Suggestions for Smaller Colleges for Ridiculously Smart Boy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Starting to make lists of potential schools to look at for insanely smart as a whip kid currently attending elite private. Right now, he thinks he wants Ivy, but I would also like to encourage him to look at smaller, non-Ivy schools. Someone suggested places like Smith, Swarthmore, Haverford, etc. I know nothing about any of these schools as I graduated from a large California public university. Are there any other places like this that we could add to the list? DS also plays football in high school and may potentially want to continue playing (although not at a school where 6'5" 300 pound lineman are the norm).

What are his stats?

[Anonymous]

Quick google suggests that Rice has 4000 undergraduates. Not really small but with a student to faculty ratio of 6 to1, I don't think 4000 will feel large.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Starting to make lists of potential schools to look at for insanely smart as a whip kid currently attending elite private. Right now, he thinks he wants Ivy, but I would also like to encourage him to look at smaller, non-Ivy schools. Someone suggested places like Smith, Swarthmore, Haverford, etc. I know nothing about any of these schools as I graduated from a large California public university. Are there any other places like this that we could add to the list? DS also plays football in high school and may potentially want to continue playing (although not at a school where 6'5" 300 pound lineman are the norm).

why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starting to make lists of potential schools to look at for insanely smart as a whip kid currently attending elite private. Right now, he thinks he wants Ivy, but I would also like to encourage him to look at smaller, non-Ivy schools. Someone suggested places like Smith, Swarthmore, Haverford, etc. I know nothing about any of these schools as I graduated from a large California public university. Are there any other places like this that we could add to the list? DS also plays football in high school and may potentially want to continue playing (although not at a school where 6'5" 300 pound lineman are the norm).

why?

Because not all of us can count on getting into an Ivy, and places like Williams are closer to Harvard/Dartmouth in the undergrad experience than are UVA and NYU?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"OP here - told you I know nothing about any of these places! Ha! Okay so Smith is out. He is a math brain and is thinking of accounting or finance as numbers are second nature to him. He’s at an elite private right now and likes the feel of kids who are competitive and compelled to do really well in life. He loves things like Vineyard Vines and fancy dinners. That type of kid. Hence he has it in his mind that the Ivies are the right fit. But he is also a genius without breaking a sweat."

From the sounds of this, his school and his peers will be able to help him figure this out. Not that you shouldn't ask, but they will know him and where he would fit much better than random people on the interwebs.

As it gets closer to the time to apply, his school will hold meetings for parents and councilors will meet with the kids to help figure this out.

Some would say the process I am describing is the entire reason to go to an elite private.

Ahh, money has its privileges...

There's a joke about a ridiculously rich man who one day realize sex at home was becoming laborious and hard work. From that day on, he hired his landscaper, butler, plumber... to do all the hard work for him...

[Anonymous]

As far as the football thing - in college even D III and MIT lineman are 6'5 and 300 lbs.

[Anonymous]

Is there a reason you're asking here rather than at your school? I'm not that familiar with elite private schools but thought one reason to go was the college counseling?

[Anonymous]

Troll post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Troll post.

+1

[Anonymous]

Colby. My nephew went to Colby so he he could play football there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colby. My nephew went to Colby so he he could play football there.

But, does he like fancy meals and wear Vineyard Vines???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As far as the football thing - in college even D III and MIT lineman are 6'5 and 300 lbs.

And my giant public high school's national championship quarterback was recruited and played for an Ivy team (back in the day).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Starting to make lists of potential schools to look at for insanely smart as a whip kid currently attending elite private. Right now, he thinks he wants Ivy, but I would also like to encourage him to look at smaller, non-Ivy schools. Someone suggested places like Smith, Swarthmore, Haverford, etc. I know nothing about any of these schools as I graduated from a large California public university. Are there any other places like this that we could add to the list? DS also plays football in high school and may potentially want to continue playing (although not at a school where 6'5" 300 pound lineman are the norm).

This list includes one women's college and 2 colleges without football teams. Are you sure your friend wasn't pulling your leg?

[Anonymous]

I think Claremont McKenna is a really great suggestion. Preppy, can walk on the football team, strong econ/accounting/finance focus. Lots of grads go into investment banking. Small, but with the benefits of the 5C consortium.

[Anonymous]

Wellesley
Bryn Mawr
Smith
Scripps