<p>Things that I want in a college
- A serious academic environment
- Decent amount of political activism, awareness and intelectualism
- Good in the physical sciences (physics) and social sciences (economics)
- A very friendly atmosphere, not a 'preppy' one (for lack of words). A 'nerdy' type atmosphere would be more confortable (again, lack of words).
- Small discussion based classes.
- Minimal amount of doping/smoking/drinking. I'm not keen on a party intensive college, once a week seems good.</p>
<p>[Putting it simlpy, im looking for Swarthmore-ish colleges]</p>
<p>It would be good if you could suggest some of the easier ones to get into because I already have enough of reaches/dreams in my list (eg: Amherst, Swarthmore)</p>
<p>I'm a male, so please do not suggest women colleges :P (I dont think my parents would be very open to those). Also, i'm an international student so a more I student friendly college would be great.</p>
<p>Any other information (from alumni, moms, dads etc) about any of these LACs and ones I havent mentioned is more than welcomed - i'm having trouble differentiating between the rest of the LACs.</p>
<p>You really should look into Williams. We get a horrible rap on this board, and I’d be the first to admit that we’re probably not as nerdy as swarthmore, but the physics department and classes are AMAZING.</p>
<p>Lots of possibilities. Whitman, Willamette, Lewis and Clark, Reed, Macalester, Carleton, Hamilton, Colgate, Union, Grinnell, Lafayette, Davidson, Muhlenberg. for starters and in no particular order, but there is definitely a range of selectivity there but all would be worthy of a look. Good luck</p>
<p>Agreed. Your list loks good, but I’d warn you that you’ll probably find a decent amount of drinking at the majority of the schools that you’re looking at, with the probable exception of Swarthmore. However, that doesn’t mean there’s pressure to drink. I have a friend who goes to Williams, a school that gets a reputation for having a lot of alcohol, but she firmly insists that there is never any pressure on her to drink - people accept that she doesn’t.</p>
<p>LACs of similar caliber and personality would probably be Carleton, Macalester, Kenyon, Whitman, and Hamilton. THe more preppy school would probably be the East Coast schools though - it’s not necessarily a bad thing, but in general I think that students at Amherst, Williams, Hamilton, and Wesleyan would probably fit the “preppy” mold moreso than students at Midwestern or Western colleges. Just my two cents. I hope that helps you!</p>
<p>Farther down the list, (so easier to get into) with most of your criteria, including serious academic environment and good in the sciences and social sciences, are:</p>
<p>Allegheny College (Meadville, PA)
College of Wooster (Wooster, OH)
Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, IL)
Kalamazoo College (Kalamazoo, MI)
Lawrence University (Appleton, WI)
St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN)</p>
<p>@Nothingto: 2090 SAT I (regiving) 790, 780 SAT 2s 39-41 (/42) IB points in exams - run down of my academics.</p>
<p>@Pawn_H7: Yea, its partly because of this board that i’m vary to apply to Williams… its got some horrible reputations in CC for some reason.</p>
<p>@4safrontman: Wow, thats a looong list. Any you would recommend in particular ?</p>
<p>@Reesez: Looks like your attending Carleton ? Can I PM you for some info on Carleton ?</p>
<p>@Robin: Thanks :D</p>
<p>@M’s Mom: Thanks.</p>
<p>Also, I forgot to mention, I don’t want to go somewhere where Athletics is a very important part of campus life etc, which is why i’m not applying Williams.</p>
<p>Keep Oberlin on your list. It meets most of your criteria. My son applied to Swarthmore and Oberlin, among others. Swat was his #1 choice. He got waitlisted at Swat and recently graduated from Oberlin. He was quite happy there.</p>
<p>I second Oberlin, Carlton, and Grinnel. Amherst is pretty preppy with a party image and if you have Williams off the list for such reasons, I would take off Amherst. Consider Wesleyen and Connecticut College.</p>
<p>^^Wesleyan has ingredients of both Swarthmore and Williams; it plays the latter in all sports and probably has just as many nerds as the former. Only about 20% of the school participates in varsity sports which is about the same as Swarthmore.</p>
<p>@ GTalum - thanks helps clear things. I am re-evaluating Amherst anyway. Do you have any personal experience with any of those colleges ?
@ johnwesley: Isnt Wesleyan a very party-drinking heavy college ?</p>
<p>My S is looking for the exact type of college as you. So far he has fallen in love with Reed College in Portland Or. No Varsity sports at all. He LOVED that. Also Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Co.</p>
<p>@5boys: oh thats great, we can help each other. Is he on CC ? Did he get the chance to visit Reed ? i’ve heard lots of good stuff about it but theres this stupid stereotype of smokers that i’m having trouble with - although i’m told its not true.</p>
<p>I personally love Bowdoin more than any other LAC. To me, the college sets itself apart by having a dedication to community service, called the Common Good. This brings people down to earth, I believe, and creates a great atmosphere there. Also, the academics are top notch, but that’s a given. The campus is beautiful, and the opportunities are amazing. The students are all extremely nice, too.</p>
<p>Yes, my S did visit this past April. It was his first college visit and unfortunately after he experienced Reed no school we visited after that had the same allure to him. He is definitely NOT a drinker or smoker, but is non-judgmental of people who do. He is pretty self-assured and really liked the whole honor system there. Also, he liked that all the dorms were mixed and not segregated by grade. He is very outdoorsy, smart, and laid-back and would hate a “jock” culture. His idea of a good time is going hiking up some mountain all day and then sitting around with a bunch of good friends discussing ideas all night. He loves to learn but could care less about grades and competitiveness. I think Whitman College is also one to look at. My S likes Carleton too.</p>
<p>It is. But, first of all, what most people refer to as “partying” is really pre-gaming which is the act of getting wasted <em>before</em> the commencement of actual school-sponsored events (which, needless to say, are non-alcoholic). Secondly, by the time you leave the freshman dorms, and certainly by the time you are a junior, you will have gained more control over your enviironment and won’t necessarily be around the same people who are constantly pushing the envelope. Singles in smaller suites become available; theme houses come into play. </p>
<p>It makes a big difference when you can choose your own suitemates and housemates; you will almost certainly begin cooking more and shopping on Main Street more. You gradually begin to think of yourself as part of a household instead of as helpless wards of the university.</p>
<p>You may even want to throw a party or two or your own. That’s how it begins. But, always it’s a matter of choice, not pressure.</p>
helps clear things. I am re-evaluating Amherst anyway. Do you have any personal experience with any of those colleges ?