<p>I am trying to decide which of these schools to apply to ED.
Before people give me the "ED is only for a clear #1" talk, I am not the kind of student who is "struck" by a certain college. I visited each of these schools, and loved them, above all others, in different ways. Looking at them pragmatically, I see advantages and disadvantages to each. I would like to apply ED to reduce stress and save time in my senior year.</p>
<p>So, where should I go?</p>
<p>Here's who I am:
I am a fairly nerdy, not in a Dungeons and Dragons kind of way, but just a little awkward, more comfortable in a smaller relaxed atmosphere than at big parties, not a big drinker or a varsity-caliber athlete. It would be nice if my school has a similar atmosphere.
For this, Haverford seems best.</p>
<p>I prefer a rural setting to an urban or suburban one (when else in life can I live in beautiful mountains and farmland but still have so many intellectual and cultural resources?). I have lived in the Philly suburbs for my whole life and I'd like to try somewhere new.
For this, Middlebury seems best.</p>
<p>I would like there to be a variety of extracurricular activities going on around campus that are relaxed and open to everyone, rather than people pouring themselves into just one thing (the "work hard, "play hard" attitude I always hear about on tours and in admissions books). For example, I'd like to be able to try debate without committing to major tournaments, or play hockey but just for fun.
For this, Wesleyan seems best.</p>
<p>I am planning on studying government, and I have interests international relations and economics, human rights, and environmental studies. These schools all have great departments in these areas; they all have PoliSci with concentrations in IR as well as environmental studies programs. Haverford has Peace, Justice, & Human Rights; Wesleyan, the College of Social Studies; Middlebury, International Politics & Economics.</p>
<p>My concerns:</p>
<p>Haverford may be confining (even with the Tri-Co consortium), as well as not being a new environment from my home.
Wesleyan may be a little too liberal even for me; I'm not an artist, a hipster, a hippie, or any of the other "alternative" people I saw on campus.
Middlebury, to some extent, looked like all of its students were 7-foot-tall blonde future presidents; again, I'm not that type of person, and I would be more comfortable with a slightly nerdier crowd.</p>
<p>Any advice on which school to pick? I'm sure I would be happy at any of them, but I just need something to push one of them ahead of the others.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help.</p>