What should I cut off my college list?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I need some help narrowing down my college list, and so I'm wondering if you could comment on the following colleges having what I'm looking for, academically wise, and then maybe a bit about the campus feel and vibe.
Academically I have a 3.9/4.5 GPA and my sat was a 2010, which will hopefully improve some. ECs and courseload are great. I am looking at the history, english/writing, and music departments, along with generally good humanities classes. I also really want a school where I can explore by taking lots of elective types of classes (so less of a core would be great), get involved in different activities and volunteer, participate in music groups & have lessons, and have some cool areas to hang out that aren't just on campus. I'm looking for a school where I can branch out and develop a lot, though I guess that's something that most everyone looks for. My mom summed this up well by saying I can easily go along and do fine in bigger classes, but I need a school that will kind of force me to come out of my shell since i'm not very aggressive, so maybe a smaller college would fit me better though i like some anonymity. Also, I'd like a college where it's ok if I don't party and do drugs/drink and one that has more of a liberal atmosphere. Anyway, here are my choices, which may be a little reach heavy. Some I'm a little unsure about and those are the ones I want to hear the most about. Unfortunately there are some schools on here that I like philosophy-wise but I'm not sure they would be strong matches for the areas I'm interested in.
1. Allegheny
2. Boston University
3. Brandeis
4. Brown
5. Carnegie Mellon
6. Case Western
7. Clark (unsure)
8. College of Wooster
9. George Washington (unsure)
10. Guilford (I really know nothing about this but it sounded neat so really unsure)
11. Northwestern
12. Oberlin
13. Tufts (unsure)
14. University of Chicago (unsure)
15. University of Pittsburgh
16. University of Rochester
17. Vassar
18. Wesleyan (unsure)
19. Yale (unsure since it's a major reach)</p>

<p>Are there any other schools that seem like they fit on the list? Above 1600 students in the top right chunk of the country? Thanks for any comments</p>

2

<ol>
<li>Allegheny KEEP</li>
<li>Boston University KEEP</li>
<li>Brandeis KEEP</li>
<li>Brown KEEP</li>
<li>Carnegie Mellon DROP</li>
<li>Case Western DROP</li>
<li>Clark (unsure) KEEP</li>
<li>College of Wooster DROP</li>
<li>George Washington (unsure) KEEP</li>
<li>Guilford (I really know nothing about this but it sounded neat so really unsure) DROP</li>
<li>Northwestern KEEP</li>
<li>Oberlin DROP</li>
<li>Tufts (unsure) KEEP</li>
<li>University of Chicago (unsure) KEEP</li>
<li>University of Pittsburgh DROP</li>
<li>University of Rochester KEEP</li>
<li>Vassar KEEP</li>
<li>Wesleyan (unsure) DROP</li>
<li>Yale (unsure since it's a major reach) KEEP</li>
</ol>

3

<p>I love the University of Chicago, but if you want more curriculum flexibility it may be one you would drop from your list. It may not be the fit you want since the required core takes up one-third of your courses.</p>

<p>I would keep Clark. I think it would be an excellent safety that fits the requirements that you listed. We visited there in July and were quite impressed.</p>

4

<p>collegehelp, could you explain your reasoning a bit? thanks</p>

5

<p>Allegheny has a pretty big party scene. There are better choices if you really would feel uncomfortable with that sort of thing. </p>

<p>I'd also consider dropping Guilford - it's a nice school but far below the others on your list in terms of academic quality. You might think about substituting Earlham for Guilford - both Quaker schools but the academics at Earlham are much stronger and the students a bit more intellectually passionate. It's also an officially dry campus (although in reality students say it's more like "pleasantly damp"). Think Oberlin but with a Quaker twist and you get Earlham. </p>

<p>Carnegie Mellon is great for certain majors (IT, drama, art) but may limit you if one of those isn't what you're interested in. </p>

<p>Case Western is a good, all around school that seems to provide more flexibility than some other similar-sized schools. Case also has a pretty serious student body - I'd keep it.</p>

6

<ol>
<li>Allegheny KEEP - small, friendly campus, I've heard that the quality of instruction is very good, quality of life is good </li>
<li>Boston University KEEP - academic quality in humanities, great places to hang out, but a liitle large...will it be easy to make friends?</li>
<li>Brandeis KEEP - friendly, happy students, liberal, quality humanities, religious (Jewish)</li>
<li>Brown KEEP - great academics in humanities, liberal, places to hang out, Ivy League, more "laid back" than most Ivies</li>
<li>Carnegie Mellon DROP - not known for humanities, not known as a friendly campus</li>
<li>Case Western DROP - not known as a friendly school, near a bad part of town, not known for humanities</li>
<li>Clark (unsure) KEEP - small friendly campus, near Boston, very small Greek scene, good in humanities, social activism</li>
<li>College of Wooster DROP - not many places to hang out, small town</li>
<li>George Washington (unsure) KEEP - great places to hang out off-campus in DC, near Kennedy Center (music)</li>
<li>Guilford (I really know nothing about this but it sounded neat so really unsure) DROP</li>
<li>Northwestern KEEP - great academics, friendly campus, great places to hang out, near Chicago</li>
<li>Oberlin DROP - I've heard too many negatives</li>
<li>Tufts (unsure) KEEP - excellent academics in humanities, friendly campus, near Boston with great places to hang out</li>
<li>University of Chicago (unsure) KEEP - awesome academics in humanities, places to hang out off-campus in Chicago</li>
<li>University of Pittsburgh DROP - you said you thought you'd prefer a smaller school, IDK between Boston U and Pitt I would go with Boston U</li>
<li>University of Rochester KEEP - excellent in humanities, great academics, undergrad is pretty small for a university, terrific music opportunities (Eastman), Rochester has its charms, campus is a bit isolated from night-life/places to hang out but it can be found</li>
<li>Vassar KEEP - excellent cadaemic quality in humanities (especially English) trumps boring town, very small Greek influence, liberal, students seem to like the place </li>
<li>Wesleyan (unsure) DROP - heard too many negatives</li>
<li>Yale (unsure since it's a major reach) KEEP - hey give it a try...it's the best for humanities, its Ivy</li>
</ol>

7

<p>I would definitely KEEP Oberlin on your list. Great in all the areas you mention (history, English/writing, and music), larger than a small college but smaller than a university, no core curriculum, lots of opportunities for extracurricular activities and volunteering, etc., etc. I think it fits your description to a T. And it's a wonderful, wonderful school.</p>

8

<p>I agree with Dave72. Oberlin and Wesleyan are the quintessential "middle-sized LACs", about 2,600 u/g. Both are known to have extremely tolerant and friendly student bodies. You should have lots of room to stretch at both.</p>

<p>If I had to drop a school from your list it would be Tufts; the academics are there if you look for it, but, most students steer pretty close to their career-oriented majors.</p>

9

<p>thanks for all the responses. also, do you think I have enough safties and matches?</p>

10

<p>Cut off all the schools that you are "unsure" about. Envision your dream school, and ask to each school: are they like that?</p>

11

<p>do you think i would have a good chance at getting into most of these schools?</p>

12

<p>I luv Wesleyan.....if you like Brown or Vassar, I would keep it. May I also suggest Bard and Swarthmore....for a safety...you might look into Alfred University......</p>

13

<p>b u m m m p</p>

14

<p>Just updating, I've decided to cut off Tufts, Guilford, and CMU. I am still debating my other unsures though</p>

15

<p>Also look at Skidmore.</p>

16

<p>My Wesleyan-praising shpiel: Wesleyan University really sounds like it has what you're looking for. A lot of small classes (including freshman year initiatives, which are seminars just for freshmen) and no real core. They do recommend that you fill general education expectations, which means having three courses each from (1) humanities, (2) social sciences, and (3) natural sciences and mathematics. This isn't very difficult to do, and isn't even required for graduation - just to graduate with honors. Also, history and English are both popular majors, and the music program is great.</p>

<p>The atmosphere is liberal but not stiflingly so. The size is perfect - at about 2700 undergrads, it's small enough to have small classes, a unified really "campus" feeling, but still see new people all the time and have the course offerings of some larger schools.</p>

<p>There's certainly some drinking and drugging going on here, like at just about every college, but it's so easy to stay away from it if you want. There are plenty of parties that don't revolve around drinking, and SO much else to do on weekends besides. I don't drink or do any drugs or smoke at all, and I'm loving the social life still. There are always lectures and films going on, and overall, it's just great.</p>

17

<p><a href="http://www.historians.org/Perspectives/Issues/2005/0509/0509new1.cfm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.historians.org/Perspectives/Issues/2005/0509/0509new1.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

18

<p>"6. Case Western DROP - not known as a friendly school, near a bad part of town, not known for humanities."</p>

<p>I feel jut the opposite, KEEP CASE WESTERN RESERVE. </p>

<p>I don't know who told you it's unfriendly, that's totally false. The Midwestern friendliness is definitely apparent on campus.</p>

<p>Also, that "bad area of town" stuff is an overblown myth that all urban schools are tagged w/; and it's esp unfair to Case. University Circle is the beautiful cultural center w/ the world renowned Art Mus and Severance Cntr home of the top rated Cleveland Orchestra, so there are always people coming and going to this popular area (the no. 2 employment center in Cleveland behind downtown). Crowded Little Italy is literally integrated into the eastern flank of campus and CWRU is just down the hill from the ritzy Cleveland Hts area w/ tons of shops and walking districts like Cedar-Fairmount and Coventry. On top of that, they've just opened a huge new (old-style but modern) dorm complex housing the entire on-campus undergrad population at one place. It's really upscale looking and even has a signature Starbucks in it. Case recently opened a Frank Ghery-designed a ultra mod business building (sadly less than a year old, a disgruntled, crazed former grad student shot wildly and killed a bystander -- note I say it was a former student and not an outsider -- this was a rare occurence); but their are old Gothic Oxford-looking ivy-style structures on campus, too... Not to mention that the University Circle police force is right on campus and supplements the CPD as if U.Circle is a suburb. The campus is very secure and the small student entertainment/restaurant area is growning by leaps and bounds.</p>

<p>Yes, rundown East Cleveland (actually a real suburb) is next door, but its separated by the elevated train tracks -- tracks which, btw, carry Cleveland's rapid transit (think older Metro) train network for a 10-12 zip to downtown or 35 mins all the way, door-to-door Hopkins Intl Airport. You'll like Cleveland: it's as sophisticated as an eastern big city like Boston, though more laid back (but far from dull), friendlier and cheaper.</p>

<p>Case has a very bright student body. Yes, it can get a tad nerdy at times, but don’t you want a serious place but where the students CAN cut loose and have fun? Case is similar to Johns Hopkins: awesome engineering and medical schools and scads of bright kids, many from the East Coast. It’s by far the prestige university for the state, public or private (nearby Oberlin’s the biggest name LAC, though).</p>

<p>Only your last clause has a modicum of merit (and only a modicum). However, Case has some good LAC programs, esp film study (look out for the renowned CWRU film festival) and music (with CIM -- which is affiliated, but I don't think is totally integrated).</p>

<p>Case is clearly comparable to the 2nd tier Ivies, absolutely. It doesn't get as much pub as it should (part of it, I'm convinced, is still the unfounded negative Cleveland image), yet everyone I know who's gone there LOVES IT... I surely wouldn't X it from my list if I were you.</p>

19

<p>alright, i keep changing my mind on some schools, but here is my updated list. Is this a good length, especially considering safety/matches/reaches? i'm still unsure about a few schools but i'll probably end up applying there.
1. Allegheny
2. Boston University (unsure)
3. Brandeis (unsure)
4. Brown
5. Case Western
6. College of Wooster
7. Northwestern
8. Oberlin
9. University of Pittsburgh
10. University of Rochester
11. Vassar (a tiny bit unsure)
12. Wesleyan
13. Yale (unsure)</p>

20

<p>oh yeah and i cut tufts but i realized that it's just because i didn't know a lot about it. how are humanities there? i might put it back on the list</p>