<p>I’ve decided not to visit Hamilton. I know I’m visiting Bowdoin, and I’ll probably visit Carleton, since they are paying for half of airfare. From everyone’s comments, Haverford and Carleton seem like quite intellectual places. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Like some others, I think you are being too harsh about Oberlin – looking more at the surface than what’s under it – but given the array of schools you are looking at it wouldn’t be a tragedy if you failed to consider Oberlin. And I think you are right to shunt Hamilton to the side. One of my nephews graduated from there recently, and had a dream experience, but it was his dream, not yours.</p>
<p>For the rest, any of them would be fine, including Dartmouth. Dartmouth’s vibe isn’t so much hippie as athletic, outdoorsy preppies – which sounds like not-you – but there has always been a significant intellectual subculture there, as well as a significant politically right-wing subculture (with overlap between the two). Ditto Williams, Amherst, and Bowdoin. They are all places where I think the student body is conservative in personal style, if not political views. (And none of this is to take anything away from the obvious choices that have gotten lots of discussion here. Carleton and Haverford are full of people like you. So is Yale.)</p>
<p>I vote for Carleton or Yale for you. I think Yale will have a more stressful atmosphere, though.</p>
<p>To those suggesting new schools: The OP is a senior and has already applied to colleges. At this point in time, she can only select from the schools where she has already applied to and been accepted to (or may be accepted to later this week.)</p>
<p>To the OP, my suggestion would be to just wait until all of the decisions are in, and select which schools to visit from the complete accepted list. Congrats on having so many great options already.</p>
<p>Well, it looks like the final decision will not include any of the other colleges. I was waitlisted at Brown, Dartmouth, and Williams, rejected at Yale. I love the Common Good at Bowdoin, and combined with terrific academics, Bowdoin clearly stands out as my first choice. Visits will be important, as will financial aid. I like to think that things turn out one way or another for a reason. Maybe the intellectual, kind, friendly, service-oriented student body type schools chose me because that’s where I belong. Thanks for everyone’s help.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine a better fit for you than Carleton. It’s filled with fun worshiping individualistic types who recite the U Chicago intellectual mantra without wearing it on their sleeves. Haverford would be a reasonable 2nd option - smaller size may be an issue and the female/male ratio posed by the reality of Bryn Mawr down the block. Bowdoin I’ve always found much more traditional, pre-professional, New England in character than you may realize.</p>
<p>If you haven’t visited these schools, then I think you’re premature in making any decision!</p>
<p>I think Haverford, Yale and Oberlin would be the best fits. Followed by Amherst and Williams.
Have considered Smith College and Bryn Mawr College, they’re all women’s college but I think someone like you could really succeed there.
Also I think Reed and Swathmore might also be worth a look.</p>
<p>SDonCC: I was making a decision to visit schools before the final decision of where to attend! I’m visiting Haverford, Carleton, and Bowdoin. I’m blessed to be able to make this decision, and it is already tormenting me. So hard!</p>
<p>Don’t let it torment you! Based on what you have written here, you will be fine with any of them. You could, if you wished, use dice, or darts, or I-Ching sticks to make your decision. (OK, I know you won’t wish. But you could.)</p>