<p>So, I’ve been accepted to Hampshire C., Sarah Lawrence C., Lewis and Clark C., Macalester C., and American U. I was wait-listed at Vassar C.</p>
<p>I want a very academic based liberal arts experience. I want to major in International Relations primarily but also be involved with theater (possible a double major). I’m about to complete the IB program and would like some sort of credit for that. I’m not that inclined to Greek life but I do want some sort of party scene. I want to be able to interact easily with my teachers but also have good outside opportunities.</p>
<p>The environment of Sarah Lawrence appeals to me but the opportunities I would have in the SIS at American U. are also amazing. Hampshire’s learning system seems very interesting but the student populace seems very homogenized. Vassar seems like it would provide what I want but I don’t know if I really want to deal with the wait-list thing. I don’t know what to do. Obviously financial aid is a big factor but I’m just going to exclude that from this conversation. Where do you think I should go is financial aid isn’t a factor. </p>
<p>Hmmm… I’d say deposit at either SL or American… I’d choose American but that’s just me, I love DC and Bronxville is like 2 seconds away from me. They have great internship opportunities at American.</p>
<p>So deposit at one of those and wait for vassar</p>
<p>“Obviously financial aid is a big factor but I’m just going to exclude that from this conversation.”</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>Since it is a big factor for you, you can’t exclude it from your analysis. Put all of the numbers into a spread sheet. Look at how much your family will have to pay next year, and how much debt you will be accumulating. Find out if your aid package is dependent on maintaining a certain GPA, and whether or not your aid package in future years will reflect only changes in your family income and increases in the COA at each place.</p>
<p>Yes, the best aid may be at the “worst fit”. However, if your situation requires that you select the most affordable college, you don’t have the luxury of picking out the “best fit”. You can receive a fine education at each of these places. It is OK if you choose to attend the least expensive option!</p>
<p>I second HappyMom. If you are at a school that is a big financial stretch, you may not have the liberty to follow up on other opportunities such as an unpaid internship abroad or … whatever. You may graduate with enough debt that it affects which jobs you can consider. Debt is definitely a factor.</p>
<p>Putting that aside, Sarah Lawrence and Hampshire are the only ones I have knowledge of. Both are great, but require a motivated and self-directed learner.</p>
<p>Is the student body at Hampshire pretty close-minded in their liberalism? I’m a liberal as well but I want to be with a group of people who are ready to accept ideas from anywhere on the political spectrum.</p>
<p>If you could get into a great school like Macalester, please do yourself a favor and cross Hampshire off your list. Hampshire is pretty much bull***t for a serious student. There IS a certain very particular kind of Hampshire student who might thrive there, but for what you want to do, no. Personally, the order I would choose for you is
Macalester OR Vassar (either one is a great choice, though I actually think Macalester might work even better for you).
Sarah Lawrence
American (not such a great school but in Washington)
<p>Frankly, would be hard to beat Macalester for the combination of Theatre and International Relations. The distribution requirements are flexible, making it easy to double major. Minneapolis and St Paul are second only to New York City in theatre seats/capita. There are many internship opportunities offered in the Twin Cities theatre community as well.</p>