If Liberal Arts is the goal, then actually, at least according to the US News rankings, the top Southern Liberal Arts schools are Davidson and W&L (in the top 20 nationally), University of Richmond (not sure this is deep South), Sewanee (#33) and Furman (#42).

Almost all of the top liberal arts colleges are in New England, NY/PA or, for some reason, Claremont, CA. Vandy, Duke, Tulane are all huge universities, so I guess it depends on what OP and her DC are looking for.

Anonymous wrote:OP if demanding academics and a Southern feel is your goal, I think some of the ones mentioned are not exactly the right fit. While some of these mentioned may be good for the PPs they don't really resonate in my mind as demanding academics. As in if your son or daughter is in the top 5% of his or her class I would look at schools like Vanderbilt, Duke, Emory, Tulane, William and Mary over schools like Elon, Furman, College of Charleston, Rollins etc.

Top 5% -- I wish. More like 3.5 with potential for growth with maturity.

OP if demanding academics and a Southern feel is your goal, I think some of the ones mentioned are not exactly the right fit. While some of these mentioned may be good for the PPs they don't really resonate in my mind as demanding academics. As in if your son or daughter is in the top 5% of his or her class I would look at schools like Vanderbilt, Duke, Emory, Tulane, William and Mary over schools like Elon, Furman, College of Charleston, Rollins etc.

Thanks to all of you again. You've really opened our eyes to so many opportunities we didn't know existed. To narrow our search we are looking for demanding academics with a definite Southern/Country feel.

Thanks again!!!

Elon University

12:41, Tulane had a similar grant given but it was more to attract the highest level candidates and had less to do about financial need. As in many students in my graduating classes were drawn by the $12k - full ride they got for being valedictorian etc of their hs class.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Furman yet, since OP is looking for liberal arts. it's in a beautiful part of the foothills outside of Greenville, SC. Most of DH's family (and DH) went there. I went to school "up North," so I don't have any personal experience with it but know many of DH's friends and family who went there. He has friends from all over the country from his days at Furman. Another plus for OP - there are non-stop flights between DCA and GSP on USAirways and perhaps Delta, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Washington and Lee

Great academics, highly selective, merit scholarships, strong Greek Life, very small town, nationally drawn student body, scenic campus, very strong alumni network, relatively conservative campus, but the operative word is relatively. Not for everyone, but certainly a great fit for some.

Did not go there but have visited and met some alum.

It's an excellent school if the right "fit" but does tend to have a wealthy student body.

I went to W&L. The student body there is no wealthier than Davidson, Wake, Emory or Tulane. In fact, W&L got a huge gift for need based aid and started a new scholarship program a few years back (called the Johnson scholarship). Now, fully 20% of every incoming class is funded through this program in addition to the FA program that already existed.

OP, i know you are looking deep south, but you should definitely give W&L a try. It is the most selective small liberal arts college in the south behind Davidson, but Davidson does not really have a southern feel to it.

Tulane, if you can get past the fact that it's in New Orleans, it's an amazing school. I learned far more here than at Georgetown where I went to graduate school

University of Florida-excellent school, lots of great programs. That's where I went tfor undergrad and it was so much better than the ridiculously expensive school I went to for my graduate degree.

Centenary College of Louisiana. A good choice for a B or B+ student. Large endowment, small classes, heavy emphasis on writing skills and reasonably priced. High percentage of students go on to grad school.

Anonymous wrote:Washington and Lee

Great academics, highly selective, merit scholarships, strong Greek Life, very small town, nationally drawn student body, scenic campus, very strong alumni network, relatively conservative campus, but the operative word is relatively. Not for everyone, but certainly a great fit for some.

Did not go there but have visited and met some alum.

It's an excellent school if the right "fit" but does tend to have a wealthy student body.

College of Charleston
Elon

This is a good reference as well for some lesser know but fitting schools:
http://www.ctcl.org/colleges/south

Not as selective as Davidson and W&L.

Assuming when you say liberal arts you mean just that. So I wouldn't throw Tulane, Alabama, Rice, Duke, Wake, Vandy, etc. into that category. They are that plus much more i.e. graduate schools, medical schools , law schools, etc.

Washington and Lee

Great academics, highly selective, merit scholarships, strong Greek Life, very small town, nationally drawn student body, scenic campus, very strong alumni network, relatively conservative campus, but the operative word is relatively. Not for everyone, but certainly a great fit for some.

Did not go there but have visited and met some alum.