What if I don't find the perfect college?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>HELLO I’m going to be a senior in the fall and I’m in the midst of the dreaded college application process. It wouldn’t be so bad if I had a school (or 5) that I really wanted to go to and knew I had a good shot at being admitted. Every single college that I even have a sliver of a chance at getting into seems to have SOMETHING wrong with it, I know there is no perfect school but there’s supposed to be “a perfect fit” for everyone BUT WHAT IF I DON’T FIND THAT PLACE? (or worse- get rejected?)</p>

<p>ACT: (30) M (31) R (31) E (29- I know I can bring it up in Sept.) S (27)
3.8 UW
4.3 W
My ECs are good, community service is very strong as are my essays (or so I’ve been told) and teacher recs.</p>

<p>I’ve been looking at:
Emory (reach)
Bowdoin (reach)
Davidson (high match)
Colgate (high match)
U of Denver (safety) r
Trinity University (in TX- safety)
Occidental College (match) </p>

<p>From what I’ve read Davidson has horrible grade deflation (I would probably barely get in there- much less do WELL there) but I love everything else about the school</p>

<p>Emory scares me cause I know greek life is important there if you want to have a social life and meet guys. Plus I probably wouldn’t even get in here. </p>

<p>Occidental is known to be EXTREMELY liberal- I would not fit in there as I am from Texas and not politically liberal. </p>

<p>From what I’ve read Colgate has a prevalent party/drinking/frat scene and supposedly that’s all there is to do there. (I don’t want a dead social scene but the thought of alcohol and sex being the only availible weekend activities freaks me out.)</p>

<p>The DU reviews said everybody is a snobby brat living off of daddy’s credit cards- I REALLY don’t want to have another 4 years of that I’ve dealt with it enough at my HS. (I’m not rich) </p>

<p>Trinity University seems like a great school but I visited the campus and it just seems like I’d have a hard time getting excited about going there- Nothing stuck out to me and I just didn’t get the feeling of “I’D LOVE GOING HERE” like you’re supposed to.</p>

<p>and Bowdoin, I have yet to read any derogatory comments or reviews on this school. It sounds amazing. I probably have approximately a 0% chance of gaining admission here though- which Is quite depressing, cause I do feel like it’d be the perfect fit for me. Beautiful location, no sororities/frats, great food, happiest students, small classes, great profs, outstanding reputation, no grade deflation, etc. I still have yet to visit though. </p>

<p>Can someone give me feedback on these stereotypes? I’ve researched and read every single thing on every website I could find and this is what I came up with- I’m just very nervous that I might make the wrong decision and I could really use some help on what these schools are really like. Any suggestions are welcomed. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Have you checked out the student comments about these schools on other college sites? I think every student worries about the same thing.</p>

3

<p>muhlenberg college may be the best all around school for you.</p>

4

<p>You do not need to find “the perfect” college. For most students “perfect fit” is a myth. Look for several that are “good enough” fits instead.</p>

<p>Most of your college experience, like most of life in general, is up to you. You can be happy at any of the colleges and universities in this country if you just put your mind to it. If you must fall in love with any of place on your list, do it with your safety institution (you know for dead certain you will be admitted and you know for dead certain you can pay for it). It’s ok to like the others, but being in love with them can lead to a lot of grief come next April.</p>

5

<p>There is no “perfect fit” for everyone either as you will change your ideas of perfection ovr time too. Many schools would be good enough to allow you to find happiness with college. Looking for perfection just assures disappointment. Just assume you can be happy wherever you are. That works WAY better. And is true.</p>

6

<p>I’m wondering if you have been to Maine in the winter and spring? Also: I wonder if Bowdoin is any less liberal than Occidental? </p>

<p>I think you have to dig deeper in your search. There are so many schools. The list you have here seems a bit random. What ties it together? Where’s the pattern?</p>

7

<p>Go back and reread post #4.</p>

8

<p>Yes it’s definitely random. They’re all relatively small schools with small class sizes. Emory and Occidental- I love the locations. Trinity is my in-state safety, and definitely the only TX school I’d consider attending. Bowdoin, Davidson and Colgate would probably be the best fits for me as a person because I really do need something small, U of Denver has a great psychology program, I love the city & I have a house I could use there.</p>

9

<p>I’d like to point out that Emory is in no way dominated by Greek life. According to the US News, over 75% of students don’t join fraternities and sororities and still manage to have a rich and fulfilling social life (including yours truly). With the exception of a few houses, Greek life at Emory is much less formal that at other Southern institutions including Alabama, OU, and a few other places. In fact freshmen aren’t allowed to rush until the second semester so that they’ll make friends both with Greek members and those outside of the system. I have plenty of friends that rushed as well as far more that didn’t. Most of the people that donned Greek letters are great, caring people who are extremely passionate and intellectually engaging. The same is true for those outside of the system and possibly to a greater extent.</p>

<p>As far as meeting guys is concerned, the only ones I know who’ve had any trouble with that are gay men at Oxford (Emory’s LAC). I’m not the best looking person out there, but I had a boyfriend for most of my freshman year, and before going out with him went on dates with two other men. So it’s certainly possible to meet other guys, so long as you don’t come across as an insufferable elitist.</p>

10

<p>ok thanks… that makes me feel a lot better about sororities at Emory. Did you enjoy Oxford? I’m sort of maybe considering it if I don’t get into Emory but I’m not sure since it’s SO tiny.</p>

11

<p>Yes I did. I loved its integrated LAC/Research university model, and the fact that the community was so cohesive, my intro classes were small and challenging, that the college took its mission as a dedicated LAC within the broader university framework quite seriously, and the enormous diversity. </p>

<p>I will say that the size is both a common complaint, and a huge positive in the same way that students at many other liberal arts colleges view the size. You should also remember that the 900 students are spread out over two years rather than four and that Oxford is part of a larger institution in metropolitan Atlanta, a rapidly expanding area with around 5 million or so people.</p>

12

<p>Post #4 and Post #6 both have great info in them. Have you considered other schools like Franklin & Marshall, Dickinson, Wooster, Juniata, Ursinus, Lafayette, Washington & Lee (just to name a few that sound like what you might like)?</p>

13

<p>OP, welcome to the real world. You’re not going to find the perfect spouse, job, or house either. Instead focus on finding something that’s has lots of what you are looking for and none of the things you can’t tolerate. </p>

<p>You seem to be putting too much stock in what you have read/heard. People who go to the trouble of posting tend to be those with an axe to grind. </p>

<p>And I can’t help noticing you seem to jump to extremes; “everybody is a snobby brat”, “horrible grade deflation”, “EXTREMELY liberal”. Or, for that matter, “perfect college”. If you see the world in such polarizing terms I think you are in for a string of disappointments.</p>

14

<p>Creekland, Washington & Lee has an extremely high Greek participation rate. If someone wants to avoid fraternities and sororities, W&L is just about the worst place for that.</p>

15

<p>Try reading the college descriptions in a few good college guide books instead. They will help you identify schools with characteristics you like and will give you a more *balanced *view of the pros and cons of each school. Every school has pros and cons! I like the Fiske Guide, and the Princeton Review is good too.
Next, stop thinking in black and white. That leads to irrational thinking and prevents you from accepting some really good choices once you hear one “bad” comment. Also your tone is very negative even about the schools you do like. Your concern about getting admitted to highly selective schools makes sense given the admissions statistics, but you sound so defeatist. I’m sure you won’t let that come through in your applications or interviews, but, it isn’t healthy. Yes, applying to colleges is stressful and difficult, but it is also an exciting time in your life. Try to get some pleasure from it and from the rest of your high school life.
Use your favorite schools’ characteristics to find others where your odds are better, and once you have a better balanced list you will feel better.</p>

16

<p>whenhen - I added W&L at the end based upon its conservative nature, not Greek aspect. I suspect the OP will need to decide what they prefer and comparing many should give them ideas.</p>

17

<p>Thanks, most of the responses were super helpful. I probably wouldn’t get into W&L anyways so that’s not really an option, but thank you. Does anyone know anything about Colby or Bates in Maine?</p>

18

<p>I’m pretty sure Colby has a big reputation as a drinking school, for what it’s worth. What’s the fascination with Maine?</p>

19

<p>That’s what I read too. Well I don’t have a fascination with Maine I’m just trying to find selective and respected liberal arts schools and those 2 happened to be in Maine. and Bowdoin being there is just a coincidence. Maybe this is me generalizing too much but it seems like most schools either are 1) in a urban area such as Emory 2) in the middle of nowhere so drinking becomes the chosen pastime (Colgate & Colby) or 3) in the middle of nowhere and have a “dead” social life.</p>

20

<p>Less selective alternatives to Bowdoin and Davidson:
Whitman
Gettysburg
Kenyon
Centre College
Lawrence University
Muhlenberg
Juniata</p>