<p>I suppose I should start off by introducing myself. I am a sophomore at Temple University who grew up overseas in a small community of American expatriates. When applying for colleges I wanted to find a school that would force me to grow as a person and learn to stand on my own two feet independently in contrast to the close-knit community I grew up in, and while Temple has succeeded in making me a more confident person, the general demeanor the student body is beginning to make me feel constricted and academically uninspired, and I think it's time for a change.</p>
<p>Now that I've achieved the level of personal growth that was my goal when I decided to attend a large state school, I'd like to turn my attention to focusing more on academic development in a scholastic community that more closely resembles my high school environment, where students work closely with both each other and their teachers to succeed in a setting that is challenging while at the same time being a good place to meet people and form strong relationships.</p>
<p>Because I can't really call anywhere in the USA my home, the location doesn't really matter to me, though the East Coast is where I've been focusing most of my search. Currently the schools that I'm looking at most closely are Bucknell, Lehigh, and Lewis & Clark, but there are so many schools to choose from out there that I figured I really should ask for help. Right now my intent is to study Chemistry/Chemical Engineering and continue to grad school after college, potentially doing a few years in the Peace Corps between the two. I am an Eagle Scout, I can speak Dutch, English, some French, and some Arabic and am reasonably involved in both music and sports at my school. I'd really just like to find a place where the atmosphere is both laid back and studious, preferably a small school with a nice campus and a good reputation... I suppose a liberal attitude would be a plus. I've tried several college search/match sites and I just can't help but think that advice from people is what I need right now. Any and all criticism, advice, and feedback would be greatly appreciated.</p>
That’s your typical LAC 3-2 program (i.e. engineering degree from another college, not Gettysburg). Among the schools mentioned, Bucknell and Lafayette are LACs that offer ABET-accredited engineering. Most of the others offer engineering as well, but not Gettysburg.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help, everyone. Sorry it took me so long to reply. I’ve added Lafayette to my shortlist for schools to contact and apply to. I’m also currently looking into Trinity College and WPI. Ideally I’d like to apply to five schools and I might throw an application to UPenn if I’m feeling confident, though last semester was particularly weak as I tried out business as a major and realized I hated it.</p>
<p>Are there any tidbits of advice you all might have to a student like me, either in the form of school suggestions or ways of strengthening my application? My first two semesters I was averaging about a 3.5 GPA and last semester brought my cumulative closer to a little above a 3.0… I’m not pleased about it but I suppose that’s just life. I’ve decided to limit my search to the East Coast primarily just so my parents who still live overseas can have some peace of mind knowing that my extended family is relatively nearby in case of an emergency.</p>