best schools for nerdy student?

[Anonymous]

I know of MIT, Caltech, Swarthmore, etc. The issue is 1. my daughter is not STEM-y and 2. she does not have the scores/grades to get into those schools (which are kind of a long shot for everyone). But she loves to learn, super shy, kind hearted, a bit of a dork. She wants to major in psychology and sociology. 4.2 WGPA, 3.82 UWGPA, 30 ACT. Suggestions? Prefers small, no real preference on geographic location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of MIT, Caltech, Swarthmore, etc. The issue is 1. my daughter is not STEM-y and 2. she does not have the scores/grades to get into those schools (which are kind of a long shot for everyone). But she loves to learn, super shy, kind hearted, a bit of a dork. She wants to major in psychology and sociology. 4.2 WGPA, 3.82 UWGPA, 30 ACT. Suggestions? Prefers small, no real preference on geographic location.

I thought Brandeis seems promising. The tour gave a lot of specifics about favorite courses and great professors, which is not something I've run much elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

I'd look at the smaller LACs in Pennsylvania or Midwest. She'll get more individualized attention from her professors and smaller classes. Those schools don't much of a sorority scene which is a plus for a shy girl. And, with her stats, she might get some merit discounts.

[Anonymous]

College of William and Mary? I know of someone who graduated from there and she described herself as mostly a nerd in college and said it was a perfect fit for her.

[Anonymous]

Kenyon?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know of MIT, Caltech, Swarthmore, etc. The issue is 1. my daughter is not STEM-y and 2. she does not have the scores/grades to get into those schools (which are kind of a long shot for everyone). But she loves to learn, super shy, kind hearted, a bit of a dork. She wants to major in psychology and sociology. 4.2 WGPA, 3.82 UWGPA, 30 ACT. Suggestions? Prefers small, no real preference on geographic location.

I thought Brandeis seems promising. The tour gave a lot of specifics about favorite courses and great professors, which is not something I've run much elsewhere.

Love our tour guide at Brandeis and their passion for education, but several of the buildings looked in disrepair. We loved Muhlenberg -- genuinely friendly, kind students, passionate about education, and nerdy seemed cool there. DD is applying to some of the top nerd schools, but cut Brandeis and kept Muhlenberg.

[Anonymous]

Haverford, Franklin & Marshall

[Anonymous]

William & Mary, although the numbers you mention make admission there iffy.

[Anonymous]

St Johns in Maryland
Reed (I don't know their current admit profile)

[Anonymous]

Providence
Boston u
Furman

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Providence
Boston u
Furman

Providence? Judging by the ratio of red solo cups on neighborhood streets: students + the stories I hear from administrators, I would not say nerd school. I've lived in several student neighborhoods in college towns, and PC is pretty gross.

[Anonymous]

If she’s into nerdy stuff like d&d and hangs out with those kids now she should apply to some of the heavy engineering schools as they have usually good, small social science programs anyway and she will be with her tribe and not sorority girls.

[Anonymous]

Definitely W&M. Chicago - where fun goes to die.

[Anonymous]

Check out the CTCL. They seem to have "nice" (vs cuthroat) students. Who enjoy almost old-fashioned traditions/activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know of MIT, Caltech, Swarthmore, etc. The issue is 1. my daughter is not STEM-y and 2. she does not have the scores/grades to get into those schools (which are kind of a long shot for everyone). But she loves to learn, super shy, kind hearted, a bit of a dork. She wants to major in psychology and sociology. 4.2 WGPA, 3.82 UWGPA, 30 ACT. Suggestions? Prefers small, no real preference on geographic location.

I thought Brandeis seems promising. The tour gave a lot of specifics about favorite courses and great professors, which is not something I've run much elsewhere.

Friend teaches there and loves the students! Has taught at “better” schools, but said Brandeis kids stand out for genuine interest in learning.