All three have the advantages, and disadvantages, of big state flag-ship universities. </p>
<p>Small rural college towns like Grinnell, Beloit and Northfield are unlikely to have good indie music scenes. You would probably need to go urban for that. However, all the colleges mentioned by by JustaGuy would be great places for academics. When you say you want to go to a place where people are “different and proud of it,” what kinds of difference to you mean? St. Olaf is not a hipsterish place or self-consciously “quirky” in any way, although there are certainly some independent thinkers there.</p>
<p>Mac fits your bill and is in a great part of ST. Paul. Neither Carleton or St. Olaf offers geography, don’t know about Beloit or Grinnell. If you do go to Grinnell, I hope you enjoy what is offered on campus, becuase the town won’t offer anything!</p>
<p>While visiting Mac, you might want to visit UM-TC,</p>
<p>Closer to home, UIUC has a wonderful geography major, and pretty good econ, but I see you don’t have IL on your list.</p>
<p>If you’re looking at Macalester, then definitely check out Carleton. As JustaGuy mentioned, Beloit and St. Olaf are a step below, but still academically challenging.</p>
<p>However, I think you’d find equal, if not more enrichment looking at UW-Madison or UMN-Twin Cities. UW-Madison’s Honors Program is a great opportunity, and if you want a music scene, Minneapolis-St. Paul certainly has a great one. The Replacements, Husker Du, and the Hold Steady all come from the Twin Cities.</p>