Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help me: what in the world does this kid like about Swat Williams AND Columbia. They’re all particularly distinct from one another.

Columbia has core. My kid had these three on her list. They're pretty academic heavy.

Core isn’t the same as a loose restriction liberal arts college and it’s honestly a pretty big amount of work: Two semesters of Literature Humanities (Lit Hum), One semester of Frontiers of Science (FroSci),
One semester of University Writing (UW),
Two semesters of Contemporary Civilization (CC),
Other Core Requirements
One semester of Art Humanities (Art Hum), One semester of Music Humanities (Music Hum), Two semesters of science classes, Two years of a language,
Two semesters of physical education and a swim test, Two semesters of Global Core courses.

This is a massive burden on your major and is not how most LACs are run (thin requirements, more seminars, intense academics).

Reed, MIT, Uchicago, Pomona, and Berkeley are all academically rigorous, but I wouldn’t expect them on the same list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help me: what in the world does this kid like about Swat Williams AND Columbia. They’re all particularly distinct from one another.

Columbia has core. My kid had these three on her list. They're pretty academic heavy.

Core isn’t the same as a loose restriction liberal arts college and it’s honestly a pretty big amount of work: Two semesters of Literature Humanities (Lit Hum), One semester of Frontiers of Science (FroSci),
One semester of University Writing (UW),
Two semesters of Contemporary Civilization (CC),
Other Core Requirements
One semester of Art Humanities (Art Hum), One semester of Music Humanities (Music Hum), Two semesters of science classes, Two years of a language,
Two semesters of physical education and a swim test, Two semesters of Global Core courses.

This is a massive burden on your major and is not how most LACs are run (thin requirements, more seminars, intense academics).

Reed, MIT, Uchicago, Pomona, and Berkeley are all academically rigorous, but I wouldn’t expect them on the same list.

I think people on this board like to see kids apply to all schools that all fit into one box. Lots of kids can see themselves in a lot of different places. My kid did apply to MIT and Berkeley, for example. And would have added Chicago if RD didn't feel like a total longshot. And ended up at Yale, which is different from those in other ways. It's a journey.

MIT and Berkeley weren't the odd ones on my list together. And UChicago makes perfect sense in that mix too. I'm not sure your point landed the way you thought. There is, however, a factual difference between doing Physics or Chemistry at Pomona or Williams versus UChicago or MIT.

Anonymous wrote:Help me: what in the world does this kid like about Swat Williams AND Columbia. They’re all particularly distinct from one another.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t call either of those schools safeties. They are also very different from one another. Mac has more of a quirky vibe whereas Richmond has plenty of kids interested in business, finance and leadership. I think you would want to go further down the SLAC list for safeties.

OP I find it hard for boy who isn't a frat/athlete type or quirky either. More like, runs in the morning, takes school seriously, plays poker and drinks beer with friends on weekends. Campuses sort of feel either fratty or quirky. Not sure he's either.

His stats are on our HS's naviance make these two in the safe territory (never not taken a kid in 5 years). 1560 SAT, awards, grades, school leadership. I feel like he's to safe for reaches, but these two should be fine. Carleton too but no possible merit I can see. Maybe Holy Cross?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help me: what in the world does this kid like about Swat Williams AND Columbia. They’re all particularly distinct from one another.

Columbia has core. My kid had these three on her list. They're pretty academic heavy.

Core isn’t the same as a loose restriction liberal arts college and it’s honestly a pretty big amount of work: Two semesters of Literature Humanities (Lit Hum), One semester of Frontiers of Science (FroSci),
One semester of University Writing (UW),
Two semesters of Contemporary Civilization (CC),
Other Core Requirements
One semester of Art Humanities (Art Hum), One semester of Music Humanities (Music Hum), Two semesters of science classes, Two years of a language,
Two semesters of physical education and a swim test, Two semesters of Global Core courses.

This is a massive burden on your major and is not how most LACs are run (thin requirements, more seminars, intense academics).

Reed, MIT, Uchicago, Pomona, and Berkeley are all academically rigorous, but I wouldn’t expect them on the same list.

I think people on this board like to see kids apply to all schools that all fit into one box. Lots of kids can see themselves in a lot of different places. My kid did apply to MIT and Berkeley, for example. And would have added Chicago if RD didn't feel like a total longshot. And ended up at Yale, which is different from those in other ways. It's a journey.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help me: what in the world does this kid like about Swat Williams AND Columbia. They’re all particularly distinct from one another.

Columbia has core. My kid had these three on her list. They're pretty academic heavy.

Core isn’t the same as a loose restriction liberal arts college and it’s honestly a pretty big amount of work: Two semesters of Literature Humanities (Lit Hum), One semester of Frontiers of Science (FroSci),
One semester of University Writing (UW),
Two semesters of Contemporary Civilization (CC),
Other Core Requirements
One semester of Art Humanities (Art Hum), One semester of Music Humanities (Music Hum), Two semesters of science classes, Two years of a language,
Two semesters of physical education and a swim test, Two semesters of Global Core courses.

This is a massive burden on your major and is not how most LACs are run (thin requirements, more seminars, intense academics).

Reed, MIT, Uchicago, Pomona, and Berkeley are all academically rigorous, but I wouldn’t expect them on the same list.

Anonymous wrote:I think for a safety you need a school your kid will be happy with/feel good about. Culture/fit matters. As others have said, Mac and Richmond are very different in terms of culture, and based on what you say about your kid, I’m not sure either one is a great fit.

You’ve mentioned only small private schools, but what about UVM? My kid who was looking at small liberal arts schools a couple of years ago really liked it; it’s smaller than most state schools and has a little bit of that SLAC culture/feel.