brockobama

Hi,

I am only a junior, so I'm not going crazy about this like most College Confidential people. I just want some suggestions, because I'm not really sure where I want to go, even though I don't have to apply for a year.

I'm a gay and minority student in Virginia. I'd like suggestions within Virginia, but also along the East Coast, especially in the North. I am not crazy enough to think that I will get into an Ivy League school, but I want some suggestions for a good school that is liberal and accepting enough. I really don't know what I want to major in yet.

I'm thinking about schools like William and Mary and UVA, but if you have more suggestions that would be great. I've heard of NYU, Vassar College, University of Chicago? I may be reaching too far on those, but I'd like to know know rather than waste the application fee money. I will not put my "stats" up as if I am an athletic team like these other insane College Confidentialers, because I am just a junior and I don't know what I will have next year.

I am not afraid to repost if nobody replies.

HotCocoa

Are you male or female?

Do you want a rural, urban, or suburban school?

Big school, medium, or small?

Also, we do need a ballpark figure of your stats at least to suggest fitting safeties, matches, and reaches to you.

brockobama

I'm male, it says so in my profile.

I'd prefer an urban or suburban school, but I'm open-minded. Not a tiny school. I know you guys are going to dash my dreams, I've read other threads. It seems like nobody will get into anywhere. 3.9 unweighted, plenty of extracurriculars, clubs. All Honors classes where they are available besides math, my school only offers 1 APs but I'm taking one online. I'm taking Dual Enrollment classes next semester and next year, so maybe 5 college credit courses total,(ALL MY SCHOOL OFFERS basically) or more, I'm not really sure if 2 semesters counts as different courses. Probably in top 10% at least, again I don't know I'm just a junior. I go to a small school, again, rehash, so that's why there's not a million. I also did a summer gov school program, which was really fun, which gave college credit. Some extracurriculars and clubs.

There you go, dash my dreams into your keyboards.

tjmom

Sent you a PM. Let me know if you have questions

brockobama

Thanks TJmom, I can't reply because I'm a new poster and don't have 15 posts yet.
Thanks for your reassurance! I am just scared because it's not in super liberal New England. I know, I may not get into it either. William and Mary's early decision is binding, so I don't necessarily want to do that. What would you say for colleges that are easier to get into?

BeanTownGirl

Here is a good resource for finding LGBT friendly campuses that has been recommended here on CC:
Campus Pride: Find Your Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Friendly College or University

I got that link from another CC post:
Choices for a gay student...

It might be worth scanning through other posts on this topic, it comes up pretty regularly. Even if they are talking about schools not on your radar they frequently include links to good online resources.

It sounds like you are a really good admissions candidate from the details you have been willing to share. Doing well in the most challenging courses your school offers is the most important thing, standardized test scores are also important. EC's, recommendations, essays are next in importance, with some variation from school to school.
When will you take the SAT or ACT? I've seen too many posts from kids who didn't take it until senior year, and then were scrambling to bring up their scores at the last minute.
You are one step ahead by starting to ask questions NOW ;-)

tjmom

Now that I have seen your stats, I think you have a good shot at W&M. Remember that your stats will get you into the pool but your essays are what will make the decision one way or the other.
You shouldn't apply ED to any school unless you are sure that is your first choice. Since you are in state, it is pretty affordable and they do meet need. Like most of the good VA schools, there is little merit money though. You have plenty of time to visit schools and see for yourself. James Madison is a little easier to get into and the kids I know there seem to love it. I don't know how gay friendly it is, but can ask my nephew if you like. He is a senior there.
While Virginia isn't as liberal as New England, w&m and UVA are both pretty liberal. No matter which college you go to, it is pretty rare to have much interaction with the town around it unless you are at a school like George Washington, NYU, ETC.

ucbalumnus

Remember that you have to consider all of the usual things:

a. What majors might you possibly consider? If completely undecided, are there any general areas of interest (e.g. humanities, social studies, biological science, physical science)?

b. Have you talked to your parents about what they are willing to contribute, and for basic financial parameters to put into the net price calculators?

c. Consider taking the SAT and ACT (one of each, unless you do enough practice testing to know which one you are better at) some time in junior year, so that you have time to try again in senior year to raise the higher one.

OsakaDad

What about George Mason? Great up and coming school. They also just got one of the most liberal internationally minded new presidents who transformed my MBA program into a global powerhouse -- Angel Cabrera. Close to D.C. and the LGBT community there. George Mason University names Angel Cabrera as new president - The Washington Post

Fatherli

Take a look at SUNY Geneseo - Public LAC in NY - considered SUNY's honors college. Excellent science programs as well as the liberal arts. Very liberal campus and LGBT friendly. I provided a few links below for your review.

SUNY Geneseo | SUNY Geneseo

2nd in the Nation Physics program
Physics Department Ranks Second in Nation in Latest AIP Bachelor?s Degree Report | SUNY Geneseo

US News - Geneseo "Best Undergraduate Teaching Institution"
Geneseo Tops ?Best Undergraduate Teaching? List for North Region in U.S. News & World Report Rankings | SUNY Geneseo

Marks of distinction
Marks of Distinction | SUNY Geneseo

brockobama

Wow!You guys are nicer and a lot less cynical than I thought. You're really helpful

TJmom, my sister goes there(JMU), and a lot of people I know from HS want to go there, and I don't particulary want to follow my sister's footsteps or go with people from HS. But can you ask him anyway? I'm curious.

I haven't taken the SAT or ACT yet, I will take the SAT December 1st.

OsakaDad: I liked that school (GMU), but I heard it was a commuter school, and not that many people live on campus? Is that true?

My parents can pay.

Thanks FatherLi, I'll look at it!

SerenityJade

What major are you thinking for what career? Because that can be a big thing when it comes to picking a school. Maybe you should look into Christopher Newport in Virginia Beach. I don't know about how liberal the school is but the area is. Plus, college populations are disproportionately liberal and often accepting (surprisingly so in Virginia sometimes) so you do have a better chance at finding a fit than you'd think. George Mason might work if you like urban areas. I'd stay away from the schools in the mountains because while the campus will be accepting, the surrounding community might not be.

OsakaDad

GMU has a reputation as a commuter school. However, they have made great strides in making it a real campus experience and I believe that they have built some great dorms. Take a look at this George Mason University - Office of Housing & Residence Life

There seem to be a lot of housing options. This means that they have an on campus community. This could be the most affordable option out there.

OsakaDad

My cousin and his wife graduated from GMU. They loved it. Here are some interesting rankings and pay special attention to the graduation rates for minorities. Mason Appears in Recent Rankings - Mason News - George Mason University

NYU2013

Main LGBT friendly schools in the Northeast: NYU, the ivies, Rutgers, George Washington, Hopkins, Maryland, Vassar, Swarthmore, Amherst, Tufts.
In the midwest: Chicago, Northwestern, Michigan
Below the mason-dixon: University of Virginia, Main campus; Duke; Emory

I'm sure I'm missing quite a few.