We liked Bennington’s approach that did not rely on textbooks!
The “Plan” involves interdisciplinary work, and there is a field work term in the winter.
Psychology | Bennington College
Because of the interdisciplinary nature of students’ individual academic plans, Bennington students often apply their psychological studies in fascinating ways: using clinical psychology to inform painting or poetry, or using work in social psychology to inform documentary film-making or biology.
@AustenNut already mentioned it earlier, amid a few other schools, but a lot of students who are drawn to Tufts also like William and Mary a lot. It’s not as well known on the west coast / PNW, but your daughter sounds a lot like the student body there — intellectual, intentional, involved in the community. Super-friendly smarties.
To a couple of the things you asked about in your initial post, 7,000 undergrads; LAC-like approach, with no major declaration until end of sophomore year; psych, bio, foreign language departments are all strong; women’s ultimate frisbee team is #37 (as @AustenNut pointed out).
If you end up doing any east coast tours this spring/summer, I’d recommend checking it out.
Got it. I would push the student’s % chance of admission even higher. St. Olaf loves students from the PNW.
Ultimate frisbee is huge at the school and a bit of a hook. (In 2024 Men’s won the D-3 national championship and women came in 3rd).
What about Whitman for something closer to home?
Withdrawn, pending revision.
(with the caveat Modern Languages tend to be a second major, with something else such as Economics, Political Science, or … Psychology being listed as first major).
What bout Holy Cross? Would that be a possibility?
@compmom Thanks! These are interesting and more varied than I would have thought.
@LionsTigersAndBears You’re right - we haven’t heard as much about William and Mary out here. It sounds worth looking into!
@vwlizard Yes! Whitman is such a beloved school out here! DD hasn’t gotten a chance to visit yet, but we definitely will tour in the next few months.
My daughter is a sophomore neuroscience major at Hamilton College and is LOVING her experience! She has loved all of her psych and science classes and professors. Amazing profs, small class sizes, etc. She has many friends with language concentrations. Truly a place where students can explore their varied interests and learn deeply- one of the most open curriculums offered at any college! They have ultimate frisbee as well. Happy to answer any questions you might have about her (our) experience!
@Crosbylane Your daughter’s experience sounds like what our DD is hoping for. She really likes having relationships with her teachers. It’s great to hear feedback from current students. We will look into Hamilton!
They definitely form close relationships with their professors! My daughter has had several professors go to her sporting events. The college president is also HIGHLY visible and engaged.
For survey-based information on the attribute of “classroom experience,” this Princeton Review site may be of interest:
It’s funny you say that.
Not suggesting my daughter’s school from an academic fit but every week she’s telling me she ran lnto Dr Hsu, the President at College of Charleston.
They do have the Charleston Fellows and intl Scholars, which have been great - so might be worth a look.
Frankly the school is not a fit selectivity wise for any kids in these programs but it’s where you find the enrichment. And the programs have been great - meeting diplomats, etc., and my daughter has had two fantastic internships (our state and a DC think tank) and a great job lined up in Denver post graduation. They all require selection for an interview weekend but I’m sure this student would qualify.
With Civic Engagement, she might also look into the Ketner Service Program. You can do the trifecta.
It seems worth mentioning that, even well before coming to Hamilton, Steven Tepper was recognized as a leader in the “creative campus movement.” This is one article, from Emory University, that touches on the influence of this movement: Moving toward a ‘creative campus’.
@merc81 Thanks - we’ll check that site out! I wonder how many respondents they get. DD has so far been going off of reviews on Niche, but they’re drawn from a very small sample.
@tsbna44 Thank you - sounds like your D has had some incredible opportunities. Congratulations on her job! This reminds me that it’s important to look into special programs and honor offerings at some of the higher probability schools.
There’s actually an answer to this. The Princeton Review’s survey results are based on an average of 424 completed surveys per school.
If your daughter has an interest in the intellectual underpinnings of psychology, she may find it interesting that maverick American psychologist and preeminent behaviorist B. F. Skinner graduated from Hamilton.