Miami of Ohio meets your needs 100%. My daughter went there. Campus full of smiling, happy kids. Lovely little college town with zero dangerous areas. The school itself is larger than you would think, so there are tons of sports and activities going on. There is a good sized DC area student presence among the students. The price was very good when my daughter went.
And the kids seem to do fine getting jobs after they graduate - good reputation. We loved it for her, and so did she - she has stayed close with her friends from there now after she has graduated.
Only negative I know is that it's a bit inconvenient to travel to and from.

Anonymous wrote:Bowdoin and Davidson
Naropa for certain kids

? Did you read the OP? The kid doesn't want a small SLAC.
Also those stats probably are not enough for Bowdoin (possibly for Davidson but that'd be stretch as well).

Anonymous wrote:State schools

+1

Bowdoin and Davidson
Naropa for certain kids

Anonymous wrote:What are schools where students tend to be happy with their experience? DS is a strong student (3.8/32), loves learning, but wants a moderately relaxed environment. He plans on majoring in math/stats & a social science. He mostly likes volunteering & outdoors activities. He doesn’t want to go to a school where everyone is stressed & it’s a hyper competitive environment. Normally I would think a SLAC, but he finds them too small.

The midwestern state schools have good math depts and probably good social science, e.g. IU, Wisc, MSU, Mich. And are as relaxed as you want them to be.

Has he looked at Oberlin? They have strong programs in math and social sciences and it's a larger LAC with about 850 students per class because they have the conservatory. My daughter loves it and she's very laid back but also quite studious. Her stats were almost exactly the same as your son's. A few posters on DCUM love to hate on Oberlin but it's a great experience for many students because it strikes a nice balance between top academics and supportive environment. It's also an amazing place if your son loves music because he can attend live shows every day of the week and hear classmates with incredible talent perform for free.

I’d assume that less selective schools will all have more relaxed student bodies.

Anonymous wrote:U VT

Virginia Tech or Vermont?

Anonymous wrote:According to the Princeton Review, W&M has the "happiest" students. The rumor that they have the highest suicide rate still exists but isn't true. My DS, who is a student at W&M, says that his classmates are really, really smart but they are also helpful and supportive and not cut throat and competitive with each other.

Did they fix their suicide issue?

State schools

According to the Princeton Review, W&M has the "happiest" students. The rumor that they have the highest suicide rate still exists but isn't true. My DS, who is a student at W&M, says that his classmates are really, really smart but they are also helpful and supportive and not cut throat and competitive with each other.

U VT

JMU!

In the Shenandoah Valley, so lots of outdoor rec opportunities. Smart but social and not competitive students. Many options for getting involved and volunteering.

Michigan. Great academics, but most kids not as tightly wound as at some schools.

What are schools where students tend to be happy with their experience? DS is a strong student (3.8/32), loves learning, but wants a moderately relaxed environment. He plans on majoring in math/stats & a social science. He mostly likes volunteering & outdoors activities. He doesn’t want to go to a school where everyone is stressed & it’s a hyper competitive environment. Normally I would think a SLAC, but he finds them too small.