I would consider Skidmore.

Yes, it does make a difference. If a boy, that will help too.

Hard to know about the impact of limited ECs post-pandemic, honestly. A lot of clubs ceased entirely and are still coming back. Many kids, having missed the chance to jump in early, have taken longer to find their ECs. Every school responded differently to challenges. This year’s seniors are the first class to have had their entire hs experience be affected by covid. Maybe limited ECs won’t matter the way they once might have. All feels a little unpredictable.

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Thanks for all the thoughts here!

Mellow vibe = Collaborative vs competitive feel

I am surprised that people aren't more bullish on kid's chances at F&M, Lafayette, Kenyon, etc.

Also, we are full pay - does that make a difference here?

Yes, especially if kid is an ED boy. Which was their favorite from your list and why?

OP here: Thanks for all the thoughts here!

Mellow vibe = Collaborative vs competitive feel

I am surprised that people aren't more bullish on kid's chances at F&M, Lafayette, Kenyon, etc.

Also, we are full pay - does that make a difference here?

Anonymous wrote:Bucknell, Lehigh, Colgate and even Lafayette do not have “mellow vibe.”

Agree. F&M is also not mellow.

Bucknell, Lehigh, Colgate and even Lafayette do not have “mellow vibe.”

If Kenyon and Haverford are the standard-bearers vibe-wise, some good, supportive, mellow safeties might be Earlham, Lawrence (in Wisconsin, not to be confused with St. Lawrence or Sarah Lawrence), Hendrix, Whitman, Muhlenberg, SMCM, and St. Olaf (not sure if that’s a safety EC-wise, but stats will get them to take notice).

You've got two schools with less than 20% acceptance rate (Haverford and Vassar). Carleton would also fit there.

For schools between 20%-50% acceptance rate, you've got six (Bucknell, Kenyon, Lafayette, Franklin & Marshall, Lehigh, Union), but several of them don't have the reputation of a "supportive community and mellow vibe." Have you considered Macalester, Oberlin, Whitman?

I think of safeties as being drawn from schools with a higher than 50% acceptance rate (for kids with high stats). Right now only Bard is in that category. You've gotten lots of good suggestions for other options.

Does Union have a mellow vibe?

Are you looking for brand recognition or a good fit? Your list suggests the former.

Remove Leigh and Bucknell and add St Olaf and Muhlenberg

Union has EA. Did you student apply to Union EA? The deadline was Nov 1

Wooster and Muhlenberg, which others are suggesting, have EA deadlines of Nov 15

Whitman
Sewanee
Lake Forest
St. Olaf
Muhlenberg

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a strange list. A kid that finds their people at Haverford or Kenyon is not going to be the same kid that likes Lehigh. Have you visited these schools yet op?

Kid certainly prefers Kenyon and Haverford to Lehigh and Bucknell, but trying to have a long enough list. Have visited all schools.

I wouldn’t underestimate the importance of the school being the right vibe with these small schools. I add schools like muhlenberg, skidmore, Occidental and rice over Bucknell and Lehigh.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe Pitzer

Not a safety