runallday4

So far making my college list I've found 7 schools so far that are "definitely apply to schools" just because I like them all. I have 5 schools left on my potential schools list, and I need help narrowing them down. I already have reaches, safeties, ect all figured out, so I just need to figure out which of these 5 schools I would enjoy the most. I'm hoping narrow it down to 3 out of the 5, possibly 2.

Here are the schools:
-Tulane
-URochester
-UMiami
-UMichigan
-Brandeis

Here are things that are important to me:
-Strong in sciences (Math and Biology)
-Research opportunities
-Has many active clubs
-I'd prefer it to be in a warmer climate, but this isn't a priority
-Near a city
-LGBT friendly (I think most of these are)
-Does NOT have a social scene dominated by "Meathead athlete types"

Thanks

zobroward

brandeis should be your number one ..no "Meathead athlete types"
u mich/tulane last imo more "meatheads"

rice university should also be on your radar!

runallday4

Update: I've been looking into them, and I'm starting to like UMiami. The only thing I worry about is that it's too much of a "party school".

sylvan8798

What are the other 7 schools on your apply list?

Which of the 12 schools have you visited?

barrk123

U of Miami
Rochester
Brandeis

timetodecide12

Brandeis is the nerdiest, Rochester is in the middle, and Tulane/Michigan/UMiami will have more social/athletic types.

UMiami will have a party scene but I'm sure you can find your niche.

ECmotherx2

Eckerd in St. Petersburg. Noted in science field, not a Division 1 school. Has rigorous science programs, largest number of Hollings scholars, Phi Beta Kappa chapter, fantastic research possibilities as a freshman. It is a green campus, liberal leaning, lots of interesting social and club activities run by students.

csdad

I've known many, many students who've gone to the U of Roch. They all have loved it. Seems to have all the qualities you are looking for ...other than great weather!

ECmotherx2

Sorry, just reread your post and you want to narrow down your choices, not add to the list. I can only speak to UM because my daughter applied there and also attended a summer marine science program as a rising HS senior. UM was on her list as a 4th choice because- class sizes were larger for the first 2 years than she would have liked, they limited first 2 years to required courses and no opportunities for research or marine science classes until junior year, (don't know if that still holds true), football mania exists on campus, most of the girls were fashionistas. She applied to only 1 reach school, 2 safeties and 6 match schools. Best of luck!

runallday4

Rice is my #1 choice

For these 5 schools, I haven't visited any of them. I've been near brandeis, but not on the campus. Here are my thoughts on each of them so far.

Tulane: This is the lowest rated one by USNWR so I'm a little worried about the math/science program. I've heard though, that after Katrina their ranking plummeted and they deserve to be higher. Some of the comments have also said that it's one of the more "Meathead"-ish schools of the 5, which I don't like. I just want to be pretty much away from the whole "lax bro, too cool, douchy attitudes".

URochester: Biggest concern with this is the location. I hate the cold, so most schools on my list are not any farther north than where I live now. Also there is a lack of prestige, even though it's ranked pretty high.

UMiami: It seems like it has a good Math/Science program compared to the other 5. It also seems like it's in a good area and has a nice campus. I'm mostly concerned with the other students. I know it used to be called "Suntan U", and it also used to be known as a party school. Just because of this I'm worried about the students it attracts. Will they be the "meatheads" I mentioned before? I'm not against drinking or having fun or anything, just jerks. One good thing about Miami though, is on the forum for it many people are telling me I'd be able to get a substantial scholarship. My family can afford it, but if I don't get into any of my top choices, and am forced to choose a school that's lower on my list, a scholarship would be nice.

UMichigan: It's the best ranked out of all 5, but it's also cold, has a large student body, and people are saying it is a "meathead" school. I'm considering dropping it off my list, the only thing stopping me from doing that is that it potentially has the best Math/Science out of all of them.

Brandeis: It's not warm... but I do really like Boston so that's not too bad. Also, I think I would probably like the personality of many of the students. I've heard it's really Jewish which doesn't matter too much to me, although I'm an athiest. I'm not really looking too much into it yet since they don't have EA. That means I would apply RD.

Any more thoughts are welcome. I've spent a lot of today researching schools so it would be nice if I made a little progress. Get rid of Michigan?

jetsfan289

Michigan, Brandeis, and Tulane. Rochester is just in a very depressing part of the US( always cloudy and cold). And of the schools I'd assume Miami is the most Meathead like because of the reputation there athletics brings to the campus. Michigan is probably meathead type too, but its a very good school so id keep it on there.

runallday4

So, I'm thinking Tulane, Miami, and Brandeis. My only concern is that students at Tulane and Miami might have too much of a superficial "bro" personality.

barrk123

Every school has those types

zobroward

really if you want to avoid frats ,jock types and the like the only school on the list for you is Brandeis! are there some people you tried to avoid in high school at Brandeis sure but very few! rochester would be a second choice a little less so then brandeis.

Shaq395

I actually looked into all of those schools somewhat, and the University of Rochester was definitely my favorite. It's an awesome school that fits every criterion of your list, besides the warm climate. It's got terrific math/science/research opportunities, definitely isn't jock-y, and I would say that it has slightly less prestige than UMich, equal to Brandeis, and above Tulane and Miami. But you shouldn't really factor prestige into your decision. Also, Rochester has arguably the nicest campus out of all five of these. The winter is tough at times though.