<p>I currently attend the Honors College at Clemson University in South Carolina. I do not like it here and am looking to transfer. I graduated high school 1st in my class. I don't have the test scores to match my grades/work ethic, but they really aren't awful. They kept me out of some of the top southern research universities (Emory, Chapel Hill) when I was first applying, but I'm not sure that matters as much now that I am a transfer student. Also, my college grades so far have been outstanding and my workload impressive. My perfect college:</p>
<p>-NO GODDAMN GREEK LIFE
-NO GODDAMN FOOTBALL (or, at least, I don't want everything to revolve around football.)
-liberal AF
-strong biology/pharmacy program
-in a pretty place. I'm very outdoorsy but rural is not a must. Just would prefer access to nature.
-strong financial aid prospects
-lots of community service</p>
<p>Not really sold on the LAC thing, but if someone can convince me that I will get the same quality of education at a top LAC, I just might bite.</p>
<p>Overall, I just want somewhere strong academically that isn't super "southern" and has happy, healthy students who aren't simultaneously drunk and mindless all of the time.</p>
<p>Please, please, please help out!</p>
<p>Did you mean liberal FA rather than liberal AF? How much can your family afford? What is your home state? Your test scores will probably matter until you finish your Soph year of college.</p>
<p>meant liberal “as ****”… sorry. </p>
<p>Very liberal*</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure they’re willing to pay what they can but I am hoping to qualify for aid and would like to maximize those chances.</p>
<p>Home state is South Carolina.</p>
<p>Test scores aren’t that bad. I will finish up first semester as Sophomore at least.</p>
<p>I basically just need some leads. It’s difficult to decipher the validity of certain information, especially as it pertains to the strength of science programs.</p>
<p>I’m willing to look into many different types of schools, I just know what I DON’T want.</p>
<p>For some reason, you seem skeptical of LACs. The LACs vs big uni thing has been beaten to death on CC, but as someone who attended big unis (an ivy and a big 10), I’m thrilled with the superior (in my view) education my kids are getting at LACs. </p>
<p>As for your question, take a look at Carleton, Grinnell and Reed. All have great academics and no Greek system. The first two have football teams, but no one takes them too seriously, and the players are serious students first and foremost.</p>
<p>On the downside (and this may be a deal breaker for you) FA for transfer students is often not very good at many schools.</p>
<p>Thank you for the suggestions.</p>
<p>Would you say that Carleton/Grinnell are top LAC choices for those partial to the hard sciences?</p>
<p>Yes. Both are very high in students who go on to get doctorate degrees In hard sciences.</p>
<p>You might also look at Harvey Mudd, which I think of as a mini Cal Tech.</p>
<p>University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. It’s in a city but borders a large, well-used public park. Lots of hiking and outdoor activity are within biking distance. No football. Very serious, career-oriented students. Used to be Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science; several pharmaceutical company founders are graduates.</p>
<p>Also check the list of SAT/ACT-optional schools somewhere on this website.</p>
<p>Sounds like several LACs are <em>perfect</em> fits for you (unless pharm. as a major is a complete must). </p>
<p>Williams
Reed
Grinnell
Carleton
Hampshire
Amherst
Swarthmore
Oberlin</p>
<p>As for this: “if someone can convince me that I will get the same quality of education at a top LAC,” well, no. You won’t get the same quality of education; you’ll get a far superior quality of education (at any of the schools above).</p>
<p>Since transfer students often do NOT get much/great aid, do NOT cut ties with your current school until you’ve gone over the aid pkgs with your parents. Continue to register for classes, etc, until you’re certain that the new school will be affordable. </p>
<p>As for football…, then right now football may be dominating the social scene, but that will soon change. Homegame weekends can seem crazy when 80,000 fans descend upon a campus. </p>
<p>Ask your parents how much they’ll pay at another school. Have them run some NPCs on various websites. Be sure to indicate that you’re a transfer student. Depending on your parents income/assets, schools may expect them to pay more than they’re willing to pay. </p>
<p>What is your current GPA?</p>
<p>No football, lots of cranky, smart women who are headed to grad school, decent transfer aid, suburban or semi-rural environments: Bryn Mawr, Mt. Holyoke, Smith, Wellesley. I graduated from one of these, and my friend’s daughters graduated from some of the others. Truly, you sound just cranky and driven enough to fit right in. And believe me when I tell you that I mean that in a good way!</p>