<p>I'm a current freshman at the U of Minnesota (Carlson school of management and honors program). I hate the social atmosphere. The frats are too much, the drinking is too much, there are too many kids, and its too loud all the time. Classes (even honors) are too easy. I entered with 38 credits (sophomore status) but I'm not surrounded by like minded students. In high school I had wanted to go to Middlebury or Colgate (was accepted to both) but couldn't afford it. My financial position has changed, I can afford to pay for a private school between 30 and 50k now. That said, I'm looking for a different mold of school now.</p>
<p>I don't want to go to a small school (<3k students). From what I have heard from high school friends, it isn't uncommon for these schools to develop social groups, and honestly I have no motivation to spend the next 3 years as "transfer kid." I also want to avoid pretentiousness and cockiness. I'm talking about the wealthy, preppy type students you would find at BC, Colgate, etc. </p>
<p>My HS academics are strong. I had a 4.13 GPA, IB diploma recipient, 33 ACT. In college I have a 4.0 first semester GPA. </p>
<p>What schools (midsized, smaller than the U of Minnesota but more than 3-4k students) would you place into this category? I was thinking UVA and UNC Chapel Hill as examples. I want a challenge. I want to be surrounded by motivated students. I don't want to be surrounded by money and pompous attitude. I was thinking about the Ivy league as well (Brown?) and liked the size and academic opportunities at schools like Brown, Dartmouth, etc but am worried about the students and their ego. I want to get out of the city, into a group of accepting, motivated students who aren't necessarily all as rich as Donald Trump. Advice?</p>