OP: you should understand from the start that all three schools are reaches for any student, simply because their acceptance rates are so low. Same is true for some of the others here, like Bates, even if the numbers are a little less daunting. If you want small LACs, you can add Hamilton, Colgate, Wesleyan, and Middlebury for other reaches plus Trinity, Conn College, Dickinson, Gettysburg, Franklin & Marshall, Union for more realistic options. Outside New England, Davidson, Pomona, Occidental, Reed, Grinnell are all super competitive; Macalester is getting there; Lewis & Clark, Whitman, Whittier, St. Laurence are not quite so reach-y. For most LACs and even for some of the larger schools, ED can be an important boost.

For other schools like Tufts - smallish undergrad but part of a full-fledged university, maybe Villanova (already mentioned), William & Mary, and BC.

^^^ Bates

Tufts is somewhat of an outlier from the other two. It is bigger and has a medical school. It’s also right outside Boston.

The other two and abates are rural SLACs. Do you want more suggestions within that category or is your category more NE private schools or … ?

Pick one. Apply ED and have backups.

Connecticut College--beautiful campus, easy access from I-95/Amtrak, many of the dorms are very nice

Bates, Lafayette, Villanova . Lower ranked but good options: Holy Cross, Clark (this was my kid's safety and he really liked it, got really good merit but did not end up there because he applied ED elsewhere and got it).

Brandeis would be a good backup

Anonymous wrote:

Have backups

Of course. Got anything more specific?

Have backups that are less selective but that your child would not mind attending.

Hamilton, Swarthmore, Haverford

Whitman, maybe Reed or Claremont Colleges

Anonymous wrote:Bates

I do not know why Bates did not make this (short) list. I would love to add a few non- Maine colleges. We live in Fairfax County and have only visited Maine once. Student interested in going out of state (at the moment!)

Have backups.

Bates

Are there any others you might add to the list? Any more mid-Atlantic or western /pacific NW? Undecided major, strong academically, leaning toward economics, social sciences. Very early in process. Thanks for any ideas.