But WHY are you applying to that school?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>There isn’t anything wrong with applying to an Ivy league school. There is, however, something very wrong in applying in a school just because the name sounds good without knowing a single thing about its majors, academics, student life, campus or programs.</p>

<p>This is my challenge to you. Post the list of colleges to which you are applying below. Then, for each school, write down the reasons you have for applying to it–BESIDES name and “prestige.” If you can explain your decision for each and every college, including Ivies, then you should be commended as a student who cares more about finding a match then about getting into a “reputable” school.</p>

<p>Here are three personal examples.</p>

<p>Why I’m applying to Hamilton: Excellent creative writing (it’s a major) and English programs. Stresses individuality and freedom of choice when it comes to choosing classes. No course requirements, meaning the school trusts you to pick what’s best for your overall education. Beautiful campus; excellent architecture. One of the oldest schools in New York (third oldest, if I’m not mistaken). Teaching staff known to be approachable. Students reportedly friendly. Dorms (especially the “Quad” styles) are huge. Residential school, with almost all students living on campus. Small class body allows for a more intimate, personal college experience. </p>

<p>Why I’m applying to Emerson: Urban location allows for plenty of entertainment and job opportunities. Top-knotch communications and writing programs; also offers a range of majors in Education and social work. Small class sizes and approachable professors. The Boston area receives plenty of snow (you can tell I’m a fan of the white stuff :-). School publications include WERS radio station and a literary magazine, allowing me to apply myself in communications and writing. School attracts plenty of out-of-state residents, giving me the chance to interact with a wide range of scholars and learners. Oh, and Emerson has its own castle in the Netherlands.</p>

<p>Why I’m applying to Marlboro: Tiny (~370) student population means a VERY personal college experience and more opportunity for student-professor interaction. One of the most independent-minded schools in the nation; gives students freedom of choice in almost all areas of academics. Senior project also enables independent study. Beautiful, picturesque campus; looks more like a summer camp than a college. Much about the college is student run; town-hall meetings include Marlboro students. Campus is a short drive away from Mount Snow–one of the biggest ski resorts in the Northeast. Marlboro decided to ban televisions in dorms (a radical position which which I agree!). Academic rating of “98” in the Princeton review, even though–because it refuses to submit information to US News–it’s considered a “Tier 4” liberal arts college by the magazine. In addition, Marlboro has its own peacock flock.</p>

<p>Now it’s your turn. Explain WHY you’re applying to some (or all) of your schools. How detailed can you get?</p>

2

<p>Why I’m applying to Columbia: I want to major in Earth Science/Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Columbia has probably the best department in the country (besides MIT and Caltech). The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is part of Columbia, and it is one of the top three oceanographic research institutes in the country (the other two being Woods Hole (MIT) and Scripps (UCSD)). However, LDEO does research besides oceanography, so if I decide I want to research in another field of Earth Science, I can have opportunities to do that. Another career I may want to pursue is small sailboat/yacht design, and with the Fu Foundation right there, I could take classes that would allow me to better design boats, even if just as a hobby. Finally, the liberal arts nature of the education would allow me to become broadly educated as well as taking classes in creative writing, one of my hobbies since I was a young boy.</p>

<p>Why I’m applying to Bowdoin: HOLY CRAP THE DORMS ARE AWESOME. AND THE FOOD. They also have a Coastal Studies Center and a summer fellowship for coastal research in many different disciplines (architecture, oceanography, neuroscience of lobsters, anything you can imagine, you design the project). One of their professors, Dr. Edward Laine, is doing oceanographic research in an estuary, the Casco Bay, and learning about that research will help me decide if I want to pursue one of my main job choices: doing oceanographic research on the Chesapeake Bay. They also have a self-designed major program, so I could design an interdisciplinary major in ocean sciences. Finally, it’s in Maine, and boatbuilding is big in Maine so I imagine I could find classes to take on weekends or after classes. It would be easier to start a boatbuilding club at Bowdoin since many people who go there will already be interested in boats/oceans because of the location.</p>

<p>Why I’m applying to Rice: I was extremely impressed by the residential college system. Each college seems to have its own culture and traditions. The focus on undergraduate education there is amazing, probably one of the best in the country. They have a great astronomy department (first one in the country) which is good because another oceanographic career I want to pursue is researching the subterranean oceans on Jupiter’s icy moons (Europa, Ganymede, Callisto). Houston is also an awesome city from what I’ve read about it, and it is on the ocean (like every other school I’m applying to).</p>

3

<p>I’m a junior and still have to narrow down my choices further, but I’ll do this for my top choices.
Why Cornell College: The OCAAT schedule seems perfect for me, as I often find it difficult to focus on seven classes at a time. The campus is small- which I like, as I have no sense of direction and will not have a car during college- and beautiful. The student body seems friendly, and the small size of both college and town should ensure a feeling of community. The two departments I’m considering majoring in- Education and English- are very good, and I can see special benefits with OCAAT for both of them. The only bad thing I’ve heard about them is that the food stinks, which isn’t exactly my biggest concern. Also, it’s the second closest to my home, which should help with my parents, who are concerned about my leaving home.
Why Vassar: The campus is supposed to be beautiful (haven’t visited yet). The quirky, liberal student body seems like a perfect fit for me, and the English department is supposed to be wonderful. Again, the small size of the school should help me connect with other students, as should the presence of pretty much every club I’m interested in joining. Going away to NY for college should encourage independence, though I doubt my parents will see it that way. I’ve yet to hear of a truly bad department within Vassar, which is useful if I decide to chance majors. The practically nonexistent core curriculum will help me become a double major (as I probably will in English/Education) and explore my options at the same time.
Why Macalester: Somewhat close to home, which should help with my parents. From what I’ve heard (haven’t visited yet), there’s diversity of every kind but political, which is just what I’m looking for in a college. Though the urban environment may lessen the bonding caused by its small size, it vastly increases the opportunities available. Has most clubs I’m looking for, which should help me make friends. Great overall academics, though Education and English are not the best departments.</p>

4

<p>I agree with you. However, I’m not applying to any Ivy schools, so I don’t really need to “prove” myself or justify my school selection. ^_^</p>

5

<p>This thread isn’t just for Ivies, though. (I think only two have come up in the discussion.) There are plenty of people (myself included) who get interested in/apply to schools just because they sound interesting–without really understanding what they are all about. That problem applies to all schools, not just the “best” ones.</p>

6

<p>Aiite, then. I don’t have time to go into much detail, and also, due to financial restrictions I’ve not been able to actually to visit any of these schools, but:</p>

<ol>
<li>Haas School of Business, at UCB</li>
</ol>

<p>I know there’s no such thing as a “free ride”, but many a Haas student has said that, essentially, the hardest part about Haas is simply getting into it. After that, it’s all fairly smooth, due to the tight-knit community of Haas students. And as Haas is one of the best undergrad business schools in the nation, it’s a perfect fit for me. Plus, I LOVE the San Franciscan environment. Some people see homeless people as a turn-off, but I happen to like that type of scenery. Plus, it’s liberal, which would be a refreshing change of scenery from the obnoxiously-conservative nature of my home neighborhood, home city, and home county.</p>

<ol>
<li>UCLA</li>
</ol>

<p>The Business Economics major and Accounting minor at UCLA are a generic move, but it really is quite an ideal plan for me. Plus, after growing up in the OC, I’d love the change of scenery in LA. And ditto for it being liberal.</p>

<ol>
<li>UCSB</li>
</ol>

<p>I’ve basically got the same academic plans for here as UCLA - same major and same minor. I LOVE the beach, so this type of environment would be ideal from an enjoyability perspective. It’s a little more conservative, but still less so than where I’ve spent the last 19 years of my life. Also, after 2 years at a boring community college with no dorms and thus no “campus/dorm experience”, I’d love to finally partake in the party scene. ^_^</p>

<ol>
<li>UCD</li>
</ol>

<p>Basically I’ve just heard consistently positive feedback from students who say it’s an enjoyable experience with a pleasant college-town atmosphere. There’s no accountancy program, but managerial economics is a decent fit. It’s fairly close to San Jose, which provides plenty of job opportunities. Ditto for it being liberal.</p>

<p>…yep. Like I said, I haven’t the money to travel to any of these campuses in advance. But I’ll pretty much be fine with any campus as long as it:</p>

<ul>
<li>isn’t more conservative than liberal (I have enough of it at home)</li>
<li>isn’t a commuter college (dead social life)</li>
<li>isn’t a private college (too expensive)</li>
<li>isn’t far less than what I’m capable of (adds more value to my degree)</li>
</ul>

7

<p>Isla Vista is just as liberal as Berkeley, and Santa Barbara (especially south county) is pretty liberal. Santa Barbara was the only county in SoCal that had a majority for No on 8.</p>

8

<p>

</p>

<p>Um, what?! Describing homeless people as scenery, are we… not to mention having a “liking” for that sort of thing. What a strange thing to say…</p>

9

<p>

Well, actually I based my statements on the NYT map of the 2008 election results:</p>

<p>[President</a> Map - Election Results 2008 - The New York Times](<a href=“http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/map.html]President”>President Map - Election Results 2008 - The New York Times)</p>

<p>At 38% voting for McCain, Santa Barbara was the most conservative of the four counties. Still, if what you say about prop 8 is true, then I guess it all balances out in the end. :)</p>

<p>

I happen to think it adds some realism to the environment. I’ve spent the past 15 years of my life in Irvine, which was just recently named the seventh richest major city in the entire country. Where do you go from here? Down. :)</p>

10

<p>Washington University in St. Louis Bears - great school in my town, my mom works there so if I get in I get free tuition, my dream school, have a lot of friends applying (bad reason) </p>

<p>Kenyon College Lords and Ladies - really like the theater department, was impressed with my weekend visit, people were really nice, campus was beautiful</p>

<p>Georgetown University Hoyas - great poly sci dept., love D.C., like the lifestyle the kids have there (work hard during the week, party hard on the week end)</p>

<p>Claremont McKenna College Stags - loved the weather, great poly sci dept, was really inspired by the professor I talked to there </p>

<p>Carleton College Knights - people were nice, I have a lot of friends applying there (I know a terrible reason)</p>

<p>Macalster College Fighting Scots - loved St. Paul, like the theater dept, student body was good (maybe a little too liberal for my taste), inspired by a professor I talked to </p>

<p>Emory University Eagles - love Atlanta, campus is beautiful, great poly sci dept, have a lot of friends applying (bad reason) </p>

<p>Knox College Prairie Fire - wrestling </p>

<p>St. Olaf College Lions - wrestling </p>

<p>Lawrence University Vikings - wrestling, liked the student body, beautiful campus, liked the theater dept</p>

11

<p>Occidental- Fabulous faculty and intimate class settings. In LA
Seattle U- In Seattle! Small enough for me to be happy with it
University of Denver- In Denver
Loyola University Chicago- In Chicago!
Oxford College at Emory- No division I sports (I hate sports), crap load of majors and minors, and guaranteed transferfer to Emory (which is in Atlanta).
Northeastern- Co-op program is nice, as is it’s location in Boston.
Tulane- Applied because they sent me a free app
SUNY- Stony Brook- Cold weather, lots of majors, and strong science programs.</p>

12

<p>“Tulane- Applied because they sent me a free app”</p>

<p>I can’t blame you–I applied to more than one school myself because I got a “express application” in the mail. :stuck_out_tongue: Of course, one of those express apps happened to come from a school that I had been interested in for months on end, so it worked out pretty well.</p>

13

<p>penn: prestige
dartmouth: prestige
princeton: prestige</p>

<p>Fight me.</p>

14

<p><em>Punches</em>
:stuck_out_tongue: Just kidding. I’ll admit that prestige can matter to employers, though I hope you end up finding programs at that school that match your interests and deliver the best education you could find. Don’t be afraid to look outside the Ivy league!</p>

15

<p>I got a bunch of colleges so i’ll make my reasons short</p>

<p>UCB- extremely intellectual school, my mom’s dream school, would make her super proud for me to get in but i’m OOS!
UCLA- my mother’s alumni, i love LA, great school, smart kids, relatives live in LA
UCSD- incredible biology/sciences in general programs, by the beach, chillaxed, good choice.
UW- beautiful campus, love seattle, relatives live nearby, tons of people, Berkeley of the northwest!
CMU- gotta love pittsburgh, they have a great campus and their sciences/tech departments are good.
USC- school sends a ton of kids there every year, supposedly great financial aid, nice campus, good overall academics, also in LA
UPenn- super smart kids, social scene is very good, everything you could ask for in a school is there.
Cornell- same, great academics
Northwestern- i love the whole NU’s own campus but still only 15 minutes away from Chicago, a lot of driven, talented students.
Wash U- great biology programs, student quality of life is high!</p>

16

<p>Dartmouth
small liberal arts styled campus isolated from civilization. you actually get to learn here from great professors. the weather. i am from so cal and i want to experience real winters. i have seen snow less than 5 times in my life. dartmouth has a great scenery. i heard the food is really good also.</p>

<p>UCLA
the smart hot chicks as well as its strong athletic department. it isnt too far from home and has great weather and its in the nice part of LA. what more can i ask for?</p>

<p>UCSD
my safety, the beach, the beach, the beach</p>

<p>UCI
safety, i love the city of irvine, only 5 minutes from newport beach, good bio program there, has in-n-out in the plaza nearby</p>

<p>Cal
i am sorry to say i am only applying here because of the prestige. nothing about the berkeley environment is appealing to me. i am a hardcore conservative and i despise liberals. i am literally scared of getting beat up by anti-prop 8 advocates at berkeley or just being harassed by the liberal students but also by the homeless.</p>

17

<p>Hey Black Lantern just to let you know that UCSD is not near the beach. It is located in La Jolla, which is a 45 minute drive away from the beach.</p>

18

<p>Hey, 45 minutes from the beach is better than 500 minutes from the beach… but NOT as good as 20 minutes from the ski resort. (Middlebury)</p>

19

<p>middlebury even owns their own ski resort
how cool is that!!</p>

20

<p>VERY cool. I had the chance to see it when I visited; it was heartening to see snow on the slopes in early November.</p>