Is there a college like the one I envision?

Question

It isn't just a bunch of big and small buildings with lawns and concrete walkways in between.. it's more fused into the city that surrounds it, maybe it's even like its own city, but it still feels like it's a normal part of the world. The buildings are modern - it isn't some fake-looking castle with wires running along the walls inside. There aren't a million people on campus but you feel like you are in a special place - a place that matters. Drinking and drugs are a rarity and students are content with the classes they take and can have a lot of fun on campus... There are things to do on campus that are truly fun, so it's hard to get bored... Students don't get excited about common math, or history, but enjoy creating things and exploring. Creating and exploring are what people do here.

That probably sounded strange, but that's what I want. Maybe I should go to a design school of some sort, but I feel like I should go to a college that offers more, so I can try different things.

Answer 1

That's a video game, not a college. It is odd to me that you started out talking about the architecture, then went to entertainment, then talked about social life, and only then got to anything which might be seen as academics. Every college focuses on creating and exploring, but then that is what one does in math and history, and you don't seem to like those. Obviously, you can major in all kinds of things, from architecture to sculpture, but you can't do those things without studying other subject matters you might find less "fun". And there are plenty of urban universities, but the students are human, so you may find some who drink there.

I guess what I'm saying is that it doesn't make sense to dream up something which doesn't seem like a college, and then ask for a college to be that.

Answer 2

The one school that immediately comes to mind is Fordham's Rose Hill campus in the Bronx. It's a lovely, green campus surrounded by the Bronx and with very easy access to the rest of New York City.
http://www.fordham.edu/admissions/applying_to_fordham/rose_hill__lincoln_c_14964.asp

An alternative school with an open or unique curriculum might also suit your needs--a school such as Evergreen State in Washington or Colorado College in, yes, Colorado. (Everyone takes 1 class at a time; classes last about 3 weeks, so you can really study things in-depth.)

You should also check out the Colleges that Change Lives Web site http://www.ctcl.com/
as well as the Web site of The Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges--lots of interesting stuff there.
http://www.coplac.org/

There are probably many schools that fit most of your needs--I suggest you take one of the school finder quizzes at a site such as Princeton Review.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Yes there is here in South Africa. The University of Stellenbosch and the University of Potchefstroom. Both use English as medium of instruction. Look them up on the web. And you'll pay much less for your studies, with the Rand-Dollar exchange rate.

Answer 4

Sounds like art school...a place for creating and exploring, such as California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland and possibly the Academy of Art in S.F.