We are both guilty of hyperbole and you are correct- entitled to our opinions. I also know several dozen Oberlin students who span several graduating eras and base my opinion on that.
No school is a fit for all students, obviously, but your comment specifically about a non athlete, non LBGTQ student not fitting is what caught my eye, as that has not been my experience whatsoever.
It has a very different reputation in other parts of the country.
Look into Juniata and McDaniel.
Now Rhodesā¦ I have DD in Rhodes. It is quite intense. There are 3 semesters of mandatory religious classes with a lot of reading and writing (of not fun topics) and 3 semesters of foreign language. Is your child up for such challenge?
I would reach to Rhodes and ask about Italian. I do not think Rhodes has it. However, if your child is proficient maybe there is a way around it. They have agreement for Italian with University of Memphis. If he will test out of 3rd level class there, he may skip it all altogether.
Also how about Wooster?
I wouldnāt bother with your second section Macalister -Kenyon, way too reachy and competitive and most likely not a good fit.
I think Oberlin sounds like a great fit! My daughter graduated last year- not an athlete, and not LBGTQ. Very bright, creative kid. Lots of kids like her as well; big friend group that she lives and works in close proximity to in NYC now! Yes, itās a very inclusive campus, but a lot of very ācoolā/worldly/hip, (for lack of better words) super bright and creative kids from NYC, Bay area, LA, international, etc. Oberlin also tends to be generous with merit $. Close proximity to Cleveland (very cool city), with regular shuttles from campus.
Agree. Only big reach we were considering is Bates. I do not think Kenyon is beyond him based on kids at her school that got in, but do think a higher SAT score would help (or maybe go test optional).
@momsearcheng I forgot about Wooster and will add. Oberlin closer to family in Cleveland, I think (or maybe Iām thinking of someplace else). We looked at Juniata and thought there was not enough depth/breadth of English/History courses. Will look at McDaniel.
@blossom we are discussing with his therapist. Aware of challenges accessing mental health care at colleges.
@Baribassmom I think Oberlin would be workable based on kids we know that have gone, but agree visit is a must.
Last year I attended a talk with the head of admissions at Kenyon, she indicated at the time that they were extremely test optional friendly, so that may be a good move.
Op just know (not for now but for final planning) sometimes that first semester is rough.
We had to fly our daughter home. She was by an airport with non stops to our home.
Schools like Kenyon. You can access Columbus (Akron - one airline I think but maybe fly to near u) or Cleveland but itās close to none.
So itās fine to investigate and even apply but you might weigh āaccessā b4 you make a final call.
@randommom1 we had exactly ONE criteria for college application choices as parentsā¦the college needed to be either a three hour or less drive from our house, OR within one hour of a close friend or relative. That was it. And it was because we wanted to be sure someone could get to our kids quickly in case of an emergency.
Iāve gathered that! I have some theories about why, but they really wonāt help the OP.
Whenever I hear hogwarts I think of Sewanee. May be a GREAT fit both academically and architecturally 
At Rhodes, canāt you choose to have the 3 semester requirement be the interdisciplinary āSearch for meaning the light of western civ?ā - which includes a historical approach to the judeo-christian-muslim tradition, but also a lot of history, art, and literature? And since this is a student interested in history, english, and classics, this might be a good fit?
For what itās worth, Rhodesā campus does not feel urban to me.
The campus isnātā¦even the direct surroundings arenātā¦it is just a few miles from downtown Memphis though.
Itās actually a very beautiful campus.
To me a mini-Duke.
Good to know! I have heard it is tough to get around Memphis without a car.
Yes, Memphis does not have good public transportation. But plenty of folks on campus have cars ā¦ a friendās child had no issues getting where-ever they wanted to go in the city (and in truth, I think they mostly just stayed on campus in the Rhodes bubble)
@momsearcheng has a student there now
If Worcester is not too urban, as Clark is on the list, has College of the Holy Cross been considered?
Some other schools (with a range of selectivity) that he may want to check out include:
Connecticut College
Drew
Saint Anselm if looking for a smaller school in-state, where he could do virtual appointments with his therapist as heād still be within state borders for insurance/licensure purposes
Siena
Skidmore
U. of Mary Washington
Yes to many cars on campus. My daughter is always out and about with friends in safe areas (trips to lake in Arkansas, shopping in Germantown etc). She did not have car as freshman. She is not sitting on campus at all. She will take car next year.
Yep it is beautiful campus. Little Hogwart for sure.