Stereotypes of each top LACs. Help me compare.

College Search & Selection
1

<p>In an effort to compare these schools to each other, I'm just trying to nail down the stereotypical character of these LACs. I know that these first tier LACs are all intellectual places that provide amazing education, but I think each place certainly has its own character and charm that distinguish them from each other. So I would appreciate it if anyone could help me. Right now, I'm applying to Amherst, Middlebury, Carleton, Grinnell, and Williams, but I'm considering adding more, possibly Wesleyan and Swat and CMC. This is what I have so far: </p>

<p>Swarthmore - intense and competitive atmosphere, very academic-oriented, weak sports(no football team), overwhelming workload </p>

<p>Middlebury - preppy culture, strong language & IR program, fairly WASPy, "everyone is J.Crew catalogue good-looking" --> ???? </p>

<p>Wesleyan - artsy, politically active, lots of lesbians and gays and bi stuff, very liberal, diverse and bigger student body</p>

<p>Carleton - laid back, down-to-earth, intense and fast trimester system, midwestern nice and friendly, quirky and nerdy</p>

<p>Williams - preppy, classic New England feel, lots of Varsity athletes</p>

<p>Grinnell - middle of nowhere cornfield, perfect place to just study and prepare for Ph.D, friendly atmosphere</p>

<p>CMC - party(school gives money for alcohol), jockey, future leadership focus, strong politics and econ, the consortium, </p>

<p>...
Just please tell me anything you know about these schools in terms of its personality. Feel free to comment on your school or any others you are familiar with. I'll take in anything you say and appreciate it.
Of course, these are over-simplified and "stereotypical" notions that I heard through words of mouth and research...
But please help me find my fit!
(or yours)</p>

2

<p>My D is a freshman at Bucknell. It seems to be the right size for her (3800), nice mix of students, friendly smart and mature. She has a really nice dorm, the town is great. Campus activities are plentiful on the weekends. (concerts, comedians, sports, etc.) She is in 3 clubs and has several friends and feels very comfortable there. Her classes are challenging, the professors are very available. She is quiet and reserved, does not party at all but Bucknell helps alot in making the transition easy. Bucknell seems to be perfect for her. The size makes it easy to find whatever you are looking for. Not sure what you're looking for. She applied to Williams and Amherst. She really liked Williams , and Amherst was a little too small for her and didn't offer her some of things she was looking for. She didn't like Wesleyan and wouldn't even look at Swarthmore or Haverford (she thought they were too small for her). So can't tell you about them. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Swarthmore College Phoenix - very intellectual, lots of hippies go there, very liberal</p>

<p>Middlebury College Panthers - very intellectual, lots of the kids there seem to be very humble </p>

<p>Wesleyan University Cardinals - very intellectual, the most liberal school around, hippies go there, lots of weird kids as well</p>

<p>Carleton College Knights - lots of zany weird kids there, very intellectual, somewhat liberal, not as much as the others </p>

<p>Williams College Ephs - drinking and sports dominate social scene</p>

<p>Grinell College Pioneers - extremley liberal, very odd kids attend there</p>

<p>Claremont McKenna College Stags - more conservative than other schools (about half and half), lots of political discussion, athletics are popular</p>

4

<p>The lacs can be split three groups. The liberal/intercultural/odd kids would prefer Grinnell, Carleton, Wesleyan and Swarthmore. The jocks/drinkers would prefer Williams. Then there is this whole other group which would be Middlebury and Claremont McKenna.</p>