Help us identify "safeties" for junior DC's list

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also University of Charleston. Lots of kids from this area there.

Where is this? Perhaps you are thinking of the College of Charleston?

[Anonymous]

American, Gettysburg

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't call UMD a safety school anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, thanks again for all the help. We are from VA so have not thought about UMD or St. Mary's so far. UMD is probably too big. DC likes W&M the best because of its size and reputation for attracting quieter, more introspective students who are not so much into the Greek scene. Wake is on the list because it is similar in size to W&M, but maybe not similar in culture from what some of you have said? Are you saying Richmond is a big party school, too? I know W&L has a big Greek scene so DC does not want to visit, despite its great academic reputation. What other schools are good for the quieter kids? I know several of the northeastern and midwestern LACs don't have frats, but so far DC is not keen on going that far away. Would Davidson fit the bill? Sewanee? Appreciate any more good advice!

Wake is for the quiet, serious student. Davidson is an intellectual school (and tough) I would try for some Va schools for safeties. Hopefully you will not need them, and can go to your fist choice.

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for something for as quieter student, I'd look north. Comparable schools might be Bates or Vassar. Union in NY might be a bit easier. Dickinson in PA might also be a bit easier to to get into, and they have some great faculty members.

[Anonymous]

The Fiske Guide has been a good starting point for our kids -- one college grad, a current college student and a HS junior. We have found it to be pretty accurate in describing the campus vibe, albeit with a positive spin (e.g., the ubiquitous "students at Rah-Rah U work hard and play hard"). If you read carefully, though, you'll see differences among schools that will appeal to your DC or not.

For example, take a look at the entries for Wm & Mary and Sewanee, both relatively small Southern schools with a strong sense of tradition. Wm & Mary is more selective, yes, with higher average test scores, but the differences between the schools go beyond this and suggest that Sewanee might not be a great safety for a kid who doesn't want a big party scene. Contrast "Wm & Mary isn't known as a social school, but there's always something to do on campus." v. "Sewanee students know how to have a good time. The majority go out on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights."

I'm not knocking Sewanee here, nor am I endorsing Wm & Mary -- these are both fine schools, but might not appeal to the same type of kid. Again, Fiske is just one source, but if you start there, you can make a list of schools to explore further by checking out websites, going on visits and reaching out to current students and recent grads whom you might know.

[Anonymous]

OP,

Are you working with anyone? I believe College Park is, as of a few years ago, much harder to get into, this is from DC's college counselor, so it's not the safety school it used to be.

Has she taken her SAT's? You really can't know what her chances are until she's got those in hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also University of Charleston. Lots of kids from this area there.

Where is this? Perhaps you are thinking of the College of Charleston?

Sorry, yes, C of C. But you knew that.

[Anonymous]

Don't do Wake or C of C if she doesn't want Greek.

[Anonymous]

While all the books say pick safeties that a student would be happy at if necessary, it is sometimes hard to find such schools. The W&M sized school is very attractive, but there are not many schools that size that are much easier to get into at least in this area that I can think of. School that come to mind that size are like Tufts, Brandeis, Chicago, etc., most of which are as hard or harder to get into than W&M. You can pick some other match schools too to spread the risk (F&M, Elon,, etc.), but a safety -- almost certain to get admitted to -- simply may not be one your DC loves. But usually kids can grow to love others if necessary so consider the smaller and larger options. Good luck. Take a look at some of the Ohio liber arts colleges. If you DC likes W&M, Kenyon might be worth considering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: While all the books say pick safeties that a student would be happy at if necessary, it is sometimes hard to find such schools. The W&M sized school is very attractive, but there are not many schools that size that are much easier to get into at least in this area that I can think of. School that come to mind that size are like Tufts, Brandeis, Chicago, etc., most of which are as hard or harder to get into than W&M. You can pick some other match schools too to spread the risk (F&M, Elon,, etc.), but a safety -- almost certain to get admitted to -- simply may not be one your DC loves. But usually kids can grow to love others if necessary so consider the smaller and larger options. Good luck. Take a look at some of the Ohio liber arts colleges. If you DC likes W&M, Kenyon might be worth considering.

This is good advice. Try to figure out with DC what s/he can give on -- school size? social scene? distance from home? Think about the last factor in particular -- if DC is OK with 6 hours, then maybe stretch this to include schools 8 hours away.

[Anonymous]

What's the issue with the social scene OP?

If your son doesn't want to be Greek, at any school, he can choose to not participate and suffer no ill effects academically or finding his own niche.

If you are in VA, safety schools should be state schools as well. VCU, VTech, UVA. Lots to pick from.

[Anonymous]

UVA is not a safety school for most. Neither is Davidson (anymore).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the issue with the social scene OP?

If your son doesn't want to be Greek, at any school, he can choose to not participate and suffer no ill effects academically or finding his own niche.


If you are in VA, safety schools should be state schools as well. VCU, VTech, UVA. Lots to pick from.

Va tech and James Madison....eternal safety schools to uva and w&m

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, thanks again for all the help. We are from VA so have not thought about UMD or St. Mary's so far. UMD is probably too big. DC likes W&M the best because of its size and reputation for attracting quieter, more introspective students who are not so much into the Greek scene. Wake is on the list because it is similar in size to W&M, but maybe not similar in culture from what some of you have said? Are you saying Richmond is a big party school, too? I know W&L has a big Greek scene so DC does not want to visit, despite its great academic reputation. What other schools are good for the quieter kids? I know several of the northeastern and midwestern LACs don't have frats, but so far DC is not keen on going that far away. Would Davidson fit the bill? Sewanee? Appreciate any more good advice!

Wake is for the quiet, serious student. Davidson is an intellectual school (and tough) I would try for some Va schools for safeties. Hopefully you will not need them, and can go to your fist choice.

Frats are big at Wake and it actually can be a pretty big party school. W&M is like a Glee cast party. Sewanee has a bipolar reputation - good academics for serious students but also a lot of partying.

You might want to look at Christopher Newport and UMW if you have a child who wants a quieter, public safety school.