<p>Since we all love ranking lists-
[The</a> Most Conservative Colleges: Princeton Review List](<a href=“The Most Conservative Colleges: Princeton Review List | HuffPost College”>The Most Conservative Colleges: Princeton Review List | HuffPost College)</p>
<p>It’s a year old, true, still another data point to cnsider.</p>
<p>Not everyone can get into UT-Austin, right? celesteroberts, would like to know what kind of questions were on that honor application.</p>
<p>^ I’m extremely curious about that too. I had applied to A&M (not honors though so that may be why) and never came across any questions that I thought were outlandish or out of line. I’m an independent so idk…</p>
<p>I have to try to remember exactly. Should have had her prtscrn. Most of the questions were innocuous but had no relevance to how one would fit in an honors environment. Phrased “I am X kind of person” -eg, ‘Attending a college with big-name sports and its events is very important to me.’ Then one had to strongly agree, agree, neutral, etc. But there were a few that dealt with large social/cultural issues that asked how you thought the government or other social organizations should handle these situations, with answer choices that were extremely hard-right wing, nothing one could even choose that was neutral. Arghh, have to think. I’ll post if I can remember.</p>
<p>So where do TX liberals outside of the top 7% go when they don’t want/ can’t afford a private but want the “college experience”? I know a significant number go to OU and presumably other flagships in the surrounding states, but I’d imagine that most would prefer to stay instate for personal/academic/financial reasons.</p>
<p>There is an undying rumor that the Aggies love to drown Liberals like kittens. Or I might be confused with the reason they have that huge bonfire every year.</p>
<p>Texas State, Sam Houston, U of H, Stephen F Austin
Not sure political standings on those, but I know they’re popular
A good chunk go to UT schools not on main campus that are easier to get in to (Dallas, Tyler, etc) Those each still have a campus so there’s still a “college experience” to be had at them!</p>
<p>I’m aware they’re popular but I was under the impression that they were mostly geared towards the somewhat above average TX students. Would a student in the top 8% of the class really opt to go to Texas State instead of A&M?</p>
<p>I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying-are you asking why a top 7% student would attend texas state over A&M?
If so, I think it’d depend on the situation/fit. College is what you make of it. I’m in top 5% so I’m auto admit to TAMU and UT. I don’t want to stay in Texas, but if I did and for whatever reason UT didn’t work out, I would probably go to Texas State or Texas Tech. I think being happy is better than uncomfortable or isolated in my environment- even though TAMU might “look better,” being at “the top” of Texas State could mean big scholarship, better opportunities, etc.
I think it just depends on the person!</p>
<p>There is an undying rumor that the Aggies love to drown Liberals like kittens</p>
<p>Ahh…I’d be really upset if Aggies were drowning kittens.</p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>jk</p>
<p>Seriously, colleges except for Bible Colleges are going to be more moderate to liberal simply because that’s what many/most of the profs are. it’s not as if the profs are all from College Station. They’re from everywhere.</p>
<p>According to my 2012 Princeton Review 376 Best Colleges, TAMU is listed as one of the most conservative schools, it’s listed as #3 in this edition. But if you read the actual article, it reports that the reputation is overblown, with most of the student body being in the middle left and right. The Corps of Cadets, 5% of the student body, seems to be responsible for most of the public perception of the school.</p>
<p>Now, if one were a self-described “progressive”, then yes, it would seem like a very conservative place. But to most of the country, TAMU is probably pretty normal.</p>
<p>I know an out spoken liberal athiest girl who went to A&M this fall and I just saw her over the weekend and she loves it. She is having no issue. I think it is just like any big university. There will be pockets of all sorts of people there. You could probably find your place. Now, a very small conservative school would be more of an issue as there would not be as much variety.</p>
<p>
Most people that I know of who were in the top 10% & rejected from UT went to A&M regardless of their political affiliation.</p>
<p>1) Conservative doesn’t mean racist-it may not have been explicitly stated in this thread, but TAMU is becoming a much more diverse population. The school is 17% Hispanic and 5% Asian, both of which are higher percentages than the overall percentages in the US.
2) the school has 50000 students. There is a liberal students association on campus, as well as a conservative students association. There are religious groups, and agnostic groups. And yes, there is a LGBT group on campus. It’s silly to think that every student will feel the exact same way towards any issue.
3) over 60% of incoming freshman in the 2012 entering class were in the top 10% of their graduating class.
4) Yes, more students probably vote republican, but no one gets into riots or conflicts about it. Generally students respect one another and their beliefs.
Bottom line, if you’re civil towards others respective of their beliefs, you will fit in.
5) Even liberal campuses have issues. Bleach filled balloons being dropped on top of minority students at UT Austin for example. A&M has it’s problems too, but when majority of your population comes from big city houston or Dallas ( two of the most diverse cities in the US) those are much more the anomaly than the norm.
6) I am an ethnic and religious minority, and I’ve made lifelong friendships, and connections with people of all ethnicities, backgrounds, and viewpoints.
I love stereotypes. They make for good humor when used in good taste. But sometimes, you need to find out the actual truth before following them blindly. </p>
<p>Back in high school, I really didn’t think too much of A&M. I gave it a chance, had a great time, and will be making near 6 figures post graduation ( THIS is a big reason we tend to be more conservative lol) . Visit campus and maybe you’ll be surprised.</p>
<p>OP: Seton Hall used to have a good reputation. Nowadays, it doesn’t. If you qualify for UT Austin, go there and find a learning living community, a special program, something, but it’ll be much, much better than Seton Hall. And if you really don’t want a school like Seton Hall, tell us what you liked about it, and we’ll suggest better alternatives that are still less selective than UT.</p>
<p>What’s your college list and what criteria have you included?</p>
<p>I’ve noticed you don’t seem to include private colleges that meet 100% need: is that because you don’t have much financial need or because your parents can pay their EFC? Or are you expected to receive big merit awards?</p>
<p>You should try and find “Princeton Review’s best colleges”, or “Fisk guide”, or “Insider’s guide to colleges”. Go to the Colleges that change lives website. Explore Honors Programs at UT Dallas, UT Tyler, Midwestern State, etc. Look into St Edward’s, Southwestern, Trinity.</p>
<p>If you want to leave Texas, look for schools that are about 500 miles or more from Texas since you’ll bring geographical diversity and schools will want to give you a preferential package if your stats are in the top 25% or even below that. </p>
<p>There are different colleges that we can recommend depending on what you’re looking for.
Since campus vibe is a criterion, do you want a moderate climate (about half conservative, half liberal), do you want liberal, do you want liberal-progressive, or very liberal? And on what issues? (LGBT, religion/faith, fiscal, economy, political parties and people currently in charge, etc.)</p>
<p>TAMU isn’t a good fit for you. Look for other matches and safeties.
I can’t imagine being a Tea Party supporter and attending Oberlin. That’s what I think when I head of a liberal or progressive student at TAMU: an academic possibility but not a good fit. (This has nothing to do with TAMU being a great school, with great students, and great job prospects. Just like there’s a difference, say, between Reed and Denison. Or Wellesley and Smith. Fit matters.)</p>
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<p>What attracts you to Seton Hall over UT Austin?</p>
<p>My main issue, especially from what I’ve observed, is that the conservative reputation A&M has, is not entirely deserved, and is more based on southern, rural stereotypes. It’s a big school with lots if different viewpoints, and anyone can find their niche. That’s the beauty of big state schools. </p>
<p>And yes, majority of A&M students vote republican, but there is mutual respect on both sides, and people respect each other. No one is going to forcibly shove their beliefs on you, or deride you for your views.
I think you need to be more specific than just saying it’s too conservative. Do you want an intellectual, less pre-professional student body, or a school in an urban area? A&m likely wouldn’t be great for you then. </p>
<p>Personally I think not considering a school because it’s too liberal or too conservative is a little bit close minded.
But to each his/her own I guess. Try to take a visit and see for your self. If it doesn’t click, then no regrets. Plenty of other good options in Texas including UT, UTD, Trinity, Rice etc.</p>
<p>LOL, I wonder why people keep saying BC is out of line for a liberal. a Catholic college does not a conservative school make – I know some pretty radical left-wing Jesuit priests who have both taught and studied there. Plus, it’s in Boston, and the University community at large in the city is pretty darned liberal.</p>
<p>There are so many conflicting views because the term “conservative” is used too broadly. For example, with Boston College, I suspect the atmosphere is moderate to conservative on social/cultural issues, but may be moderate to liberal on environmental and foreign policy issues.</p>
<p>As for Texas A&M, the atmosphere is conservative across the board, on virtually every issue one can think of, though it is certainly not extremely conservative on all of them. From all I have seen and all the A&M alums I have known, I would guess that the great majority of students are at least somewhat conservative on social/cultural issues and are even more conservative on economic, environmental, and military/foreign policy issues. A conservative or mainstream Democrat might be able to navigate those waters without too much difficulty, though someone to the left of that, a progressive or a Green Party member, and particularly someone anti-corporatist or anti-military, would have a much harder time.</p>
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<p>Isn’t irony funny? :)</p>
<p>I can’t help but facepalm when people say they’re looking for a liberal, diverse, and open-minded school (or area to live in)… when in fact, the very act of filtering out schools (or areas) to satisfy these criteria contradicts what these people are searching for in the first place.</p>
<p>Ahh, humans…</p>