Troubled. Where should I be looking ?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello!
I am having an extremely difficult time deciding where I want to attend college. I'm not sure I know where to look. </p>

<p>I have been interested in Oberlin College, Boston U, Vanderbilt, Indiana Bloomington (in-state tuition), and Wheaton (for the parents). These are all good schools, I just don't know if I am looking in the right places. I haven't had much to compare myself to, so I don't know what caliber of student I am and what schools I should be looking at or have a chance of getting into. Any insight would be extraordinarily helpful. </p>

<p>Honestly, I just do not know where I will be in the best position to realize my potential. I am extremely passionate about English and Psychology and would like to pursue a post graduate degree in psycho or cognitive linguistics. </p>

<p>For four years I have seriously studied voice, and though I am gifted and genuinely enjoy performing, I don't know that I can see myself pursuing a career in music. Because much of my time during high school has been spent investing in my vocal studies I feel silly not applying to a conservatory; I just don't think I'd be happy. </p>

<p>My current stats -
GPA- 4.0</p>

<p>SAT- W: 800 R: 790 M: 720 (2310)</p>

<p>I've transferred secondary schools three times and the class choices at the school I am at this year are extremely limited.. extremely limited. (I'm a little embarrassed, actually.) </p>

<p>Credits-</p>

<p>English 4 (all honors, senior year dual-credit)
Foreign language 3
History 4 (AP junior year, honors not offered all others)
Math 5 (all honors, senior Calculus dual-credit)
Science 3 (all honors, no other science class offered for me to take senior year)
Fine arts electives 7 (several honors)
Bible 4 (last year dual-credit) I have attended religious, private schools where Bible is a requirement. </p>

<p>EC - I have participated in area, state, and regional choirs, vocal competitions, and music festivals. I have tutored middle school students in English and Math since my freshman year. I volunteer at the library promoting child literacy for approximately four hours a week. I'm a member of MENSA. As well, I was accepted into Governor's School though my parents decided not to let me go at the last minute, which I am still upset about. . . </p>

<p>In addition, my writing is very, very strong. I have been told that my essays will be my allure. </p>

<p>Thanks for reading and for any help you can provide.
(Sorry if this is obnoxiously long.)</p>

2

<p>Well, your stats are top on the line. So that’s one less thing to worry about. </p>

<p>A school with an excellent music program is a great idea. You have made some very good choices with Oberlin, Boston University, and Indiana/Bloomington. From my own personal experience, I know it isn’t wise to stop studying music if you have been doing it for a few years, you love it, and your social center is there. But you don’t have to major in it if you don’t want to: perform, take lessons, take electives, sing in the choir. Being a music major takes commitment and heart in the program. If that’s not where you are at right now, a major in music isn’t a good idea. Your thinking is right.</p>

<p>There are so many schools out there that would be a great fit for you with what you have told us: Michigan, NYU, University of Rochester are a few more to consider. </p>

<p>I have one more honest suggestion; a big reach, but a true fit for you: Yale.</p>

3

<p>Also consider Lawrence.</p>

4

<p>You could help us help you by defining a bit more what kind of environment you thrive in. Think about:</p>

<p>a) size of school
b) geographic location (which part of the county) and weather, urban/rural/suburban
c) culture: liberal/moderate/conservative; frats and sororities a plus or minus; religious affiliation; preppy vs. jock vs. artsy vs granola vs. individualist/quirky vs. intellectual (find some adjectives…)
d) any special programs, interests, requirements</p>

<p>You can do English and Psychology anywhere. The better you know yourself, the more helpful we can be.</p>

5

<p>Thank you for the recommendations… I’ll research them. </p>

<p>I’ve thought about applying to either Yale or Harvard. I’m just very scared of a rejection letter, I guess. The school that I transferred to this year is a little… … not what I’m used to. I’m stuck taking maddeningly easy filler classes. I would have just graduated early but I moved to a new state where they require basic classes to graduate, none of which are offered for honors credit: personal finance, (an additional) P.E. credit, communications, economics, and a repeat government class. As well, they don’t offer A.P. classes. Therefore, I don’t think that my transcripts meet rigorous ivy league expectations. There are so many students that are infinitely more well qualified than I am, is it worth the $75 application fee? </p>

<p>I’ve though about trying to transfer to Yale as a sophomore. Any thoughts on that ?</p>

6

<p>I think that I would prefer a smaller school, one where I feel like I am part of a academic community.
I would prefer to be mid-west to east coast. I hate sticky heat and love cold, rainy, melancholy weather.
Fraternities and sororities, religious affiliations, and athletics are not at all important to me.
Honestly, I’m a bit of a loner. I want to go somewhere where I am surrounded by diverse, intelligent, free-thinking intellectuals and am appreciated for my own mind and abilities. I don’t want to feel pressured to be incredibly social.<br>
I’m extremely interested in studying abroad, and a double major option is an absolute necessity.</p>

7

<p>Well, then Oberlin it is!</p>

8

<p>Try some of the MidWest LACs: Denison, Kenyon, Earlham, Knox, Grinnell, Beloit, Kalamazoo.</p>

9

<p>Agree totally with Erin’s Dad, look closely at the midwest LACs. Kalamazoo has a strong English department but all of them are great schools and attract many kids like you. Check to see if they will let you participate with your music. A million bazillion years ago when I was in college I didn’t want to give up my music (piano and a couple other instruments) and totally enjoyed playing with the college orchestra and the local “city” orchestra but I was not interested in majoring in music. I can’t imagine it’s that difficult in this day and age either, so it’s a great question for the admin people who would probably love to give you an answer. Wheaton is a fabulous school but very self selecting, best visit to see if it’s for you.</p>

10

<p>More schools to look at ! Thank you for your help. </p>

<p>I’m planning on visiting Wheaton very soon to see what I think. </p>

<p>pageturner: Yes, that’s what I keep thinking and at the end of the day and through the stress, what I’m most excited about. Funny though, my dad just said “it’s too liberal… no way.” So we’ll see.</p>

11

<p>With the music interest, Oberlin and Lawrence would seem to be really good choices.</p>

12

<p>Two more midwestern LACs: Carleton and St. Olafs (the latter well known for music and a bit more conservative than the rest). </p>

<p>And why be scared of a rejection letter? They don’t bite. 90% of the kids who apply to Harvard and Yale get one and they all seem to survive the experience. Consider it to be like playing the lottery-as long as you’re reasonably competitive, you can toss an app in and see what happens.</p>

13

<p>Effascination. You have a good list of choices and suggestions. If you are interested in Oberlin, I would definitely take a visit there. Oberline has a three week term in January that is a wonderful opportunity for study abroad. It is a fascinating school but it has a liberal bent and is not for everyone. Kenyon is a popular choice for those looking for a more traditional alternative to Oberlin. If you’re interested in Yale, I would apply now because I don’t think transferring as a sophomore is a better alternative. I also would not rule out larger universities such as Michigan - it has an excellent music school, a world class glee club and plenty of intelligent, free-thinking intellectuals and if you do not want to feel pressured to be social it is sometimes easier to find your place in a larger crowd rather than a smaller environment where everyone knows everyone else.</p>

14

<p>It sounds like you have very good suggestions for LAC’s in the midwest – Beloit, Carleton, Grinnell, Kalamazoo, Earlham, Lawrence, Oberlin.</p>

<p>Further east, with your interests and qualifications, I suggest that you look at Swathmore, Haverford and Bryn Mawr (if you qualify, gender-wise). I think that you would have no trouble finding the intellectual atmosphere that you are looking for.</p>

<p>By the way, what is “Governors School”? I am a fellow Hoosier and have never heard of this. Just curious.</p>

15

<p>Another vote for Oberlin and Lawrence.</p>

<p>Or, the University of Chicago. They’ve got that cold, rainy, melancholy thing down to a science (although the campus is quite beautiful, if you like gothic). You won’t be pressured to be incredibly social there; it’s just enough bigger than the average LAC to offer a little anonymity (when you need it) as well as more course offerings. Your Dad can’t really complain that it’s too liberal (though it’s not at all as conservative as its famous economics department might project). Good linguistics department (which many LACs don’t offer at all.) For whatever it’s worth, the last NRC assessments (1995) rated its graduate music department #2 in the country.
[Department</a> of Music | The University of Chicago](<a href=“http://music.uchicago.edu/]Department”>http://music.uchicago.edu/)</p>

16

<p>I have two questions for you: have you had the money talk with your parents, as in “will they let you go to a school that costs more than IU in-state?” And, would they let you go to a school that is more liberal than, say, Wheaton? I have to think that Oberlin would freak out most conservative parents.</p>

17

<p>If the school can’t be more liberal than Wheaton, the OP will be looking at Wheaton, Liberty, Hinsdale Bob Jones and maybe a couple of other schools.</p>