In the spirit of start wide, narrow down, I'm starting my college research from a broad perspective. Can anyone shed some light on which colleges in the US overall are considered the most liberal?
Sure, I'd be happy to provide some direction for your research.
Two of the most commonly identified liberal colleges in the US are Oberlin College in Ohio and Reed College in Oregon. These schools have a long history of progressive activism and their student bodies tend to lean left politically as per surveys and anecdotal evidence.
Sarah Lawrence College in New York is also known for a quite liberal student body and faculty, and a curriculum that emphasizes self-exploration and social justice.
In California, the University of California, Berkeley, often referred to simply as "Berkeley," is renowned for its liberal perspective, stemming from its role in the Free Speech Movement of the 1960s.
Vassar College in New York and Wesleyan University in Connecticut likewise have reputations for being liberal institutions, with many students engaging in various forms of activism.
These are just a few examples and it's important to remember that campuses across the country, including those at many larger, public universities, can have a mix of views. Liberal arts schools, for instance, may foster a more liberal environment due to their emphasis on critical thinking and broad-ranging education, but the general political climate can vary greatly from school to school.
Remember that any assessments of a college's political climate will be approximations, and that you can find exceptions to every rule. It's also important to consider other factors such as the academic programs, location, size, and resources of the college in your overall decision-making process.
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