<p>Welcome FresnoMom, a couple of observations - first “communications”, in the sense of a major, won’t be found at many small LACs, but strong writing skills and a love of history will hold up well at LACs - so if he is interested in communications as a major, he may need larger places, but if he is more interested in improving his communication skills, then LACs are the way to go.
Another suggestion, as he looks outside of California, some schools near air hubs will be significantly cheaper to attend and to travel to than more rural schools - I say this because some of the best LACs are rural or ruralish.
Third, since he seems to have an interest in classics, look at some of the Catholic schools - they will be nurturing, small, and often have good classics departments. Many of them may not meet 100% of need, but some may have merit aid that will make up for it. If you repost on the Parents Forum, or Carolyn reads your post, she is an expert on smaller West Coast schools, and might be able to give advice about which ones would consider him merit aid material, so that overall his need could be met.</p>
<p>4th - strong English/writing schools that he should at least look at - Kenyon, Sewanee and Middlebury - I’m not sure that any of them is the best choice for him because of travel issues (not sure about money), but anyone interested in writing should at least consider the first 2.</p>
<p>Another school he should consider is Davidson College - “strive to meet 100% of need”, it is an intellectual school, also athletic (think Williams or Dartmouth) conservative and close to an airport hub (Charlotte), pretty humid for about the first 2 weeks of school then fabulous weather until T’giving. It is an appropriate “reachy school” for someone with St. Olaf on the list. The downsides are distance from home, lack of diversity (although St. Olaf will not be that diverse a place either) both ethnic and monetary, and a small frat presence. It does not have the truly outstanding music opportunities of St O, but it has good opportunities, and music would be less competitive I think.</p>