Melanie Said:

Someone who knows a lot about competitive colleges: Reed, Oberlin, UC Berkeley, U of Chicago, Dartmouth...?

We Answered:

You speak of a -- "medium sized liberal arts college with a lot of diversity in a suburban or city area." Reed is small to medium sized -- but as to being diverse, well ...

Point I make here is, usually the medium to large public-state colleges and universities in 'urban' centers are the schools that bare the most diversity. Still to this day, the schools you list do not bear diversity quite as one would think it.

UC Berkeley is 'not' medium sized and bears only 'some' diversity as opposed to what it once bore, though it is located in a considerably diverse city area for sure. UC Santa Cruz is ~ medium sized and increasingly leans toward the larger size. It is located in a woodland area close to a seashore and does bear only 'some' diversity in its student body compared to what it once did. U of Chicago is large and set soundly in the city. Both U of Chicago and UC Berkeley are flagship American universities and are scarcely quaint or medium sized. Berkeley is extremely competitive because of its costs to attend relative to the quality afforded -- it is a public university.

Oberlin fits the bill regarding mid-sized, but again, on that of diversity, you have to be sure what you mean. Some of these schools are set in city areas that are diverse but the schools themselves are not diverse at all, and whose student and teaching faculties are predominately Anglo-Saxon now more than just 10 years ago. Things have changed in the political arenas in this country and have grown fiercer, more exclusive, and even bitter in higher education. Money is simply shorter, and schools are simply admitting less students because teaching faculties are being laid off -- even among schools like Harvard Univ and the University of CA system.

I suggest that you modify your criteria. Let me say this. A truly diverse school reflects diversity in its professorships and administrative faculties in addition to showing diversity in its student body. Few schools fulfill that criterion. After all, this is the USA, and much work is yet needed in terms of the cultural and racial fabric ... Denial about that is as strong as it has ever been.

Of those that are liberal arts schools, Darmouth is one of among a number of (high brow) schools with a pronounce focus in the liberal arts; is small to medium sized, progressive, and does bear a measure of diversity in its 'student body' proper - but not necessarily in its professorships. It is the only Ivy League School in your list and supposedly prides itself on prompting diversity in its student body in addition to requiring very strong academic standing, given that it is one of the eight Ivy Leagues.

All of your choices are fine schools, and -- no -- you 'are not' aiming too high. Only you are placing emphases on abstractions; you are a little too idealistic, is all. But nothing is wrong with that; most of us are that way.

You can get in! But ensure that you get a better sense of these schools with regard to your doubling a History Major with Environmental Science Major: Darmouth and UC Santa Cruz stand out in that respect, as does UC Berkeley. But then, many, many, schools today are ramping up their emphases on Environmental Science. And no schools are without reasonably strong History departments.

Of those you list, Darmouth appears to resonate best with you given the criteria you list. Drop this aspect about which is hardest or easiest to get into, however. What you should do is simply apply to them; start with what you feel would be your least favorite choice and then end with your most favorite choice, for by the time you reach the middle and ending, you will be sufficiently rehearsed in the application processes to stand a better chance of getting in your most favorite.

They are all good schools; but diverse? -- truly diverse? -- well ...

Wade Said:

How can I transfer to a liberal arts college from a community college?

We Answered:

You need to have 24 units to transfer. (Link below)

Of course, if you apply as a freshman, not a transfer student, then you might be able to apply your credits, but still just be a freshman. Contact the transfer counselor and find out for sure.

Your community college may have a transfer center than can advise you as well.

Salvador Said:

What liberal arts colleges should I look into if i have a 4.0 to a 4.2 GPA?

We Answered:

these are proably the best liberal colleges in the country
Amherst College
Williams College
Swarthmore College
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University
St. John's University
Cornell if u have good Sat scores

hope i helped

Agnes Said:

Thinking about attending a liberal arts college...?

We Answered:

I have no trouble with someone going to a small liberal arts college. Someone with a good liberal arts degree can think critically and express himself well.

I wonder about Shimer, though. US News does not rank it and Princeton Review has very little data on it. This means that the school does not want the public to know anything about how selective it is. This is a bad thing. If you have decent SAT scores and good grades, I would suggest going to almost any other liberal arts college instead.

If you want a Great Books college like Shimer -- then I would suggest applying to St John's (they have one campus in Annapolis and one in New Mexico). It has an excellent reputation.

Emma Said:

I am a student in the city colleges of chicago I want to transfer to UIC (liberal arts) with a 2.0 can I?

We Answered:

I go to UIC myself. The minimum to transfer in is a 2.0. That very well means you had better have a damn good reason that your GPA is so low. Although some liberal arts are much easier to get into than say the colleges of business and engineering; you probably will have a tough time getting in. I have taken courses at wilbur wright and triton city colleges in the summer. Those are a breeze compared to the classes offered at UIC. Not trying to rain on your parade, but if the city colleges are giving you c's, then maybe UIC is not for you. BTW I am a senior and have seen very many people get kicked out/drop out for having horrible grades here. There is way too much freedom at this school and it kills a lot of people who cant manage their time.

Hector Said:

Colleges in Chicago- Recommendations?

We Answered:

I got to UIC and they have a pretty good English department.
But DePaul Loyola and Northwestern are all good private universities.
Columbia College is good for that too :)
Good luck :)