<p>I’ve applied to the following schools for a Ph.D.</p>
<p>I want to know what these schools are like, especially the undergraduate population and how easy it would be to fit in and make friends.</p>
<p>My background:
I’m a Canadian studying physics, Protestant Christian but not particularly religious (don’t go to church regularly), kind of shy, libertarian in politics, middle-class upbringing, of “Asian” race.</p>
<p>Here are the schools:
Yale (probably not going to get into this one)
Indiana University-Bloomington
University of Virginia
College of William & Mary
University of Oregon
Lehigh</p>
<p>Which ones would be good for making friends at? Which ones would I get the most/least flack for being libertarian / from out-of-state / not so religious / “Asian” / shy?</p>
<p>Lehigh and UVA are the more conservative schools. Yale and Oregon would be more liberal. You would also probably do well at IU. There are a lot of out staters there and it is somewhat more liberal than Lehigh and UVA. Also, it has the classic college town with plenty of shops, restaurants and clubs. I don’t really think you would get any flack from any of these schools about not being religious. I’m not really sure about William & Mary. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>By “conservative” do you mean close-minded suburban kids whose primary leisure activity is underage drinking, or worldly intellectuals with brains who don’t want the government interfering with their lives?</p>
<p>Are there stats available for schools showing how many are from out-of-state?</p>
<p>Also, it’s important to remember that if you’re applying for a graduate program, you’re going to have a different experience than in the undergrad part of the institution.</p>