best schools for nerdy student?

[Anonymous]

I think “nerd” can mean different things suggesting different fits. I have a “nerdy” sophomore DS and I’m trying to learn about various colleges to help him have the right fit. In my case, DS is very academically inclined and shy in large groups, absolutely no interest in drinking or partying (very rule abiding to a fault), isn’t on social media, but is generally easy to get along with and not all all quirky (not into video games, d&d, etc), he likes things like watching sports, hiking, kayaking. He can be hesitant about asserting himself with adults.

I think it would be good for him to go to a small or midsize school with no or little Greek life. It’s unclear what he’ll major in so we will have to see if that comes into focus, likely economics or an earth/environmental science.

On my list:

Case Western
CMU
Mary Washington
W&M
Oberlin
Brandeis
Tufts
Rochester
Franklin & Marshall
Rice
Vassar


But the earth/geoscience potential interest is throwing me off. It seems like that is a better program at bigger schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think “nerd” can mean different things suggesting different fits. I have a “nerdy” sophomore DS and I’m trying to learn about various colleges to help him have the right fit. In my case, DS is very academically inclined and shy in large groups, absolutely no interest in drinking or partying (very rule abiding to a fault), isn’t on social media, but is generally easy to get along with and not all all quirky (not into video games, d&d, etc), he likes things like watching sports, hiking, kayaking. He can be hesitant about asserting himself with adults.

I think it would be good for him to go to a small or midsize school with no or little Greek life. It’s unclear what he’ll major in so we will have to see if that comes into focus, likely economics or an earth/environmental science.

On my list:

Case Western
CMU
Mary Washington
W&M
Oberlin
Brandeis
Tufts
Rochester
Franklin & Marshall
Rice
Vassar


But the earth/geoscience potential interest is throwing me off. It seems like that is a better program at bigger schools.

Best colleges for geology: https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/top-colleges-geology/

Best colleges for economics: https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/top-colleges-economics

Top feeders to Ph.D. Programs: https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/top-feeders-phd-programs#total-phd

(This site also divides out by certain subjects, like economics and biological sciences, but not for earth sciences.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think “nerd” can mean different things suggesting different fits. I have a “nerdy” sophomore DS and I’m trying to learn about various colleges to help him have the right fit. In my case, DS is very academically inclined and shy in large groups, absolutely no interest in drinking or partying (very rule abiding to a fault), isn’t on social media, but is generally easy to get along with and not all all quirky (not into video games, d&d, etc), he likes things like watching sports, hiking, kayaking. He can be hesitant about asserting himself with adults.

I think it would be good for him to go to a small or midsize school with no or little Greek life. It’s unclear what he’ll major in so we will have to see if that comes into focus, likely economics or an earth/environmental science.

On my list:

Case Western
CMU
Mary Washington
W&M
Oberlin
Brandeis
Tufts
Rochester
Franklin & Marshall
Rice
Vassar


But the earth/geoscience potential interest is throwing me off. It seems like that is a better program at bigger schools.

Your DS sounds a lot like my DS, who studied geology at Beloit and is now in graduate school at the University of Florida. Beloit's geology department is an amazing and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The professors are wonderful and really get to know the students, the research opportunities are outstanding for such a small school (check out schools that are part of the Keck Geology consortium - many Beloit Geology majors participate) and lots of interesting field work and excursions. My DS was able to use equipment and gain experiences (such as attending and presenting research at the Geological Society of America's annual convention) that many students do not get until grad school, if then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think “nerd” can mean different things suggesting different fits. I have a “nerdy” sophomore DS and I’m trying to learn about various colleges to help him have the right fit. In my case, DS is very academically inclined and shy in large groups, absolutely no interest in drinking or partying (very rule abiding to a fault), isn’t on social media, but is generally easy to get along with and not all all quirky (not into video games, d&d, etc), he likes things like watching sports, hiking, kayaking. He can be hesitant about asserting himself with adults.

I think it would be good for him to go to a small or midsize school with no or little Greek life. It’s unclear what he’ll major in so we will have to see if that comes into focus, likely economics or an earth/environmental science.

On my list:

Case Western
CMU
Mary Washington
W&M
Oberlin
Brandeis
Tufts
Rochester
Franklin & Marshall
Rice
Vassar


But the earth/geoscience potential interest is throwing me off. It seems like that is a better program at bigger schools.

OP here. you're so right. This is my daughter to a 't.'

[Anonymous]

Not sure if merit is a consideration, but that can influence the schools on your list. Also, does your dd care about urban, suburban or rural?

William and Mary and Vassar would be my first two suggestions, I think multiple people also suggested the same. Then looking at mid-western schools I could see Grinnell (IA), Kenyon (OH), and Oberlin (OH). If the CTCL are on your radar, I could see College of Wooster, Denison (also both Ohio) or Rhodes (TN). Then to round out the list, consider women’s colleges - Bryn Mawr (PA), Mt Holyoke (MA) and Wellesley (MA).