My Head Hurts...

College Search & Lists
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<p>This is pathetic. A few months ago, my college list was basically set. After over-analyzing the aspects of various colleges, I have come to the conclusion that I need to enlist outside sources to help compile my list of colleges. The problem is that I don’t seem to fit any particular mold; I am pretty open-minded and currently somewhat unsure of what I want to gain from my college experience.</p>

<p>Here are some characteristics I am looking for in a college:</p>

<p>-A flexible cirriculum that focuses on humanities
-Undergraduate focus
-Small population 2,000-8,000
-Strong sense of community (?)
-A “large” minority population, esp. African-American (I’m an AA male)
-Economic diversity
-Good racial/class interaction
-A liberal-minded, but not radical student body, …I’m socially liberal, fiscally moderate, and being on a campus that only accepts a radical left viewpoint is not an attractive prospect
-A good intramural sports scene (but not a school dominated by the jock scene or athletic teams)
-I dress fairly “preppy”, but for some reason I am hesitant to apply to a “preppy” school
-Subtle school spirit
-Frats: As of now, I don’t drink. As long as the social scene is not completely revolved around drinking, I have no problem with frats.
-Within a reasonable distance of a major city
-Beautiful campus (subjective, I know)
-A student body without the pretension and snobbery usually associated with “elite” schools (Generalization, I know)</p>

<p>Stats: 4.3 W/ 3.86 UW…34 ACT…2190 SAT (retaking Dec.)…sports, mock trial, mentoring/community service ECs
Potential majors: Anthropology, International Relations, Public Policy, Developmental Studies
Currently list:Some UCs (CA resident), Brown, and Occidental</p>

<p>Looking for two more schools…</p>

<p>Suggestions?</p>

2

<p>University of Chicago
Kalamazoo College</p>

3

<p>Rhodes may or may not be a match for you; it’s close…
-The core curriculum is called the Foundations of the Liberal Arts and requires demonstrated mastery of 12 foundational areas. Many of those revolve around the humanities, and one in particular is “understanding questions of meaning and value” which is fulfilled through a 3-course humanities sequence.
-All but 10 students at Rhodes are undergrad. The grads are essentially 5-year seniors in a MS Accounting program prepping for the CPA exam.
-Student population at about 1700 is just under your desired minimum.
-There is a very strong sense of community. Student run honor code and conduct code, 75% of students live on campus (including all first and second year students).<br>
-African Americans are the largest minority group on campus, making up about 7% of the student body. It seems that number represents a “critical mass” - the students are happy and we have a lot of multicultural resources - an associate dean of students, a multicultural resource center, a black students’ association, and a growing corps of black alumni.
-We’ve got folks whose parents made $10,000 last year all the way up to seemingly owning half the free world.
-My experience has been that the class distinctions are hard to perceive. Not a lot of the students flaunt wealth, which helps. Racial accord has been high lately. Only time I remember a problem was a flare up about 6 or 7 years ago when someone was writing some hateful notes to people.
-The students’ political views are pretty balanced; about half liberal, half conservative, with a slight edge to the liberals. Most are on the moderate end of the spectrum, with few “extreme” liberals or conservatives.
-A ton of club and intramural sports; Division III varsity athletics. I played ultimate frisbee there for four years as well as 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 basketball and flag football.
-You’d have to visit to decide whether it’s got the right level of preppiness for you.
-Subtle school spirit: check
-50% of students participate in the greek system, but it’s different from a lot of places because the greek houses are not residential and most of the greek parties are open to the whole campus. For what it’s worth, I pledged a fraternity at Rhodes and chose not to drink until I was 21. I had no pressure whatsoever to do so.
-Rhodes is in the heart of midtown Memphis, TN
-It is in my biased opinion the most beautiful campus in the country.
-Again, you’d have to visit to decide whether you like the general attitude of the students; I don’t perceive it as elite or snotty at all, but YMMV.</p>

4

<p>I sent you a PM.</p>

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<p>Carleton sounds good. Small, moderate-to-liberal politically, big intramural scene, 30 minutes away from the Twin Cities.</p>

6

<p>Have you looked at Pomona yet?</p>

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<p>I don’t think of Carleton as having a lot of blacks or minorities except in comparison to St Olaf.</p>

8

<p>double posted</p>

9

<p>College of Wooster</p>

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<p>Check out this thread by Hawkette if you haven’t seen it already:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/791124-college-comparison-xvi-ethnic-diversity.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/791124-college-comparison-xvi-ethnic-diversity.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>College of Wooster. (it wouldn’t post my reason)</p>

<p>** A flexible cirriculum that focuses on humanities: They’re really flexible when it comes to GEN ED requirements, you only need to take two science classes while you’re there if you want. Also no math requirement.
** Undergraduate focus: Its a college. So no graduates. Also every student is an honors student and has to do a thesis at the end, how well you do on that thesis dictates whether or not you graduate with honors.
** Small population: Student body is about 2,000
** Strong sense of community: Because its 20 minutes from Akron, the student body is really close, and 99% of people stay on campus on the weekends. They bring in entertainment on the weekends for concerts etc., there is a nightclub on campus, as well as a bowling alley and pool lounge in the basement of the student center. The community is also rated 2nd best thing on college *******. There are also great traditions, bagpipes for one, and the fact that its rumored that if you fill the arch with snow, you won’t have classes the next day.</p>

<p>** A “large” minority population: I’d say its decent. There is a whole multicultural dorm (which is the tightest community on campus – all international students are put in there and domestic students apply.)
** Economic diversity: This is more prevalent. They have a very large endowment for such a small school, and give out lots of merit aid along with an average 18K financial aid. They realize that everyone should be able to go to college and graduate debt free. My roommate freshman year came from parents who make a combined 20K and my mom makes about 100K.
** Good racial/class interaction: It’s such a laid back campus, that everyone hangs with everyone. I can’t really think of any cliques on campus. And while the multicultural dorm is tight, they socialize with everyone – also the dorm was just renovated.
** A liberal-minded: It certainly leans liberal (heck, its a college campus, there is even a organization called the Ice Cream Socialists). The polisci professors also lean liberal, but there is also an active College Republican program and because its in Ohio you do get a fair amount of Republicans.
** A good intramural sports scene: Because we’re DIII, there is a relatively large intramural sports scene. They’re often followed closer than the varsity sports. Softball and Basketball are big – and there are even international games because of the international population on campus.</p>

<p>** I dress fairly “preppy”: Not an issue. I don’t see many if any people going to class in PJs, you won’t have a problem.
** Subtle school spirit: The only time I see big school spirit is when Wooster plays Whitman, because sports aren’t a huge deal. You’ll see people wearing college sweatshirts obviously, and see the bagpipers eating in costume before a Saturday football game. But again, its a DIII school
** Frats: The frat scene is contained, they live in their own dorm. Their parties are open to the entire campus and there are frats for people who drink excessively and who don’t. I recommend the Xi Chis if you won’t some academically oriented guys who are cool and don’t drink.
** Within a reasonable distance of a major city: Its in the town of Wooster, 20 minutes from Akron, and 40 from Cleveland. But it doesn’t feel like you live in a small town.
** Beautiful campus: <a href=“Landscape Architect & Specifier News | LADetails Product Search”>Landscape Architect & Specifier News | LADetails Product Search;

<p>Thats the main building. Its a beautiful campus – and Kauke is a palace which is where you’d be if you’re a humanities major. Its basically like having class inside a Starbucks/Barnes and Noble
** A student body without the pretension and snobbery usually associated with “elite” schools: Because Wooster has a reputation for accepting two kinds of people: 1) academic elites who are trying to avoid snobbery and 2) people who are smart, but didn’t excel in the high school atmosphere, you get a very humble and well-grounded student body.</p>

<p>Final Thoughts: Their PoliSci and International Relations department are astounding for such a small school, fulbright, and rhodes scholars abound. Also a Model UN team that goes to Chicago and New York every year, free of charge. Also, the Moot Court (aka. Mock Trial) teacher is hands down the smartest man I’ve ever met. EVER. You could also go there free of charge based on your grades and financial aid.</p>

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<p>Wow, thanks for all of the replies…</p>

<p>lynxinsider: I’m a bit apprehensive about applying anywhere in the South. No disrespect intended, but people in CA pretty much paint the South as a nonprogressive region. Probably not true, but that characterization is embedded in my mind. Sounds good on paper though.</p>

<p>twomules: I looked at both Pomona and Pitzer. Since I don’t live too far away from them, I’ll probably visit soon. </p>

<p>AUTransfer: Wooster’s website is really cool. Major bonus points.</p>

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<p>Have you taken any SAT2s? You may want to do that instead of taking the SAT again. In my opinion, with the ACT 34 you are good to go. On the collegeboard site, they convert a 34 thus:
34 1510</p>

<p><a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/act-sat-concordance-tables.pdf[/url]”>Higher Education Professionals | College Board;

<p>The 1510 is CR and M. I didn’t have my kid test again after her 34.</p>