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

[Anonymous]

DC (junior) likes and is in range for Wake Forest and William and Mary. We want to plan some spring visits to schools that would be similar to these schools in terms of size (or smaller ok) and competitiveness, and we also need to identify some "safeties" for a student in this range. Would Elon be a good choice? DC prefers not to go beyond about a 6 hour radius from DC but has not ruled it out. Thanks for any suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Washington & Lee?

Mary Washington?

[Anonymous]

Yes, Elon for a safety.

[Anonymous]

Guilford?

[Anonymous]

I think W&L is more competitive than either Wake or Wm&Mary. How about University of Richmond as a safety? Or, if DC isn't set on a Southern school, maybe Bucknell?

[Anonymous]

How about Furman?

[Anonymous]

Options a little farther are Tulane and Sewanee.

[Anonymous]

Also University of Charleston. Lots of kids from this area there.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so far! Sound like great suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Where do you live? If VA or MD, look at some of the smaller state schools for safeties. I don't think I'd consider Bucknell (or Lafayette, Lehigh, F&M) a safety school for Wake Forest, but there is another level of similar small, private liberal arts colleges in PA like Gettysburg and Albright which may fit the bill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live? If VA or MD, look at some of the smaller state schools for safeties. I don't think I'd consider Bucknell (or Lafayette, Lehigh, F&M) a safety school for Wake Forest, but there is another level of similar small, private liberal arts colleges in PA like Gettysburg and Albright which may fit the bill.

Or maybe Muhlenberg?

[Anonymous]

How about UNC Asheville? Around 4000 students, beautiful location, and fairly inexpensive even for OOS

[Anonymous]

Elon is a safety -- but if in Maryland consider St. Mary's and UMd (if student is strong go into honors program). What about Franklin and Marshall in Penn? My impression is that the culture of Washington & Lee and Richmond are very different than W&M. W&M was on our DC's list in part b/c it does not feel like a southern school, frats are a less exclusive part of campus life, etc. I think some of these schools are very different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Elon is a safety -- but if in Maryland consider St. Mary's and UMd (if student is strong go into honors program). What about Franklin and Marshall in Penn? My impression is that the culture of Washington & Lee and Richmond are very different than W&M. W&M was on our DC's list in part b/c it does not feel like a southern school, frats are a less exclusive part of campus life, etc. I think some of these schools are very different.

Agree; though similarly, UMD is going to feel very different from Wake and Richmond.

OP, what does your DC like about these schools besides size?

[Anonymous]

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!