<p>I have a 4.13 GPA, 800 critical reading, 770 writing, 640 math. I'm a musician and very creative person who wants to go to an artistic school with strong academics. A place where posters are everywhere advocating student bands or comedy troops; a place where STUDENTS create entertainment, not rely on visiting groups etc.</p>
<p>I've been studying guitar and composition for about 9 years, and my band's music may soon be placed in a feature film... we're so excited about this. I also volunteer as a tutor at a highschool because I'm interested in education. I also love languages; I speak French semi-fluently and just got back from a village in Senegal, where I began learning their native language Pulaar. I want to keep learning it!</p>
<p>I'm looking at Wesleyan, Vassar, and Oberlin. And any other places you think might fit me?</p>
<p>My brother goes to Williams, but it just doesn't seem like the right fit for me. It doesn't feel like it has the vibe I'm looking for. </p>
<p>My dad just lost his job, so I'm trying to target schools with stronger financial aid.</p>
<p>S and I visited Wesleyan recently. It certainly looks like the kind of environment you are describing. The arts are at the heart of the community. One stat that impressed me was that 40% of the student body – no matter their major – will take a dance class at some point. There is a tremendous support for creativity!</p>
<p>I don’t know Oberlin but I can say that Vassar is similar. S has had his art shown there and we have gone there several times for different events. As you know there is a lot of overlap. Vassar students also enjoy a flexible curriculum. They are quite strong in languages, and their financial aid (at least, from their net price calculator) was higher than the aid at Wes. This said, Vassar’s aid looks to be entirely need-based and Wes’ has some limited merit scholarships? Vassar’s net price calc did not show loans, Wes’ did.</p>
<p>They are both great schools, and sound like wonderful places for you. The climate at Wes seems more intense and we are particularly interested in it because it is also strong in Math (grad program). Vassar has a charm of its own, and is in easy reach by metro train line to NYC.</p>
<p>For less selective, similar vibe schools, the one that easily comes to mind is Purchase. If you are a NY resident it would be affordable; if you are not, you should look into it (again, use net price calc). Skidmore if you find there is enough music there for you.</p>
<p>PS Again - Bard? Sarah Lawrence? Not so sure that fin aid at either of these places will be as strong as the others, but you might look into it.</p>
<p>From what I have read, Wesleyan’s endowment is not as large as some other comparable schools. They changed from need blind to need aware last year. So, it does seem like their financial aid may be less than other schools.</p>
<p>My daughter had all of these schools on her list, but ultimately chose Bard for its Writing program. She sat in on classes at all of the schools and liked the intensity at Bard. It’s been a great choice for her. It’s a bit easier to get into than Wes or Vassar, but in many ways a more intense place once you are there, from what she’s heard.</p>
<p>Just a quick clarification - Wesleyan has only need-based aid. The single merit scholarship offered is the Freeman Scholars program for international students. Kenyon and Macalester are great options, perhaps also look into Carleton and Grinnell.</p>
<p>there are kids who smoke pot or drink or do drugs everywhere. There are stoners, for sure, at Bard…and at Wesleyan, and Vassar…both schools my kids visited. What she likes about Bard (and what’s impressed this Williams graduate) is a different kind of seriousness in the professors and academics. The kids I’ve met there (and I’ve met a lot of them) are not cookie-cutter achievers, that’s for sure. The tend to be more questioning, a little more intellectually brave…honestly the way kids at Brown and Wes used to be before they were so hard to get into…[Bard</a> College Profile - About Bard College - Town & Country Magazine](<a href=“http://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/bard-college-profile]Bard”>Bard College Profile - About Bard College)</p>