I had an ADHD kid do very well in STEM at Oberlin. And do well socially. He did the full neuropsych testing and was not diagnosed ASD, but has some low grade ASD tendencies, like some level of rigidity of throuht. He was held responsible for completing 100% of his work, but the professors, especially in his major, were willing to work with him on deadlines and to spread out exams as needed, without formal accommodations. The big thing was that he had to communicate with them up front and not just fail to turn things in.

There was a real environment of helping individualize things like timing of papers and a genuine desire to see him succeed. Excellent research opportunities as well.

It’s obviously an especially good school if your kid is also interested in fine arts.

Instead of scripps, I’d highly recommend Harvey Mudd. Many students there are neurodivergent and it attracts a unique personality that’s more accepting.

Neighbor’s kid with a similar profile went to RPI and loved it. Also recommend Smith (great STEM, including engineering) to she would do women’s college.

Anonymous wrote:I second WPI, I’d also look at Rose Hulman, Lafayette, Olin and Clark.

Not Olin for a kid who isn't 100% sure about engineering -- they have no other options.

Anonymous wrote:What is a "LAC" then - it's larger than a SLAC but also doesn't have a graduate school?

It's not the size but the selectivity. SLAC have a lower rate of acceptance.

My kid sounds similar in personality and interests. Acknowledging that I don’t know the schools’ demographics offhand, I recommend looking into:

Bryn Mawr
Scripps
Oberlin
Mount Holyoke?
Reed? (Might be too intense— my kid decided it was)
Wooster (great with support)
Puget Sound
Kalamazoo (there’s an Amtrak station if that helps with transport)
Clark University (not an LAC but your kid might really like)
Trinity University in TX
Grinnell might be a reach, and it doesn’t meet the near-a-city criteria, but they apparently run good shuttles and it’s surprisingly diverse with nerdy clubs and weekly Nerf games in the science center, etc.


My kid also loved Beloit and Hendrix — even though they aren’t quite as selective as some of the above (and Hendrix might have a small Asian population?) they seemed like really special places in a way that just clicked for my similar kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drop the "S" on SLAC if you are looking for STEM offerings that are not super competitive.

Goucher. Wooster. Kalamazoo. Miami U in Ohio.

I am the OP. Yes, this is a great description: "looking for STEM offerings that are not super competitive."

I think if DD goes to a SLAC, she will end up (1) with an artsy or humanities major and/or (2) hanging out with the 2-3 other alternative Asian-American kids, but will ultimately struggle with the academic load of an artsy major. DD will also qualify for accommodations, as she receives them now.

I think if DD goes to a Top 20 school, she may end up alienated from the (1) competitive gunner Asian-Americans who want to go to med school, (2) who are first-generation and STUDY all the time, and/or (3) are very wealthy International students.

I have a DD that is similar in a lot of ways. College of Wooster only is only 4% Asian, but it is 14% international (which we like and this is a high number for most schools). This may be a good fit for her. I don’t mean to be rude, but your DD doesn’t have a chance at getting accepted to a top 20. You need the highest rigor, all As, excellent ECs, and 1500 on SAT. Even then it’s a lottery ticket. I encourage you to keep reading the college threads to see the stats of students and where they are getting in.

I'm the PP who posted about GMU. DS also looked at Wooster and we really liked it. The programs and supports seemed great. The only reservation was the remote location and, given the small size, the risk that he might not "find his people."

OP, this PP is correct that you need to be realistic about where your DD is likely to get in. She has good grades at a top private, but to be in the running for a Top 20 she'd need the full load of AP classes, very top SAT etc. The schools we are mentioning here probably are her target, and likely would offer her merit for her high grades. Good luck!

Our ND OOS DS is in the honors college at George Mason in Fairfax Va. DS got into a bunch of different schools, including some already mentioned here, and chose GMU because:

- small college feel in an honors college setting

- very diverse student body, and proximity to lots of interesting cultural and artistic events on campus and in the DC area

- presence and support of ND students

- nice campus and facilities

- non-fratty (but there is Greek life for those that like that)

- support for internships

- support for writing (for example, freshman honors students participate in a structured course on how to write and present a research paper)

- reputation in major (particularly CS and related majors)

Once school starts back up toward the end of January, your DD could take a look at the different campus activities on a site called Mason360 and see what she thinks. For DS, GMU offered the right combination of academics, support, activities and an inclusive environment that's worked very well for him. Also offered merit that brings the cost to approx same as in-state.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drop the "S" on SLAC if you are looking for STEM offerings that are not super competitive.

Goucher. Wooster. Kalamazoo. Miami U in Ohio.

I am the OP. Yes, this is a great description: "looking for STEM offerings that are not super competitive."

I think if DD goes to a SLAC, she will end up (1) with an artsy or humanities major and/or (2) hanging out with the 2-3 other alternative Asian-American kids, but will ultimately struggle with the academic load of an artsy major. DD will also qualify for accommodations, as she receives them now.

I think if DD goes to a Top 20 school, she may end up alienated from the (1) competitive gunner Asian-Americans who want to go to med school, (2) who are first-generation and STUDY all the time, and/or (3) are very wealthy International students.

I have a DD that is similar in a lot of ways. College of Wooster only is only 4% Asian, but it is 14% international (which we like and this is a high number for most schools). This may be a good fit for her. I don’t mean to be rude, but your DD doesn’t have a chance at getting accepted to a top 20. You need the highest rigor, all As, excellent ECs, and 1500 on SAT. Even then it’s a lottery ticket. I encourage you to keep reading the college threads to see the stats of students and where they are getting in.

Bryn Mawr! Amazing STEM. Also lots of artsy kids too. Gives great merit. Relationship with Haverford makes school seem a lot bigger.

Anonymous wrote:YES to RIT.

I'm going to toss out a COMPLETELY different idea: Philly's urban universities, Temple and Drexel.

Temple first: Yes, the neighborhood is horrible. But it's a very well respected research university, with great opportunities for internships and professional development. The student body is extremely diverse. There are countless cool clubs and activities, and I think Temple would be comfortable enough for her academically that she would have time to pursue them.

Drexel, all that, PLUS less crime in the neighborhood, and a co-op structure that has them working quite a bit. It's intense in its own way, but for kids who find academics stressful, the co-ops kind of break up the academic load. VERY heavily focused on STEM, but with decent social and extracurricular opportunities.

I'm probably going to get flamed for this suggestion, but I can see it.

I second Drexel.

Anonymous wrote:Drop the "S" on SLAC if you are looking for STEM offerings that are not super competitive.

Goucher. Wooster. Kalamazoo. Miami U in Ohio.

Good suggestions. Adding Rose Hulman. Lots of weird kids, great STEM, not that hard to get into

Does she definitely want a smaller school or is that your preference? I have a kid like this - artsy, but stem major, neurodivergent, anxiety, ADHD, nerdy- and they are thriving at a state flagship. They have joined so many clubs - video game, D&D, anime - and really found their people. STEM offerings and research opportunities are great.

I second WPI, I’d also look at Rose Hulman, Lafayette, Olin and Clark.

WPI. Lots of stem + art kids, including students who socialize best through clubs and task oriented groups.