Note, however, that all of the above colleges place in the vicinity of other highly regarded schools by this measure.
All of the colleges you listed have very high graduation rates and retention rates, so that shouldn’t be a worry for any of them (some of US News’ data is outdated—I’d look at the schools’ common data sets). Additionally, all except for Georgetown will guarantee housing for all four years. Bates, Georgetown, and Middlebury will offer credit for AP classes. However, at Williams, Amherst, and Bowdoin, AP scores will still allow you to place out of intro classes.
It’s far better that you DON’T have a number 1. That’s a great way to set yourself up for disappointment. Your list is reach heavy. You need some match and safety schools. Most of those schools are reaches for all. The only safe and match ones I see are Conn and U Mass Honors (if your grades are as good as you say.)
It’s me again! Which schools out of Bowdoin, Middlebury, Bates, Amherst, and Williams would be the best for a gay person to be able to thrive? Does anyone have any info about that?
Frankly, I think they’d all be good. I might lean toward Amherst because being in the consortium could expand your dating pool, particularly if you identify as female.
All schools are very liberal and LGBT-friendly, I wouldn’t worry about that (saying this as a bi person who’ll be attending Williams)
In regards to Amherst, Bowdoin, and Middlebury, do they have heavy ‘bubbles’? I know that on some LAC campuses the community can get a bit too familiar with everyone…I guess I’m just not really looking for cliques/always being on campus.
@JXK239 Amherst is likely to be less of a bubble because of the consortium with U Mass Amherst, Smith, and Mt. Holyoke.
@JXK239 If your family income is less than $125,000/yr and graduating with as little debt as possible is important, you may want to consider Colgate as well as Amherst, Middlebury, and Bowdoin.
With around 2,500 students, Middlebury has around 700 more students than Bowdoin and Amherst. Makes a small school feel a bit larger.
All schools with a nice campus, interesting students, sports and great club activities will have a bubble. Big Us have a bubble. Ivy’s have a bubble. ND Georgetown and BC have big time bubbles. Especially if the weather gets chilly and academics are tough. This is very true the schools themselves define their locales or are a bit more remote.
The best way to break the bubble is to join groups that get off campus, volunteer to do some service work off campus.
Different from the bubble is going small school “stale” for some. The same small groups. In class, libraries, dining hall, parties and football games. Some love it. Some may need a break.
Everything is a trade off.
Bigger u’s. Larger classes and perhaps less personalized but incredibly dynamic with a diversity and energy like small city. That’s very attractive to some.
Smaller u’s and lacs. Smaller classes, generally speaking, personalized experience and a camaraderie that is unique. That’s very attractive to others.
Both have positives and negatives. You just have to count them all up for yourself and take your best shot.