Smart and curious kids but not super competitive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for ideas for colleges with smart, curious, and engaged students (on the nerdier side is fine) that aren't super competitive environments (either on the admissions side or once there).

Ideally Mid-Atlantic/Northeast but interested in hearing about this type of school anywhere. Kid is very bright but more interested in a collaborative type school.

Does Juniata fit this? Clark University?

Most colleges are like this. You should focus on what your student is looking for -- large/small, big city/small/rural, research university vs liberal arts college, etc. Every school has a collaborative aspect, so that tells us nothing.

I do think some colleges have this culture and some don't. But without more info about OP's kid's stats, desired major, and preferences, it's too hard to suggest schools.

[Anonymous]

Maybe look at Whitman College but getting there from DC is a haul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Come on OP. There are thousands of colleges in the United States alone, and it's not even clear if that's your boundary. In the US at least, once you're past the top 50 colleges, every college will fit what you are looking for.

OP here. DC is looking for a highly intellectual engaged community of learners who love discussing big ideas outside of class, but without the party/sports atmosphere at many schools or the competitive environment in some places. Ideally a smaller school. Any places that match that?

Highly intellectual and suggesting Juanita and Clark - are you a troll? Come on. Agree with the above who stated look at LAC outside the top 50 but outside the top fifty you aren’t going to get highly intellectual.

What does OP mean by highly intellectual? Most highly intellectual kids get top grades, and end up going where other kids with top grades go -- which happens to be schools that are competitive. But if OP means kids who are smart but don't have the grades to show for it, then outside top 50 would be the place to look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for ideas for colleges with smart, curious, and engaged students (on the nerdier side is fine) that aren't super competitive environments (either on the admissions side or once there).

Ideally Mid-Atlantic/Northeast but interested in hearing about this type of school anywhere. Kid is very bright but more interested in a collaborative type school.

Does Juniata fit this? Clark University?

Tufts?

No. Hard to be admitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Come on OP. There are thousands of colleges in the United States alone, and it's not even clear if that's your boundary. In the US at least, once you're past the top 50 colleges, every college will fit what you are looking for.

OP here. DC is looking for a highly intellectual engaged community of learners who love discussing big ideas outside of class, but without the party/sports atmosphere at many schools or the competitive environment in some places. Ideally a smaller school. Any places that match that?

Wesleyan. St. John’s New Mexico.

[Anonymous]

I am the person who called OP a troll. Here are non cut throat LAC for kids competetive for top 30 college but don’t want Williams or Amherst: holy cross, Carleton, macalester, reed, William and Mary
The level below basically it’s what you make of it and it won’t be highly intellectual but there will be smart kids at a Franklin and Marshall, Dickinson etc.
the schools you listed -Juanita and Clark, have average sats of around 1200, this is not the highly intellectual range for kids coming from the dmv or other competetive areas of the country.

[Anonymous]

I love these posts. Either the kid is telling the parents what they think they want to hear, or the parents are writing what they want their kid to want. “No parties, drugs, sex; sitting on quad on a fall day discussing Proust ideal.” Hahahaha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:W&M
Richmond
Wesleyan
Davidson
Sewanee

Add WashU
St Olaf
Macalester

[Anonymous]

I'd really encourage the Midwest! This is where Kalamazoo, Earlham, Carleton, Grinnell, and a ton of truly wonderful small schools could be a fit.

[Anonymous]

William & Mary, but the midwest schools are a good idea if OP is willing to go there.

[Anonymous]

OP said not so competitive on admissions. A lot of schools being suggested are quite selective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love these posts. Either the kid is telling the parents what they think they want to hear, or the parents are writing what they want their kid to want. “No parties, drugs, sex; sitting on quad on a fall day discussing Proust ideal.” Hahahaha

BINGO. Always makes me laugh.

[Anonymous]

How strong is your student? Agree strongly with William and Mary posts. ANother that hasn't been mentioned is Haverford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bard?

They said smart.

A ton of really smart kids at Bard. They want to go to class, they do the reading, and they have brilliant discussions with famous professors, literary icons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd really encourage the Midwest! This is where Kalamazoo, Earlham, Carleton, Grinnell, and a ton of truly wonderful small schools could be a fit.

The Midwest is great. Carleton is for the seriously studious student. Very little down time because of the trimester system. Arkham is much more laid back, and so is Beloit, which we loved during our visit. Kalamazoo struck us as boring and depressing.