Stumbling blind - suggestions?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Thanks in advance, folks.</p>

<p>For the past week or so, I’ve been seriously looking and trying to find colleges to apply to to begin attending next year (I’m a senior in high school this year). However, between not having any real knowledge of colleges or exactly what I want to study, I’m having real difficulty figuring out how to find and narrow down to 3-5 choices to apply to.</p>

<p>Useful stats:
-3.6 GPA, 5 AP classes this year
-Lack of extracurricular (though I did found and now lead with a few other friends the Anime Club at school)
-31 ACT
-Financial aid will be necessary, easily under $60,000 a year</p>

<p>Here’s what I know I want, for what this is worth:
-Small (under 5000 preferred)
-Live in dorms, hopefully where many other students do the same
-A lack of drugs, alcohol etc (to whatever extend can be reasonably wished for)
-‘Work hard, play hard’ mentality/energy level
-Religion isn’t really an issue, but I am not affiliated with any of them
-4 year school (I want to teach English in Japan after college for a few years, and a 4 year degree in -something- is largely the only prereq it seems)
-Japanese language courses (brand new to language, took 4 years of French)</p>

<p>Location: North East perhaps (still open minded though), suburban (city or rural is no -real- issue though, however I appreciate the variation of being near both city and rural when wanted)</p>

<p>–</p>

<p>For the most part, I’d call myself undecided on what exactly to study. I have interest in a variety of things, mostly in a ‘larger understanding of the world’ sort of view point. What I mean by this is that I’m interested in having a good understanding of history & cultures, but also in ecology & zoology too. My ‘maybe’ plan at the moment is game production or film directing, as those careers seemingly have a lot of the leading, guiding, and other traits I feel I exhibit - and enjoy behaving with. My ego asks for the school to have at least some prestige or self-importance to its name.</p>

<p>Bonus points for schools with equestrian, archery, and/or fencing clubs for women, but these are just extra interests that I’ll pursue if available.</p>

<p>I appreciate any sorts of suggestions or advice.</p>

2

<p>Bryn Mawr? Perhaps? I don’t know if it meets all your criteria, but it does meet some of them.</p>

3

<p>What about Bowdion College? Also check out some other LAC’s</p>

4

<p>Grinnell. It’s not a perfect fit for what you’re asking for (the drinking culture on campus has gotten more prevalent in the past few years, sadly), but it’s very small, the large majority of students, even upperclassmen, live in the dorms, and it pretty much embodies the “work hard, play hard” idea.</p>

5

<p>Would you be open to a Christian school? There aren’t going to be that many schools with little-to-no drugs and alcohol that aren’t. Obviously, the extent varies a great deal; while there’s a reasonable amount of drinking at most of the schools to which I applied, and while I’m aware that some of the student body here smokes weed, there’s very little harder stuff. I can’t say I haven’t heard of anyone doing anything harder, but I’ve only heard of one such incident. If that’s ok with you, your options are much broader than if you want 60+% of the student body not to drink.</p>

6

<p>“Financial aid will be necessary, easily under $60,000 a year”</p>

<p>You may want to take this question to the Financial Aid Forum. Sit down with your parents, and find out how much they will contribute toward your educational expenses, and run a couple of financial aid calculators. When you have a better idea of what your family can/will pay, and what the colleges will expect them to pay, you will know more about what your list needs to look like.</p>

7

<p>Look into Goucher. Except I don’t know how Goucher does with financial aid; you’ll have to investigate that. </p>

<p>Sent from my DROIDX using CC App</p>

8

<p>Check out Oberlin. Good Asian languages and a strong program teaching English in Asia for graduates via the Shansi program. </p>

<p>[Fellowships</a> - Shansi](<a href=“http://shansi.oberlin.edu/fellowships]Fellowships”>http://shansi.oberlin.edu/fellowships)</p>