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I didn't do all that much research into colleges, but Syracuse seemed to (and does) have the kind of academic qualities I wanted, mostly. It's large and connected with the city and has a decent music department (I'm a music composition major).

Problems academically are:
a) no film minor. I'd like to find a school which offers one.
b) there aren't many very good musicians! I think I'd like to find a university with a larger music department. (I'd like a university that still has strong academics, though.)

Even bigger problems: I hate the atmosphere of fast-pased, rigid and rule-loving "northeasterness". I've lived here all my life, so I can say that. I'm just so sick of it:
So,
a1)I'd like to find a place preferably on the west coast, possibly connected with a fairly large city.
b1)I'd also like a place where "cliques" aren't so prominent and where everything is very laid-back socially, preferably with little to no partying/drugs.
c1)Also, I'd really like a school with a very relaxed atmosphere, with little emphasis on attendance policy, grades, etc., and more on learning, not competitive.

I've tried researching in order to find these attributes, but tend not to find them together. I bet there's a good match for me somewhere, but it'd probably take a long, long time to find, with many college visits.

Thanks for any help,
Tim

By Timb (Timb) on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 04:31 am: Edit

Add this to my first message:

"d1)"

I'd prefer a school where students are very focused on learning (over being cut-throat about sports, or apathetic about learning) (but not competitive).

"e1)"

A school with strong focus and strength in the arts would be a plus.

Thanks again,
Tim

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 04:34 pm: Edit

I'm not sure if these will work for you but take a look at Chapman University in Southern Calif. They have a good film department and are also good for music. USC might be another option for you. You might also investigate the Claremont Colleges near LA - it's a five school consortium where you can take classes among the schools. I know Pitzer (one of the schools) has a film program but I'm not sure how active/big the music program is among the schools. Finally, Ithaca College might be a good alternative to Syracuse as they have a large music program. I'm sure some other folks will have additional ideas.

By Timb (Timb) on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 02:36 am: Edit

thanks for the suggestions. Do you know much about UCLA? UCLA looks great, especially since one of my favorite composers is on the composition faculty, Jerry Goldsmith, but I don't know if the general atmosphere will be uptight... or too competitive... or too "partying"... The biggest non-academic criteria for me would be not uptight, though.

Tim

By Legacy (Legacy) on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 03:05 am: Edit

UCLA is known for being in general an extremely competitive school. People will not share notes or advice because they think it might hurt them later on, very cutt-throat. Plus it is extremely hard to get into any UC from out of state. The Claremont Colleges is something you might want to look into.

By B18c1cx (B18c1cx) on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 01:14 pm: Edit

Timb, drunk people are funny. Don't go for the completely nerdy school.

By Timb (Timb) on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 12:43 am: Edit

Do University of Washington, Univ. Oregon, UC San Diego, or UC Santa Barbara have any bad reputations?

Tim

By College (College) on Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 12:57 pm: Edit

bump.......................bump...