<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>A sampling of threads from the past that may help you get started. You can search this forum for the schools you've detailed. Some have been broached before. My experience is in strings, and would bow to the experience of the more vocal knowledgeable folks here in suggesting strong choices for a non-major.</p>
<p>Oberlin sounds like it would be a good fit. </p>
<p>You might also look into Appalachian State in Boone, NC. It's a nice, compact campus and Boone is a funky little college town. ASU has an award-winning program for freshmen, to help acclimate them to college life and to help them focus on their goals. ASU is kind of an "old school" college atmosphere: less an education machine, and more the sense that professors care about you, and care about teaching.</p>
<p>I might be considering a music minor. Thanks for your help.
I'm mainly looking for LACs that have music scholarships available and my criteria above.</p>
<p>I think your stats are low for some of these options, including Oberlin and Bard; also, I don't know if the Bard conservatory has voice studies...</p>
<p>If you are a female, these grades will keep you out of many of these schools. (The grades themselves from a challenging secondary school academic program might not be problematic, but combined with unimpressive test scores, you do not show promise of performing well in a competitive LAC setting.) If you are a male, you might have a chance if you are a fine singer. However, if you are not a voice major, that will not help you with admissions. Talent/merit scholarships are not often available to non-music majors in the voice area.</p>
<p>If you are already "in" at Ithaca, why not consider their "Music and an outside field" Degree. I remember them speaking of this as an option when D went to visit/audition. Seems like it might allow you more academic options outside of music, but you still get a BM. Perhaps not as rigorous (?) as some of the other dual degree programs frequently mentioned here- Oberlin, Peabody/Hopkins etc. </p>
<p>I know my stats are quite low for these competitive LACs. If I improve my ACT dramatically for the second time do you think this will change my chances? I am really interested in Skidmore even though the things I have heard about it. What do you think I would have to do to get in there.
musmom; thank you so much for bringing my attention to that degree! I didn't even know that was available.</p>
<p>How about Northeastern, you can also take classes at Berklee while attending. My son was a bit like you, but still passionate about music. I always thought the University of Miami would have been great. Not that close to home for you but a definite change. I think Bard would probably take you but visit first, it is very small and not for everybody. If you want to venture farther west Univeristy of Puget Sound. Sonoma State has a good liberal arts program and a very good music program. Good luck! D also applying to Skidmore, a reach, but these days you never know.</p>
<p>You should also check out Goucher, north of Baltimore, depending on how intense a music program you want. It's a good LAC with a small but strong vocal music program, and the campus atmosphere definitely fits the vibe you are looking for. They offer some good scholarship money for arts students, too, through their Rosenberg Scholarship competition. They instituted a study-abroad requirement a year ago, which gives you lots of options. I know a young man who is currently getting his PhD in ethnomusicology after getting the BA at Goucher (he studied organ and piano but is also accomplished on about 15 instruments, including the Irish bagpipes). He could have gone just about anywhere but was extremely happy with his experience at Goucher. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks ZappaMom!
Ive heard mixed reviews about Goucher, a lot of people from my school check it out. This sounds like a good fit though, I'll definetly add it to my list!</p>
<p>I can comment a little bit on Bates College! I'm from Maine and know the area well around Bates. First of all, if you're looking for the "hipster/hippy" type atmosphere, Bates is NOT the place to go. It is very traditional and preppy and a bit on the conservative side. Also, I wouldn't recommend going there for music. The Lewiston/Auburn area is also not very visually appealing. It's an old mill town, struggling to keep afloat in these hard times. Not too much to do for a college student. Colby College or even Bowdoin College would be better Maine private schools for music. </p>
<p>I hope this helps! PM me if you need more info!</p>
<p>Just FYI, while Northeastern and Berklee are indeed near one another, they are not in the same consortium so I'm not sure how easy it would be to just "take classes at Berklee" ... Berklee IS in the consortium with Emerson, however ... a good LAC.</p>
<p>You might want to look into College of Wooster in Ohio. They offer scholarships for students studying music (It is required to study music, though, if you get a scholarship.) They have a bunch of music-related majors - things like music history or music therapy, for instance, along with BA, music minor, and double majors that include music. You can even study bagpipes! You might find a way to use your music in combination with other interests.</p>
<p>We visited COW, and really liked it. Our tour guide was a vegan, who lived in a house that had a coffee house that she and her housemates ran. I got the impression the school was not just "one kind of people". </p>
<p>It may be too small for you - only about 1800 people. ACT averages between 23-29.</p>
<p>theperformer; Thank you so much for the information on Bates! Whew, I'm glad you told me that! I've been to Maine a few times before and I love it :) Thank you for all your help!</p>
<p>pamelamaesnap; Thank you for that information and your help! I have considered Emerson.</p>
<p>binx; That sounds like a really interesting college and atmosphere, thank you for bringing it to my attention.
I am so glad that I have this help from this forum, I am learning so much!</p>
<p>Emerson was lovely. They don't really have music per se, but as mentioned above can go to Berklee. That was the best tour we had and the school just looked great. They have a wonderful radio station, great dorms, just a terrific school. I would rather go there than Bard. But I will say it again some of those west coast schools have the environment, the landscape, the academics and the relaxed atmosphere.</p>
<p>iamsoconfused; Well, well that sounds like a shining review of Emerson! I've heard the Emerson is primarily a musical theater school but since I would only be doing a minor this wouldnt be such an issue. Thank you for your help!</p>
<p>Just to let you guys know here are some other places I've considered:
Sarah Lawrence
Williams
Middlebury [reach]
Connecticut College [probably a reach as well]</p>
<p>Do any of you have any information on these schools?</p>
<p>I also can give you some information on both Williams and Sarah Lawrence! I have family that attend both! These schools are generally considered stronger in theater than in music. Sarah Lawrence has excellent faculty that spend a lot of time with individual students and are very involved in a mentoring/advisor system. Although, you would come out with a BA in Liberal Arts, not a specific major, because of the create your own "major" type place that it is. </p>
<p>Williams is famous for their excellent theater program. They host a summer stock professional theater company that even stars like Gwyneth Paltrow have attended! </p>
<p>Both are strong in theater, music is less of a focus.</p>