Funky schools with academic rigor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reed and Oberlin. Although yes to the corn fields around Oberlin, which we've heard can create a sort of naval-gazing atmosphere.

I disagree with PP about Tufts--the academics seemed rigorous enough but the kids we saw on the tour and the kids we know who got in all seemed really, really preppy. Almost as if they were trying to prove something to that crimson-colored university down the road. Tuft's literature is all about how they appreciate quirky kids, though, so there's that.

Tufts has developed a great community service program with a strong emphasis on sustainabilty and global awareness, but even the kids who are involved in this effort are pretty preppy.

[Anonymous]

Wesleyan -- not exactly urban/suburban, but not rural either . .. more exurban; strong academics, but not an elbows-out place . .. though I wouldn't characterize Swarthmore that way either.

[Anonymous]

Eugene Lang, also agree with the pp about Sarah Lawrence.

[Anonymous]

Also, University of Chicago, not a lot of students wearing hemp necklaces if that's what he's looking for, but freaks and weirdos of all kinds-and an amazing education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, University of Chicago, not a lot of students wearing hemp necklaces if that's what he's looking for, but freaks and weirdos of all kinds-and an amazing education.

This image is a little out-of-date, actually. Chicago still offers an "amazing education", yes, but these days the students look a lot more like their peers at, say, Yale or Columbia. Also, it's definitely got a "competitive vibe", which OP said her son doesn't want.

[Anonymous]

That is exactly the student who thrives at Reed - crunchy, slightly delightfully odd, creative and incredibly academically driven. Plus Portland is a great city, and Reed has a wonderful record for students going on in academia...

[Anonymous]

Haverford, Reed, Sarah Lawrence, Oberlin, Swarthmore, Claremont Colleges, Weslelyan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carleton is in a wheat field.

Corn, actually. But fields nonetheless.

[Anonymous]

Hampshire is part of a 5 college community. Free buses among the schools. Lots going on. University of Massachusetts brings in lots of art/music/dance of high quality. Lots to do. Northampton near Smith is fun. The area is now crowded small town. Not exactly rural. But, no, not a city either. Temple university in Philadelphia is very lively, with all sorts of opportunities, interesting student blend and good profs. However, it's not as hard to get into as the SLACs mentioned above, and doesn't get the nod of status so many seek. They do have some funky urban vibe and study abroad programs, and they've moved their stellar art program down to the main campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hampshire is part of a 5 college community. Free buses among the schools. Lots going on. University of Massachusetts brings in lots of art/music/dance of high quality. Lots to do. Northampton near Smith is fun. The area is now crowded small town. Not exactly rural. But, no, not a city either. Temple university in Philadelphia is very lively, with all sorts of opportunities, interesting student blend and good profs. However, it's not as hard to get into as the SLACs mentioned above, and doesn't get the nod of status so many seek. They do have some funky urban vibe and study abroad programs, and they've moved their stellar art program down to the main campus.

Hampshire is a good call. When I was at Smith in the 1980s, Hampshire was the place with the crunchiest kids. Northampton these days is pretty funky, too, as PP says.

Temple is another good idea, probably "funkier" than the Drexel suggestion above. Although thinking about Temple, I think more "urban gritty" than "funky" or even "crunchy."

[Anonymous]

Middlebury College-?

[Anonymous]

Surprised nobody has mentioned St Johns College. Not crunchy exactly (in fact, has a contingent of paleo conservatives) but definitely alternative. And incredibly intellectual.

[Anonymous]

Lawrence University in Appleton, WI

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Macalester? It's in St. Paul so has an urban feel.

I graduated from Macalester in the early 2000s. For humanities I would not call it rigorous compared to what my friends at Reed, Oberlin and Swarthmore experienced - but it may be better now. More rigorous for science, math or Econ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Middlebury College-?

Crunchy, yes, but in a preppy way. Remote.