I can't find any colleges I like!

Longhaul
Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:24:08 +0000

You do have many limits which seem counter-intuitive – Why do you want study abroad if you hate to travel?

It is also difficult without stats (SAT/GPA)

Go back to the campus visit you made. What specifically about the atmosphere did you not like? Was it the physical buildings, the surrounding streets? It took 7 different visits to various schools for my kid to realize he really liked water features (fountains, lakes, streams). The city/burb/rural did not change his opinions. He just kept referring to the schools with the water features as relaxing environments. This was not immediately apparent and required he really sit and talk out his reactions.

I do not think it is necessary to look at high level/reach schools. It is more important to look at the individual class offerings. Dig into Keene’s course offerings. Be sure there is enough courses to keep you engaged.

If you truly are not finding a school you connect to, consider community college for 2 years. By then you may be ready for a college further from home which would open up many more opportunities. My local CC has summer study abroad. My local CC is also very good for education majors. At this early stage, do not rule out the CC option without exploring it more.

If you do consider outside the Maine/NH/Mass area, Arcadia in Glenside PA and Goucher in MD have wonderful study abroad. Arcadia even has a freshmen spring break program for <$500 which is ideal for students who want to visit another country without leaving home for an extended period.