<p>^ true but if he needs a huge amount he gets deferred. A rep. from Carleton said so.</p>
<p>Esti:</p>
<p>Why are you focused on applying ED? You should ONLY apply ED to a school if you are absolutely certain that is the ONE AND ONLY school where you truly want to attend and have a reasonable chance of being admitted. If you are just sort of applying to several schools and want to see what happens then I dont suggest you do that. Looking for a “happy” school is sort of subjective. Some kids are happiest being in a library cubicle by themselves studying all day listening to iTunes. Some are happiest with active dorm or frat/sorority life and a modicum of studying. Some kids like a LOT of challenge and thrive in hyper competitive environments (WashU St. Louis for example) and others are happiest at more laid back schools. All colleges will give you plenty of work to do, but it varies on the level of competition and the level of intensity. I know that was you perusing Hamilton College as well. Its also a fine school.</p>
<p>I am not trying to dissuade you from applying, only telling you that the stats they typically admit are higher than your SAT and I dont know if being China will help or hurt you or if they have different admission standards for international kids. A 2000 SAT is excellent for someone who speaks English as a Second Language. But I dont know if it is good enough for the elite colleges.</p>
<p>College rankings are a very controversial topic. Most responsible college administrators dont like them, though they sure seem to like it if they are ranked very high! lol. The quality of education does not really vary that much from schools in similar tiers and similar size and demographics etc. There are subtle differences in politics, strength of various programs and so forth that YOU have to discern by your research. Miiddlebury, for example, is the leading college in the United States for foreign language instruction and is the go-to school for the US Dept. of State and other agencies. But it has a unique flavor to the campus, being in Vermont which is one of the most liberal states in the US. Its quite different from Minnesota.</p>
<p>Guangshou, Beijing and Shanghai are all very different are they not? Different languages even.</p>
<p>But so far, you are focusing on elite small LAC’s, which is fine. I would also look a little further down the list of LAC’s in the event that you are unable to improve your SAT score. Apply to 6 or 8 schools at least. 2 reach, 2 match and 2 safety, depending on what their typical admissions stats are and your comparison to them.</p>
<p>Also make sure you can get a visa!</p>
<p>There is a very good LAC in Wisconsin you might consider: Lawrence University. Its in Appleton, up near Green Bay, so its very very cold in the Winter. But its a great school and has a prestigious conservatory of music.</p>
<p>I know someone who is on their board and they rave about it all the time.</p>
<p>A high quality education.</p>
<p>That is just one example. If you like big cities, then Loyola University in Chicago is another choice. Or Marquette University in Milwaukee.</p>
<p>You dont say if you prefer a rural school with a campus that is very close and tight nit, or if you prefer a bigger city with substantial city life. Also, there are many, many excellent schools on the West Coast as well…from San Diego up to Seattle. In Oregon, for example, you have Willamette University, Lewis and Clark College and Reed College. All excellent schools.</p>
<p>In California your stats are perfect for Pepperdine University or Santa Clara University. Both beautiful campuses with great faculty and outstanding programs. Pepperdine is very conservative. Santa Clara is middle of the road…neither liberal nor conservative. In Washington State you have Seattle University, University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran, Gonzaga, Whitman College and of course the prestigious University of Washington.</p>
<p>For something REALLY unique and very highly regarded look into Colorado College. They have a beautiful campus and a very unique structure, teaching one class at a time, INTENSELY…then moving onto another course. It is a very special place for special people…and very friendly.</p>
<p>The choices are almost endless. So dont worry so much about rank…just take a look at their typical gpa and SAT scores and see if you are in the 25th, 50th, or 75th percentile and go from there.</p>
<p>friedokrathanx so much for all your suggestions, i’ll look into all the schools u have mentioned and see if that fits~u have been very very helpful~~thanx and best wishes ^_^</p>
<p>Actually, although your SATs are a bit low, schools may give you a bit of lenience in reading and writing if English isn’t your native language. </p>
<p>Also, of friedorka’s list, I think that Reed, Lewis and Clark, Willamette, and Colorado College would probably be the best fits. Judging by your top pick schools (Midd and Carleton), I’m assuming that you want an intellectual, internationally focused, and slightly quirky atmosphere. </p>
<p>Some of the other schools suggested might not be what you want. For example, if you like Midd, you probably won’t like Gonzaga, UW, Marquette, or Loyola.</p>
<p>thank you againworld changer…i’ll consider your advice as wellby the way, i like your ID~~it sounds cool and interesting~`thanx a lot and good luck with everything ^_^</p>
<p>Research schools like Kalamazoo, Hendrix, Brandeis, Occidental which may provide the experience you are looking for, and are slightly less selective.</p>
<p>^ What about aid at those colleges to International students?</p>
<p>@Ajay: Brandeis provides aid, doesn’t it? And I think Kalamazoo does too…</p>
<p>Brandeis and Kalamazoo does but Hendrix doesnt. No idea about Occidental.</p>
<p>Look also at Bates. It is a small LAC, SAT optional. It has a beautiful campus and an intimate environment. I am struck when I am on the campus that it is quite diverse and seems to also like international students.</p>
<p>Good idea Movinmom. Though its SAT optional, I wonder how many opt out of that for Bates? They are very competitive and highly selective. But yes, its a great school. Tufts is also a superb school…and sort of non religious, if I my memory serves me. But its also extremely selective in admissions.</p>
<p>ISnt this a GREAT country, people? So many choices to pick from with such wonderful opportunities for everyone!</p>