Schools like Brown, but easier to get into?

College Search & Selection
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<p>Brown is my first choice and I think I'll apply early decision there. I love the open curriculum, urban location, and the laid back and liberal attitude of the students. But I know I will probably be rejected so could anyone help me find a few matches and safeties that are similar to Brown? I'm basically looking for a medium sized, preferably urban school that has liberal students and sends a good amount of grads to law school.</p>

<p>I'm a white male from a competitive Illinois public school.</p>

<p>My (not so stellar) stats: 3.6uw GPA, 30 ACT (8 essay), top ~22% class rank, will have taken 5 APs by graduation.</p>

<p>My extracurriculars aren't amazing... I played 2 years of varsity soccer, started a gardening club at my old boarding school, went on Outward Bound sailing trips, and volunteered for 50 hours as a tutor at an elementary school.</p>

<p>My application essays will be unique and very personal. My recommendations will be amazing. One rec might be from a Brown alum who taught and counseled me in high school. (Will this help my chances at Brown?)</p>

<p>So...... do I have a chance at Brown ED? And what are some schools like Brown that are easier to get into? Thanks for your help.</p>

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<p>You would do better to concentrate on schools a step below Brown. Have you looked at Oberlin, a reach but not an unrealistic one, or Beloit, a safety/match for you? While neither has an urban location, they do have flexible curricula and free spirited student bodies.</p>

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<p>when you say, gardening club, do you mean, flowers or veggies?</p>

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<p>Wesleyan and Vassar are much like Brown, and slightly less selective--however, they would both also be large reaches for you, just marginally less so, so if you want more reaches, they might be good. They are also LACs, so slightly smaller.</p>

<p>I agree with Oberlin as a more likely reach, though it is not as urban. Macalester would work as something more like a low reach or high match, if you are OK with Minnesota weather and a slightly smaller school.</p>

<p>Skidmore might make a good match though, again, it’s smaller.</p>

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<p>Midwesterner, I have looked at Oberlin.... the only thing I didn't like was the location. I don't know if I would enjoy living in rural Ohio. Do you know anything about the social life there? I haven't looked into Beloit but I will now.</p>

<p>johnwesley- mostly veggies, everything from pumpkins and watermelon to tomatoes.</p>

<p>Weskid, Wesleyan sounds like an amazing school. Would applying ED at Wesleyan or Vassar help my chances more than at Brown? I'll look into Macalester and Skidmore. Thanks</p>

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<p>The</a> Wesleyan Connection: Campus News</p>

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<p>se</p>

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<p>If the gardening club was veggies it will only count against you...</p>

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<p>@titan124- why is that?</p>

<p>@johnwesley- That is eerily similar to what our club did...</p>

<p>Thanks Weskid for your input. I'll start looking into the schools you listed</p>

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<p>Bard is another to consider.</p>

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<p>^^ Not if OP is looking for urban!! ^^</p>

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<p>I second Wesleyan and Vassar.</p>

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<p>I think New College of Florida might fit your description pretty well -- open curriculum, laid back, liberal. It's by the ocean too. Only thing is that it's not what I would call urban. But Sarosota is a nice place and it's not far from Tampa.</p>

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<p>Wesleyan is NOT urban. Mildly suburban, maybe.</p>

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<p>The fact that you're male will help you at LACs, especially Vassar.</p>

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<p>I don't think suburban quite captures Wesleyan either. Middletown's pretty busy during the day. And, you don't need a car in order to shop for a pair of jeans or other necessities. But, it tends to shut down at night sort of like the suburbs.</p>