<p>So, during the application process, I've been doing a lot of thinking about which school that I'm applying to is the best fit for me. I'd love any input.</p>
<p>Schools:
Tufts
GWU
Georgetown
WashU
Brown</p>
<p>Academics: Interesting classes but not an overly intense workload. Obviously, I want to work in college, but I don't want to be so overwhelmed I can't enjoy my weekends because I have 8 hours of homework a day. Planning on studying Int'l Relations (which all of these schools excel in). I'd like a school with lots of class discussion and debate and not a lot of core.</p>
<p>Social Life: To sum up what I want for social life, I want a school where I can play beer pong while debating about foreign policy. Not a nerdy school, but still highly intelligent. Work Hard/Play Hard. Not interested in sports particularly. Jewish community is definitely important to me but doesn't need to be an overwhelming aspect of the campus. Greek life optional- if it's there, great, if it isn't, cool.</p>
<p>Location: City school on the east coast is best. I visited WashU and LOVED it but hate the location. How much of a difference would it make going to school in St. Louis vs DC esp considering what I want to study?</p>
<p>Any input would be wonderful. Which school am I describing most? I almost feel like I'm describing all of them haha.</p>
<p>American has “not and overly intense workload.” Tufts seems a good fit. Brown to is a cake walk, nearly impossible to flunk out (though what’s-his-name movie producer’s kid came off the Z-list and didn’t earn enough credits, subsequently dismissed).</p>
<p>I didn’t mean I want an EASY school, by any means. I just don’t want something so intense I won’t be able to keep up. I’m all for academics, just don’t want my life to revolve around work.</p>
<p>The single biggest drawback to Washington University in St Louis is St Louis. It is a horrible city and really hurts the school. Washington, DC is a great city and really helps places like Georgetown. Georgetwon has the core and will make you work very hard. I think American is what you are looking for.</p>
<p>American, eh. I’d prefer a school with more intellectual students… at least that’s my perception of American, not quite as intelligent/intellectual as Georgetown, or even GW.</p>
<p>Tufts also has a core – under the name of intense distribution requirements. I think that qualifies as an “intense workload” once added to all your major requirements.</p>
<p>I’m surprised that you didn’t like Wash U’s location. Saint Louis is a fantastic city–highly cultured, outstanding food, easy to get around. Wash U has a decent campus and is right across from wonderful Forest Park.</p>
<p>Wash U is an outstanding school. St. Louis is a great city with much to offer at a more reasonable price than DC. St. Louis has a world class zoo and art museum, both of which are free. Many other museums, concert venues, a great variety of restaurants,…There is the Delmar Loop which is a popular college hangout area with artsy, independent movies, music, places to eat. You need to check out the city a little more because it does have a lot to offer. Also, there are several synagoges in the area of WashU, but I do not know about the Jewish community on campus. St. Louis is a very livable city that is often underrated by those who just do not have enough information. Good luck in your search.</p>
<p>I LOVED WashU’s campus when I visited, and I know the Jewish community on campus is fantastic. I think I just had a bad experience in St. Louis… we had this really dirty, sketchy hotel, our dinner was horrible (we walked out because they didn’t serve us for an hour and a half) and it was just a mess. I’m sure St. Louis is fantastic and I missed out on it, there’s just a lot more for me in DC than there would be there. I wish WashU was on the east coast…</p>
<p>I heard that up to 1/3 of Wash U students are Jewish, all of the smart Jewish kids in my school are applying there. I’ve heard only good things about that school</p>
<p>I wish WashU was in San Francisco. But that’s neither here nor there. WashU’s Jewish enrollment is about 1,800 out of 7,000 undergrads or 26 percent; George Washington U’s is 2,750 out of 9,000 undergrads, close to one-third. Just FYI.</p>
<p>I thought the Tufts and Brown campus were very similar actually. What didn’t you like? it’s in a good location (with good system of transportation), Davis square is great, and it’s easy to get around in!</p>
<p>Looking at your list and apparent preferences, I would think that BC or BU could also be good options for you. Both do not have an intense workload but still a strong academic background and good social life. Also, if u loved WashU i definitely think it would be a great option for you, the surrounding city is often not that big of a factor, and St.Louis is still a decent city.</p>
<p>Take a look at the Patriot League schools. They are all relatively small (2700-4000) and among the most prestigious and oldest LACs in the northeast and play Division 1 athletics.
[The</a> Patriot League - Official Athletic Site](<a href=“http://patriotleague.cstv.com/]The”>http://patriotleague.cstv.com/)</p>
<p>I agree with stlmom…WashU is an AMAZING SCHOOL and St. Louis is an amazing and warm, welcoming city. WashU runs like butter…one of the most well organized and managed schools I have ever run into. Their arts and sciences admissions seminar in June was absolutely phenomenal (we visited two years ago). The faculty and administrators were all very very nice people. We were overwhelmed with the quality of the programs there. Sadly, my kid was waitlisted last year and very few kids got called off the waitlist at all as they were really oversubscribed in dorm space. Bummer. We would likely have attended. But all is well that ends well for us, as it turns out. My kid is very happy where they ended up.</p>
<p>THE ONE thing that turned us off at WashU was the few kids we spoke to said that everyone is frenetic and too many are double and triple majoring and its all sort of competitive…so the stress factor is pretty high there. Some kids thrive in that environment and some don’t. So think about it.</p>
<p>Every kid has a different feel and different idea of fit…based on lots of factors. Its highly subjective. Only YOU can make that decision and normally you know it when you see it…so VISIT the schools on your list once you are accepted, if not before. Do your HOMEWORK. Ask the hard questions about student life and culture etc. Get behind the normal standard responses you hear at all these admissions tours. My kid didnt like a couple of really popular and high ranking schools. Wasnt a good fit and feel. And the schools he/she liked may not be schools that others liked.</p>
<p>I also think the recommendation of BC is a likely good choice for you. But so is Fordham. Fordham is about 7,000 students and an academically rigorous school. Kids there work really hard..the old fashioned way with lots of papers to write and lots or reading and research. But its NOT a frenetic school. My kid is at Fordham. It was like number 10 on his/her initial list of potential schools and yet its where we ended up…sold largely on a visit last April for admitted students…it was like a HUGE epiphany. My kid graciously declined offers to other prestigious schools and is VERY happy at Fordham. He/She is very challenged and working like a dog…but also having an incredibly good time, making superb friends…and Fordham kids are very, very tight. They go into the city in large groups to protect each other. Coming home for Thanksgiving, my kid was in the La Guardia airport terminal on Tuesday afternoon and saw lots of Fordham kids…and they are like groupies…very very tight. Fordham’s faculty is a who is who of Ivy League credentials…and then some. I think I counted more than 20 representatives on the faculty from most if not all of the faculty members reading their bulletin for course offerings and the faculty. </p>
<p>Its an amazing place…a hidden jewel really. Just the right size…not too big, not too small…very strong traditions on campus…hundreds of organizations and clubs…Div I sports, club sports…in EVERY sport imaginable…religious but not overwhelming…a drop dead gorgeous campus with new dorms and dorms with amazing character and history behind them. There are some really smart kids running around Fordham. My kid knows several who are on full rides with amazing stats…as in PERFECT SAT scores. So if you are really bright, you will have plenty of challenge and company. But the BEST PART is the kids all get along so well…Fordham does a really good job of admitting good kids. There are some party kids around..but frankly, after mid terms…reality set in and that has slowed down considerably. Fordham is NOT a slacker school. You work hard or you wont survive. Period. Its really a dream come true…after a lot of tears last year! I was on campus last April for the admitted students orientation and talked to several kids and faculty and even the school president…and Fordham has turned out to be precisely as represented…and more ! Its a hot school! Last year they had 22,500 applications for 1,700 seats in the freshmen class. My kid could not be happier.</p>
<p>And we have friends at prestigious southern schools who can’t say the same.</p>
<p>Just my two cents mind you. And everyone has different interests and criteria. But give it a shot and make a campus visit. It blew us away…and we are SOOO glad we did. </p>