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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whitman
Sewanee
Lake Forest
St. Olaf
Muhlenberg

+1 If you want a supportive community, look away from the high prestige schools attended by UMC NYC strivers. Competition is intense. You want something off the beaten path.

[Anonymous]

Maybe St. John’s in Annapolis or NM.

[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.

Agree!

[Anonymous]

I'd also add Davidson.

[Anonymous]

Bates is a great suggestion. Just visited and it has a very friendly, down to earth vibe. Kids seem super happy, and the AO boasted that they’re a collaborative community and not “cutthroat.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whitman
Sewanee
Lake Forest
St. Olaf
Muhlenberg

+1 If you want a supportive community, look away from the high prestige schools attended by UMC NYC strivers. Competition is intense. You want something off the beaten path.

+1

[Anonymous]

I would add Dickinson if your child likes Haverford and F&M.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bates is a great suggestion. Just visited and it has a very friendly, down to earth vibe. Kids seem super happy, and the AO boasted that they’re a collaborative community and not “cutthroat.”

Would be a reach unless applying ED.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don’t have enough safeties. For small liberal arts colleges extracurricular activities are more important. The college needs to ensure that it assembles an active and engaged class.

What safeties would you add?

Drew

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bates is a great suggestion. Just visited and it has a very friendly, down to earth vibe. Kids seem super happy, and the AO boasted that they’re a collaborative community and not “cutthroat.”

Would be a reach unless applying ED.

Sure, but didn’t Bates stop admitting 80% of their class via ED?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bates is a great suggestion. Just visited and it has a very friendly, down to earth vibe. Kids seem super happy, and the AO boasted that they’re a collaborative community and not “cutthroat.”

Yes to this. I have a kid at Bates and it really is all that. Safer schools that he liked included Bard, Lewis & Clark, AU, Macalester.

[Anonymous]

Check out Colleges that Change Lives.

They are known for being supportive communities.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Also, maybe Lawrence?

[Anonymous]

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

Many of us know kids who have had great experiences there.

I would also recommend SMCM (as a safety). UMCP is not a SLAC.

If your child is female, Mt Holyoke sounds like a close community (and very solid education).