<p>Sorry for duality of this thread. On one level, Im asking for advice, and on another level Im reacting to an admissions decision tree that I dont fully understand but that I pretty sure has some underlying value structures that I dont agree with. Since Im probably not going to change college evaluation criteria, Ill focus on asking for the advice.</p>
<p>Which are the best LACs for someone who is intellectually motivated, has excelled at the academics, participates but doesnt excel at sports, and doesnt have URM or legacy advantage? I wonder about Haverfords mission when I read in the New York Times about how they systematically field athletes for their sports teams with applicants that are substantially less qualified academically. Are there LACs that put more of their emphasis on academic qualification and less on the non-academic criteria of legacy, sports, and race? </p>
<p>Id like to find colleges that keep the academic bar high for all. I would rather it be a diverse student body, but I could live it being overrepresented by Asians, Jews and preppy white kids as long as they deserved academically to be their. Id MUCH rather go to a school with mediocre sports teams made up of kids academically similar to me, than a school with strong sports teams made up of kids that I didnt think belonged there academically.</p>