Hi! I’m currently in the process of looking at colleges to apply to and am planning on visiting some that I live around. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice as to what schools I might want to look at.
I’m looking at schools that are pretty selective, but really any school you recommend would be helpful!
Big vs. Small: I’m really torn on this. Part of me feels like I would prefer a small school so I could have more individual attention/not get “lost in the crowd” (because I’m not the type to be overly assertive/aggressive). Another part of me feels like I would enjoy a big school with a lot of school groups and activities so that there are more social options, other opportunities, etc. Having internship/research opportunities would also be really nice. Lately I’ve been leaning toward small to medium sized schools but I’m open.
Nerdiness: I don’t think I would fit into the typical jock party-hard “college scene”. I’m social, but also have somewhat of a nerdy side. I’m open to partying but not over the top, preferably somewhere a little nerdier (but not overly nerdy) but still a good social life.
Friendly: I’m the kind of person that will smile at strangers just because I’m trying to be friendly, and if that’s considered weird at some places that would be a little off-putting.
Greek life: I’m not averse to Greek life. I’m open to it as long as it is somewhat diverse and not overwhelming (schools where Greek life dominates and is full of only super good-looking, non-diverse people intimidate me haha).
Competition: I’m planning to go pre-med, but I’d want to go somewhere that is not overly competitive but has a more supportive atmosphere/safe learning environment. I’ve grown up in a competitive suburban area, if that says anything.
Academics: Somewhere where the professors are helpful, it is easy to get help/guidance, that whole thing. Also I’ve heard scary things about grade deflation so somewhere where it’s not overwhelmingly difficult to get good grades would be nice haha. I want to be able to work hard and see that my efforts result in something good.
Overall: Well, what I guess I’m looking for is a diverse, friendly, smart student body at a school that is not overly competitive, cutthroat, or exceedingly difficult to get good grades in.
Location: I enjoy cities but I also enjoy cute college towns and nature. Schools that are accessible to the city would be nice, although it’s not a must.
Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
Do you have any geographic limitations (region of country, warm weather vs. cool weather, etc.)? Are you male or female (i.e., are all-female or all-male schools in play)?
I may have missed this, but what year of high school will you be entering in the Fall?
Here is a link to Colleges That Change Lives: http://www.ctcl.org/. Some of these schools might be worth looking at.
@gandalf78 weather isn’t a huge factor but preferably not in the midwest. I’ll be a senior, and I have certain schools in mind, but I just wanted to see what other schools came up. I’m a girl haha sorry for not making that clear
@ColdinMinny 2270 SAT 1, 740 Math SAT 2, 790 Bio SAT 2; I don’t know how to unweight my grade but I’ve gotten mostly A’s and a couple of A-'s and 1 B+ in all honors/AP courses
Wesleyan University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio University
Furman University
Wofford College
St. Olaf College
Beloit College
Kansas University
U of Tulsa
U of Rochester
Colorado School of Mines
The University of Rochester, Haverford. If one of these schools has more initial appeal to you, then that will be a guide as to where to look further. Rochester would be likely to offer you a merit scholarship.
The Claremont Consortium colleges might appeal to you, if you’re open to California. Are finances likely to be a major issue? The nice feature about the Claremont colleges is that each has a distinctive flavor, but they share events, facilities, and resources.
OK, so if we are looking at schools strong in pre-med, with solid chances of merit aid with your stats, with a friendly yet nerdy atmosphere, and a de-emphasis on partying/frat atmosphere, here are some schools you should be looking at:
Dickinson College
Denison University
Wooster College
St. Olaf
Rhodes College
St. Olaf
Trinity University (TX)
I would not recommend Furman, as they have reduced merit aid to OOS applicants, and have a very strong Greek presence.
I’m gonna have to disagree with @ColdinMinny, though maybe it comes down to one’s definition of “significant” merit aid. I would contend that a 2270 has a good chance of getting you something in the neighborhood of $12K from either Grinnell or Macalester. Agreed that you’ll get nothing from Haverford, Wesleyan or Pomona, however.
Other cool schools if you’re open to going out west, all of which would probably offer you merit money:
Whitman
U of Puget Sound
Lewis & Clark
Willamette
Whitman is probably the most academically high-powered of that group, and given your stats, may be the best fit.
And, if merit is not a big deal, I think a whole bunch of the top LAC’s in the northeast and elsewhere would potentially be a good fit. Of the ones no one’s mentioned yet:
Carleton
Bates
Bowdoin
Middlebury
I love Carleton (D almost went there) . Definitely on the nerdy/quirky side, super friendly, super smart, unpretentious. Seems like it’d be a great fit based on the criteria you listed. It is, however, in the Midwest and I don’t know if it qualifies as a place where it’s “not overwhelmingly difficult to get good grades” – they do work awfully hard there.
Thanks everyone! I’ll look into all of your suggestions Aid isn’t too much of a significant factor, I think for me it’s more just based on fit/where I can get in
Although I agree with @ColdinMinny that aid for OOS students at Furman has been reduced, I would have to disagree that they have a very strong Greek life in comparison to most schools standards.
