Hi all, so my parents surprised me and told me that I need to make my college decision and put down a deposit TODAY. So Basically, I am debating between Lewis & Clark and Bard. Similar in a lot of ways, and different in many other ways. Some info about me::: I’m from California (Los Angeles) but i’m not too concerned over the difference between West coast and East coast. I am interested in Psychology, Photography, Environmental studies, and Gender studies. I’m pretty passionate about all of those and would love to take courses in or at least become involved in organizations that are centered around those areas of study. I’m a hard-worker but very undecided about what I want to do with my life (from what I know about both of these schools, they seem to have students like me so I’m not TOO worried about that). I come from an arts high school and love being surrounded by passionate, creative, and spunky kids, so I would love a similar atmosphere. I would love to hear any opinions/ personal experiences!! You will be helping a struggling, stressed-out girl:-)
All I can say is that I walked the Lewis & Clark campus and thought it was lovely and that its students looked particularly happy.
but there’s not much science behind my opinion. 
Also nothing too substantive - my niece attended Bard and loved it. She studied psychology, played music, tennis and is service oriented. I would say your adjectives for a desired study body are similar to what she is like. I have no idea if the rest of the student body reflected those attributes - she is very independent.
Did you visit either? What did you think? One advantage of L&C for you is being able to get home easily for Thanksgiving, Spring Break… flights from Portland to LA are much easier/shorter than NYC to LA. And I don’t even know how long it takes to get to a major airport from Bard.
But if that’s not an issue I don’t know. Lewis and Clark was one of my daughter’s top 3 choices and seems like a great fit for what you are after. I guess when it came down to Willamette vs Lewis and Clark for my daughter, she went with Willamette based on her visit during the admitted student days. Hopefully you’ve had a chance to get on both campuses. I don’t think it would hurt to go with your gut… I think they’d both be good options.
I guess one other question… are you tired of Californians? ;-). The Oregon schools draw mostly west-coast kids, including a very large CA contingent.
@SouthernHope @singermom4 @washugrad thank you all for your responses!
and @washugrad I did visit both schools! I toured Bard last summer, but despite it being pretty much barren, I still found the school very beautiful (although the remote location makes me a teensy bit nervous). As for Lewis & Clark, I just visited last weekend and had a lovely experience. I don’t know, both attract me for different reasons, I guess. And to answer your second question: I don’t think I’m tired of Californians necessarily, but I do kind of want to get away from the Los Angeles mentality. When I visited L&C, I did meet a handful of kids that did come from California, but all of them were from up North where there is a VERY different attitude than that of LA.
Bard is a bit out in the boonies but it is a beautiful area with tons of environmental stuff going on in the Hudson Valley (think Pete Seeger). Definitely a different weather vibe. I know kids from Northern Cal who went to Bard and loved it.
My D attended L&C and my wife’s nephew attends Bard now. Both loved/love their schools. L&C will have a lot more activities available due to the location (Portland) and the bus system running down town. I would say both have things happening around campus all the time. If you can afford either one I think you’ll be happy no matter the choice.
It sounds like you’ll do wonderfully at both. Bard’s photography department is stronger - one of the best anywhere - but it’s also competitive and audition based for the major. There wouldn’t be any issues taking classes and/or majoring in your other interests. And I do know students who have double majored in photography - it’s just you’d want to start taking classes in it freshman year to get in at the ground level.
Both choices are great - you won’t go wrong with either. Have you looked at the actual course lists to see what you’d be taking next fall, for instance? Sometimes that helps differentiate the schools.
BARD for sure!
Spending time in another part of the country and the people there can be a good thing and broaden your understanding of human nature, rather than staying in your comfort zone (West coast). Not being as close to home can actually help remove a crutch during college and grow you as a person. Since you don’t have a strong preference either way, I’d say go to Bard for that reason. Also, Bard’s approach to academics is particularly appealing for those interested in humanities. But if being in a city is important to you, then L&C.