<p>My ideal school (though I might be biased as I already know the list of schools I will apply to next year):</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Would maintain a certain level of intellectuality among students; no direct form of competitiveness pervading the campus; learning for its own sake is the main focus and want of (almost) every student</p></li>
<li><p>Fun times. By this I do not mean the obvious “frat fun” of binge drinking and purging thereafter. I am not a fan of the bulimic drinker. I do mean, however, a fun aside of Scrabble after a not-TOO-intense study session while discussing Nietsche and Dante over a cup of coffee, maybe listening to a poetry reading at a slam of sorts. </p></li>
<li><p>Incredible English/creative writing/film department. Everyone is beyond excited to be there, to be learning and actually thinking of the world in which we live, of drawing parallels between our society and those of fiction. Ah, such a dream world, for me.</p></li>
<li><p>The arts are a main focus on campus. (They draw larger crowds than the sports games). School spirit shared through a unifying love for all things cultural. Dance, theater, art, music, literature, all these things foster increased creativity in the already-creative student body. Everyone is passionate about something: languages, or philosophy, or juggling, or an exciting combination of the three. I don’t care what it is: the weirder, the better. Just have passion, uncontrollable, undying passion, for something(s).</p></li>
<li><p>School is small (500-3000), cultivating a sense of community not to be found in a larger environment.</p></li>
<li><p>Professors are intelligent, engaging, thought-provoking and -encouraging, brilliant in their respective fields, and exceedingly receptive to outside needs. Willing to grab a cup of coffee/tea to talk about academics or life in general. Very open to anything.</p></li>
<li><p>Liberal student body, though not to the point where contrasting ideals and beliefs are unacceptable. Environmentally and socially aware. </p></li>
<li><p>Most of all, an open and accepting environment where all walks of life can gather together in a utopian-like atmosphere to discuss politics, philosophy, religion, what have you. Everyone accepted. No discrimination for mental health, religious views, political views, sexuality, gender; anything, and I mean anything, goes. People are happy to be there.</p></li>
</ol>