<p>this is probably a dumb question...but WHAT IN THE WORLD IS "LAC" AND "IMO"</p>
<p>LAC = liberal arts college</p>
<p>IMO = in my opinion</p>
<p>IMHO = in my humble opinion</p>
<p>check thread on "abbreviations" for more.</p>
<p>How about UNC Chapel Hill?</p>
<p>New College of Florida: perhaps the most homogenous unique campus I've ever been to. I love the school, almost went there. Everyone has a mind of their own, the professors are known by their first names and are very happy to compare tattoos with you, the students will talk to anyone and befriend you, and everyone is liberal. There is one campus republican, he drives a truck (a very large truck). What I loved is how every time I visited I had a change to hang out and talk with so many people. Highlights from my spring break visit included dancing with a gay student in palm court at 1 am, listing to a jazz band jam, and hanging out at the bike shoppe talking bikes with several students. You need to visit more than once, but the academic environment is fantastic (so laid back yet completely serious) and the students are very open and friendly. </p>
<p>Emory University: My school! I live 15 minutes from the school so I've been on campus my whole life. The stereotype is New England preppie students and it's rather accurate. Most girls wear expensive clothes, lots of make-up, think that "working out" is the best way to keep off the freshman fifteen (with your new best friend roommate of course), and are slightly to majorly superficial. The guys are typically frat boys, lift weights with the superficial girls who frequent the gym, and enjoy drinking. <strong>On the other hand</strong> the place is filled with extremely smart and studious kids who live in the library full time, are involved in musical pursuits, and don't do the party scene. I'm the kid who fits in neither group, I don't really party, I'm big on the environment, don't wear make up, and I'm big on my studies but it's not my entire life. At Emory you can be who you are and find a niche. That's basically the way it is on any campus. But the cultural diversity helps a lot at Emory, most of my friends are Indian.</p>
<p>Brandeis: People work hard, lots of pre-meds, but not all pre-professional. Lots of clubs, especially a cappella and theater. Not a huge party scene, but plenty of opportunities to be social (in my opinion). Definitely a Jewish feel, like in the winter people make a bigger deal out of Chanukkah than Christmas. However, not overwhelming. Generally, quite liberal, though many people are vehemently pro-Israel. Boston rocks my socks</p>
<p>By the way, I'm a sophomore at 'Deis.</p>
<p>what about Amherst?</p>
<p>Haverford: The old "work hard, play hard" applies here, too...
No complaints about academics here. I didn't really have what i would call a "passion for learning" in high school, but i got by. Now i actually enjoy it and don't mind spending a couple nights a week studying for 5+ hours. It's kind of the norm, and you feel like a bit of a slacker if everyone else is studying and you're watching tv. I've turned into something of a closet nerd...:) </p>
<p>It, like any other school - and i'd imagine this is especially true of ones of comparable size- has its goods and bads in terms of the social scene. We are definitely not a party school by any means. I drink, but not everyone does; no pressure. I think just about everyone can find a niche here...of course if you're an athlete (like i am...and i guess the same applies to artists?) yours happens to be bigger and easier to find than everyone else's. There's a also great sense of community, even though we do have our fair share of issues. I'm going to be a sophomore in the fall, and with a year under my belt, I know that if i were given the opportunity to do it all over with a free pass to any school in the country, I'd choose Haverford again over any other in a heartbeat. </p>
<p>p.s. Swat sucks. :)</p>
<p>It is nice to hear, Archermom, that your daughter is happy at Haverford. Would that the rest of us are so lucky a year from now. She must be quite perceptive to have realized what she really wanted.</p>
<p>As hard as it is to go through this process with a willing child, it is really tough to try to motivate one who doesn't quite realize that colleges are really different, and the wrong choice will matter. </p>
<p>I guess all I really know at this point is that small is probably out, but I am not crossing them off the list entirely.</p>
<p>Next query for our helpful student posters: are any of you at large public universities in the honors program? Like Plan II at U.Texas, Schreyer at Penn State, etc.? If so, tell us how you like them, and particularly, what you think of being in the small "smart" club inside a huge shell of energy that is the big state u.</p>
<p>Anyone for Bryn Mawr?</p>
<p>Could anyone expand a bit on Pomona?</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins - Kids don't know how to have fun. Lots of overprotected, overachieving, forced to study 4 hours every night since pre-school kids finally on their own for the first time in their lives. The weekends seem to be filled with dull kids who have never drank before in their lives going to ****ty frat parties, thinking they're "cool" because of it now, when really they're the same boring people with no personality at all. I'm not into that scene anymore, but lots of my friends from HS were, and I found the people/experiences to be much more interesting and enjoyable there than here. I've found my niche of close friends here, so things are great, but the typical stereotype that Hopkins social-life sucks is very true.</p>
<p>Bowdoin, anyone?</p>
<p>how about boston college</p>
<p>Does everyone take into consideration that the background of the "beholder" has a great deal to do with their take on the culture of a school? I suppose the answer is a rolling of the eyes and a sigh...but thought I'd throw out this caveat emptor.</p>
<p>My experience of Bryn Mawr's culture: </p>
<p>"The women at PRINCETON are getting SCREWED because they aren't at BMC! Women's education RAWKS!!! RAR!"</p>
<p>And woe betide she who doesn't agree.</p>
<p>Babson College - We are going to be future business executives and entrepreneurs... don't try to stand our way! In the middle of Mass., this is the place where we can proudly be Republicans.</p>
<p>feeling of UNC chapel hill, especially academically? would i be able to do well in the business world?</p>
<p>UNC-Chapel Hill: not going there, but I have friends who do: its a work hard-play hard school for sure. many smart, focused people (and some who aren't), a large range of intelligence in the student body- some geniuses, some not quite so. classes are challenging but not cut-throat. social-wise, always lots to do- parties, games (TONS of school spirit!), and hanging out on Franklin St. Student body- very friendly in general, outgoing ,etc. You have every group from studious/nerdy types to southern/preppy/old money people. Everyone can find a niche there. In the business world- not sure, though I know there's a pretty good business school. You might want to check that out.</p>
<p>thank you amy, i appreciate it. anyone have any more info on the business aspect?</p>
<p>what about Penn State?</p>