Where to attend?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I have most of my acceptances in, so now I suppose it's time for me to start thinking about where I want to go.</p>

<p>I've been accepted at:
- USC
- UCLA
- UC Berkeley
- Boston U.
- Smith
- Sarah Lawrence
- UCSC
- UCSB</p>

<p>I'm still waiting on Reed and NYU. I think I'll probably get into Reed - NYU, I'm not as sure about.</p>

<p>Here's what would be my ideal school (in no particular order):
- A strong print journalism program/school paper (pref. a daily)
- Strong program in the social sciences, esp. poli sci/government
- A mid-sized student body, large enough to be diverse, but small enough to be personal and supportive
- Some amount of name prestige
- An active Jewish population
- A high level of political activity, and a liberal bent
- In or near a suburb or city, pref. not in So. Cal
- An intellectual student body that values learning over the drinking/Greek scene</p>

<p>I'm considering USC as one of my top choices because it has a fantastic journalism program (my future career) and they're giving me a fair amount of money, but it's a little close to home and I'm worried that I would be a bit too nerdy to fit in - would I be able to find at least some people to connect with?</p>

<p>UCLA and Berkeley are both a bit big for my taste, and UCLA is also very close to home.</p>

<p>Smith is lovely except that I'm not psyched about the idea of an all-girl's school. Sarah Lawrence is also predominantly female, and I've heard from a lot of people who go there who aren't terribly happy with the whole social scene. Reed (should I get in) seems like it might be almost too weird and insular, and I've heard that a lot of people smoke (in various senses of the word). None of these schools have particularly great papers, from what I've heard.</p>

<p>BU and NYU (if I get in) don't have real campuses, which is a bit of a turn-off for me. I also worry about the academic climate. UCSC and USCB were pretty much my safeties.</p>

<p>I also got waitlisted at CMC, Brandeis, and Tufts, and am trying to get off at least the latter two, but I doubt I'll have much luck.</p>

<p>So...that's my situation as of now - I apologize if it sounds like I'm bashing any of the schools, which is not at all my intent. Any firsthand knowledge of the colleges or opinions on which might suit me would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>I'm reading a book about all-girls schools and, though it is about high schools, I think the benefits extend to college. Don't rule out Smith or SL because of the social scene! Remember, there are millions of people in the SL area, and you won't be tied to campus; Smith is in a 5-college area and you will meet plenty of people other than your classmates.</p>

<p>It seems to me that none of the schools you've been accepted to so far have mid-sized student bodies; Smith and SL are very small, and the rest (as far as I know) are quite large. You may have to pick - large or small?</p>

<p>USC is a good choice too. It's very large and I'm sure you'll find people you'll fit in with. I'm pretty sure all of these schools have a liberal bent and are politically active. SL is very, very active.</p>

3

<p>Smith</p>

<p>Of all the women I have met since I have been out of school, Smith women have been the most impressive, whether older grads or more recent alumnae. There is something about their shared experience that creates a presence that rivals that of the service academy alums.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for your input!</p>

<p>Anyone else?</p>

5

<p>I refuse to say "bump", but...any other thoughts? They'd be greatly appreciated.</p>

6

<p>If you attend Smith, it is part of the Five College Consortium. One of the other schools in the consortium, UMass Amherst, has a daily newspaper with a strong political bent, and it also has a very active Hillel organization. The entire Five College area leans very much to the left. So, it would be possible to supplement what Smith has to offer through the Five College consortium, which is connected by a free bus system. Two hours to Boston via bus.</p>