Socially Conservative and Politically Liberal...

<p>Hi, I am currently a senior in high school, and I was wondering, out of the USNews Top 20 Colleges, which school(s) would you consider the best for someone who considers him or herself socially conservative and politically liberal. Basically, as a person, I tend to gravitate away from wild partying/drinking at school, yet, politically, I tend to lean toward a liberal view. So, what schools do you think would be okay? Thanks!</p>

<p>all of the ivies, except dartmouth... and most women's colleges.</p>

<p>Chameli, I am socially conservative and politically liberal (more middle of the road really) myself and I had no trouble fitting in at schools that have huge party scenes. As long as you make an effort, you will find students that share your interests. However, if you insist on socially conservative yet politically liberal schools, check out the following:</p>

<p>Amherst College
Brandeis University
Bryn Mawr College (if you are female)
Carnegie Mellon University
Grinnell College
Hampshire College
Haverford College
Johns Hopkins University
Macalester College
Reed College
Smith College (again, if you are female)
Swarthmore College
University of California-Berkeley
University of Chicago
Vassar College
Wellesley College (if you are female)</p>

<p>What about the reverse? Anybody have any good schools for a political conservative/social liberal?</p>

<p>Sort of tongue-in-cheek; I doubt any exist. Although if you actually do know of any, I'd like to hear of them. The University of Chicago's really the only one I can think of.</p>

<p>
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What about the reverse? Anybody have any good schools for a political conservative/social liberal?</p>

<p>Sort of tongue-in-cheek; I doubt any exist.

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</p>

<p>Nearly any school in the South.</p>

<p>
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Nearly any school in the South.

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</p>

<p>Yes, most certainly. Catholic/Episcopalian/Protestant frat boys.</p>

<p>What's socially conservative & liberal anyways? I was never able to grasp the true difference.</p>

<p>socially liberal: universal healthcare, gay marriage rights, pro-choice, etc.</p>

<p>Claremont Mckenna college (LAC) seems to be in the middle of the road politically. They are pretty lenient in their alcohol/party policies from what I've heard but lean more conservative than most nonreligious private schools perhaps due to the government/economics focus of the school</p>

<p>And UC Berkeley is socially conservative? I think it's exactly the opposite.</p>

<p>fa-la-la-lena: I think the OP was using the term "socially conservative" to imply that s/he is more traditional/"straight-edge" in terms of her/his own social life. In other words, less drinking/partying, a normal dating scene, etc. Not socially conservative in the way that you would assume-- as in, not against gay marriage, universal health care, abortion rights, etc. :)</p>

<p>So, I guess UC-Berkeley could work, in that it is most CERTAINLY liberal (politically), but not necessarily a party school.</p>

<p>
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University of California-Berkeley

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</p>

<p>I totally disagree. I think UCB is a bit more socially liberal.......</p>

<p>I do, however, think that Brandeis and Amherst fit exactly what you said. The Ivies, of course, do have some parties, but I think it's a bit less "party crazy" than other schools. </p>

<p>
[quote]
What about the reverse? Anybody have any good schools for a political conservative/social liberal?

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</p>

<p>Here's my list: </p>

<p>Arizona State University
Texas A&M
University of Arizona</p>

<p>It's not very extensive, but those are the colleges I know.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Amherst College
Brandeis University
Bryn Mawr College (if you are female)
Carnegie Mellon University
Grinnell College
Hampshire College
Haverford College
Johns Hopkins University
Macalester College
Reed College
Smith College (again, if you are female)
Swarthmore College
University of California-Berkeley
University of Chicago
Vassar College
Wellesley College (if you are female)

[/quote]

I'd cross off Reed and Macalester. Both have a really active weed scene. </p>

<p>As for other schools to look at, try maybe the service academies. Although they tend to be more conservative, you'll find people of all views, and drinking, drug use, etc. is very rare.</p>

<p>I think insanity 90's definition of socially conservative and politically liberal best defines what I was looking for. Just to narrow the list of colleges, which, if at all, do you think would best fit me out of the following colleges: Brown, Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Stanford, Case Western, and Rice. Thanks so much for your help!</p>

<p>Despite being serious about academics, Rice and Vanderbilt have a fairly dominant partying and drinking scene. So does UPenn.</p>

<p>The others should be fine, although I'm tempted to say that Case Western would probably be the best fit.</p>

<p>Yes, I believe Penn has the reputation of being "the party Ivy."</p>

<p><a href="http://www.adminplan.northwestern.edu/ir/sspg/cirp/TFS_2007_FTFT%20students%20only%20w-out%20supp%20questions.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.adminplan.northwestern.edu/ir/sspg/cirp/TFS_2007_FTFT%20students%20only%20w-out%20supp%20questions.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>% of freshmen that characterize their political views as far left or liberal:
Northwestern: 53.4
Peers: 44.9
All privates: 39.5</p>

<p>% of freshmen that drank beer the past year:
Northwestern: 38.0
Peers: 44.5
All privates: 43.3</p>

<p>% of freshmen that drank wine or liquor:
Northwestern 45.3
Peers: 51.6
All privates: 43.3</p>

<p>% of freshmen that spent zero hour partying during their last year in HS:
Northwestern 31.3
Peers: 28.3
All privates: 26.8</p>

<p>Looks like Northwestern fits your bill. :)</p>

<p>wow, sam lee, thanks for the stats on northwestern. i had always heard from others that northwestern had a strong, visible frat scene which i automatically equated with excessive drinking on campus. nice to see it from a different angle</p>

<p>Students would tell you the stereotypical frat scene--exclusive and wild with tons of alcohol--doesn't apply to NU. Also, despite the high percentage of frats, people don't feel the pressure to join or feel they'd socially miserable if they aren't in frats.</p>