Vassar vs. Wellesley vs. Smith vs. Middlebury

Hey there! Looking for advice on which college to attend. I was admitted to several colleges, but as it stands Wellesely, Vassar, Smith and Middlebury are my top choices (still waiting for Brown and Reed-- but I’m assuming I won’t get into Brown).

About me: I’m interested in politics, international affairs, but also documentary film-making/photography and conceptual art. I think I’d like to go into journalism in the future. Extra-circulars I do are interning at a social advocacy law firm where I take photos/make videos, president of my Model United Nations team, diversity club, and queer-straight alliance. My biggest concern with this process is finding a school that is academically rigorous, while not overbearing. Yet, I don’t want to go to a school that is a liberal echo-chamber. Although I identify as a democrat I want to go somewhere that my views will be challenged, and do am afraid of “PC” over-censorship. I’m not sure if I’d actually go to Middlebury, I’m really not preppy at all (listen to indie music, dress alternatively, etc.) and feel as though I won’t fit in there. I’m also a lesbian-- but as I understand it all these schools are pretty accepting. I love Wellesley for its academics and the shared intellectually curiosity, but do worry if even there its too preppy or if the rigor dissuades people form exploring the arts. I like smith and vassar but worry they both might be liberal echo chambers where my intellectual growth my be limited.

I think you would like Vassar and Smith more than the others but you have great options. Amherst and Northampton are ’ film’ towns and Smith is right in the midst of it. There is alot happening right on campus in film at Vassar. The arts side of education is embraced at both of these schools.