Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Thanks for all the thoughts here!

Mellow vibe = Collaborative vs competitive feel

I am surprised that people aren't more bullish on kid's chances at F&M, Lafayette, Kenyon, etc.

Also, we are full pay - does that make a difference here?

I’d be very surprised if a full pay boy with his stats - and assuming good application and demonstrated interest (to include interviews) - wasn’t accepted to those schools. Only caveat is if MCPS or similar where honors are weighted 1 instead of .5, the gpa isn’t super strong. People really need to specify honors weighting.

Also - I’d consider adding Bates, Grinnell, Macalester and Oberlin. Not sure of location preferences.

Bates not a safety as per CC, who told DC, with similar stats, to go ED or roll the dice in RD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd also add Davidson.

A reach, not a safety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like a good list. Maybe add a safety or two -- Muhlenberg? Juniata? SMCM?

This boy has a 35 ACT. I think Juniata and Muhlenberg are not an academic match. He can aim higher for a safety.

Then what do you suggest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I assume he’s a junior. He should ED to his favorite SLAC. It is really hard to find comparable schools to the more selective SLACs.

I would add Grinnell.

The kid is not getting into Grinnell. Not with limited extras. And definitely not if the kid doesn’t apply ED. The admit rate is in the single digits.

DK if it matters if male, but our DC got in ED and friend's DC - clearly she perceived her DD as the stronger student - was deferred then rejected. Similar stats to OP, though pretty solid ECs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out Colleges that Change Lives.

They are known for being supportive communities.

Oh please. They are known only for banning together for marketing purposes.

Here. We. Go. Again.

TY! Why can't this poster just let it go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I assume he’s a junior. He should ED to his favorite SLAC. It is really hard to find comparable schools to the more selective SLACs.

I would add Grinnell.

The kid is not getting into Grinnell. Not with limited extras. And definitely not if the kid doesn’t apply ED. The admit rate is in the single digits.

Agreed. So, could someone please suggest some Midwest safeties.

Beloit
Earlham
Kalamazoo
Macalester
St Olaf
Wooster

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carleton and St. Olaf

Carleton is not a safety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kalamazoo?

Kalamazoo in case anyone reading this is curious: compact campus, traditional in appearance (old brick buildings around a green with criss-crossing paths, on a sloping hill), at the edge of an extremely unfancy midwestern city with a vibrant community arts scene. Students are encouraged to engage with the community, and there are robust opportunities to volunteer. Mostly open curriculum but with high standards annd expectations of independent research and hands-on learning. Lots of personal attention; the place clearly had a lot of heart. Seems to punch above its weight academically, with a graduation rate that is on par with far more selective schools, which suggested good things about the education. Eclectic group of kids who all seemed to like one another. All reported working hard.

We visited a bit on a lark, but turned out my kid really, really liked the vibe and is applying.

There’s an Amtrak station in town, maybe a mile from campus, which is probably how she’d get there were she to go.

OK, my experience with Kalamazoo is ancient, but I still see commonalities between my alma mater in the 80s and today, so I will share that I hold incredibly positive memories of the kids from Kalamazoo with whom I studied abroad so long ago. It seemed a very special place.

K alum here - nice to hear. Your alma mater?

[Anonymous]

The OP didn’t just ask for safeties. No one is saying all these suggestions are safeties. There was a comment asking for more safety suggestions in response to another comment. But it’s weird to keep pointing out the obvious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dickinson College in Pennsylvania might work for OP.

Pomona College, Bowdoin College, Carleton College, Davidson College, Grinnell College, Hamilton College, Skidmore College, Wesleyan University, Bates College, Colby College, Colorado College, Macalester College, Holy Cross, Pitzer, Connecticut College, Sewanee-The University of the South, Gettysburg College, St. Lawrence University, Kalamazoo College, Lewis & Clark, and many others, but I see no need to venture further down the rankings.

This is a ridic list - at least for ~ ten schools on here - based on what OP has shared.

[Anonymous]

If he’s not a senior, he should apply ED1 and then ED2 if he doesn’t get in.

[Anonymous]

I’m a PP just wanting to thank folks on info re Haverford. Seems as though Vassar may be better option (and DS is at tiny arts school without Naviance or SCOIR).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dickinson College in Pennsylvania might work for OP.

Pomona College, Bowdoin College, Carleton College, Davidson College, Grinnell College, Hamilton College, Skidmore College, Wesleyan University, Bates College, Colby College, Colorado College, Macalester College, Holy Cross, Pitzer, Connecticut College, Sewanee-The University of the South, Gettysburg College, St. Lawrence University, Kalamazoo College, Lewis & Clark, and many others, but I see no need to venture further down the rankings.

Good list except I’d remove Connecticut College.

[Anonymous]

Coe College is a safety in the Midwest. Beloit too.

[Anonymous]

Also Macalester