Less stressful SLAC

[Anonymous]

Vassar is fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t consider Davidson or Dartmouth to be low-key schools (admissions alone to both is quite cut-throat). Someone recently posted asking for SLACs with a supportive/mellow vibe. That thread may be more along the lines of what your child is after. Link below. What other applications have already been made and what area of study interests your child?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1165913.page

OP: Thank you. Unfortunately this list is mostly not SLACs but second tier schools. I liked the suggestion of Smith College above (I'm actually an alum and think it is exactly the right speed - excellent classes but not stressful) but DC is not interested in a women's college.

OP, I say this with all good intention: if you have a stressed-out kid, you might consider not using terms like “second-tier” and “lower” schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally insane to think Amherst would be less competitive/less intense than top tier universities

Sorry OP but if you want less competitive, you will need to look at those “second” and “third” tier SLACs. Good news though: They’re excellent schools. Surprise!

That was my reaction too! Especially because OP said she went to Smith. I am also a Smith alum, took many classes at Amherst, and taught undergrads at a top-ten university (while I was in grad school).

[Anonymous]

Elon, Kenyon, Claremont McKenna, Pomona, Reed, St Lawrence, Denison, Holy Cross, Bates, Colgate, Vassar?

[Anonymous]

You should be looking to postpone your prestige hunger until grad school. Right now find a solid college where you can get a good education & a gaudy GPA which will get you in any grad school. There are scores of colleges that will fit your needs, few of which will impress your friends, & many of which will not be close to an ocean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing like last minute change. DC wants to switch from looking at super competitive universities to SLACs but specifically less stressful SLACs. And she is already in by EA to a top school but after terribly stressful semester (actually all of high school) wants sonething less cutthroat. Please don't say CC or lower schools. Suggestions? We put in for Davidson yesterday and are looking at Amherst today. We also thought Dartmouth would almost be like a SLAC as it's small. Other suggestions?

What's the intended major? Hard to say anything useful without that.

Amherst and Dartmouth are not going to be low key chill.

For that vibe, west is best. Seriously. With the possible exceptions of Stanford and Caltech, it's a lot calmer west of the Rockies.

If she's STEM and if you are looking at schools like Dartmouth, which suggests she's very accomplished, maybe Rice? Small university. Known as one of the happy schools. Not cutthroat. Definitely difficult. But not mean.

But oftentimes, it's the big schools where people feel most at home. Michigan is huge, but everyone seems to like it. It's big enough so that everyone finds their speed and their tribe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing like last minute change. DC wants to switch from looking at super competitive universities to SLACs but specifically less stressful SLACs. And she is already in by EA to a top school but after terribly stressful semester (actually all of high school) wants sonething less cutthroat. Please don't say CC or lower schools. Suggestions? We put in for Davidson yesterday and are looking at Amherst today. We also thought Dartmouth would almost be like a SLAC as it's small. Other suggestions?

What's the intended major? Hard to say anything useful without that.

Amherst and Dartmouth are not going to be low key chill.

For that vibe, west is best. Seriously. With the possible exceptions of Stanford and Caltech, it's a lot calmer west of the Rockies.

If she's STEM and if you are looking at schools like Dartmouth, which suggests she's very accomplished, maybe Rice? Small university. Known as one of the happy schools. Not cutthroat. Definitely difficult. But not mean.

But oftentimes, it's the big schools where people feel most at home. Michigan is huge, but everyone seems to like it. It's big enough so that everyone finds their speed and their tribe.

Midwest, too.

[Anonymous]

25-30 years ago, when I assume you went to Smith, OP, the top SLACs had plenty of room for good, smart kids who were engaged but generally relaxed about it — your basic well-rounded A- and B+ kids. Those kids brought down the intensity of campus. Thing is, there’s a lot less room for those kids at top SLACs these days. If you’re looking for the vibe of an SLAC circa 1995, you might actually want to take a look at some of the schools you dismiss as not good enough.

[Anonymous]

The best option is Davidson. As another poster mentioned, it is academically rigorous, but very supportive and collaborative. The College works to develop “humane instincts“ in an intellectually rigorous environment. Davidson has an excellent track record of sending kids to great graduate programs, including elite PhD programs. Essentially, it’s the premiere SLAC in the South and combines the rigor of NE academics with a Southern, welcoming vibe. Davidson students work hard, but are not riddled with anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Surprised at all the people suggesting Davidson as a laid back option. Students may be nice but that school is intense! And it has a 15% acceptance rate (we have no stats from OP so it may be a completely unrealistic option with the minimal details provided). Let’s be honest, this is a selective college for really high-achieving kids, not a low-key and relaxed environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan, Union college. Consider both.

A kid who likes one of these schools would hate the other. They're as different as can be. Woke culture vs. bro culture.

Disagree. Had kids that considered both. People who toss around "woke" are likely to not have experience with that school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP wants top-tier but also laid back? lol.

I have a kid doing that now. Of course laid back is relative. Think of it as cooperative vs cutthroat. Mine is very happy.

[Anonymous]

Is Tufts?

[Anonymous]

SLACs are intense. At least mine was and so is my son’s.

[Anonymous]

Connecticut College