<p>I thought I would post this in the parent's forum to get the input of those who might have a bit more experience. College is expensive, and my parents and I believe to pay for a top college is worth it if I fit in socially. I'm hoping parents can give their thoughts on my acceptances.</p>
<p>I'm a pretty nerdy girl. I think reading is fun, and I get really excited when a Professor I follow comes to town to speak. I want a school where there is a good portion of the student body that is not too preprofessional. Granted, I want to go to grad school to get my PhD, but in undergrad, that!s not my primary focus. I'm laid back and quite traditional - not "hip" by any means.</p>
<p>So, parents, academically and socially, how would I fit in at Oberlin, Hamilton, Haverford, Carleton, and Bowdoin? I am still waiting on Williams, Amherst, Dartmouth, Yale, and Brown, but for right now, I'm just looking to pick three colleges to do an overnight at out of the five. Thanks!!!</p>
<p>Haverford has a very intellectual student body with active interests in multiple fields. (The college imposes a strict limit on the number of classes that students may take in their major, to force students to get a more well-rounded education. Don’t go there if you would rather focus on your major exclusively.)</p>
<p>You would fit in at any of those schools. Are you a girl who is pretty nerdy or a pretty, nerdy girl? Not that it should make a difference, but it might ;)</p>
<p>Eek b@r!um. That’s kind of off putting to me. I mean, it won’t be a deciding factor, but I just like freedom, I suppose. I want to take lots of history and political science classes. Thanks for letting me know that.</p>
<p>Of those 5, the one that I think is, in general, least nerdy is Hamilton by a long shot. I know plenty of smart, nice people at Hamilton, but no one who would consider reading academic journals or attending unnecessary lectures fun.</p>
<p>Yale is THE place for SMART, nerdy girls (there is a difference). It does, in fact, help if you are more than a book worm: sing, dance, sports, drop dead gorgeous, 8-foot tall, whatever . . . you gotta be more than just a good student. But, if you have true talent beyond the ability to study, retain, and apply . . . that’s Yale for the best of the best.</p>
<p>Not so good fit: Hamilton, Williams, Amherst, Yale, and especially Dartmouth.*</p>
<ul>
<li>Mostly because their student cultures tend to be far more pre-professional than what the OP seems to be looking for. A few also seem to disdain the “Nerdiness” as described by the OP.</li>
</ul>
<p>Thank you. I’m looking for a less liberal school than Oberlin, but I do enjoy the intellectualism. I’m afraid that a more traditional person might not fit in at Oberlin.</p>
<p>I don’t have any first hand knowledge, but from what I have read on CC I think you should take a look at Northwestern. (Carleton is quite liberal)</p>
<p>Well, I’ve already applied and been accepted, Kajon. I’m alright with political liberalism, but I guess I like a more traditional student body, if that makes any sense.</p>
<p>I’d first talk with recent graduates/current Oberlin students and make a visit before deciding of Oberlin is too liberal for you. From what I’ve seen/heard from recent graduates, Oberlin is nowhere near as radically left as it was when I attended in the '90s. While this is a boon to more mainstream students, it has caused some angst among older alums judging by some letters in recent issues of the Oberlin Alumni magazine. </p>
<p>Speaking as someone who would fit a far more traditional type than not…I loved the intellectualism/academics while taking the political radicalism as another learning opportunity. </p>
<p>In any event, there aren’t too many schools that are as/more radically liberal than the Oberlin of my time in the mid-late '90s other than Antioch.</p>
<p>I’ve visited Oberlin 15+ times, and in general, I feel that there is a liberal atmosphere. Balance is extremely important to me, as I want to study political science/government.</p>
<p>None of these choices have what I would call a conservative leaning student population. You should have looked further south for schools if that was your criteria. I think your mind is going to be stretched considerably (and I don’t just mean intellectually) at any of the schools on your list. That, of course, is one of the reasons to go to college. :)</p>
<p>I don’t want a conservative school! I just don’t want an overly liberal school where other voices will be ostracized. What I meant by liberalism, I suppose, was a certain artsy, hippie vibe that I get at certain schools. By political standards, I’m a moderate liberal, but that’s not what I was talking about. I just don’t want a campus where 90% of the student body is far left, practically socialist type liberal and that dominates campus. (I’m exaggerating, obviously).</p>
<p>My daughter sounds similar to you…Carleton and Haverford were rec. to her strongly by several counslors. She is planning on staying on the West Coast now…Whitman. It was recommend for us to look at the questions on the supplements and see how you fit with them. Both Carleton and Haverford were right up here area of interests…books…! Carleton was by far are favorite…read pages of student reviews on it and never a negative comment. Everyone seemed really happy, working very hard and had a great attitude.</p>
<p>“I just don’t want an overly liberal school where other voices will be ostracized. What I meant by liberalism, I suppose, was a certain artsy, hippie vibe that I get at certain schools. By political standards, I’m a moderate liberal, but that’s not what I was talking about. I just don’t want a campus where 90% of the student body is far left, practically socialist type liberal and that dominates campus.”</p>
<p>Sara12: There are a lot of really great schools that have a dominant, liberal culture. If you discount all of these schools, you will shut the door to a lot of wonderful places. You do not have to be a crazy liberal to benefit and grow at these wonderful schools. You may feel like, or be, a minority at these schools, but so what. You want to spend four years expanding pur critical thinking skills anyway.</p>
<p>Carleton, especially if your interest is in the sciences. I agree with the poster who recommended you say NO to Dartmouth, even if they say yes to you. Williams, Amherst or Yale would probably be the best picks for you if you’re accepted.</p>