Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 20:14     Subject: Re:Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
Anonymous wrote:I would really seriously look at Claremont McKenna College. It doesn't have greek life per se, but the dorms pretty much function like frats (without the rush/ exclusivity part of frats). It is definitely a study hard party hard school. It is oriented toward political science and economics and sends a large number of graduates into investment banking. It is a much stronger academic school than most that have been recommended on this thread.


Agree 100%
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 20:10     Subject: Re:Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
I would really seriously look at Claremont McKenna College. It doesn't have greek life per se, but the dorms pretty much function like frats (without the rush/ exclusivity part of frats). It is definitely a study hard party hard school. It is oriented toward political science and economics and sends a large number of graduates into investment banking. It is a much stronger academic school than most that have been recommended on this thread.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 20:07     Subject: Re:Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
Bucknell
Wake Forest
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 20:01     Subject: Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
Overly general/bad advice re small schools. My super extroverted, bro-ish kid loves his "small" college of around 2,000 students. The OP specifically asked about SLACs, too, so the comment is unwarranted.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 20:01     Subject: Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
UVA is all annoying preppy Bros and should fit the bill
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 19:14     Subject: Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
Definitely visit Dartmouth, but assuming it’s his first choice, ED1. Then can choose between Wake Forest and Richmond for ED2, maybe look at Bucknell/Lehigh/lafeyette as well.

I’d be wary of going to small with a very social kid. Anything below 2000 may feel very limiting to extroverted kids after a year or so
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 19:08     Subject: Re:Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine being a mother and referring to my son as a “bro.” This is not a neutral term, OP.


That was my thinking. Is this a joke?
Isn't bro culture fairly toxic?


Believe it or no there are nice normal other people’s sons who are in fraternities. And they are not all “toxic”.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 18:57     Subject: Re:Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
If he likes Dartmouth, he should definitely look at Colgate. From what you have shared, could be a perfect fit.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 18:53     Subject: Re:Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
Any of the NESCAC schools, but definitely can find that crowd at Trinity, Amherst (the athletes), Hamilton, Colby.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 18:19     Subject: Re:Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine being a mother and referring to my son as a “bro.” This is not a neutral term, OP.


That was my thinking. Is this a joke?
Isn't bro culture fairly toxic?
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 18:18     Subject: Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
Anonymous wrote:Reach: Colgate, W&L

Target: Bucknell, Lehigh, Lafayette

Low target: Trinity

Safety: Gettysburg, Union


+1
This is basically exactly the list that came to my mind.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 18:09     Subject: Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
Anonymous wrote:These are all really good suggestions

Agree as a parent of a 14 year old who sounds very similar to OP’s kid, projecting out. Hoping he doesn’t find the drinking lifestyle his thing—one older kid did, the other didn’t, but time will tell.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 18:08     Subject: Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thx!
He's likely going to apply to both Bucknell and Lehigh as well as some large universities.

Any ideas for liberal arts colleges with some element of this culture that are a tier above Bucknell? He's actually a really studious kid--a weird mix of super academic and social "bro" (party going, guy's guy, sports loving, etc).





This should be Davidson's advertising slogan. Also fits for Washington and Lee. Maybe UVa, too. Studious frat bro heaven.


OP here.
This is pretty much who he is: "studious frat boy."
His PSAT is in line to be a national merit semifinalist, he has a 1560 SAT and straight As in tough courses but he'd rather drink and play golf than ever spend more time than needed studying.
He goes to a rigorous private and doesn't have to study much--he has close to a photographic memory. He will probably end up in sales or Wall Street.
It's odd. husband and I are geeks--especially my husband. Our son is nothing like us.
His dream school (or so he says--he's never visited) is indeed Dartmouth. We visited Wake Forest and Davidson and he liked both of them--especially WF.
We (the parents) are cautious and we're trying to direct him towards safeties. Thank you for all the suggestions!


I went to Richmond, and this describes a fair percentage of my classmates (with whom I'm still close 30 years later). I don't think it's changed much, either.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 18:05     Subject: Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
What about Vanderbilt?

Would this fit?
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2023 18:03     Subject: Suggestions for Greek-heavy, "bro" liberal arts colleges?
W&L