<p>I am transferring from Kenyon College. My reasons for transferring are the widespread drinking culture, the lack of intense intellectualism, and the lack of quirky, artistic students. I am looking for an intellectual climate in which students are academically engaged, quirky, active, and artistic. I am especially looking for a top-notch English program, which is the reason I went to Kenyon in the first place, but was turned off by the lack of intellecual engagement. I have heard a lot about Swarthmore on many posts, and did apply there, but have been wait-listed. I was accepted into Oberlin, Grinnell (which offered me a renewable $10,000 per year scholarship), Wesleyan, the University of Chicago, and Brown University. Brown and the University of Chicago want an answer today, which is why I am panicked. I have not yet received an admissions decision from Haverford, and was wait-listed (though was accepted there as a senior) at Carleton. Can those of you are quite well-informed about these schools, the difference between liberal arts schools and the universities, etc. help me out? I have waited till the last minute simply because the whole transfer process has stressed me out a great deal. I am concerned that the Fiske Guide did not list English as one of Brown's best programs, as I was initially quite excited by Brown. I have also been advised not to attend a university, but attend a selective liberal arts school like Swarthmore or Haverford instead. If you can respond soon, I would greatly appreciate it. As I have not visited most of these schools due to being a transfer, any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I'm transferring from kenyon too!!!!!!!! Or trying to--anway. I completely agree with all your points.If I were you, I'd choose Brown. It's everything Kenyon's not and if I hadn't wasted so much time and slacked on applying, I would have applied there too. Right now, I'm just waiting on NYU. But hey, want to exchange email or something? bye!</p>
<p>Sure! I'd love to exchange e-mail. My e-mail right now is <a href="mailto:lewisr@kenyon.edu">lewisr@kenyon.edu</a>, but that may change at some point. I am leaning toward Brown right now, as Grinnell seems a bit too isolated for me. But I am curious--why would you choose Brown, and what are your reasons for transferring from Kenyon? It's wonderful to find someone else in the same situation. Thanks.</p>
<p>You did the LAC thing already. Yes, they do differ, and Grinnell in particular is very, very good, but why not try a bigger world? UChicago is terrific, but I'd be hardpressed, relative to other schools of course, to call the student body "active and artistic". (If it were me, I'd go to Brown.)</p>
<p>If what you want is "intense intellectualism" there is none that better fits that description than UChicago, in that regard it is in a class by itself.</p>
<p>I'm a huge fan of Oberlin, which offers all the characteristics you say you're looking for (intellectual engagement, arts, activism, etc.), but I certainly wouldn't want you to take my word for it. My point is that you absolutely shouldn't be rushed into making a decision as important as this one: you wouldn't want to choose the wrong school again. I would tell Chicago and Brown you need more time to make your decision, which they're quite likely to agree to, and then do the solid research on each school you're interested in. No need to panic!</p>
<p>hey! I emailed you by the way. But yeah--Kenyon is so far into the liberal arts. I really think it's only worth traveling out of if you go somewhere offering programs and facilities that kenyon can't support. Aka: a larger, research university.</p>