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

[Anonymous]

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 don't see people making negative predictions about his chances at those schools. It's not parents' and advisors' job to be bullish. It's their job to make sure students have safeties as the foundation of their list.

[Anonymous]

How about Elon? It is known to have a supportive and collaborative culture. It may not be as small as you like, but worth investigating.

[Anonymous]

Willamette

[Anonymous]

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 don't see people making negative predictions about his chances at those schools. It's not parents' and advisors' job to be bullish. It's their job to make sure students have safeties as the foundation of their list.

Point well taken.

Also, kid elected not to apply ED because there was no one favorite. (unfortunate, because would be much better odds)

Also, Covid absolutely impacted kid's EC path and kid attends small school with limited EC offerings.

[Anonymous]

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?

Your kid has great stats so will do well in admissions in those schools, but competitive schools are not known for being supportive and mellow. That’s probably why people are suggesting colleges that are a few notches down. For a reach, how about Brown? Also, Reed may be a good fit. Colorado College? Is your kid a junior or senior?

[Anonymous]

DD also wanted a less competitive, more mellow LAC. Agree with the suggestions of Elon, Juniata, SMCM, also Dickinson was on her list.

[Anonymous]

Towson?

[Anonymous]

William and Mary and Occidental

[Anonymous]

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?

Your kid has great stats so will do well in admissions in those schools, but competitive schools are not known for being supportive and mellow. That’s probably why people are suggesting colleges that are a few notches down. For a reach, how about Brown? Also, Reed may be a good fit. Colorado College? Is your kid a junior or senior?

It isn’t the likelihood of admission, it’s the likelihood her kid would find their people at these schools.

[Anonymous]

OP, your list isn’t great. Some of those of pre-professional or fratty campuses. It’s good you posed this question. Hopefully you continue to get good feedback.

[Anonymous]

Why do people keep suggesting Juniata? Have you read student reviews? It sounds terrible and difficult to transfer out of.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Boy or Girl? Geographic preference?

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about Elon? It is known to have a supportive and collaborative culture. It may not be as small as you like, but worth investigating.

This kid won't get into Elon. They are the biggest yield protectors out there. His stats are way too high for Elon for admission. OP: I think your kid has an incredibly high shot at Kenyon, Bucknell, F&M. Bucknell will not have that mellow vibe though. Big time bro and party culture.