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[quote=Anonymous]There is an article about Smith in the NTY today that isn’t flattering.  Bryn Mwar and to a lesser extent Haverford have had similar incidents.  I will start a separate thread on the Smith article, because the specific incidents they discuss aren’t part of my question. But, they point to an issue we are struggling with. Our older kid is at a Midwestern SLAC and merit aid was a consideration and it’s a great fit for him, his upbringing and how we raised him.  But, finances have changed and money is less of an issue with kid 2 (kid 1 is being made whole).   So we started looking at need only schools.   And we are hitting reputations for wealthy, entitled kids with wealthy entitled parents in NE SLACs. That’s not our kid or family.  She’s a nerdy introvert who is very down to Earth. It has decent social skills.

I’ve chimed in here on SLACs based on kid 1. But kid 2 is very different and I could use some first hand info on the community vibe at schools.  So now I’m tapping into the  DCUM Hive mind.

Because info helps.

International relations and linguistics. 
The most rigorous humanities and languages schedule humanly possible (9APs and scores are/ should be strong), 2 foreign languages (one AP, One level III), a summer language program in a third language but only Calc AB and standard A2, pre-Calc and physics. Honors until then.  Only 3 lab sciences (Honors Chem and Bio)

High level fine arts. Not planning to major, but wants a decent fine arts community
Has some interesting activities that tie into IR, but COVID has paused travel exchanges
Is not into athletics and doesn’t want Greek

Good FCPS high school.

33 ACT banked early junior year, but with skewed scores: 34 in Reading and 36 in English early junior year.  28 in science and 32 in math.  Trying again after pre-Calc and AP Lang and should have a 34.

5-6 As,1-2 A-s junior year and APs should support the grade.  But upward trend from A/B mix freshman year and a couple of low Bs in 10th, 1 in STEM and the other directly related to the COVID end to the academic year.  The guidance counselor can provide context.

So very strong where she is strong, but lopsided.  Amherst, Williams, Swat are not going to be realistic.

If we can get her on campus for a real visit by fall, may ED Carlton

Where else should we be looking outside the MN and Ohio SLACs, Grinnell?    It’s hard without being able to see the campuses in action.

She is looking at Vasser, Hamilton, Tufts, BC and Northeastern (both much larger, but for comparisons sake), Middlebury for languages program, Claeont McKenna   But Middlebury’s trust fund kid Rep is concerning.  Will apply to American’s IR school but is not thrilled about staying in DC.

The Maine schools (Bowdoin, Bates)?  She has decided that Colby’s politics department “is obsessed with American politics,” which is a fair point.

Some of her schools (Bowdoin, Tufts, CMcKenna, probably Middlebury are clearly reaches).

We are also concerned about financial health of colleges, so SL and Earlham came off.

Location isn’t as a big issue, but doesn’t want South.

First hand experience? Good choice for ED2?

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