Closest airport is Des Moines, I think – about an hour. Grinnell does run shuttles to Des Moines at beginning/end of semester and for breaks.
Just a heads up that not all college provided data on greek life is accurate because most every LAC had strong greek life in the most recent past but some have simply moved them off campus and not recognized by the college. This can result in more dangerous environment as the college washes it hands of any over sight. look no further than Wesleyan drug incident a couple years back. The human condition results in tribes being formed so you may want to take a less simplistic approach.
We are Jewish and have twin Ds that are interested in humanities. We live outside Philly and they wanted to be within 3 hour drive, so we visited ~20 schools within that distance over 2 years. Easily could have doubled that number but weren’t interested in city schools (Temple, Drexel), too bro-like (Lehigh, Lafayette, Bucknell) or the most selective (Swarthmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr). Also not into sports or Greek life, so don’t really want to go where those things dominate. So there’s no schools left to consider - just kidding.
Both Ds really like Muhlenberg - beautiful campus with majestic buildings. One D thinks Ursinus writing program might be more to her liking, and the other D might prefer the graphic design option at nearby and less selective Moravian. But the Jewish presence was a big plus - got nice postcard from Hillel president offering to answer any Qs. The theater dept is renowned but I’m not sure if the rest of the arts are as well established. There’s definitely a pre-med presence as well, and I was a bit concerned about where they would fit in.
We really liked Dickinson. It was probably the best integration of a school with a charming town that we visited, and I’m sure the scholastics would be challenging enough for anyone. It compared favorably against Gettysburg and Franklin & Marshall, and certainly seemed to have less of a Greek focus. I’m not sure of the Jewish percentage presence, but our tour guide was Jewish, and he spoke favorably of that experience when questioned about it from a New Yorker.
I see there’s one flight a day each from EWR and LGA to Des Moines. Hmm.
Midwesterners are used to having to connect flights . . . non-stop flights are not that common, unless you are going in and out of Chicago! One non-stop a day is pretty good!
OK, update. Turns out that my son will only have six AP classes in total: APUSH, Spanish Language, AP Music Theory, AP Economics, AP English Literature, and AP Spanish Literature.
But he will graduate #5 in his class of about 400 in one of those hyper-competitive public schools near NYC. SAT superscore 1530. Spends 20 hours/week on musical pursuits.
Any insight on how his APs will affect admission at highly selective LACs? Thanks.
"Any insight on how his APs will affect admission at highly selective LACs? "
IMO, it needs to be looked at in context with his high school and what other top students do, what the norm is. APs are not a necessity (my kids took zero AP courses and zero AP tests). It would factor in more when compared to other students in his class and whether his college counselor would be checking off the “most rigorous” box.
@brantly I agree with @doschicos . Are other kids in the class taking AP or honors classes across the board (English, Calculus, sciences, social sciences, foreign language)? The student with APs in all subjects with high grades would be most desirable I would think. That being said, your S seems pointy in a good way. For LACs, it’s impossible to know what they are each wanting for each incoming class. I would focus on LACs that match up with his strengths.
Thanks. A lot of the top 10% kids graduate having taken 10-12 AP classes. He didn’t because he was on the music track. One full period every year was filled by accelerated band class. So that eliminated four opportunities – well, actually three because APs aren’t permitted freshman year. Then sophomore year he took a full-year music elective that was a prereq for AP Music Theory. So the opportunity cost of his music focus was four potential AP classes, none of which would have been in science or math.
I think he’s fine. He’s very worried. But I supposed that’s the nature of being a high-achieving HS junior.
All you can really do at this point is develop a list of schools across the selectivity spectrum and hope for the best. The good thing is that if he is focusing on LACs, there are great LACs that are somewhat less selective that still provide a fantastic education.
Does he plan to continue with music in college? Wether as a major or minor or even just an EC, he could add to the college community that way. I’d strongly consider having him put together recordings and a music focused resume to submit and reach out to the heads of music programs/directors.
Having 6 targeted APs is as good as having 10.
Make sure he applies to LACs that especially value music (Lawrence, St Olaf) and shows interest there/ auditions/prepared recordings. Most LACs will value his profile.
He is planning at minimum to be involved in ensembles. At maximum he’ll minor in music. He is planning on sending an arts supplement in the format required for music majors.
I haven’t read through all the responses but if your son is into music, I would add Lehigh to the list. They have music scholarships for non majors. They will invite applicants to apply after the common app is submitted. St. Olaf, as previously mentioned, as well.
Kenyon has music scholarships, no major required:
http://www.kenyon.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships-and-grants/academic-scholarships/talent-scholarships/
Whitman has music scholarships as well. St Olaf will stack music and merit up to half of total fee. I think Davidson also has music scholarships.
Bucknell has music merit scholarships as well. But I think you might have to major in music.