<p>It's called "LACs fight back" list. LOL! FYI: interestedadd's D goes to a LAC if I am not mistaken.</p>
<p>I agree that the list is one of the many things one can look at. But somehow it seems like interestedadd's ONLY list that he keeps throwing around all over the CC board. ;) Note how Stanford, renowned for psych, is listed only #34 on that list.</p>
<p>It's pretty simple. Stanford would probably be higher on the list if it produced more PhDs in social sciences per 1000 grads. However, 34 social science PhDs per 1000 grads is a pretty large number, especially for such a large undergrad population.</p>
<p>BTW, please feel free to ignore the list if you prefer.</p>
<p>I don't think there's anything wrong with the data ID shares: sometimes it hurts to know the truth, especially when it conflicts with our long-held beliefs. I'm a big fan of LACs too, but I must admit that I've been surprised at times by the PHD productivity rate numbers. I do think the way the data is presented is useful because it compares apples with apples by looking at per 1000 numbers. But, like all data and research, this is just another point of reference, and there are many factors to consider as well, as I'm sure ID would agree. I would never say that everyone should go to an LAC, just as I would never say that a large research university is right for every person. Again, I'm sure ID would agree with me there as well. :)</p>
<p>I really felt the suburban environment at Reed and Lewis and Clark. >></p>
<p>It's hard to beat Portland, isn't it? My daughter has kept Lewis and Clark on her list for the past six months just because she isn't willing to let Portland go. I think it would be a terrific place to go to school for four years.</p>
<p>There's nothing wrong with not wanting a rural location and preferring warmer to colder--both are, in fact, important considerations to know about yourself. What else are you looking for? We know you'd prefer smaller rather than larger, suburban or urban, a strong social sciences programs. What other factors are important to you? How would you describe yourself to some one who doesn't know you? Would a Greek scene be a total turn off or might you consider it if there are enough independents to balance things out? What do you need to have a good time and lead a happy life? What types of people would you most prefer to be around?</p>
<p>One possible safe match that hasn't been mentioned yet might be Tulane. How about the University of Virginia, Duke or Wake Forest? But, of course, I'm just shooting in the dark without knowing more about you.</p>
<p>What it tells you is that the students who enter tend to be smart, are less likely to have good family connections in the world of business or law, are not intoxicated by the smell of money, and perhaps tend toward being risk-averse in seeking a teaching career. Oh, and the professors like the reputation of cloning themselves, and are not concentrating on their graduate students to accomplish it.</p>
<p>Or it also may be another indicator, like the COHFE Survey, or the PR Survey that, for the equivalent student, you'd get a better education. Do your own due diliegence.</p>
<p>Carolyn, those are excellent questions. Maybe if I try and answer them, it will help you to get a sense of what sort of learning environment I would most thrive in.</p>
<p>How would you describe yourself to some one who doesn't know you?
- Individualistic, independent, idealistic, thoughtful, introverted though opinionated, passionate, articulate, intellectual, active, an old soul...Essentially I prefer to be on my own, deplore ignorance, strive to educate myself, and pretty much enjoy active discussion. (I learned a lot about myself this summer at a Leadership Awards Camp; I would not otherwise be rattling off adjectives...haha)</p>
<p>Would a Greek scene be a total turn off or might you consider it if there are enough independents to balance things out?
- It depends on the level of the Greek presence. As my description indicates, I pretty much have no interest in a party scene. I am perfectly happy to be on my own with just my family and close friends, and am fine with just books if friends aren't around (as both of my closest friends are at college summer programs, I have learned this). I don't drink or smoke and have no interest in starting, or being in that environment. While I know that I can certainly extricate myself from that segment of a school's population, I would prefer that the vibe is that even if people ab-use substances, they don't pressure it on others (I actually found at Reed this to be the case, and wasn't bothered by the pot smoking during the outdoor classes and such, and I had a chat with my interviewer about the substance situation, and she was a non-user who fit in just fine). In terms of Greek life, I would also prefer that sports do not rule the university, or play a large part in the entertainment. (I have been to the "big game" at Berkeley with my dad several times, and would not enjoy having that be a part of college for me). </p>
<p>What do you need to have a good time and lead a happy life? What types of people would you most prefer to be around?
I prefer to be around other people who also enjoy spending their weekend evenings sitting around and drinking coffee, or going to poetry readings, low-key concerts, and quirky films. My friends in high school enjoy doing these things, and we interrupt our rampant studying with movie nights and such. I really would rather be somewhere where it isn't uncommon to prefer to just take a long walk and talk. </p>
<p>I also might add that I am a reform Jew, and I enjoy going to Friday night services. It's not so much essential that there is a large Jewish community, because I probably wouldn't enjoy going to socials and events, but access to a reform synagogue would be preferable.</p>
<p>Oh, and Carolyn-- Portland is extremely hard to let go of. I loved it every moment I was there, from the clean air to the greenery (two things I ADORE) to the constant drizzle (I love cool weather) to the culture. I also have family there, another plus.</p>
<p>I am not intolerant of people who aren't like me, obviously I'm not really your average high-schooler, but that's fine with me. I just want to get a sense of what my best bets are for schools. I understand that no school caters to me personally, and I wouldn't want to limit myself to other people explicitly like me. However, that says a bit more about me as a student.</p>
<p>I should add that I liked Reed's evaluations (no-grade) policy, and prefer a non-competitive environment. I compete within myself, challenging myself to go beyond my own bounds, rather than letting others determine my standards.</p>
<p>Rebecca I love you!</p>
<p>reading_is</p>
<p>Given the additional information I guess I wouldn't suggest schools in rural and small-town environments, particularly if frats and sororities are present. But I would not favor suburban over urban or vice versa. . .either would offer access to religous activities. I guess I would focus on the individual campuses and their cultures.</p>
<p>So, urban and suburban mid-sized unis and LACs strong across the social sciences. . most are already identified on this thread: Swarthmore, Haverford, U of Chicago, Northwestern, Reed, Pomona, Macalester etc. Add Barnard (if F), Washington University in St. Louis and Emory. Assuming strong stats, Beloit (small city; urban character) and Lewis & Clark would be great safety choices, and Pitzer would be worth a look.</p>
<p>Pomona and Pitzer are out, I don't like the Southern California environment of the Claremonts. Macalester I liked, but location/weather is too much. Not interested in NYC, so Barnard is out. I'm not very social, so in a weird way I don't really think a women's school will work. I pretty much don't have any hope of getting out and meeting guys unless they are at school. Feel free to prove me wrong, though! Emory, from my research, has not felt right to me. I've considered WashU but don't know all that much about it, all I know is that my friend who got into and will attend Harvard (and got into MIT, CalTech, Princeton) was rejected from WashU. So, um, yeah.</p>