Best LACs for normal, "cool" seniors

[Anonymous]

Maybe “normal” just means not being activist (and nothing wrong with that either- every campus needs all kinds). Normal as in enjoys relaxing and hanging out with friends, attending a variety of campus events. And enjoying what the surrounding area has to offer.

[Anonymous]

I get what OP is trying to say and I'm interested in this as well.

Instead of normal (which I agree sounds offensive) I would say "mainstream" or even "basic" or "bro" although the later 2 both have negative connotations, in different ways. My son is "basic" or "bro" from a pop culture or social standpoint but is a top student and looking for a strong academic environment where he's not a face in the crowd.

It's kind of tricky to find schools to fit this student. They're not quirky or esoteric, they're progressive socially when pinned down but don't care all that much, they love sports and partying and yet they're really bright and took the top classes, got top/perfect scores, loved closer relationships with teachers when they've had them.

[Anonymous]

Holy Cross and Davidson

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely not Amherst, no self respecting city kid would want to spend more than a few days there. Davidson, Vassar, Williams, Claremont McKenna, Colgate come to mind.

Huh? Lots of city kids go to SLACs in boring towns (isn’t that mostly where SLACs are located?). A friend who is a multi generational NYCer went to Amherst and wanted her DD to go there, too. Loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get what OP is trying to say and I'm interested in this as well.

Instead of normal (which I agree sounds offensive) I would say "mainstream" or even "basic" or "bro" although the later 2 both have negative connotations, in different ways. My son is "basic" or "bro" from a pop culture or social standpoint but is a top student and looking for a strong academic environment where he's not a face in the crowd.

It's kind of tricky to find schools to fit this student. They're not quirky or esoteric, they're progressive socially when pinned down but don't care all that much, they love sports and partying and yet they're really bright and took the top classes, got top/perfect scores, loved closer relationships with teachers when they've had them.

Trinity, Richmond, W&L, Lehigh, Dennison, Bucknell, Dickinson, maybe Franklin and Marshall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get why everyone is saying this is cringe but it’s kinda refreshing when most parents on here describe their kids as “quirky”. Which means… what, exactly? I think OP means he’s not a theater kid, not a hipster/grunge/goth kid, not a stem-dork. Middle of the road.

If you’re still here, OP: Lehigh and Bucknell.

Agree with middle of the road. Mine liked Richmond, W&M, Davidson, Denison, Kenyon, Sewanee, UVa. I’d add Bucknell, Wake, Lafayette, W&L.

UVA a liberal arts school? Yeah, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:people are being so rude to OP on this thread

Ya think?

Lol, ask a stupid question, get stupid answers. I'm just as ashamed about the poster you replied to as the OP. How can they not see this is the most cringe post ever?

I think the "touse" sorority lady is more cringey but this mom is for sure a close second.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone watching kids of siblings and cousins hit the college years and seeing several go to LACs because of a lifetime of family beliefs that LACs were the way to go and end up feeling a bit out of place because they weren't super liberal / progressive / queers for Gaza types, let me suggest you take a long hard look at bigger schools, such as big flagships like UVA or Michigan or UNC. They tend to be much more laid back places these days compared to many of the LACs. And will have excellent professors and large curriculum offerings.

I'm not saying there aren't LACs that tick the boxes for your kid, but it's also not the 1990s either.

+100. I always thought LAC’s were the way to go- until my kid and his friends started the college admissions process. A lot of LAC’s aren’t what they were during the 1990’s and many state flagships have undergone similar changes. UGA comes to mind- the Hope and Zell Miller scholarships attracted many students who might have opted for LAC’s during another era.

The majority of the country does not approve of what happened to Gaza. Only about a third approve. I don't think your issue has that much to do with any particular college because the entire country is upset with what happened to Gaza, particularly young people that would be going to colleges.

If you want your kid with the young people that are fine with what's going on in Gaza you may be able to find it but it's not going to be that easy.

Your hackles got raised and you immediately pivoted to claiming mandate via "most of the country." Most of the country also didn't approve ot Hamas and what happened on October 7 and that has gotten lost in the loud activism. The point being that you can criticize without resorting to a binary, and at some schools it became too much of a binary dialogue. And there are plenty of kids who don't want to spend four years on a campus dominated by a binary attitude. I'm northeast liberal but I do understand why southern schools and flagships have become very popular.

[Anonymous]

What does “cool” mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Sounds like your kid doesn't need our help.

Or yours.

I do question whether a "cool", comfortable in his own skin, city kid would want his mom to post to THIS website asking for college recommendations and asking, anxiously, which of these schools would suit her son the best.

I feel a kid as described would just go on school tours, talk to current students, do his own research, and follow his gut on what is the best fit. The last thing he'd want is for a bunch of middle aged parents gossiping on the mommy fight site to weigh in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone watching kids of siblings and cousins hit the college years and seeing several go to LACs because of a lifetime of family beliefs that LACs were the way to go and end up feeling a bit out of place because they weren't super liberal / progressive / queers for Gaza types, let me suggest you take a long hard look at bigger schools, such as big flagships like UVA or Michigan or UNC. They tend to be much more laid back places these days compared to many of the LACs. And will have excellent professors and large curriculum offerings.

I'm not saying there aren't LACs that tick the boxes for your kid, but it's also not the 1990s either.

+100. I always thought LAC’s were the way to go- until my kid and his friends started the college admissions process. A lot of LAC’s aren’t what they were during the 1990’s and many state flagships have undergone similar changes. UGA comes to mind- the Hope and Zell Miller scholarships attracted many students who might have opted for LAC’s during another era.

The majority of the country does not approve of what happened to Gaza. Only about a third approve. I don't think your issue has that much to do with any particular college because the entire country is upset with what happened to Gaza, particularly young people that would be going to colleges.

If you want your kid with the young people that are fine with what's going on in Gaza you may be able to find it but it's not going to be that easy.

Your hackles got raised and you immediately pivoted to claiming mandate via "most of the country." Most of the country also didn't approve ot Hamas and what happened on October 7 and that has gotten lost in the loud activism. The point being that you can criticize without resorting to a binary, and at some schools it became too much of a binary dialogue. And there are plenty of kids who don't want to spend four years on a campus dominated by a binary attitude. I'm northeast liberal but I do understand why southern schools and flagships have become very popular.

Sure you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get what OP is trying to say and I'm interested in this as well.

Instead of normal (which I agree sounds offensive) I would say "mainstream" or even "basic" or "bro" although the later 2 both have negative connotations, in different ways. My son is "basic" or "bro" from a pop culture or social standpoint but is a top student and looking for a strong academic environment where he's not a face in the crowd.

It's kind of tricky to find schools to fit this student. They're not quirky or esoteric, they're progressive socially when pinned down but don't care all that much, they love sports and partying and yet they're really bright and took the top classes, got top/perfect scores, loved closer relationships with teachers when they've had them.

This is why the honors program at state flagships exist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone watching kids of siblings and cousins hit the college years and seeing several go to LACs because of a lifetime of family beliefs that LACs were the way to go and end up feeling a bit out of place because they weren't super liberal / progressive / queers for Gaza types, let me suggest you take a long hard look at bigger schools, such as big flagships like UVA or Michigan or UNC. They tend to be much more laid back places these days compared to many of the LACs. And will have excellent professors and large curriculum offerings.

I'm not saying there aren't LACs that tick the boxes for your kid, but it's also not the 1990s either.

+100. I always thought LAC’s were the way to go- until my kid and his friends started the college admissions process. A lot of LAC’s aren’t what they were during the 1990’s and many state flagships have undergone similar changes. UGA comes to mind- the Hope and Zell Miller scholarships attracted many students who might have opted for LAC’s during another era.

The majority of the country does not approve of what happened to Gaza. Only about a third approve. I don't think your issue has that much to do with any particular college because the entire country is upset with what happened to Gaza, particularly young people that would be going to colleges.

If you want your kid with the young people that are fine with what's going on in Gaza you may be able to find it but it's not going to be that easy.

Your hackles got raised and you immediately pivoted to claiming mandate via "most of the country." Most of the country also didn't approve ot Hamas and what happened on October 7 and that has gotten lost in the loud activism. The point being that you can criticize without resorting to a binary, and at some schools it became too much of a binary dialogue. And there are plenty of kids who don't want to spend four years on a campus dominated by a binary attitude. I'm northeast liberal but I do understand why southern schools and flagships have become very popular.

Of course they don't approve of Hamas and the October 7th attack. Don't be ridiculous. My only point was this is not just a college issue. It's a widespread issue that the reaction to October 7th went way way, way too far. It was more that thinking this is some kind of campus issue is unrealistic. It's a nationwide issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given his interest in outdoor sports, he might want to look at Colorado College. Due to its location there’s a strong outdoor culture. The schedule has a unique block system with large breaks that make outdoor time easy to schedule.

+1 for Colorado College

What about University of Vermont (yes, I know it's not a SLAC). Also agree with the Middlebury, Colby and Denison suggestions. Good luck OP!

[Anonymous]

Dartmouth or Middlebury