I am currently a junior soon to be senior and I have a pretty good idea of some colleges I’d like to apply to. However, I really want to be a school where the majority of the students are open minded. I’m pretty liberal in my views and I want a welcoming environment with students who are tolerant and respectful of people of all circumstances.
So I have a 4.0 GPA and a 1890 SAT (650 CR, 570 M, 670 W).
I live in NY, so ideally I’d like to stay on the east coast. I’m planning to study either sociology or neuroscience.
I don’t want a school too big (I’ve visited BU and did not like it) I’m looking for a more medium sized school.
Money isn’t too much of an issue, but I have two other siblings so ideally I’d like to go somewhere where I can get some merit aid at least.
Look into Muhlenberg, Goucher, Wheaton, Susquehanna, Hiram, Wooster, Ohio Wesleyan.
All of these would likely give you merit aid.
Dickinson or Fordham are other possibilities if you can raise your score.
St Olaf, Lawrence, Rhodes (if you can venture away from the East Coast.
Can you retake that SAT? Even about +50 pts would make a big difference.
Drew, in Madison, NJ is probably safe for you. Bates is test-optional, and so you might have a shot there. Your scores are respectable, but probably inadequate for the most elite colleges other than test-optional ones.
For another NJ idea, TCNJ can’t be beat. Even for OOS, it is a great value and it is quickly becoming a highly regarded academic institution. It has a very nice campus with a section called Campus Town opening this fall. It has the feel of a private school with public tuition.
Brandeis sounds like it’d be an excellent fit for you, so definitely give it a look. It’s incredibly strong in both the natural and social sciences, it’s very liberal/artsy and really encourages individuality and social consciousness. Brandeis is on the smaller side, but never feels small – at least it never did to me.
Also, I’ve never meet a friendlier group of people overall than at Brandeis. It’s one of the warmest and most welcoming environments I’ve ever had the privilege of working/living/studying in.
Thank you all for your recommendations! I really appreciate it. My GC has recently suggested some schools to me and among them were many mentioned here such as Muhlenberg. Also, Bucknell and Lafayette. Can anyone offer any insight in to Lafayette?
I’ve also been looking in to some of the Jesuit schools here in the northeast since I’ve heard that most are pretty liberal. Can anyone back this up?
Lafayette is a fantastic school. My son was recruited by Lafayette and we both agreed it was great.
Being the product of several Catholic schools I would describe Jesuits as less dogmatic not really more liberal. Religion is less a part of daily life at a Jesuit school but it is most certainly there.
Holy Cross is a wonderful school and its also test optional and meets 100% of need. Depending on who you ask it is the second or third best catholic school in the country.
I am a Lafayette grad, and 30 years ago it was quite conservative. Over the years the college has definitely become more diverse and less conservative but I wouldn’t call it liberal. However there is a very strong community vibe. I absolutely loved my Lafayette experience. My D is currently attending a Jesuit University and I have been quite surprised as to how liberal the administration has been. The student body, however, not so much. As much as my D loves her school and is enjoying her experience there, the student body as a whole is pretty conservative.
Also think about possibly Bryn Mawr, St. Lawrence, Skidmore, Stony Brook, Binghamton, Lafayette, Villanova, St. John’s College in MD, Bucknell, Emerson, Bentley, and St. Mary’s College of MD.
Wesleyan and Brandeis are both schools that sound like good fits for you. PLUS they are both test-optional which will be important as your SAT does not support your GPA at all.
I don’t see Binghamton as such a school. Having large groups of students from the same high school, especially those in long Island, can keep a college from being open and accepting because it can extend the high school cliques to college. It is often better to go to a school that brings students together from all over the county instead.
