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I've wanted to be a writer since I was younger, and now that it's time for me to choose a college (I graduate in 2005), I don't know where to go. I am looking for a smaller private college (preferably liberal arts) outside of a city on the east coast. My cummulative SAT score is 1170, so that cancels out most of the Ivy Leagues (which I had been looking at up until this point). Also, the more liberal the kids are, the better! And I'd like a school with a nice reputation for its English program. If anyone could help me out, that would be great; I am very stressed out about this whole ordeal and my time is running out!

By Candi1657 (Candi1657) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 07:57 pm: Edit

Sarah Lawrence.

By Hayden (Hayden) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 08:55 pm: Edit

Emerson might work, but it's a little more of a art/English language school than the true broad category of liberal arts.

By Tkdgal (Tkdgal) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 08:59 pm: Edit

Kenyon College. Occidental College. Skidmore College. I know Carolyn knows tons!

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 09:07 pm: Edit

There are some great schools where submitting SATs are optional --- they include Bates, Connecticut College, Dickinson, Lewis & Clark, which all have fine English and creative writing programs. You can find other schools with SAT optional requirements at www.fairtest.org.

Kenyon has a stellar writing program. Your SATs are low for them, but might be worth a shot.

Some other schools with good creative writing and/or English programs where your stats are a match include: Knox College (Il - has an excellent creative writing and English program), Beloit (Wisc.), Earlham (Indiana), Dennison (Ohio), Gettysburg (PA), Muhlenberg (PA - think they are also SAT optional), Goucher (Maryland), Washington College (Maryland), the University of Denver (Colorado), the University of Redlands (Calif), Emerson (MA), Sarah Lawrence (NY)
SUNY Purchase, SUNY New Paltz, University of Puget Sound (Wash), Wittenberg (Ohio), The College of Wooster (Ohio), Hendrix (Ark), Hobart & William Smith (NY), Syracuse U (NY), Bard (NY), Willamette (Oregon), Reed (Oregon), Lawrence (Wisc).

I'm sure others will add to this list.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 09:08 pm: Edit

Sorry, just saw one of your requirements is outside of a city on the east coast. Goucher would fit that requirement, as would SUNY Purchase and Sarah Lawrence. Dickinson and Gettysburg are about an hour from Philadelphia. You might also take a look at Mary Washington in Virigina, not too far from D.C. But do check out the other schools on the list above as well, especially Knox. Good luck!

By Thetownbutcher (Thetownbutcher) on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 11:52 pm: Edit

Thank you so much--every one of you--for all this help. I really appreciate it and you're making this so much easier for me.

By A2a2 (A2a2) on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 12:01 am: Edit

I think you might really like Sara Lawrence, which has been mentioned a couple of times here. Also, try Hampshire and Bard. If you're willing to consider a state university, look at the University of Iowa - home of the famous Writer's Workshop.

By Thekev (Thekev) on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 11:19 pm: Edit

Maybe Kenyon or Hamilton. Also maybe Hendrix College or Lyons College. Perhaps maybe Baker U.

By Alan5 (Alan5) on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 11:32 pm: Edit

Look at Wheaton in MA.

By Travelr (Travelr) on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 12:54 am: Edit

Also Skidmore in Saratoga Springs. A great college town, which is accessible to Boston, New York, and Montreal.