GITC

[gettingintocollege]

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

I recently spent 20 days at Rose at Operation Catapult. It was a great experience and I learned a lot about the school, college life, and specifically small and/or STEM schools. I got a chance to talk to a lot of Rose students about the school and their opinions of it

Rose is an Engineering STEM school, so they only do Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math; but mainly Engineering (their mascot is the Figntin' Engineers). And they DO engineering. As the #1 engineering university without a graduate program, what else would you expect. 

 Why most students I spoke to choose to go to Rose

-Rose is a fantastic engineering school

-You get one-on-one time with your professor and they're there to help you whenever

-The campus is incredibly safe, many students leave their doors open as long as they aren't sleeping or changing. Some even leave their doors open during breaks. Regardless, nothing every gets stolen or tampered with

-There is a great community and even family atmosphere. Students don't compete against each other academically, they help each other. ----Everyone's goal is for everyone else to do well, which is not easy as it is a very tough school.

-Rose's reputation and job placement rates. The school is a very well know engineering school and has a job placement rate of over 90%

Life at the school

Rose is located on the edge of a large town in Indiana. So it's not the most exciting place, but the students still have fun. Drugs are not welcome in any society on campus, but there is some drinking. Many students participate in Intramural sports or join school teams. Fraternities and sororities are also very popular. But Greek life is a bit different than it is most places. Houses are networks for support and friendship. Most frats and sororities keep records of past homework, quizzes, and tests and offer homework and studying help. The students have massive amounts of homework, it is an engineering school after all, but they also have a lot of wholesome fun. Which might be all you can handle with that kind of work load.

Finding a job after graduation

Nobody that I spoke to was the least bit worried about finding a job or internships. Rose has fantastic job placement ratings. Rose graduates end up working side by side with MIT graduates. What more can I say.

Student Body

From my conversations with the students at Rose, I noticed there are a couple of definite types of people who thrive there. All have a passion for science/engineering and don't really want to deal with anything else like humanities. Many are from the Midwest and Great Lakes region. Most are very wholesome, good people that care about each other and want to help anyone that they can. Many students said that they came out of their shell, and found themselves when they got to Rose. They weren't huge fans of high school or were just not very outgoing before. Now they're very charismatic and happy with their lives. Rose students definitely know how to have a good time, but not in a traditional college sense.

Campus

Rose has a fairly small campus covering some 200+ acres with approx. 2000 undergrad students. It's not the prettiest campus, but it's got a nice feel to it. The school is quite obviously an engineering school and not an art school, random and strange artwork and sculptures can be found around ever corner of the square brick buildings. The school is also located on the only hilly patch of land in Indiana, so there are a lot of stairs. But these quirks make the campus feel even more homely and welcoming.

Considering Rose

Overall, Rose is a nice school. If you are dead set on engineering, enjoy the upper Midwest, and thrive in wholesome surroundings Rose might be the school for you. Regardless, if you're interested in engineering or applied biology, you should give Rose a chance.

-Joanna

[gettingintocollege]

Getting into the swing of things

So guys, we've been kind of MIA recently with the end of jr. year and a busy summer. I don't know how jr. year treated you, but it kicked my ass. hard. But with all that behind us and college applications ahead of us there's no more time to waste. The common app is up and so are most supplements. Time is ticking and I'm not so sure I'm ready for it all. I'm definitely ready to be in college, just not apply for it. 

Nelson and I have both visited some colleges this summer and we might do some brief profiles on them. I also attended Operation Catapult at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, so I'll definitely do a profile on Rose. We'll try to post more interviews and whatever you guys want. Just let us know

-Joanna

[gettingintocollege]

Grinnell College Student Interview

  Where are you from and where do you go to school? -Miami, Florida and the wonderfully insane Grinnell College in lovely Grinnell, IA.

  What year are you and what is your area of study?

-Junior Year and Poli Sci (if you can call it that...I basically call it Poli Sci, while I concentrate on film and other stuff)

Have you transferred, if so how has that affected you?

-Nope, but thought about it a few times (to West Point or a state uni close to home)

Why did you choose your school? -Academics, they gave me full aid and they promised me basically that I would be totally fine being weird there. Y'know? The weird mecca. 

  How would you describe life at your school?

-Pretty up-and-down. It's like a drug. There are some amazing highs that I'm happy I got to experience and I knew I wouldn't experience it anywhere else. Then there are some terrible lows I wouldn't wish on anyone else. I guess I'd describe it as existence really. I get up, do my thing, get back to my dorm and do something. No real way to get around that.

What are the pros and cons of your school academically? -I actually have no cons other than it's crazy difficult. You will struggle. I came out of the worst district in the US. I got a bat to the knees when I went. The Pros though are just that. The school, academically, is amazing. I've learned so much in my time at Grinnell and got to see so much. The profs care about you and your well-being and have been my support network when times got tough. Offices are open, they give you a lot of feedback and you will learn. It's just fantastic.

What are the pros and cons of your school socially? -Socially, oh boy. Well, pros. Everything is free. EVERYTHING. Parties, movies, events, talks...I've never paid a dime. The staff is nice and the place is the type that if you fit a type, you'll fit in. The cons is if you don't have a type of person. It's awkward and well, the parties are pretty meh. It's a strange place and after a while, the same people over and over again gets exhausting. Then again, can't complain. The schools does well to always have things going on, and everything being free is just fantastic...so, honestly I don't have much of a social life, but I'm always having fun because we get really great movies and concerts (that are also FREE). It also helps that I love the town and all the tiny town things in it.

Do you think you’ll be able to find a job after you graduate? -Maybe, we'll see. My school is a weird one because it networks really well. It's one of those schools that people know because the overall people who come out of it is fantastic. So, we'll see, but I'm sure I can find something...might just join the Peace Corps.

Are you happy with your choice in school? -I may be a little cynical...and jaded...and cynical...and reallllly jaded, but I am very happy at the end of the day with my choice I guess. I may hate it at times and I'm very critical and realistic about the place, but that's because I know what the school can be and should be. I do out of love because I never want to sleep on it. I want the school to be great and being able to critique something honestly is a sign you care. So, yes, I'm happy. It's given me so much and I wouldn't change that (good or bad).

If you could do your college search over, what would you do? -Keep my options open I suppose? I don't think I could change much. I applied to 35 schools and lucked out of a few. That's how the cards fall, so I don't think I can change much.

What is one piece of advice you’d give somebody who is considering this school? -Be open and know what you want out of it. It's a school that isn't for everyone, but will help everyone. Just don't let the bad stuff get in the way. Iowa can be isolating and draining, but if you keep your head up, you'll do great. Just don't change yourself and be who you are there and you'll be fine.

Rate you school overall on a scale from  1 to 10, 10 being the best. -Like I said, no matter how much I whine and complain...I rate it a 10. It's my school and I'm protective of it. When shit hit the fan, people actually went to me and showed care and made me feel like a human being. It taught me everything and allowed me to explore my mind for free. That's a 10 in my book.

If there’s anything we didn’t ask, but you’d like to add, please do so:

-Gary Cooper, Robert Noyce and Harry Hopkins, The founders of UCB and the Grinnell Basketball System can say it better than me. It's Grinnell. It's what we do. No limits isn't just a slogan, it's kind of how things work out here. 

[gettingintocollege]

Bowdoin Student Interview #2

Where are you from and where do you go to school?

I’m from New Jersey and I go to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME

  What year are you and what is your area of study?

I’m a junior majoring in neuroscience and minoring in English.

  Have you transferred, if so how has that affected you?

I have not transferred, but I do have a close friend who did.  He was unhappy with the fact that his previous unnamed Ivy-League university just handed out grades without him learning anything.  He decided that if he was going to pay so much for college, he might as well get some knowledge out of it.  He absolutely loves it here.  Unfortunately, because of the way things worked out, he is graduating one year later than his projected graduation date, but he’s okay with that, since he is better friends with my year than with the current seniors!

  Why did you choose your school?

My father was is kind of crazy, and he’s obsessed with college.  He went through Princeton Review’s 365 Colleges book and dog-eared schools he thought I would like.  I went over his dog-ears and untagged ones that I didn’t think I would like.  Things I would look for was a small undergraduate population, a strong science program, great relationships with faculty, and a well-rounded curriculum.  My parents and I then went to visit 30+ colleges, Bowdoin included.  I was lucky.  I got that knowing vibe as I was on Bowdoin’s campus tour.  But that wasn’t the only reason that I selected Bowdoin.  Seeing so many colleges, I devised a two-point system.  As long as school was in session during the tours I took, I’d perform these two tests.  A school could earn the “school pride” point if over 50% of the students I saw on campus had some sort of that school’s paraphernalia (e.g. hats, water bottles, shirts, sweatshirts).  Bowdoin earned that point.  But what really impressed me about Bowdoin was the second test.  A school could earn the “happiness” point if over 75% of students I saw were smiling, laughing, having a good time, etc.  Bowdoin very much surpassed that percentile.  I remember writing down in my “college journal” that Bowdoin was “over 90% happy!”  And that was the most important thing.  I wanted to go to a prestigious college and not be miserable for four years.  To further that notion, I went on an overnight at Bowdoin.  I stayed there on a Sunday night.  I had expected everyone to be in their rooms studying alone.  However, I found that everyone was out in the hall, studying together and helping each other.  That was the deciding factor for me – to see that students weren’t competitive, but instead were invested in each other’s education.  And since coming here, I’ve found that to be the case.

  How would you describe life at your school?

Life at Bowdoin is tough but rewarding – it’s definitely a work-hard play-hard atmosphere.  A lot of students are very involved on campus, whether that’s in varsity/club/intramural sports, clubs, performances, or work-study.  That, coupled with the heavy work load, typically leads to therapeutic debauchery on the weekends.  There are definitely highs and lows.  Freshman are usually in love with the school, sophomores and first-semester juniors are a little jaded, but then second-semester juniors and seniors rediscover that love for their soon-to-be alma mater. 

  What are the pros and cons of your school academically?

The pros would be the fact that Bowdoin professors are really invested in your understanding of the material.  They are willing to work with you endlessly until you get it.  Additionally, there are a plethora of research opportunities, no matter what discipline you study, which is great for the real world and for engaging with material you love.

  The cons would be the heavy work load.  Some professors don’t realize that the time difference between Monday and Wednesday is different than the time difference between Wednesday and the following Monday, making the turnaround for some work a bit tight.

  What are the pros and cons of your school socially?

There’s always something to do, no matter what day of the week. 

  There’s quite a large drinking scene at Bowdoin; whether that’s a good or a bad thing is up to you.  There’s also a ban on hard alcohol on campus, which I can’t decide how I feel about.  On one hand, it allows the administration to be able to control the alcohol at parties (kegs can be registered, jungle juice is a no-no), but when you’re legal, it’s a bit of a pain to possibly be penalized for possessing hard alcohol. 

  That being said, we have a great relationship with Security and the Brunswick Police (BPD).  Security is more concerned about students’ safety than getting them in trouble, so it usually works out in the students’ favor.

  Do you think you’ll be able to find a job after you graduate?

Most probably!  I am looking to obtain a graduate degree, though, so I will be postponing the real world for a bit.  The alumni network is amazing – they helped me secure an internship last summer, so I have no reason to suspect they’d let me down in the job arena.

  Are you happy with your choice in school?

Absolutely!  I couldn’t imagine being as happy at any other school.

  If you could do your college search over, what would you do?

I would have asked more “regular” students their opinions (as opposed to students under the watchful eye of the school’s Admissions).

  What is one piece of advice you’d give somebody who is considering this school?

Do an overnight.  Staying in a dorm gave me a brief introduction to college life and showed me how students interacted behind the scenes.  Sitting in on classes during the day were a great way to sample the academic environment without having anyone put on a show.  You can arrange overnights with Admissions or sometimes even with a sports team if you talk with the coach.

  Rate you school overall on a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the best.

8.5.  Bowdoin’s amazing, but it’s not perfect; no place is.  We’ve got great food, amazing people, outstanding academics, and opportunities galore, but there are definitely some bureaucracy shenanigans that I’m not too fond of. 

If you have any follow up questions Megan would be more than happy to answer them. Here's her blog http://megmassa.tumblr.com/

[gettingintocollege]

Student Interview: Cornell University Sophmore

Where are you from, and where do you go to school?

I'm from upstate New York, and I go to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. 

What year are you and what is your area of study?

I'm starting my second semester as a sophomore. I am a biology major, pre-med, concentrating in nutrition. 

Have you transferred, if so how has that affected you?

I did not transfer. 

Why did you choose your school?

I chose my school because I wanted to go somewhere that was academically challenging, with a strong biological science department and lots of available opportunities for research. I only went on two college visits, Cornell and Binghamton University, and when I walked around Cornell's campus I just fell in love with the school completely. I couldn't imagine going anywhere else, so I applied regular decision, and I was blessed to get in.

How would you describe life at your school?

 Busy, but fun! I wake up at 7 or 7:30 every morning, try to work out a little in my room, eat breakfast, and go to classes all morning. Afterwards I'll spend time during the afternoon doing assignments or studying in the library, going to club meetings or late classes. I'll come home (I live in the Center for Jewish Living, an off campus house with about 20 other Jewish students), eat dinner with my friends (usually this is my time to relax and unwind, so I'll take an hour or longer), and then I'll finish up studying, go to the gym or dance practice, or just relax downstairs and talk to my housemates. On weekends I'll usually go out at night, and during the day sleep in a little, go running or to the gym, hang out with my friends and housemates, do some work and studying, and go to dance practice.

What are the pros and cons of your school academically?

Pros: An incredible amount of pros. Most of the classes are taught by professors, not TAs. I prefer the style of large lectures over smaller seminars, and that's how most of the science classes are taught. There are a myriad of research opportunities, and Cornell is well known and respected for its academic rigor.

  Cons: The classes are (obviously) difficult and the way some courses are curved make it very difficult to do well and get an A.

  What are the pros and cons of your school socially?

Pros: There are tons of different student run organizations, clubs, sports, groups for singing, dancing, religion etc...so there really is a niche for everyone, and it makes it easy to meet friends.

  Cons: Weekdays are busy, so it's sometimes hard to find time to just be social. Also, there is quite a heavy influence of Greek Life on campus. There are a lot of fraternities and sororities. I am not in a social sorority and I chose not to Rush, but sometimes it feels like a lot of the "party scene" is mostly dominated by Greek Life.

Do you think you’ll be able to find a job after you graduate?

After I graduate I plan on going to medical school, so after that, yes. 

Are you happy with your choice in school?

Definitely. I really enjoy my classes, I love my friends and my community. I have an amazing support system within my house and the CJL as an organization. My life is balanced. I couldn't imagine going anywhere else! 

If you could do your college search over, what would you do?

Nothing! I'm so happy where I am.

What is one piece of advice you’d give somebody who is considering this school?

Visit and apply! Just make sure you have career goals in mind when choosing your college and major. Tuition is extremely expensive, so make sure you're not wasting your time getting a degree that will be difficult to find a job with.

Is there anything we didn't ask that you'd like to add?

I think location is a big point of contention when it comes to deciding between Cornell and other schools. Cornell is located in Ithaca NY, by the finger lakes region, so it's basically in the middle of nowhere. Some people dislike this, but I don't mind so much. I dislike big cities, and love rural areas. The campus is gorgeous, clean, grassy, and hilly. The air is fresh. There is fresh and locally grown produce available at Farmer's Markets. We have a cute hipster-y downtown area called the Commons, and a Collegetown that's a 5 minute walk from campus that has stores, restaurants, fro-yo, banks, apartments, a 7-11, bars, and more restaurants. We have a mall, Wegman's, and target that are all a bus ride away. On campus we have a dairy farm, an apple orchard, plantations, a full herb and flower garden, an arboretum, a lake, gorges, and waterfalls. To me, Ithaca, and specifically the Cornell campus, is just a brilliant place to live.

[zuzuinwonderland]

WEST COAST BEST COAST!!!!

Pomona College is absolutely stunning and I need to share some pics with you!!!

I’m going to give you a picture tour (plus I’m a tour guide at Pomona, so I’ll throw some extra information just for you). It took me 3 hours to take all the pictures + upload them....

[zuzuinwonderland]

Pomona is in a consortium of 4 other schools (Pitzer College, Harvey Mudd, Claremont McKenna, and Scripps College) and besides classes, we also share dinning halls. Plus, what’s awesome is that there is an abundance of events going on that you are not even aware of.

So this Friday, me and my...

[gettingintocollege]

Bowdoin College Student Interview

Where are you from and where do you go to school?

I'm from the midwest and I go to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.

What year are you and what is your area of study?

I just declared my math major and I'm a history minor or double major.

Have you transferred, if so how has that affected you?

I have not transferred.

Why did you choose your school?

It came down to Bowdoin, Haverford, Williams, Carleton, and my state school. I visited all of the schools and Bowdoin felt like home. The professors were intense, passionate, and kind. The students were balanced and welcoming. The balance of the students was the most important part of my decision. I worked very hard in high school, and I wanted to go to a college where students had perspective - I definitely was not looking for a UChicago-type school. I wanted to be able to learn enthusiastically, while maintaining a balanced and healthy life. The center for the common good was very important to me - many students at Bowdoin volunteer and I think this transforms the academic environment. I also wanted a balanced sex ratio, which was not present at Haverford. Williams has the best liberal arts math department in the country, but I have fallen in love with Bowdoin's math department. They are amazingly talented intellectuals and teachers. Further, they are like a family to me. When I visited my senior year, I felt this almost immediately.

How would you describe life at your school?

Life at Bowdoin is busy - many students balance jobs, academics, friendships, and athletics/exercise. Most people are active on campus even if they don't play a sport. The campus is limited - most people stay in Brunswick simply because classes at Bowdoin are extremely time consuming.

What are the pros and cons of your school academically?

Pros - Professors want to be good teachers, and available to talk about academics or life. The classes (generally) challenge to the max, and the goal of most students is to learn, not to just get As.

Cons - I love the math department, but certain courses required for graduate study, such as advanced analysis, are only offered every other year or every other semester. A larger school typically offers such courses every semester. Also, in my opinion, the tenure system is really awful (not just at Bowdoin). My first year I had a tenured professor who should not be teaching for a few reasons. One of the most involved, dedicated, intelligent professors is not tenured, up for a long-term job. This bothers me because I wish academia in general had a different system for tenure.

  What are the pros and cons of your school socially?

Pros - there are so many clubs on campus, and the student body is generally very accepting

Cons - we have racial, socioeconomic, and locational diversity, but there is almost no ideological diversity on campus. Almost everyone is very liberal

  Do you think you’ll be able to find a job after you graduate?

Yes, I hope so.

  Are you happy with your choice in school?

Yes

  If you could do your college search over, what would you do?

I probably would have applied to Dartmouth, which is a smaller "big" school, and I would have considered schools a bit closer to home.

What is one piece of advice you’d give somebody who is considering this school?

Visit. Bowdoin is a wonderful school, but it is not for everyone. Some people think it is way too small, or that there is not enough night life, or too many people from private schools, etc. Bowdoin has a very specific feel, and Maine is not for everyone.

Rate you school overall on a scale from  1 to 10, 10 being the best.

8 - I love the academics, the people, and the location, but I wish people were more ideologically diverse and I wish the drinking culture was less prominent.

Where are you from and where do you go to school?

I'm from the midwest and I go to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.

What year are you and what is your area of study?

I just declared my math major and I'm a history minor or double major.

Have you transferred, if so how has that affected you?

I have not transferred.

Why did you choose your school?

It came down to Bowdoin, Haverford, Williams, Carleton, and my state school. I visited all of the schools and Bowdoin felt like home. The professors were intense, passionate, and kind. The students were balanced and welcoming. The balance of the students was the most important part of my decision. I worked very hard in high school, and I wanted to go to a college where students had perspective - I definitely was not looking for a UChicago-type school. I wanted to be able to learn enthusiastically, while maintaining a balanced and healthy life. The center for the common good was very important to me - many students at Bowdoin volunteer and I think this transforms the academic environment. I also wanted a balanced sex ratio, which was not present at Haverford. Williams has the best liberal arts math department in the country, but I have fallen in love with Bowdoin's math department. They are amazingly talented intellectuals and teachers. Further, they are like a family to me. When I visited my senior year, I felt this almost immediately.

How would you describe life at your school?

Life at Bowdoin is busy - many students balance jobs, academics, friendships, and athletics/exercise. Most people are active on campus even if they don't play a sport. The campus is limited - most people stay in Brunswick simply because classes at Bowdoin are extremely time consuming.

What are the pros and cons of your school academically?

Pros - Professors want to be good teachers, and available to talk about academics or life. The classes (generally) challenge to the max, and the goal of most students is to learn, not to just get As.

Cons - I love the math department, but certain courses required for graduate study, such as advanced analysis, are only offered every other year or every other semester. A larger school typically offers such courses every semester. Also, in my opinion, the tenure system is really awful (not just at Bowdoin). My first year I had a tenured professor who should not be teaching for a few reasons. One of the most involved, dedicated, intelligent professors is not tenured, up for a long-term job. This bothers me because I wish academia in general had a different system for tenure.

What are the pros and cons of your school socially?

Pros - there are so many clubs on campus, and the student body is generally very accepting

Cons - we have racial, socioeconomic, and locational diversity, but there is almost no ideological diversity on campus. Almost everyone is very liberal

Do you think you’ll be able to find a job after you graduate?

Yes, I hope so.

Are you happy with your choice in school?

Yes

If you could do your college search over, what would you do?

I probably would have applied to Dartmouth, which is a smaller "big" school, and I would have considered schools a bit closer to home.

What is one piece of advice you’d give somebody who is considering this school?

Visit. Bowdoin is a wonderful school, but it is not for everyone. Some people think it is way too small, or that there is not enough night life, or too many people from private schools, etc. Bowdoin has a very specific feel, and Maine is not for everyone.

  Rate you school overall on a scale from  1 to 10, 10 being the best. 8 - I love the academics, the people, and the location, but I wish people were more ideologically diverse and I wish the drinking culture was less prominent.

[aauw]

The New York Times:

On Tuesday, Twitter, General Electric, Google and eBay announced that they were joining an initiative called “Girls Who Code,” which they hope will increase the number of young women who become programmers and engineers.

Coding is one of the most important skills students can learn right now – and a way to close the gender gap in STEM fields

[vangoghsdaughter]

I would totally take computer programming if I hadn’t heard such awful things about the teacher.

But sign language it is.

[gettingintocollege]

This is really cool. I'd rather do this than a summer science program where we build robots and catapults and learn about stars.

[gettingintocollege]

I wish that all schools came with a rating that placed them between community college and Harvard

It would make things much easier when dealing with schools you've never heard of

[gettingintocollege]

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Junior

Where are you from, and where do you go to school?

I'm from California, and I go to the California Institute of Technology (aka Caltech).

What year are you and what is your area of study? I'm in my third year, and I'm studying Biology.

Have you transferred, if so how has that affected you? No.

Why did you choose your school? I chose my school because I felt that the small class size would allow me easier access to professors, the ease with which students can get research, and location. In addition, Caltech has a medical scholars program with UCSD Medical School that I was accepted to (essentially, guaranteed acceptance to UCSD SOM after graduating Caltech).

How would you describe life at your school? High workload, high stress environment (a substantial number of clinically depressed students). Social scene/partying almost nonexistent. People work all the time, hang out occasionally, and sleep almost never.

What are the pros and cons of your school academically? Pros: You get to learn from some of the best in the field (even if Caltech professors are pretty bad at teaching). There is a focus on collaboration and working together - almost required, since sets here are near-impossible to do alone. Many exams are open book, take home.

Cons: Academics at Caltech is trying to "drink out of a fire hose." In general, it's difficult to absorb everything from class and information is just thrown at you at such a speed that you don't have time to digest it all and actually understand it. 

What are the pros and cons of your school socially? Pros: Um... I spent 15 minutes thinking of a pro. Sorry. Oh wait, sometimes we have an event where Caltech hires some company that brings puppies over that students can play with. Puppies are cute.

Cons: The nonexistence of a social life, pretty much. This is relative - people still hang out and talk, of course - but parties are few and far between (and they're really not that great in general). Social life revolves around doing homework sets (if your idea of a vibrant social life is puzzling over a tough physics problem with a group of classmates for hours on end, maybe this is the school for you).

Do you think you’ll be able to find a job after you graduate? I am headed to medical school.

Are you happy with your choice in school?

Not completely angry, only because I have the medical school guarantee.

If you could do your college search over, what would you do? I would have applied to the same schools. Whether I would have stuck with Caltech or gone to Princeton, though, is a much more debatable issue.

What is one piece of advice you’d give somebody who is considering this school? Don't trust the outside image that Caltech projects to you. Go and ask the students their opinions on your own time if you visit campus; you'll find a surprising number of bitter students that want to have chosen anywhere but here.

Rate you school overall on a scale from  1 to 10, 10 being the best. 3, for the three good parts of Caltech: weather, research availability, and weather. (Yes, I repeated weather twice, since... it's pretty awesome).

If there’s anything we didn’t ask, but you’d like to add, please do so: Frosh reviews of colleges in general are pretty inaccurate. You'll want to ask upperclassmen because that's when we get a better sense of what a school is like. This is particularly true at Caltech - since freshmen start on pass/fail for much of the first year.

Ask box me at fateclaw.tumblr.com if you have any more questions.

[gettingintocollege]

Enough of This:

Town Gown Relations Are Great

Birkenstock Wearing Clove Smoking Hippies

Happiest Students

The Princeton Review, I love it. It is my favorite resource for college information followed by College Prowler and then College Board. But as much as I adore it. I have come to develop a distaste for it and the terms listed above. I have looked through my Princeton Review book so many times that the terms have cemented themselves into my brain. More than once I have been speaking with a friend and said "Oh, K-State? Yeah, Town Gown Relations are great."

Why? I search obsessively hoping to have an epiphany like moment where the stars align and suddenly I know my college. But, unsurprisingly this hasn't happened, I still find myself wondering and second guessing myself. I have come to this conclusion: there is only so much reading The Princeton Review or College Prowler or any other college resource can do to aid your decision. The ultimate decider should be a visit to that college you are considering. I personally cannot say I have visited all the campuses I would like to but i do plan on visiting schools in the Northeast this summer. Joanna has visited some colleges (check out her pictures of her visit to Columbia University) and I'm sure she agrees with me when I say, a college visit is the absolute best way to understand a school and make your college decision. Now put that Princeton Review book down.

-Nelson

[gettingintocollege]

High School IMOH: I hate my school

Well to start off, I hate high school. I am not a person who gets into the whole high school experience. Dances, football games, homecoming, and spirit week don’t excite me at all. That plus my disdain for our administration and their education methods has given me a giant bias against high school.

Nelson’s and my school doesn't promote success and improvement. The faculty honestly dissuades people from going to KU or K State. They tell students that it’s a waste of money, get your gen eds out of the way at community college then go to a smaller state school- it’ll save you tons of money and it’s the same classes. If you mention a non-state school people look at you like you’re douche. If you mention an Ivy, you might as well leave now because everyone hates you and thinks that you’re a pretentions asshole. There is no strive for learning, it’s all about that classes. Take a class at the community college it’s the same. Nobody cares about learning or becoming anything other than the people that their parents are.  Go to the small state school that’s an hour away, get a degree in nursing and you’re set.

Our administration does not believe in progressing or moving forward. They are too busy keeping people from wearing shorts, using ipads and cellphones, and wearing purses to think about people going to college. If you graduate and keep your phone in you non cuffed or cutoff shorts, they’re happy. The guidance department is not much better. They are very inflexible when it comes to your schedule (which is all they do, because helping you with college related would be asking too much). All of the higher level classes are offered 1 or 2 times and are at the same time as the other classes that are offered 1 or 2 times. Making my schedule for senior year was very difficult. I had to make a lot of hard choices to make everything fit. But, somebody who was taking English and government, and a bunch of TA’s, PE classes, open hours, PrePro, Tutor, and library assistant, would have an incredibly easy time. Our school is set up for people to do the bare minimum freshman-junior year, then take two or three actual classes senior year and graduate early. 

[gettingintocollege]

Student Interview: Columbia University Freshman

Where are you from, and where do you go to school?

I'm from the Bronx, New York and I attend Columbia University in the City of New York (Columbia College)

What year are you and what is your area of study?

I'm a First Year, 2nd Semester. I was Pre-Med, but I decided to switch to Urban Studies with a possible concentration in Political Science or Education, and maybe double major or get a minor in Latino Studies (Latin American and Iberian Cultures)

Have you transferred, if so how has that affected you?

No.

Why did you choose your school?

Many factors lead to me choosing to attend Columbia University. I wasn't sure I would get accepted. When I did, I did a happy dance and all that. I got accepted with a full scholarship for the next 4 years, as long as I continue to do the work I have been doing for the past 13 years of schooling. This was very important. I can't afford college, probably a city college, and I might not even be able to make all the payments. Another reason I chose to come here was because it was close to home, and I could visit my mother all the time who is sick. Also, I LOVE LOVE LOVE New York. I can't see myself living anywhere else but the greatest city in the world. You can do everything here, and go about anywhere. It's amazing. I also sat in for some classes one day, and attended events before I decided to come which showed me that this was the school for me. I love the campus life, the sense of community. There is a club for everything, and everyone is so spirited. Also the professors are amazing and dedicated, they are so so intelligent and I love that. The classes are great (well most), and you will learn so much here. Heightened learning and expression/discussion.

How would you describe life at your school?

I absolutely love life here. On any given day you might find my friends and I at Avery Library watching a movie in a lecture room. It's easy to get to any class, and it feels great just having to roll out of bed and show up. I have lots of responsibilities other than schoolwork. I'm on the board for some groups, and attend events all the time. I also work, and recently started an internship in Harlem. Everyone is busy, but there's always time to squeeze happiness in there.

What are the pros and cons of your school academically?

Pros: Dedicated professors that actually love their job, and want to teach. Interesting classes. The Core is really good. If you don't like the core, don't come here, cause you will hate the core so much and you won't be too happy at this school. 

Cons: Not too much. The sciences and math are so hard here, but that might just be a personal problem. Great great workload. Be prepared to not really sleep. 

What are the pros and cons of your school socially?

Pros: Joining groups on campus, and living on campus will guarantee you friends. There are lots of parties, some better than others, if that's what you're about. The Heights doesn't card. There are many great places to eat nearby, so it gives people like me, foodies ;), an opportunity to try new things. Also being amongst such diverse group of people means new experiences and discovering new things that you may like to do for the rest of your life.

Cons: People kinda form groups, so it's hard to make friends in my opinion after a certain time in the semester.

Do you think you’ll be able to find a job after you graduate?

Yes

Are you happy with your choice in school?

Absolutely.

If you could do your college search over, what would you do?

Not apply to a hundred million schools. Well to 22, that's too much! If i would have done better research I might have made a better list. 

What is one piece of advice you’d give somebody who is considering this school?

Make sure that you really want to be here. Come and visit and spend a day here. It's not easy, not at all. You will get stressed, and will cry and maybe consider life elsewhere. You might miss home. But it will all be worth it in the end of the day. You will be happy here too. I don't think I'd ever want to be anywhere else.

Be yourself, and don't pretend to be someone in order to get here. & if you don't get into the school of your choice, don't be disappointed. It's all fated to happen, for better things will come your way.

Rate you school overall on a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the best.

10!!!. Sure we lack in some things and maybe we don't have pretty bathrooms like Marymount Manhattan, or cool night life and location like NYU, but it's a tight knit place, that offers you the best of the world.

[gettingintocollege]

While my family was in New York, August of my sophomore year, we took a brief self -guided tour of Columbia. It was incredible to say the least. The atmosphere was unlike any other place I'd been. There was a very strong intellectual but attractive vibe about it.

[gettingintocollege]

Student Interview: Cornell University Freshman

Where are you from, and where do you go to school?

New Jersey, Cornell University

What year are you and what is your area of study?

Freshman, Chemical Engineering

Have you transferred, if so how has that affected you?

N/A

Why did you choose your school?

 I chose this school because it was the only college I could automatically see myself being at when I visited. In the end, I was trying to choose between Rutgers University, Johns Hopkins and Cornell and I felt at home at Cornell.

How would you describe life at your school?

Life is definitely very stressful here, but all I have to keep in mind is that I'm going to be successful, not only because of the caliber of the school, but because I know that I can succeed. It's really about finding the balance between social and academic life, really and what you make of it.

What are the pros and cons of your school academically?

Well, Cornell, of course, is super competitive and that definitely puts a damper on grades. I'm in the college of engineering, which is one of the best engineering colleges in the country, and so it's even tougher there because it's top-notch. However, this competitiveness makes students want to succeed and honestly, the name "Cornell" is probably going to be a boost.

What are the pros and cons of your school socially?

One con/pro about Cornell is that it's really big, so I had a lot of "meet new people but then never see them again" incidents but at the same time, it's not so big that you don't run into people. Again, it's what you make of it socially. If you like going out and partying, then hey, there are plenty of opportunities, but if that's not your thing, then that's perfectly acceptable.

Do you think you’ll be able to find a job after you graduate?

Hopefully I'll be able to find a job! I'll keep my hopes up!

Are you happy with your choice in school?

I'm definitely happy where I am, although there are times when the stress does get to me- but all in all, I love Cornell and I am so happy that I chose to come here.

If you could do your college search over, what would you do?

I would probably actually look at the programs for each college. I actually wasn't really considering Cornell as a potential college, it was just a "oh I'll apply and see what happens" kind of deal, but I got in and was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved the school, so here i am~

What is one piece of advice you’d give somebody who is considering this school?

Definitely get involved while in high school. And I'm going to be honest and say that SAT scores and GPA aren't THAT important once you get past the initial barrier because everyone has similar stats in terms of scores and GPA. At that point, it's about your essays and what you've accomplished outside of school. Don't get me wrong, SATs and GPA are still important and should be a priority, but don't focus completely on academics.

Rate you school overall on a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the best.

8.5

[gettingintocollege]

August 2011 we took my brother to Princeton. Here are a couple pictures of part of the campus