Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 17:36     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Anonymous wrote:Why do people keep suggesting Juniata? Have you read student reviews? It sounds terrible and difficult to transfer out of.


Many of us know kids who have had great experiences there.

I would also recommend SMCM (as a safety). UMCP is not a SLAC.

If your child is female, Mt Holyoke sounds like a close community (and very solid education).
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 17:35     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Also, maybe Lawrence?
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 17:33     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Looks like a good list. Maybe add a safety or two -- Muhlenberg? Juniata? SMCM?
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 17:32     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Check out Colleges that Change Lives.

They are known for being supportive communities.
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 14:56     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Anonymous wrote:Bates is a great suggestion. Just visited and it has a very friendly, down to earth vibe. Kids seem super happy, and the AO boasted that they’re a collaborative community and not “cutthroat.”


Yes to this. I have a kid at Bates and it really is all that. Safer schools that he liked included Bard, Lewis & Clark, AU, Macalester.
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 14:46     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Bates is a great suggestion. Just visited and it has a very friendly, down to earth vibe. Kids seem super happy, and the AO boasted that they’re a collaborative community and not “cutthroat.”
Would be a reach unless applying ED.


Sure, but didn’t Bates stop admitting 80% of their class via ED?
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 14:06     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You don’t have enough safeties. For small liberal arts colleges extracurricular activities are more important. The college needs to ensure that it assembles an active and engaged class.


What safeties would you add?

Drew
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 13:57     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Anonymous wrote:Bates is a great suggestion. Just visited and it has a very friendly, down to earth vibe. Kids seem super happy, and the AO boasted that they’re a collaborative community and not “cutthroat.”
Would be a reach unless applying ED.
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 13:56     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
I would add Dickinson if your child likes Haverford and F&M.
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 13:45     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Whitman
Sewanee
Lake Forest
St. Olaf
Muhlenberg


+1 If you want a supportive community, look away from the high prestige schools attended by UMC NYC strivers. Competition is intense. You want something off the beaten path.
+1
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 13:44     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Bates is a great suggestion. Just visited and it has a very friendly, down to earth vibe. Kids seem super happy, and the AO boasted that they’re a collaborative community and not “cutthroat.”
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 12:52     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
I'd also add Davidson.
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 12:50     Subject: Re:Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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?


I’d be very surprised if a full pay boy with his stats - and assuming good application and demonstrated interest (to include interviews) - wasn’t accepted to those schools. Only caveat is if MCPS or similar where honors are weighted 1 instead of .5, the gpa isn’t super strong. People really need to specify honors weighting.


Also - I’d consider adding Bates, Grinnell, Macalester and Oberlin. Not sure of location preferences.


Agree!
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 12:48     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Maybe St. John’s in Annapolis or NM.
Anonymous
Post 11/04/2023 12:45     Subject: Thoughts on this college list - SLAC with supportive community and mellow vibe
Anonymous wrote:Whitman
Sewanee
Lake Forest
St. Olaf
Muhlenberg


+1 If you want a supportive community, look away from the high prestige schools attended by UMC NYC strivers. Competition is intense. You want something off the beaten path.