<p>Hello there! As I look at schools, I am having a hard time finding a true safety school, in academic terms. I am from California, and I am definitely not opposed to looking out of state for another school, but I would rather the safety be closer to home so that I could visit it more easily if push came to shove in the admissions process. </p>
<p>I don't desire to list the entirety of my stats/GPA/Ect, because I feel that should go into a different forum. Yet, for some background information, I am considering smaller, liberal arts colleges, with strong biology programs, and options to study in the field (in forests, lakes, ect.). I want the closer interaction with professors, and the focus on undergraduate teaching. I have been in larger classes, and I don't like the feeling - I want to be challenged, singled out in a room where I can't hide. I am a self motivator, but I think academic strength, at least for me, comes from openly discussing ideas, postulations, and theories on various subjects. </p>
<p>I consider some of my reach schools to be Amherst College, Williams, College, and Stanford, while my matches lie within the Occidental College range, and finally, my safeties are sort of a blank. Any help would be appreciated in solving this matter!</p>
<p>Also, I HAVE looked at colleges on my own, but I wanted to post this in case anyone had first hand experience with a school that I might not have ever single out as a place where I wanted to attend. Again, thanks!</p>
<p>Another note: Out of state schools are fine as well, if the suggestion is legitimate.</p>