Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 20:32     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
OP here. Our son will be adding Claremont McKenna to the list after some research. DS has a friend at CMC who is the complete opposite of what’s being pushed here. Also thanks for the comments about Macalester- don’t know how we missed such an obvious match!
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 20:30     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
Anonymous wrote:{Different poster.}

CMC is unusually fratty without have fraternities. Lots of drinking, drugs, bro culture, etc.

CMC would be an unusual choice for one attracted to Wesleyan, Haverford, & Reed.

Others have suggested Vassar; Vassar College is very woke/politically correct campus. Is that what your son wants ? (Would be similar to Haverford College.)

I’d combat that this is just stereotyping. Also for someone worried about substances, it’s hilarious to recommend Reed and Wesleyan-especially reed which has a documented substance abuse culture (and is a much more “woke” school than Vassar)

CMC is more dedicated to government and philosophy than most of the colleges listed here and offers an unparalleled amount of resources in these fields. Avoiding it because of some distant story you heard about one athletic guy at the college (if even) is pretty stupid.
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 20:24     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
{Different poster.}

CMC is unusually fratty without have fraternities. Lots of drinking, drugs, bro culture, etc.

CMC would be an unusual choice for one attracted to Wesleyan, Haverford, & Reed.

Others have suggested Vassar; Vassar College is very woke/politically correct campus. Is that what your son wants ? (Would be similar to Haverford College.)
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 20:19     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Claremont McKenna College


LOL no. Absolutely not a literary, writing community or chill vibe. It's a bunch of amped up fratty pre-professional grinders trying to get into the same 3 consulting groups. Not literary at all.

My nephew was a freshman there an transferred out a few years back.

It's perfect for the majors their child is interested in and there's a ton of writing communities everywhere in the Claremont Colleges. If no on Claremont McKenna, they should take off Pomona.

Also, there's no frats.


I said "fratty" which is how they describe themselves in terms of culture. It's jokingly called one big frat, but lots of hazing on sports team. I think soccer or football was suspended mid-year for their extreme hazing last year. Very blackout drunk party culture and old-fashioned attitudes towards gender. Lots of medical ambulances called during parties, throwing up drunk/blacking out is called a "canon event" to fit into the culture.

I would call Pomona, Scripps (but all women) and perhaps Pitzer even better for "literary" vibe. Not CMC or Mudd.

So they’re normal kids having normal college experience. What? Do your kids smoke pipes and only talk about Darwin on the weekends. Some people aren’t allergic to fun
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 20:17     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DS is all in on a liberal arts college. He is applying currently as a Philosophy and Government/Politics major with career plans pending. He's especially into colleges with a good literary/writing community and a chill student vibe (he's not looking for the neurotic grind you see at some other top schools). Top stats at a decent private boarding school. extra points if the campus is pretty!
So far:
Amherst
Pomona
Kenyon (top choice, adored the tour, facilities, and community)
Middlebury
Wesleyan (second top choice)
Haverford
Sewanee
Reed


DS also wanted strong academics but a more laid back vibe. He's going to Middlebury.

Didn't look at most of the others on this list. Did look at Kenyon, didn't like it, but then he's not into lit/writing.

What didn’t he like? Kenyon and Middlebury seem pretty similar unless he’s an Econ bro.


Middlebury is much more prestigious. No one's choosing Kenyon over Midd - if they can get into Midd.


Such a coastie striver.
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 20:16     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DS is all in on a liberal arts college. He is applying currently as a Philosophy and Government/Politics major with career plans pending. He's especially into colleges with a good literary/writing community and a chill student vibe (he's not looking for the neurotic grind you see at some other top schools). Top stats at a decent private boarding school. extra points if the campus is pretty!
So far:
Amherst
Pomona
Kenyon (top choice, adored the tour, facilities, and community)
Middlebury
Wesleyan (second top choice)
Haverford
Sewanee
Reed


Colorado College
Lafayette
Denison
Dickinson
Middlebury
Colby
Bates
Conn College
St Lawrence


The bolded schools don't seem to be what OP's son is seeking based on his strong preference for Kenyon College & for Wesleyan University.
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 20:02     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
Anonymous wrote:CMC - tops for gov/phil and can get writers fix at Pomona/Pitzer (shared classes & clubs).

I’d also +1, a lot of research support and they’ll fund you to do just about anything! Claremont McKenna is slowly rising, and it’s got a good synergy between government, philosophy, and economics.
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 19:56     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Claremont McKenna College


LOL no. Absolutely not a literary, writing community or chill vibe. It's a bunch of amped up fratty pre-professional grinders trying to get into the same 3 consulting groups. Not literary at all.

My nephew was a freshman there an transferred out a few years back.

It's perfect for the majors their child is interested in and there's a ton of writing communities everywhere in the Claremont Colleges. If no on Claremont McKenna, they should take off Pomona.

Also, there's no frats.


I said "fratty" which is how they describe themselves in terms of culture. It's jokingly called one big frat, but lots of hazing on sports team. I think soccer or football was suspended mid-year for their extreme hazing last year. Very blackout drunk party culture and old-fashioned attitudes towards gender. Lots of medical ambulances called during parties, throwing up drunk/blacking out is called a "canon event" to fit into the culture.

I would call Pomona, Scripps (but all women) and perhaps Pitzer even better for "literary" vibe. Not CMC or Mudd.
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 19:55     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
CMC - tops for gov/phil and can get writers fix at Pomona/Pitzer (shared classes & clubs).
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 19:52     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
The Writers House at Franklin & Marshall creates a wonderful community of writers at the college: https://www.fandm.edu/centers-institutes-and-initiatives/writers-house/

They do everything there from regular classes in the living room, clubs, readings, Thanksgiving dinner, nightly snacks, with spaces to read or write, study or just hang out.
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 19:52     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
Consider Macalester. I have a student there. Great vibe, pretty campus in beautiful neighborhood, and it's just a couple of miles from the state capital in downtown St. Paul so there's lots of opportunities for internships for your potential government/political science major. Easy nonstop flights back to the DMV (the airport is only about 15 minutes from campus.) And the school offers good merit aid, as well.
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 19:50     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Look into Hamilton for its available public policy program; Washington, D.C. term with associated internships; and notable writing programs.

DS sadly didn’t like his visit to Hamilton and won’t be applying.

In this case, your son may benefit from keeping Hamilton in mind in the future for its summer program in philosophy:

Philosophy Summer School - The Summer School - Hamilton College https://academics.hamilton.edu/philosophysummerschool

Best of luck to him in his college search.

Someone really is pushy about hamilton
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 19:49     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Look into Hamilton for its available public policy program; Washington, D.C. term with associated internships; and notable writing programs.

DS sadly didn’t like his visit to Hamilton and won’t be applying.

In this case, your son may benefit from keeping Hamilton in mind in the future for its summer program in philosophy:

Philosophy Summer School - The Summer School - Hamilton College https://academics.hamilton.edu/philosophysummerschool

Best of luck to him in his college search.
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 19:44     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DS is all in on a liberal arts college. He is applying currently as a Philosophy and Government/Politics major with career plans pending. He's especially into colleges with a good literary/writing community and a chill student vibe (he's not looking for the neurotic grind you see at some other top schools). Top stats at a decent private boarding school. extra points if the campus is pretty!
So far:
Amherst
Pomona
Kenyon (top choice, adored the tour, facilities, and community)
Middlebury
Wesleyan (second top choice)
Haverford
Sewanee
Reed


Colorado College
Lafayette
Denison
Dickinson
Middlebury
Colby
Bates
Conn College
St Lawrence


We just finished our college process with a similar kid (girl) who is into creative writing and English. The above schools are great especially since there are some safeties in there. But Lafayette, Denison, Conn College, and St. Lawrence are NOT known as writing or literary focused schools. I can’t speak to the others, nor to their philosophy or government majors.

However, Kenyon is known as the “writers’ college.” If he loves it, he should ED. Oberlin and Sewanee are also known for their writing programs.
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2025 19:33     Subject: What's Missing From DS's LAC list
Anonymous wrote:Look into Hamilton for its available public policy program; Washington, D.C. term with associated internships; and notable writing programs.

DS sadly didn’t like his visit to Hamilton and won’t be applying.