Safeties?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello, friends.</p>

<p>I posted a while ago that my mother is taking me to look at colleges next year (I'll be a junior) and wants a list. I gave her one.... The only problem is that there were no safeties. </p>

<p>I want to apply to two or so, I guess (how many schools are students recommended to apply to, anyway?). I want to choose ones that I'd actually enjoy attending (i.e., not go there simply because it's in-state, or because it's cheap - though I do not understand why someone would pay a lot to go to a safety). </p>

<p>I know my stats are pretty good (2260 SAT, top 1%), but I don't want to be lulled into a false sense of security. I know that very smart people get rejected from their not-so-wisely-chosen safeties. </p>

<p>I'm looking for smaller colleges with good history and linguistics departments. I'm especially interested in medieval history (a medieval studies programme would be great) and historical linguistics. Most of the safetyish schools I've looked at don't have linguistics, which is unfortunate. Everyone always says you should pick a safety you'll like... but what if no safeties fit your needs?</p>

<p>Anyway, as far as location and atmosphere go, I shall paraphrase from a previous post: Location doesn’t matter too much to me, as long as it’s not in Desperate Housewives suburbia. Snow is cool (...literally. ha) but it’s not a must… though I am not very fond of hot weather. Smaller colleges also appeal to me, but if a big school suited me, I wouldn’t care too much. I like the thought of professors teaching small, involved classes. Diversity is cool. I’d also like to study abroad a couple times. A more liberal school is preferred. I like nerdiness, nice dorms, and trees. I don’t think I’d like the Greek system. I don’t like bugs. I don’t like hordes of rich, pretentious people. I like the smell of books. I like non-patronising kids who listen to cool music.</p>

<p>It's no rush, really. I'd just like to have an idea and get a headstart so that I don't end up choosing schools based on their websites. What are some schools you guys would recommend? </p>

<p>Thanks to all those who reply. To all those who don't: well.</p>

2

<p>Swarthmore??</p>

<p>btw, you should definitely apply to more than 2 schools!!! most people, for someone with your SAT, would suggest applying to 2-3 safeties, 2-3 matches, and 2-3 reach schools.</p>

3

<p>Ha, no, I meant two safeties. :) </p>

<p>...And I hope you're not suggesting that Swarthmore is a safety.</p>

4

<p>no i definitely didn't mean it was a safety; i thought you were asking for ideas of schools in general haha</p>

<p>Skidmore?</p>