Need college help in Boston area

[hatredisnotavalue]

Hi all in the Mass forum. Former Chelsea/Belmont resident, now living in a very small town in rural Maine.
My daughter is about to apply for admission to college. Doesn't know what she wants to do or what she should major in. Her strengths are English, languages, and the arts. Weaknesses science and math. She really wants to go to college in Boston. We have been looking at BU, BC and Northeastern. I would prefer a smaller school. She is NHS and in top ten of her class. Her list of extracurricular endeavors is a mile long. Money isn't an issue.
Does any one have any recommendations or "don't ever go there stories"?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Virginia
p.s My daughter was deeply moved when she met Elizabeth Edwards last year at a campaign function. Mrs. Edwards was quite taken with her and they had a great chat. So the more liberal the school the better.

[papau]

1. Brandeis, Wellesley, Simmons all treated my kids well.

I have no clue as to the current situation.

But check costs - these folks want an arm amd a leg each semester.

[bluestateguy]

2. Try my alma mater

www.brandeis.edu

There are about 3500 undergraduates. Small, but not too small. It is in Waltham, which is a working class suburb of Boston. It's just a commuter rail ride into the city (the train stops right in front of the university). Also, when I was there the university ran free shuttle buses into Boston and Cambridge on the weekends.

I graduated in 1998.

You or your daughter are free to PM me if you want some more information.

[hatredisnotavalue]

3. Why thanks so much.

We will check out their web site and get back to you. There are almost too many schools to pick thru. I want something small, and this school sounds perfect. Thanks so much for your offer to PM; I may take you up on it!

[Rockholm]

4. Emerson is a great college.

Small and artsy and really liberal.

[hatredisnotavalue]

5. Hey, just went on the web site

I am really liking this school. Thanks for the imput!

[Lilsarah]

6. Emerson

Emerson is very good and small enough for her to get a lot of personal attention. There was, at least when I graduated 5 or so years ago, a pretty big drug scene there, so that is one drawback.

[welshTerrier2]

7. i know you said Boston but ...

since previous posters already gave you a great list of schools in the Boston area, i thought i'd offer a "Plan B" ...

my personal preference, which of course really doesn't matter at all, would be to go to school in a less urban area ...

of the Boston schools mentioned, BU, Northeastern and Simmons are in urban settings ... Brandeis and Wellesley are in the burbs and both have nice campuses ...

but, just to offer an alternative, why not, if only for the sake of comparison, check out schools in the Northampton, Mass area ... the area itself is one of the most progressive places in the country ...

schools that might be worth considering include: Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Amherst College, Hampshire College and, if you don't mind really big, U Mass ... and, perhaps even U. of Vermont at Burlington ...

even if your daughter prefers Boston, it still might be worth seeing what a few alternatives have to offer ... whenever possible, try to arrange for a formal tour of the schools while school is in session ... some schools even let you spend a night in the dorm and attend some classes ... it's really worth putting time into researching the best school ...

[hatredisnotavalue]

8. Thanks so much for the input

I will check out those schools as well..I know a gal that goes to Hampshire and absolutely loves it...Thanks again for your post.

[KarenInMA]

9. BU is a giant school,

but it's not impersonal. It's a very VERY liberal school (especially now that Silber is not in charge) and it's one of the most international schools in the country.

Also, it's right in the city, so she can get to whatever party she needs to.... :evilgrin: