Suggestions for smart AND fun private colleges?

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>So I've been looking around at colleges and was wondering if any of you could throw out some private schools that have smart kids who know how to have a lot of fun (ie. partying and socializing). As of now I have toured and am considering College of the Holy Cross, Providence College, Fordham University, Fairfield University, Lehigh University and Gonzaga University. Any schools that I should add or any information on these schools would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>(P.S. probably can't get into any schools with an acceptance rate in the 20's or lower) </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

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<p>what’s your idea of fun? how smart are you?</p>

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<p>And how much are your parents willing to pay?</p>

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<p>@jkeil911 I would say pretty average in the brains department, I got an 1860 on my SAT and my grades are about a 3.5- 3.6 unweighted. As for fun,I guess I mean I want to have the classic college experience. I know college is much more than just drinking, partying, and hooking up, but I’ve been going to a private all guys high school so I never got to experience that and I want too.</p>

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<p>@"Erin’s Dad"‌ my parents are willing to pay any price for my education which I am grateful for, but it has to be a private college. I have also been working a part time for the past year so I can pitch in a little too. </p>

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<p>Why does it have to be a private college? There are a lot of publics that also meet your requirements , unless you do not want to consider some larger schools</p>

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<p>^There are also smaller public colleges, which meet your requirements of “smart”, “fun”, and “classic college experience”, which also have a decent degree of prestige, if that’s what your parents are concerned about</p>

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<p>@boysx3 both my parents went to College of the Holy Cross and are HUGE on small liberal arts colleges. They make the argument that liberal arts colleges are focused more on your needs and helping you achieve than a lot of state schools, which for most state schools (including my instate UMASS) is true. </p>

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<p>You can consider Tulane and UMiami</p>

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<p>@happy1‌ Thanks! I’ve been looking more in the northeast (I like the cold) but those two have been my favorites in the south so far. </p>

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<p>What about Bucknell, Colgate (probably reaches with those stats but might work) or Denison?</p>

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<p>Consider Lafayette and DePauw</p>

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<p>@momofzag‌ Bucknell and Colgate would probably be some serious reaches, but all I’ve heard of Denison is that its small. Do you know anything about it personally, and if so could you share your thoughts?</p>

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<p>@AnnieBeats‌ I heard that Lafayette was a real bore of a school and they were very strict over there.</p>

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<p>Denison is certainly small (I believe around 2200 students). It was on my D13’s list. She was accepted and would have been happy to attend. She visited 3 times and I was personally there twice. It’s a very pretty campus in a charming small town not too far from Columbus, OH (state capital with airport and Ohio State University). To me It seemed somewhat similar in vibe to Bucknell. The students we know who attend are all strong students and are all quite happy there and involved in lots of activities. There seems to be quite high participation in athletics either varsity, club or intramural. My understanding is that over the past decade or so the University has tried to control/downplay the influence of fraternities/sororities. I had the impression that Denison offers the kind of “classic college experience” that you would find at a small, liberal arts college (i.e. no Div1, big time sports). Denison is also less selective that Bucknell or Colgate and is known to be generous with merit aid.</p>

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<p>@momofzag‌ wow, that sounds great! The only problem I think would be the small size ( My original smallest was Holy Cross 2,900) but I defiantly want to see more about it.</p>

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<p>Syracuse? Might be one to consider, though it’s bigger than your initial idea. </p>

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<p>@dyiu13‌ I had a friend who went to 'Cuse and had some really bad experiences, so I think I’ll skip that one, but thanks for the help</p>

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<p>Okay, OP, most people think of “smart kids” as people like them, so I’m going to go with private colleges with a lot of kids who like to have fun whose average h.s. GPA is 3.6 and SAT 1860 in the northeast and mid-atlantic. </p>

<p>CT: Trinity College
DC: American University
MA: BostonU
NY: Fordham, Syracuse
PA: Bucknell, Lafayette, Dickinson, Muhlenberg, Villanova, Drexel, St. Joe’s
RI: Providence
VA: URichmond, James Madison, VTech
VT: St. Michael’s</p>

<p>These schools are low-to-high matches more or less for your stats; they have been known for their good times off and on the last 40 years. Men’s basketball is very important to most of them.</p>

<p>There are of course many more schools that would be safeties for you, but I didn’t want to go there. The reaches I stayed away from because of the odds against admission.</p>

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<p>@jkeil911‌ thanks so much! I’ve never thought of Lafayette, American or Dickinson as party type schools though, thoughts?</p>