<p>I know this is a question with many answers, and the usual answer I get varies, but if I give some personal info, I hope I can get an appropriate answer.</p>
<p>I am a nerd. I like to learn, not just get good grades. I don’t know exactly what I want to major in, but I am considering: Physics, Environmental Studies, Engineering (particularly environmental/civil), Biology, or Mathematics. I like Japanese, Music (jazz trumpet, marching band), and the outdoors. I want to fight global warming.</p>
<p>I want a college where I can really get to know people, especially those that are enthusiastic about something (usually nerds) and like to learn. I want to go to a place that people go by choice, not solely because of job prospects, reputation, alumni network, etc. I want a college that is strong in science and/or engineering, and gives me lots of options. I want fellow students who are aware of the world and concerned about the suffering of others and the planet (preferably liberal, but not necessarily). I am interested in pursuing marching band, jazz music, East Asian studies, study abroad, and community service but don’t want to commit too much time to these areas. I don’t want to spend too much time drinking, partying, etc, but I don’t mind if frats are big as long as they don’t force anything on me/make non-Greeks feel uncomfortable. I am interested in working and studying hard as long as the environment is low-pressure and noncompetitive, and the students are eager and/or curious. Paying for college is not a concern for me, as I have extremely wealthy grandparents who have made it clear that I should not consider money/financial aid in making my decision. I know that these qualities may not all meet in one school, and I don’t expect them to.</p>
<p>I like big schools for the wealth of strong programs and options (especially in engineering) but dislike the fact that many students are unhappy, competitive, or apathetic at these schools. Sometimes these schools (even those with the best reputation) end up being places where students are intelligent and ambitious, but find their classes boring and party all the time.</p>
<p>I like small schools for the culture and community feel of the campus, and their focus on undergraduate education. Students at many small schools are curious, happy, and eager to attend class, beyond just being intelligent and/or ambitious. Students often party less than at larger schools, and came to the school in question to attend classes, not just earn a degree.</p>
<p>I am eager to work on college apps, but during the school year I will have an average of ten hours every week I could reasonably spend working, and until then I have around fifteen hours per week to work on apps.</p>
<p>I have been told a good number of schools to apply to is 8:
3 reaches
3 targets
2 safeties</p>
<p>Following that criteria, I would come up with this list of schools:
Stanford
Harvey Mudd/Deep Springs/Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
Oberlin
Reed
Bard/Whitman/Pitzer
UT Austin
Lawrence/Goucher/New College of Florida/Allegheny
Texas A&M</p>
<p>Other schools I am considering:
Princeton
Cooper Union
Swarthmore
Tufts
Rice
UChicago
Northwestern
Cornell
Carnegie Mellon
Grinnell
Carleton</p>
<p>I’m sorry that that’s a lot of information, but I have not visited all of these schools and don’t want to reject the ones I haven’t had a chance to visit. Your reply can be as short as you’d like. How many and/or which colleges should I apply to? Thank you for your time! I would also appreciate personal experience with individual schools: either a recommendation or condemnation is welcome!</p>
<p>P.S. I am a male rising senior attending a public magnet high school in Austin, TX.</p>