<p>I'm looking for schools that have a strong academic reputation but where students help and cooperate each other. </p>
<p>A little info about me:
GPA: 3.95
ACT (took it again on 9/12, but the scores are not out yet): 27, 28
school doesn't rank.
play the oboe in my school's top music class
in the key club and the chamber music club
volunteered as a teacher's assistant at a cram school
volunteered at a local hospital
volunteered as a counselor at a summer camp
took 2 AP courses last year and got fours on both
taking 3 APs this year (chem, stat, lit)
attending one of the top public high schools in New Jersey (where I live)</p>
<p>I found that I really can't function in a competitive environment, so I NEED to go to a laid back school. Right now, my top choice is Tufts(which I heard has a similar school atmosphere to that of Brown), but I don't know if I can get in with my numbers. I don't really care about how well known the school is as long as its got strong academics (I used big name colleges to familiarize what kind of environment I'm looking for). </p>
<p>What are some other schools with a noncompetitive, laid back, but focused environment?</p>
<p>Wow, Reed is one of the least laidback schools in the country. Its workload is probably the heaviest in the nation (close call between it and caltech). It is not cut throat but it definitely is not a “laid back” low stress environment.</p>
<p>And the OPs test scores are pretty low for Reed right now.</p>
<p>Clarify on laid back, do you want rigorous academics, workhard/partyhard or easy prestige school?</p>
<p>You should really look outside the east coast. almost every college east of the Mississippi that might possibly have the balance (academics/laid back) you’re looking for would be a reach for you.</p>
The OP mentioned “strong academic reputation but where students help and cooperate each other” which Reed certainly has. I do not think he meant laid back in the apathetic sense, but more in the liberal and not wound up sense. That was my interpretation anyway. I think he would have a chance at Reed, they have a very holistic approach to admissions, especially if his essays and LORs were good.</p>
<p>I am from New Jersey too, I go to Wake Forest University. I did not want a hyper competitive environment and Wake Forest is not super competitive save some pre-med kids. Wake Forest has a great academic reputation and is SAT optional. PM me if you have more questions.</p>
<p>SmallcollegeFTW, when I said “laidback” I meant a school where students aren’t focused on grades and test scores all the time—where other people don’t care about your academic performance but are still focused on learning. Sorry for the ambiguity. </p>
<p>I was looking at Reed!!! In fact, I lived in Oregon before I moved to New Jersey three years ago!—but I don’t think I can get in with my test scores.
I’ve heard of wake forest, but don’t know much about that school.
I’ll look into it!!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your suggestions! Any more schools?</p>
<p>Look at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Rice will appear to fit you very well. Your GPA is right up there, but your test scores are low for Rice. If I were you, I would retake the SAT or ACT. If not, still apply but spend a lot of time on your essays. If you have any questions about Rice, feel free to PM me. I’m currently a freshman here.</p>
<p>I have a general question about the application process: can you apply with your current ACT score and update your application with a new ACT score after all the documents are in? Wouldn’t the college take you out of consideration as soon as they see the low ACT score?</p>
<p>No; most colleges take the highest ACT score anyway. You don’t even have to report all your ACT scores on ur application; colleges want you to, but they won’t know that you took it twice as long as you didn’t send the scores to them when registering for the ACT.</p>
<p>Consider Oberlin. The Board of Trustees eliminated honors for graduation in response to student demands, back in the 70s, and hasn’t brought it back since. The argument against noting honors on diplomas was that it would encourage ‘grade grubbing’ and lessen the pure academic spirit of the learning environment. So, if you want a college where students are passionate about learning but not about GPAs, think about Oberlin. I’ve visited Brown and Oberlin, and would say that the ‘vibe’ is similar in both places. Lots of people doing their own thing; nonconformity is the norm. Oberlin is not, however, in the midst of an urban environment, as Brown is, but Cleveland is within a half hour’s drive.</p>
<p>I recommend that you get a copy of “Colleges That Change Lives” by Loren Pope, or his other book “Looking Beyond the Ivy League.” You sound open-minded and realistic about your stats, and you seem to know that Ivies aren’t the be-all and end-all. It’s wonderful that you know what you’re looking for in a school atmosphere.</p>
<p>I agree that you should know what’s important to you about the location and size of the school.</p>
<p>I recommend Lawrence University or Beloit College in WI. Lawrence is a tremendously collaborative school in a well-populated but not urban area, about 90 minutes from Milwaukee (which is a wonderful city!!!). Beloit is about 90 minutes from Chicago. Both have lots and lots of programs and compare with any great small institution. They both are small, less than 2000 students. Macalester in St. Paul, MN would also be a good one for your list. These are very reasonable chances for you.</p>
<p>Good luck with Tufts! My D1 goes there and loves it - you have gotten the right idea about the general atmosphere of respect, friendliness and dedication to their studies. She felt much like you did and had Brown and Brandeis on her list. She got in ED with a 4.0 and a 31 ACT, so she was a bit better off than you are numbers-wise (and benefited from geographical diversity). But you’re close and should try it as a reach.</p>
<p>Also Bard College, if you want to stay in the NY-NJ-MA area. Hampshire. And if you are OK with women’s colleges, Smith, Mount Holyoke or Barnard.</p>
<p>I researched Wesleyan and Hampshire C. and really liked the schools! But…there’s one problem: they don’t give non-need financial aid for music(I play the oboe so I’m hoping to get some financial aid from that)…so, I don’t think I can apply to those places because financial aid is one of my top priorities…</p>
<p>But Vassar and Oberlin seems like nice schools. I still need to do more research on those schools though. </p>
<p>So, to sum up what I want in a college…
-a noncompetitive environment where the students are passionate about learning
-a school with a music program that gives non-need financial aid for music</p>
<p>and i didn’t mention this before, but I think I want to focus my studies in science/math. so, preferably a school with a strong math/science program. I do want to keep my mind open, however. so if you know a school that fits my first two preferences but not the last one, I still want to know which school.</p>
<p>I’m so glad there are a lot of suggestions! I told my counselor what kind of school I want to attend, and she suggested Virginia Tech…which is like, completely the opposite of what I want. So, basically this is all I have right now!</p>