the never-ending search for MY college

<p>Hello fellow college confidentialers,
I am in a little bit of a bind because I haven't found the ideal school for me. I am in the class of 2009 but I am taking a Gap Year before college. I have applied to two schools this year University of Vermont [waiting to hear from] and Ithaca [accepted]. I am not set on either of these schools though and I don't really feel a connection to either of the schools.
I currently attend a small private high school in Pennsylvania with highly rigorous academics. I would say that I am a pretty average student B range most of the time with a few A's. I would say that the general population of my school is pretty hippie/hipsteresque. I really enjoy that feel and I want a college that emulates that. Although sometimes this part of my school annoys me because I feel like some people pretend to be hippies just to fit in. Or the hipsters will be generally uninviting. However I still want a school with this atmosphere. My school also is very gorgeous campus-wise and outside wise, outdoors are very important to me, and environmental awareness.
I am so behind in my college search because previously I was aspiring to become a voice major, but I have decided against that, thus most of my schools were primarily music based.
Now, I definetly want a liberal-arts based education so I can find my true passion in life now that I know that I dont want to pursue music. I feel kinda lost because music has been all I've known in the past years as something that I would like to pursue so I need a college that will let you see all facets of learning. I love thinking and I need a college that will prompt me to think or I will be bored.
I also might like some scholarship oppurtunities for my extensive musical training [8 years westminster choir college, won 3 competitions].
I am looking for a college either in the Northeast or slightly south like Virginia, Maryland, DC, North Carolina.
I don't want to be TOO far from home though, which is in Pennsylvania.
My schools administration and school spirit is dying though so im looking for a school that has a considerable amount of school spirit left in them.
I want the community to be open-minded and creative.
My SAT scores are enh. My ACT compo. is 24 but I'm taking them again. Im in the IB certificate program. I need a co-ed stmosphere.
Schools I ruled out:
Bennington [too small I need a range of 1,900-8000 students, but not too big either]
The colleges that I've been considering:
Skidmore [I feel like I would have trouble getting in though and I've heard its over-rated, but it does have a wonderful filene music scholarship]
Bard [However I've heard the hipster atmosphere can be intimidating]
Bates [I have no idea but I've heard its hard to get into]
Wesleyan[extreme reach school]
Guilford [I havent heard much about this one]</p>

<p>Any other suggestions? I really need help. I would really appreciate it.</p>

<p>I would repost this in cc's music major forum <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/&lt;/a> as well. There are a number of threads there that address both university and LAC environments that will give you both an academically stimulating as well as a satisfying musical experience (even as a non major).</p>

<p>If you've come from a background of private instruction, high level solo/ensemble participation, and summer immersion programs, you may find many college programs will fall short of continuing what you have been accustomed to.</p>

<p>I also suggest you read through the Peabody link here Peabody</a> Institute - Conservatory Admissions: The Double Degree Dilemma. It might help you in defining your musical needs.</p>

<p>Thank you for your help! I was hesitant to post this in the music major forum seeing as I am not trying to pursue a music major. However I am interesting in a possible music minor.
What does LAC actually stand for? I've been wondering that for a while.
Thank you for that link as well.
I saw with those other (LAC) threads that there were many in CA but I'm trying to avoid that. I was just trying to refine my search by posting my own thread so I could keep the suggestions organized.</p>

<p>LAC= liberal arts college. There's a broad spectrum of knowledge across all types of programs in the music majors forum and specific music experience and expertise.</p>