No idea where to go... (-please advise-)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>OK, well I'm currently a senior and I'm thinking about this far too late, but I would really appreciate it if anyone could give me suggestions as to where to go :).</p>

<p>Here are some of the things I'm interested in:
Preferably beautiful campus, although not necessarily; no outright ugly campuses however.
Good food/dining services.
A smallish to mediumish school, although I wouldn't completely throw out a large school.
Nice dorms.
Intellectual but social atmosphere. I realize that there are parties all the time at every school, but I'd shy away from a big party school.
A college that's not too specialized. I hate to say that I "have a lot of interests," because everyone does, but I haven't exactly found a passion yet, and I'd like to be able to take math courses and writing courses, etc... concurrently.
Good professors, of course.</p>

<p>Some of my generic student info type stuff:
I'm half-French, half-Filipino, but born in America. I consider myself American, with French background. English is my only native tongue, although I've taken French for three years in High School with success, due to my "ear," and being able to reinforce it with summers in France. I don't think I'd be considered a URM, but that's my breakdown :)</p>

<p>My grades are pretty decent, but not amazing. From my transcript, it looks like I have a 3.683, which only includes up to the end of my junior year. And I'm sure this is uninteresting, but since I have this info, here are my individual grades:</p>

<p>FEEL FREE TO SKIP!</p>

<p>Freshman Year:
Advanced English 9: B+
Advanced Integrated Science: B-
French 1: A
Geometry: A
Health: A
Orchestra: A-
TV/Radio Production: A
World Affairs: A-</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
Adv. English 10: B
Adv. US History: B
Alg-Trig: A
Art I:B
Biology: A-
French 2: A
Orchestra: A-</p>

<p>Junior Year:
Adv. Art II: B
College Prep Chemistry: A-
Advanced English 11: A
French 3: A
Orchestra: A-
Physical Education: B
Pre-Calculus: A+
Weightlifting: B</p>

<p>I'm not sure how much they look at senior grades, but I'm currently taking Greek 101 (though it's intensive) at Oberlin College and I'm doing well. Also, my rank, as of last year, is 13 out of 84.</p>

<p>My SAT scores in March:
Critical Reading: 680
Math: 610
Writing: 680</p>

<p>My SAT scores in May:
Critical reading: 720
Math: 700
Writing: 730</p>

<p>I hope that they take into account that I improved in my one month of studying before the May test :) If they saw my abysmal PSAT scores, they'd be even more astounded...</p>

<p>I'm planning on taking the French SAT subject test in October and I've been getting 720-730s in the Barron's book. If I don't completely fall sick or not show up, I am guessing a hopefully 700+ score. I'll do some hardcore studying the week before, which is what I did with the SAT I. We'll see how that goes.</p>

<p>Activities:
These are probably my weakest areas but...
I will have played violin in the school orchestra for six years by the time I graduate.
I will have been in Academic Challenge (basically Jeopardy! for kids) for two years and should be a starter this year, and get to appear on TV (although I doubt they would care).
I will be in my "second" year (we were admitted at the end of our junior year, but we still did things; this may be the same everywhere, I'm not sure) of National Honor Society. I also managed to be the vice president.
I don't know how I'd mention this, but I do a lot of independent learning and "extracurricular" reading.</p>

<p>Potentially unnecessary sidenote:
My father works as 1/2 professor and 1/2 faculty-in-residence, which basically means that he is the head of a program house (french house; there are language houses, cultural houses, etc...) and lives there, which means I live there too (this is my fourth year), and eat at the dining hall, and I also happen to be taking a class here. I don't know if any of this "experience" could at all possibly mean anything (it probably would if I wanted to go here... but I don't), but if it does, now you know :). This experience also provides most of the reasoning for a lot of the "things I'm looking for in a college." I've realized that living happily and peacefully is a big part of keeping your sanity, and you can grow intellectually as long as you have great professors and like-minded students.</p>

<p>Dumb question:
I'm not sure if I'm way out of my league, but I've always considered UC Berkeley a "cool" place and place I might like to go. But I'm currently living in Ohio, and I realize that it's hard to get into somewhere out of state. My question is regarding circumstance... My father's first job in the US was at UC Berkeley as a lecturer/teacher for a year and then he went to UC Davis for graduate school for about 5 years. California was also my home for some 14 years or so, until I moved. I'm guessing there's some kind of, if weak, legacy advantage, but does the fact I lived in California for most of my life have any relevance? Or is it "once you're out, you're out"?</p>

<p>Finally:
Thanks for reading, and excuse the long message; I've been meaning to right this for a while, and like I said above, I'd really appreciate any insight anyone can give regarding potential matches. I really don't what to aim at, but I'm thinking liberal arts colleges or diverse private colleges. Something around the middle-middle level to the high-middle level when it comes to the universal-goodness-factor. But then again, I don't know what I'm talking about.</p>

<p>P.S. Oh, and I have been told that I have to mention that I maintain the program house that I live in's website for the college, if that has any bearing. I also take its pictures.
P.P.S. I could also probably get a very good recommendation from my French teacher, but I feel like I need to tell him some definite choices when it comes to colleges, and I feel like I need to ask him quickly.. so help!</p>

2

<p>beautiful campus, good food, diverse academically and demographically, serious but sociable, much better climate than California... Cornell</p>

3

<p>Just about any selective LAC would be a good option. </p>

<p>Midwest - Carleton, Macalester, Grinnell, Lawrence
Mideast - Oberlin, Kenyon; maybe College of Wooster
East - a whole bunch. . .Bates, Hamilton, Wesleyan & Bard come to mind.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
much better climate than California

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What weather reports do you follow, the "New York is Better than You so Nyah Weekly?" Anyone who argues that New York has better weather than California is either crazy or just plain fanatical.</p>

5

<p>UCs don't recognize legacies, just CA residents & everyone else is out-of-state (OOS). Berkeley is ultra-competitive for all out-of-staters & expensive (no aid for OOS). Other UCs may less selective; the 4 most selective are UC Berkeley, UCDavis, UCSD & UCLA.</p>

<p>According to the GC we've spoken with, generally larger state schools (like the UCs) are mostly numbers driven--GPAs, rank & test scores. What is your definition of "smallish to mediumish school?" What is a large school? Is cost/money a factor?</p>

6

<p>UCs are number driven, but the two top UCs (Berkeley and LA) are also interested in ECs. Don't ignore those if you are serious about the two top UCs.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for all the responses, I really appreciate it! :)</p>

<p>I realize this is almsot impossible to do but, what kind of chances would you all say that I have for some of these places? Not necessarily actual chance of getting in, but a general rank among people applying? As in whether it's real reach, or whether I'm in the general range. I have heard some great things about Cornell campus-wise/academics-wise and their motto of "Any person...any study" is appealing.</p>

<p>If it helps, I rank having a good humanities program as a plus and I would like to continue my Greek and take on another language, perhaps Latin or Chinese. I'd also like to take history/mythology. A place that has a great writing program is also a major plus, as I'd really like to improve my writing.</p>

<p>I am also interested in math and the sciences, but I am not at all looking into rigorously pursuing any of these areas.</p>

<p>A good graphic design program where I can perhaps take some classes on color theory, typography would be a plus, but it's not required.</p>

<p>As for weather.. well I moved from somewhere where "triple-degree-weather" was a common phrase to somewhere with long, harsh (in my opinion, anyway) winters. So I think I could adapt :) I wouldn't say that location would greatly affect my decision. I have also moved from urban, to more rural, and don't have much of a preference.</p>

<p>And about campus size: My major thing is that I would like to actually see familiar faces and have at least a loose campus community. It's not that I'm looking specifically for a small school or anything. I just don't think I'd like a school with 30,000 students.</p>

<p>About the UCs: Thanks for the info. Like I said, I don't have much of an unending passion for them and I think it'd be better in the end to focus my energy on something more realistic.</p>

<p>Again, thanks, and this information is really helpful.</p>

8

<p>If you would consider a women's college ( don't just dismiss the idea!),
Bryn Mawr or Mount Holyoke migh suit you very well--BM especially for Classics/ nice dorms and MHC for beautiful campus.</p>

<p>Colby College also has an attractive campus but is a whole lot colder than CA.</p>

9

<p>What about finances? Does your Oberlin connection entitle you to reduced tuition anywhere? Definitely look into this.</p>

<p>The other immediate problem I see is that some schools (i.e. Cornell) will require two SAT II tests, and you are planning on taking only one.</p>

<p>The third challenge is your list of criteria. Southern and western (good weather) states don't have the wide assortment of LACs that eastern and midwestern states do. Let a few things go from your list. What is MOST important to you?</p>

<p>A good, but cold and large school for you might be McGill, in Montreal. Also, look at the Claremont Colleges (Pomona, etc.)</p>

10

<p>A little less selective than some of your other choices but quite pretty, good food, good writing programs + fairly "artsy" and not too cold --near an interesting city (Baltimore) is Goucher.</p>

<p>Skidmore also has an attractive campus, nice dorms, and good offerings in the arts and writing. But cold in winter.</p>

11

<p>A little less selective than some of your other choices but quite pretty, good food, good writing programs + fairly "artsy" and not too cold --near an interesting city (Baltimore) is Goucher.</p>

<p>Skidmore also has an attractive campus, nice dorms, and good offerings in the arts and writing. But cold in winter.</p>

12

<p>Have you looked at Grinnell College? It's a small LAC with a medium-sized university feel about it. Beautiful campus, strong in humanites and writing, sort of a liberal atmosphere (you said you liked Berkeley) with a friendly, midwestern touch.</p>

13

<p><< What weather reports do you follow, the "New York is Better than You so Nyah Weekly?" Anyone who argues that New York has better weather than California is either crazy or just plain fanatical. >></p>

<p>This just made me laugh out loud. And I have to agree. California has the best weather in the country, hands down. Cold weather here is 60 degrees, and two inches of rain constitutes a Storm Watch 2005 special report on the evening news. I love living in Los Angeles, and the thought of possibly leaving California for college pains me so much, but it looks very likely.</p>

14

<p>adding to above:</p>

<p>Reed, Whitman, UChicago, Occidental</p>

15

<p>Wesleyan University definitely has a good size (2800 students or so), an artsy atmosphere, a fantastic program in the sciences (among best among liberal arts schools) even though it's usually thought of for its liberal arts. It certainly matches the definition of intellectual but social, even though it isn't a "party school." The administration tends to choose professors based on expert teaching ability over demonstrated research prestige, though that doesn't mean there aren't prestigious professors here. The campus is the most stereotypicially-wonderful college campus in existence, with grass everywhere, pretty buildings that are all relatively close to each other, and a giant grassy hill that is the center of campus.</p>

<p>It's a Thursday night right now, and let me describe: there were about five fascinating lectures going on today. Tonight, there was a screening of a documentary about John Nash followed by a panel discussion with the producer and visiting mathemeticians, along with a wear-really-crazy-clothing dance party, along with a lecture about mercury pollution in Connecticut, along with a spontaneous birthday party in the lounge of my dorm, another lecture about "Civil Rights and an Education Amendment to the Constitution," a dance party, people hanging around in study rooms pretending to study for the big bio exam tomorrow, and oh-so-much-more.</p>

<p>Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about it :)</p>

16

<p>Why not consider Rice University?</p>

17

<p>My school - Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia - sounds like it fits your description. Check it out, PM me if you have any questions.</p>

18

<p>What did you do to study for the SATs?</p>

19

<p>wow! big difference in SAT scores within 2 months! Care to share the tips?</p>

20

<p>
[quote]
If you would consider a women's college ( don't just dismiss the idea!),
Bryn Mawr or Mount Holyoke migh suit you very well--BM especially for Classics/ nice dorms and MHC for beautiful campus.</p>

<p>Colby College also has an attractive campus but is a whole lot colder than CA.

[/quote]
Erm.. I forgot to mention that I'm a guy :) Thanks though.</p>

<p>
[quote]
What about finances? Does your Oberlin connection entitle you to reduced tuition anywhere? Definitely look into this.</p>

<p>The other immediate problem I see is that some schools (i.e. Cornell) will require two SAT II tests, and you are planning on taking only one.</p>

<p>The third challenge is your list of criteria. Southern and western (good weather) states don't have the wide assortment of LACs that eastern and midwestern states do. Let a few things go from your list. What is MOST important to you?</p>

<p>A good, but cold and large school for you might be McGill, in Montreal. Also, look at the Claremont Colleges (Pomona, etc.)

[/quote]
Finances: Through my father, the college will pay for half the college tuition, but I'm not sure how it works exactly... As in whether they cut off half of the listed cost, and then it's decided how much I can pay; or if it's decided how much I have to pay, and then the college pays half of that. Is this commonly done a certain way? Or should I talk to the college? How does the fact that I live only with my father with a low salary, about 25,000 a year affect costs? Will it hurt or help me? Will I simply be piled on with loans? This is one area in which I'm very confused.</p>

<p>SAT II tests: I was originally planning to take three, French, Math IIC, and Literature. I wasn't doing very well with literature, and decided that I was doing well enough with French that I needn't/didn't want to continue studying math. I really like a lot of things about Cornell, so I think that I'll just register today for IIC and take it next month. I'm not expecting an 800 like everyone year, but hopefully I'll get a decent score and it can at least help me with my other choices. Also a dumb question: Cornell has higher average math SAT scores; is there a reason for this? Is more focused in sciences/engineering than in humanities?</p>

<p>Criteria: I'm not sure what you're referring to :) If you're talking about weather, I didn't mention it anywhere in my original post and said that it wouldn't really affect where I'm planning to go. Right now it seems like I have to limit my choices to places on the East coast because it'll be where I'll be doing some visits soon. The thought of going somewhere in California is appealing to me, but I don't know how I feel about applying somewhere without visiting it first, and the cost is just to prohibitive to fly over for a short visit. As for what's most important, I would say that it would be academics. By that I mean that I'm not just looking for a nice country club, and it's my number one priority. But I feel that a good living environment is conducive to learning, so I consider them together.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice; it really is helpful.</p>

<p>To everyone else:
I am listening, and keep it up! I would love to respond specifically, but not having visited any of these colleges and just generally having being ignorant as to their pros and cons, I can't really do that. Luckily, however, it looks like, barring any major disaster, that I'll be going on an East coast road trip (during Fall break, starting October 21st), during which I'll have 5 separate days to visit how many ever colleges I can see. I'll try and get a map out and plot everyone's suggestions and seeing what kind of road map I can make.</p>

<p>As for my political views, I tend to be moderate with liberal views, so an overly conservative schools puts me off than the overly liberal school. I do, however, appreciate diversity and I'd like to be able to hear different views and change my own, rather than being in a mass of like-minded people.</p>

<p>Again, I realize I am thinking about this all way too late, being a senior, and a lot of people are yelling at me about it, but just how badly have I screwed myself? Is there anything else that I absolutely need to take care of soon?</p>

<p>Lastly: Recommendations. For regular admissions, when should you talk to teachers about writing recommendations? I am also unsure about how to approach a teacher. Does everyone just walk up to them and say "Hi, I'm going to be applying to colleges soon, and was wondering whether you would write a recommendation for me?" ("No!" :)). I'm not exactly on top of recommendation etiquette. Also, has anyone here asked, if they take college classes, their college professors to write them recommendations? I've only had him for a month now and I am trying to, if I decide to ask him, find the perfect time, at which point I will have had his class long enough, yet will also give him ample time to write it, if he agrees. Is it a good idea? A horrible idea? He is in linguistics and writes very well, and is also very nice, so I thought it would be nice. </p>

<p>Please excuse all the questions, I again just have no idea what I'm doing! :) This resource is invaluable.</p>