<p>Hi,
I am currently a senior and I'm having trouble figuring out what type of colleges I'd like to apply to. I've already submitted my applications to a few early action schools, but I'm looking to apply to more places regular decision and I'm very indecisive about which schools I want to apply to. Cost is not an issue.
Stats-wise, I have a 35 ACT, a 3.8 UW GPA with all APs and honors, and lots of extracurriculars and leadership positions. I'm looking mostly at liberal arts schools or universities that are very undergrad-focused. I'm interested in studying pre-med in college, but I'm undecided about my major.
My main dilemma is this:
I visited Oberlin and strongly disliked it. I felt like the student body was way too alternative. While I am fairly liberal, I dress in a somewhat preppy/classy style.<br>
I also visited Bucknell, and, like Oberlin, I strongly disliked it. For me, it was too far at the other end of the spectrum. I felt like there was too much Greek life and people were too concerned about their looks.
These are the only two liberal arts schools that I've visited. (I have found some schools that are larger that I've liked.) So basically, I'm looking for smaller, liberal arts schools that are in between the two extremes I listed.
Thanks in advance :) </p>
<p>College of Wooster comes to mind. Also Rhodes, Davidson, William&Mary, Hamilton, Lafayette, Colgate, Brandeis, Syracuse.</p>
<p>Perhaps Hamilton, Haverford, Lafayette, Franklin & Marshall, Dickinson, </p>
<p>There are all the usual top schools to consider, but considering what you are asking for, you might also like one of the Colleges that Change Lives - take a look at their profiles (google it or look for the latest book in the library) to see if a school or two fits. Some (like Wooster) have already been suggested.</p>
<p>I’ll also second checking into Franklin & Marshall. Your description seems to match students from our school who have gone there and enjoyed it.</p>
<p>If you’ve liked the larger schools that you visited and not the smaller LACs, why are you looking to add some? Applying to colleges you wouldn’t want to go to is a waste of time and money. It sounds like you liked a more research-based school. Why don’t you check out University of Rochester then? The undergrad size is perfect (~5200), the campus is beautiful, and the atmosphere seems to be more of what you’re looking for.</p>
<p>Lewis and Clark in Portland OR</p>
<p>I second Dickinson, we also visited Bucknell and didn’t like it but did very much like Dickinson. We also liked University of Scranton which is larger and less rural. In the Northeast, maybe Clark University or Holy Cross?</p>
<p>I think some sense of geographic preferences would help narrow down the options. Otherwise, there are probably close to 50 schools that might meet your criteria, stretching from coast to coast.</p>
<p>Yes, if you are at all interested in looking at medium sized schools, consider U Rochester. My middle son is currently a junior there and absolutely loves it. It is a different experience than the small schools, but he still knows all of his profs, etc., and has a ton more variety of opportunities than my boys who went to smaller schools have.</p>
<p>Here’s a video one of their student male acapella groups made giving (fun) school info:</p>
<p><a href=“Remember oUR Name - University of Rochester - YouTube”>Remember oUR Name - University of Rochester - YouTube;
<p>If the video appeals to you, check them out further.</p>
<p>Bates, Colby, Conn College, Skidmore, St. Lawrence, Hamilton,Trinity, Colgate, Dickinson</p>
<p>For a smaller, undergrad-focused research university, you might want to check out Rice.</p>
<p>I think you might really like Carleton College in Minnesota. Excellent LAC, more mainstream than Oberlin without being preppy, great undergrad teaching. </p>
<p>Take a look at Muhlenberg. Definitely a middle of the road vibe with plenty ofroom for all kinds if kids. It has a strong pre-med program combined with a strong theater program which makes for a vibrant community. And your stats would probably put you in their Honors program.</p>
<p>Carleton is a good recommendation (high geek factor) but would be a reach.</p>
<p>All of the northeastern LACs lean left, but some are less “in your face” liberal than others. You have the potential to get into the most selective, but of course there’s no guarantee, so if you think you want a small liberal arts college then you should have a balanced list of reach/match/safety. </p>
<p>In the northeast, I’d look at Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, Skidmore, Conn College, Hamilton. Also Mt. Holyoke if you are female. In other parts of the country, Davidson, Carleton, Macalester.</p>
<p>You have the stats to apply to the most selective LACs - Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, Middlebury, etc., but will also want to apply to some less selective schools, such as Dickinson, Gettysburg, Franklin & Marshall, Trinity Col. Based on what you say, I don’t think you would like Vassar, Wesleyan, or Skidmore. Do you have a particular geographic region of interest? </p>
<p>Try visiting New England-Williams, Amherst, Bates, Colby, Middlebury, etc. may be good fits. Best of luck!</p>