<p>Well, if you want Us to tell YOU where to go to college, forget it. Now that you’re old enough to go to college, these are the kind of decisions you have to make. Only you know what you like. You knew someone would tell you that. </p>
<p>Every one of these colleges is first-rate. You have to decide yourself which qualities will make you the happiest. What is “whatever you want,” as you say, since that might make up your mind for you? Most people end up loving the college they go to and are very happy there, so I wouldn’t worry too much. It’s a little like choosing dinner off a menu. From the more appealing choices, whatever you choose is going to be pretty good. </p>
<p>Grinnell is excellent, but it’s sure in the middle of nowhere as far as I’m concerned and that’s probably it’s main difficulty in attracting students from outside the Midwest. Its own website even asks “Io- where?” and calls it the “little school on the prairie.” Okay. Not my cup of tea since I like cities too much. One of my students who went there (I’m a high school teacher) described it as being in a “very large cow pasture”. How did such a good school end up there? </p>
<p>Colgate isn’t exactly urban, either, being four hours from New York City. But, it is possible to go to New York City. And Upstate New York has its charms. Colgate has strong sciences with a number of new science buildings and very strong history, English, economics, and other liberal arts programs. Also very good art programs with a number of art buildings. It combines this with strong athletics (Division 1 unlike the others) and a moderately larger student body (2800) than the other schools which provides more variety and diversity. Colgate has an extraordinary number of off-campus study programs, including many overseas semesters. It draws from the Northeast (like Bates) which creates a certain kind of character unlike schools in other parts of the country. I’m North-eastern, myself, as you can tell! </p>
<p>Here’s my take: </p>
<p>From that list, Colgate and Grinnell are tops academically. </p>
<p>In terms of just flat-out beauty, Colgate wins pretty easily (the Princeton Review ranked it the “most beautiful campus in the country”), but I’m not that familiar with Whitman or Grinnell. Maybe they’re pretty, too. I know Bates, and it’s is a little utilitarian for my taste. </p>
<p>Colorado has the Rockies and is Denver-close. But it has you taking far fewer courses at one time which some people like and others don’t like. You get to focus, but there’s not much variety with that system, and there are advantages to taking four courses in that you can “sample” from each as you go through the semester. </p>
<p>Bates and Colgate are East Coast schools which for some people gives them a little more status in the car window decal wars. Go figure. </p>
<p>Both Bates and Colgate are in the Great White North snow belt, too, and far from any urban area – but Grinnell is also in a cow pasture – so it doesn’t look like you really want an urban campus like NYU or BU. Does it snow in Colorado Springs, too? I think it does. </p>
<p>A lot of your decision has to include what interests you have and what each college provides for those interests. Colgate has top-flight academics, a rigorous education, well-rounded students, Division 1 athletics, and a strong reputation. Weigh that against the other schools. </p>
<p>I have a nephew at Bates and he really likes it, but It’s not nearly as gorgeous as Colgate, if that means anything to you. Bates’ academics are very good, but not up to the level of Grinnell or Colgate, I’m afraid. </p>
<p>Nor is Whitman in that same category. On your list of top colleges, I’d rank it academically last, unfortunately, not that it’s “bad” academically in any sense. It’s very good academically, but in your list it’s up against tough competition. Whitman is more of a regional school while all the others are more national with a broader student body and more recognition. </p>
<p>Bates is way up in Maine so transportation is a really long haul getting to Boston to get home. At Colgate, you’re an hour from Syracuse to fly home which is a pain, but not as much of a pain as a 3-hour bus ride to Boston before you even get to an airport! </p>
<p>Try to eliminate one or two schools from your list (Sounds like you’re inclined to eliminate CC since it’s close to home), and it’ll makes the choice easier. And be sure to visit the campuses of the final choices, if you can, since being on campus can tell you a lot. After that, you just have to go with your gut feelings. Also, attend any local get-togethers for admitted students and ask lots of questions.</p>