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I am a senior in high school and I have certain criteria for my college search; however, I feel that I could be applying to more challenging schools. First, I do not want a cut throat environment. (Ivy Leagues are out for sure.) I want to go to a small school -- under 5000 kids. I am also looking for a familial/communal environment. I do not want to go to a party school or a school known for drinking. I don't have any interest in Greek life or getting drunk. I attend a challenging, private, independent high school, and I have a 1320 SAT score and a 4.0 GPA. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

By Dadster on Friday, November 16, 2001 - 12:01 pm: Edit

Wow, collegeseek, there are lots of schools that might fit those general criteria, and your stats will get you into most of them. Can you narrow things down at all in terms of geography, possible majors, etc.? Are you thinking of a liberal arts college?

By George Meany on Monday, November 26, 2001 - 08:04 am: Edit

Just a quick comment on the OP's comment: "I do not want a cut throat environment. (Ivy Leagues are out for sure.)" Why do you think all Ivies are cutthroat? Brown certainly isn't. How about Harvard? If it were cutthroat, would there be a grade inflation problem? Princeton's not competitive either. Maybe Penn's Wharton School is competitive and some of the other's specialty programs are too, but I'd encourage you not to reject all Ivies because of your--IMO--mistaken impression.

By Dadster on Monday, November 26, 2001 - 04:11 pm: Edit

Good point, George. Admissions may be cutthroat at the Ivies, but none of them have a strong reputation for being cutthroat academic environments. (That would be JHU... see the Johns Hopkins Too Competitive?thread. All those dang premeds...)

By blu22 on Friday, September 13, 2002 - 05:01 pm: Edit

steer clear from depauw and w&l.

By I on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 11:44 pm: Edit

check out princeton review's ratings on academically challenging schools, and non-partying ones.

If you want a small school, I'd recommend Brandeis (frats officially banned, fairly rigorous without being tough). Oberlin's a decent choice, too. Amherst should be what you're looking at, but it's quite difficult to get in. And they're a host of others... just look up ratings and reviews and see what sounds good.

By BBB on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 12:04 am: Edit

Have you checked U of Chicago?

By collegista on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 05:22 pm: Edit

Swarthmore and Haverford.