Greetings all,
As you all know, college decisions are out, and I’ve mostly narrowed my choices down to these 3 schools. For me, these schools each have their pros and cons that appeal to me.
Reed-
Pros: Detailed feedback instead of grades (Intrinsic Motivation), school culture, academics, class size, nice campus, PORTLAND.
Cons: Potential drug culture, price, workload
Wake Forest-
Pros: The campus is beautiful, natural scenery in NC, classes offered, small class size.
Cons: The location is not for me, the preppiness, price
UBC-
Pros: Nice campus, MUCH cheaper (I’m Canadian), bigger name, hometown (although I don’t live there).
Cons- Big class size (just not my personal preference), party culture, too big of an environment.
Sounds like it’s between Reed and UBC. Reed would be a great experience but you have to balance that with the cost difference which would depend on your financial situation.
Very different schools. Which factor do you think will have more of an impact on your happiness and your future success: cost savings or class size?
I never thought I’d see those three schools on the same list. Very different.
As an English or History major and academics being important (and assuming you know more about Wake Forest and UBC than I), Reed would seem to be the choice if you can afford it with only standard student (not parent) loans. Why is potential drug culture a con for you? Why is workload a con for you? After eight semesters both would be behind you.
@insanedreamer - My family is relatively well off, so my college finances are just a moderate concern.
@Dunboyne - I feel I’d be happiest at Reed, and I really learn much better in a small, intimate class environment.
@“Erin’s Dad” - Hahaha. I’m a small liberal arts kinda guy, but I visited the Wake Forest campus and it was beautiful with really friendly people, which got me to apply. I applied to UBC because most Canadian college applicants from British Columbia do.
@vonlost - The work load is a con because I’m not totally certain if I can handle it. The drug culture is more of a concern for my parents because they are rather… conservative and overprotective.
I think the “drug culture” at Reed may be a bit overblown. Sure, there’s tolerance of weed (which is legal in WA state, but it’s not like you’ll be going to school with druggies.
If I were in your shoes, given that finances is not a big concern, I’d go to Reed for the smaller setting, more personal attention, collaborative (rather than instructive) learning environment. A great undergraduate educational experience.
Reed really sounds like the best fit for what you want ( Intellectual LAC with small classes.)
As for the workload, it’s all about knowing how to balance your schedule and always taking “easier” classes along with the ones you know will be hard and time-consuming.
So, I’d go with Reed (and if you really yearn for UBC, it’ll still be there for grad school, whereas Reed won’t.)
You have already proved you can handle the work load (by being accepted).