<p>So to get the numbers out of the way, I got a 2090 SAT (1420 M/CR), something like a 3.6 W GPA (possibly better, that was after first quarter of junior year and I've been getting much better grades). My weaknesses so far in my academic career have been in a woodshop class and a chemistry class (which is widely regarded as the most difficult class in the school because of the teacher's methods). I do very well in all the classes I'm interested in, like French and History and I'm a half decent math student. I have some ECs, such as doing a fifth grade teaching program for four years and being a leader in a community service club, and being on the student council plus some sports and other things.</p>
<p>I'm from PA so of course I've looked at places like Penn State (the only school I've applied to so far) and Pitt but the more I think about it the less certain I am of where I want to be. I've looked at some places in the south including College of Charleston, University of South Carolina (looks like a less expensive less prestigious, southern version of PSU), and maybe Vanderbilt as a reach. I've also looked at studying abroad in places like Montreal or Paris. All I know is it's really important for me to be able to be a big part of my school and have a close relationship with my professors. And I'd like a good language program, but I'm flexible to other majors (though I think I'd like to be a french teacher right now). So any direction would be great.</p>
<p>“All I know is it’s really important for me to be able to be a big part of my school and have a close relationship with my professors.”</p>
<p>Then you should probably be looking at smaller schools, not bigger ones (exception: McGill, which is huge but great for a French major since it’s in Montreal).</p>
<p>What are your geographic limitations? Do you want urban, suburban, or rural? Is having a big athletic and Greek scene important to you?</p>
<p>I really just looked at bigger schools in the beginning, because I figured with my SAT scores I could get into Penn State (which at the time seemed like a great idea). I really don’t have geographic limitations. The town I’m in now is borderline rural and I manage to have fun out here. I’ve only visited cities but I love the atmosphere in cities as well. I guess I’d prefer not to be on a mountain. I don’t care much about the Greek scene. The only sports I really care about are intramural. It’d be nice to have something to cheer about, but as long as I can pick up a game of volleyball or football or whatever that’s enough.</p>
<p>Montreal is a wonderful city to be in but you are unlikely to have a close relationship with your professors at McGill. Try Middlebury, Haverford and LAC’s instead of larger universities. Bowdoin & Bates are good options as well but don’t know how strong they are in the languages depts.</p>
<p>Well being that Middlebury’s on a mountain and it’s already a reach, I don’t think it’ll be a good fit. Or worth the application fee. And Haverford is a little too small. I’d like to be someone in the school, but someone to more people than that. And I think I could forgo the student teacher relationship for the city of Montreal. And I’d probably be pretty good at french after 4 years so that’s something I’ll need to figure out in the next… month.</p>
<p>What you wrote technically is correct. With a lower student/faculty ratio, LACs are more likely to have the opportunity to form closer relationships with their professors. I would ask the question … when do you plan to start competing? With billions of people on this planet, if you don’t stand out at your college, how do you expect to stand out in life? </p>
<p>In World University rankings, McGill University is the top ranked public university in North America. Comparing their French department and the quality of the students there to other schools is a bit of a joke. Not only is the city french-speaking, there are many student from France attending because French citizens are given the same tuition rate as a Qu</p>
<p>In addition to its other virtues, I seem to recall that McGill might have a special scholarship for those intending to major in French.</p>
<p>By the sound of it, Dartmouth, Georgetown, and Middlebury, although schools with notable language programs, would be very reachy for you. And of course you don’t want a rural atmosphere…you might consider Georgetown for your reach, though.</p>
<p>I don’t know about French Language scholarships (one way or the other) but suspect that some scholarships do not apply to International students. However, French courses get a rebate making them the same cost as for a Quebec native which is a significant savings.</p>
<p>Dickinson has an excellent reputation for languages. I might be wrong but I think about 10% of students major in foreign languages. Beautiful campus and the language lab facilities are first rate from what I remember of a tour a year ago.</p>