Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

It seems that the colleges my counselor said would be a "sure thing" didn't feel the same way. It turns out that this counselor didn't do a very good job with many of the students in my senior class. Some are left with one or no choice for colleges. I heeded my parents' advice and applied to many schools and at least I do have choices. I do not feel confident in my counselor's advice...you people seem much more informed. I'm pretty sure I want to major in pre-law and/or creative writing. My choices include: U of W (honors), UCSB (honors), UCSD, Lewis and Clark (some scholarship money), Tulane, Sarah Lawrence, Skidmore, and Hamilton. I am wait listed at Bowdoin (hopeless?). Money isn't a factor. I have only lived in California, so an out of state experience might be nice. I will most likely go onto grad school, so it might be nice to actually complete undergrad work in 4 years. I have heard that the graduation rates at the UC's aren't great. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

By Thedad (Thedad) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 11:55 pm: Edit

If you get off the waitlist and can stand the cold winters and the generally remote location, Bowdoin is supposed to be terrific. Of the others, I like either UCSB (honors) or UCSD. The UC's are fine for graduation rates if you don't need your hand held about partying too much...the quarter system can be unforgiving if you fall behind.

I'm finding that the knowledge, competence, and energy of many public school counselors sucks dead fish with a straw.

By Proed (Proed) on Friday, April 11, 2003 - 12:40 am: Edit

Thanks. I am going to look at the Skidmore, Sarah Lawrence and Hamilton next week. If none appeals to me (I have heard Hamilton is a great school with top academics, but isolated campus)I will go spend some time at UCSD. However,I am not looking forward to huge classes and impacted programs. Does anyone know how tough it is to get into Bowdoin if you are on their waitlist?

By Mike (Mike) on Friday, April 11, 2003 - 02:38 am: Edit

Lewis and Clark is a beautiful compus with a good law school that includes a couple of retired State Supreme Court judges. Has a Liberal bias in students but noticed they had both pro and anti administration people on campus this week to talk about the war. I would be very interested but they don't offer one of the Physical Science majors I want to have for an option

By Drusba (Drusba) on Friday, April 11, 2003 - 10:30 am: Edit

You have a lot of good choices. If your intent is to eventually go to law school do not make decision based on any "pre-law" concept. Law schools admit students from all kinds of majors (math, engineering, English, poly sci, any sciences, history, etc.). Majoring in "pre-law" does not create any advantage (or disadvantage) to getting into law school; it is just a psuedo-major created by some colleges to sell college students on the idea that it means something to law schools when it does not.