Which selective liberal arts schools are really difficult/cutthroat once you are in?

[Anonymous]

Have a junior with adhd/ learning difference with similar profile.currently at a very good private that is not a pressure cooker but not easy academically . Our child is truly rising to the occasion. Also needs a little time to process information. Are there northeast lacs that are good but not pressure cookers and have curriculum that is not overwhelming. Went to a school that changes lives which was academically challenging and far more work than classmates at a particular ivy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might want to dip down under that top tier a half a notch or a full notch. Maybe Union College in NY, Connecticut College, Gettysburg, Clark (listed as a research university but probably more similar to liberal arts colleges). DePauw is really nice.

nice

[Anonymous]

Look for a school that is liberal about allowing pass/fail options. Brown is one of those, but may not fit your needs on other aspects. I think my kid there mentioned that people who like Brown also like Amherst. (I don't know anything about it, but maybe look into it?)

[Anonymous]

I know a student at Wesleyan and they were recently talking about the intensity of the workload.

[Anonymous]

Amherst, Swarthmore, Williams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Amherst, Swarthmore, Williams.

+1
So very true. Swarthmore is particularly competitive.

On the opposite end of the spectrum: Davidson is a very supportive and nurturing environment. It's not easy, but it's absolutely not cutthroat. Ditto the Claremont Consortium.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like an odd question but my son has ADHD and works non stop. He will likely be recruited and get a little boost as a very good athlete (which takes up lots of studying time in HS and college).

He wants a small liberal arts school (Hamilton, Lafayette, Kenyon) type school. I worry for him because while he has good grades (SAT unknown) he works constantly and it's only high school.
I know his many AP classes are about as tough as college classes in a lot of cases but I really worry that he will be overwhelmed in college.

I'm not looking for some college that hands out As at all. Just trying to avoid anywhere that is cutthroat. A friend told me about a niece who dropped out of a SLAC after 2 months because it was just too tough.

That really got me thinking that I don't want to overwhelm him but I still want him to have the experience he wants at a good school where he can balance athletics (likely D3), studying and life.

Bates is one he's looking at but I'm reading it's pretty difficult (hard to judge with student reviews). My son just needs more time to learn than most and athletics make that tough. And no - he refuses to give that up at this point and it should help with admissions so I'm tabling that discussion. Sports will go if academics become too tough.

Any suggestions for schools to look at or stay away from?

AP classes as tough as college? LOL!! Nope. It’s good though that you’re think about where he’ll succeed, not just get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like an odd question but my son has ADHD and works non stop. He will likely be recruited and get a little boost as a very good athlete (which takes up lots of studying time in HS and college).

He wants a small liberal arts school (Hamilton, Lafayette, Kenyon) type school. I worry for him because while he has good grades (SAT unknown) he works constantly and it's only high school.
I know his many AP classes are about as tough as college classes in a lot of cases but I really worry that he will be overwhelmed in college.

I'm not looking for some college that hands out As at all. Just trying to avoid anywhere that is cutthroat. A friend told me about a niece who dropped out of a SLAC after 2 months because it was just too tough.

That really got me thinking that I don't want to overwhelm him but I still want him to have the experience he wants at a good school where he can balance athletics (likely D3), studying and life.

Bates is one he's looking at but I'm reading it's pretty difficult (hard to judge with student reviews). My son just needs more time to learn than most and athletics make that tough. And no - he refuses to give that up at this point and it should help with admissions so I'm tabling that discussion. Sports will go if academics become too tough.

Any suggestions for schools to look at or stay away from?

Perhaps Denison would be worth a look? I've heard the community is pleasant and supportive. Maybe St.Lawrence University? I've heard the faculty are supportive and involved, and it's a good school for an athlete. It is also said to have a pleasant community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have a junior with adhd/ learning difference with similar profile.currently at a very good private that is not a pressure cooker but not easy academically . Our child is truly rising to the occasion. Also needs a little time to process information.

Are there northeast lacs that are good but not pressure cookers and have curriculum that is not overwhelming.

Went to a school that changes lives which was academically challenging and far more work than classmates at a particular ivy.

What is the challenging school that changed lives and the less challenging Ivy that you heard about? I have a kid with a similar profile. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Don't go to Emory or Davidson

[Anonymous]

College of Wooster is good option for a supportive and nurturing liberal arts school. Lots of smart kids but not a cutthroat environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a student at Wesleyan and they were recently talking about the intensity of the workload.

Do you know what they're majoring in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't go to Emory or Davidson

Strongly disagree. Emory is not a liberal arts school, it's a university. And, Davidson is awesome and very supportive.

[Anonymous]

Mudd was very tough when I was there. I don’t consider them a LAC though, even though that’s what they claim they are.

[Anonymous]

Consider:

Dickinson College in Pennsylvania.

Skidmore College in New York.

Lake Forest College in Illinois (very wealthy, safe, beautiful neighborhood).

St. Lawrence University in remote, cold upstate New York--especially good for athletes who drink.

University of Puget Sound in Seattle area.

Beloit in Wisconsin.

Kalamazoo College in Michigan (sits next to a university).

Much depends upon what he wants to study & which sport he will play in college.