Need some major help in college search (Long read, its worth it though)

College Search & Selection
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<p>Ive been dreading this moment. Having to type this, or what seems to be, a mini essay begging for college help is not the number one thing i have wanted to do, or ever. Yet alas, its come down to this. Here it goes, for better or worse.</p>

<p>Im lost. totally and tragically lost in the search for a college not only suited for me, but <em>ideal</em> to let my mind and intellectual thinking prosper. i thought about half a year ago when i first realized junior year goes by fast, ah what the heck it's gonna be easy! Ill just pick some liberal college with smart people (who, obviously, agree with all my views) beautiful women, a social life, and of course a guarentee of a stable career afterwards. I couldnt be farther from the truth. Its been hell let me tell you.</p>

<p>Im a smart guy, or atleast i think myself to be. Apparently the teachers agree, as i have straight A's, but i dont agree with that. See, its my kind of personal motto or whatever you want to call it, to put in minimum effort with maximum reward. Now, if i get (and i have dont fret) an 89.5%, and its an A, im damned happy. Teachers have told me my entire life, oh you can work so much harder! I shrug, show them the A, and go on about my merry little life. I consider myself an athlete, hell im a blackbelt in taekwondo, and a blue belt in jiujitsu, plus i was on varsity wrestling for 2 years in my boston prep school (more about that later). But, i dont consider myself a jock. Im not a geek, though i love computers and anything electronic. I have 2 custom built computers to show for that, plus for about 2/3 of a year i helped run a major online gaming server. Yet you wont see me with a pocket protector and a fear of the female species. Im not a prep, but i like to dress nice. Not a slob either, if you want to look at both sides. I like almost everything, i love doing new things. Yesterday i got back from Ultrafest, a techno music festival in miami. Theres nothing i dont like, (well, except country and republicans).</p>

<p>After straight A's in middle school, i went off to concord academy near boston. I was there for 2 years. I ran into a little trouble, i was having difficulty adjusting to the cold (im a floridian) and the new culture. My grades slipped, into C's. The teachers loved me and wanted me to do better. I was on the varsity wrestling team, i joined computer clubs, i was heavily into photography. After sophomore year i left, and i couldnt have been happier. I wont go into it, but fom what i hear the school is goign through hell right now. Anyway, im here now at Jupiter High, a pretty decent public highschool in this slice of paradise. I started my own photo class, im the only one in the school doing it and i teach myself. Im mentoring a senior in photography for his senior project. Im now getting straight A's again in all my classes. Im in integrated math 3 or whatever they call it, its basically pre cal, and ill take calculus i think next year. ive had what i believe to be 4 years of math and 4 years of science (physics chemistry biology ect). 4 years of english as well. I took 2 years of German at my boarding school, wish i could have continued that but its not offered here. </p>

<p>So here i am now looking for colleges. I want a medium sized school. You know, not so huge where i would slip between the cracks, and not a school of 500 kids where you meet everyone by the 3rd party you go to. Id like to be warm, ive lived in florida my whole life, but i loved boston and wouldnt mind a place like that. Im looking for a school with a social life, im not one to sit at home or the dorm. I dont mind leaving florida if you still had this question in your mind. Im waiting on my SAT scores as i know those are important. My guess would be great (700 or above) on the essay and verbal, as those are my strongest points. Who knows on the math, i hope i was lucky that day, but i know i didnt score too low. </p>

<p>Anyway any info just ask, i know its a long read but i could really use the help. Thanks</p>

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<p>UCSB is warm and very social, but it might be a little large for you. Look at the Claremont Colleges. Theyre all pretty tiny, but you can take classes at any of the schools so youll meet plenty of people. I know alot about schools in southern cali, so if you have questions, just ask.</p>

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<p>what preliminary work have you done so far on this search? Where are you in the search?</p>

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<p>Well as for preliminary work, ive bought that big green college book and flipped through it a couple of times. I can tell you more schools that i dont want to go to then schools im interested in. Ive looked at the schools in florida and they dont really interest me, UF was pretty nice but i wasnt impressed when i drove up there. I briefly looked at schools in the washinghton DC area and those looked pretty good, but then again i have no solid thoughts. I am sure i do not want to be in the midwest, nor the "south" (florida i dont believe is the "South"). Canada is too cold. I love city life and what they have. </p>

<p>As my financial situation goes, im from a middleclass family so a scholarship is pretty much needed or would be great. no way can i pay my way into an ivy league, im not a blue blood ;)</p>

<p>Also cali interests me, then again its on the entire opposite part of the country. That might factor into my decision.</p>

<p>anything else, hope that answered you two guys.</p>

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<p>How bad were the grades at Concord Academy, all Cs or just a few? The problem you have going to a good prep is it puts in question how hard your public school is if you did badly at one and well at the other. Ivies know Concord.</p>

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<p>Well i left concord with a 2.5 average. I had mostly C's and some B's. The thing is all my comments/recommendations from there are excellent, the grades just were awful.</p>

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<p>Maybe look at George Washington. Its a pretty good school, but very urban. Its super expensive but I hear they have good financial aid to make up for it. And I still say look at the Claremont Colleges.</p>

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<p>After school today ill look into the claremont colleges easymack. George Washington ive considered, and im going up to boston this summer and was thinking of driving down there and seeing it for myself. </p>

<p>What about other major cities? What are some respected urban colleges that I have chances to get into?</p>

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<p>I wouldnt rule out expensive schools, financial aid these days is amazing if you are eligible.</p>

<p>I would consider dropping the need for city schools, they give up community in exchange for the city. And what are you going to do, go to operas? My advice is seriously think this through. I went to Columbia and realized I hated it for that reason, i.e. no social life and the city didnt really offer enough to compensate. Dartmouth ruled even though it was in the middle of nowhere. When I wanted a sweet concert, we went on a road trip, which was a ton more fun.</p>

<p>Check out Hamilton and Vassar maybe, although they might be reaches with your GPA. If it makes you feel better, you are the perfect transfer candidate.</p>

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<p>If you're looking for an ideal school to let your mind and intellectual thinking prosper, you couldn't do better than St. John's College. While each campus is smaller than you think you want, you can spend time at each and Santa Fe is supposed to be THE place for photography (something about the light there, I believe). The Annapolis campus is easily accessible to Washington DC. I would definitely check them out.</p>

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<p>Alright im writing all these down and will definitely check them out. Slipper, what kind of experiences did you have at Columbia? My friend is going there next year so maybe i should warn him. Im not ruling out less urban colleges, just saying what i had in mind, and if the community and social life is dead at the city schools i wouldnt want to be there ;)</p>

<p>Also slipper can you explain to me more about the transfer candidate system? Im a total newbie when it comes to colleges, and as of now all my options are open.</p>

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<p>dont forget about me!</p>