I think you also need to look for a college that has something for transfer students to help them acclimate to the new campus. Remember, many of the students will already have been there for two years, and that sheds a different dynamic for someone enrolling newly in terms of making friends sometimes. Some colleges have specific programs for incoming transfer students. This might be a helpful addition.
You say this student doesn’t need “academic support” but in my opinion, social skills are an academic area…because they are so important to what a student needs as an independent adult. So…you might want to see which schools have something for kids on the spectrum to help on this area.
Winding the clock back…how did this student socialize in high school? What things were successful, and what things were not. The important thing about developing social connections is building on successes.
I think the strength in math programs will be there at whatever college. But that is my opinion. The social skills development might need to be considered highly.
I would modify the title of your thread to Transfriendly College for Student with Autism who Loves Math or College for Transgender Student with Autism who Loves Math since both support for autism & transgender are equally important in your daughter’s new college search for sake of clarity.
I am getting the sense that OP doesn’t necessarily think a really small college, like an LAC, is the answer. LACs generally might have about 2000 students, tend to be very strong in many disciplines, have lots of clubs suitable for more inclusivity (board game clubs are popular at lots of LACs), and tend to be liberal. But LACs are indeed small. However, many students thrive in the LAC environment because they are able to form close relationships with students and professors.
If you are simply looking for smaller and not as intense as Cal and welcoming and good science and maths, look at some mid sized schools like Evergreen State, U Puget Sound, Ithaca College, Rutgers NB, and Oberlin (small, about 3k students), which also offers exceptional music facilities.
I think U Rochester could be a good fit, apparently 5 on the Campus Pride Index. It certainly is a haven for nerds, with great professors. Really friendly students, lovely campus. Board games are definitely a thing there. Board Games - Simulation Gaming Association | University of Rochester
Note that Campus Pride Index appears to be defunct. When it existed, it mostly rated campus administrative policies – often important, but not necessarily the whole story.
Since the student has already attended college for three years, suggestions for a transfer college would have to consider admission possibility in context of college academic record.
Based on the description, it seems like the student has two years of >3.5 college GPA (“mostly As, a few Bs”), followed by a semester of <1.5 followed by a semester of <2.0 (based on how one gets to academic disqualification at UCB L&S).
RIT is an excellent suggestion. It’s not tiny, but the University of Delaware has a fabulous program (spectrum scholars) that pairs kids with mentors, and there are a variety of ways to participate. Drexel also has wonderful supports for ASD kids. My ASD son is going to Stevens Institute of Technology. He starts in the fall but they have been beyond amazing so far in terms of accommodations and support. Wishing you luck!
If a single room is a priority, St. Olaf will likely not be a good fit. It’s an amazing school with a fabulous math, linguistic, and music program that is known for its kind inclusive community. Housing is decent and guaranteed all 4 years, but singles are extremely limited and students are restricted from living off campus.
Yes he did. We paid for the weeklySSP coach, and that helped when some issues popped up. ( I have stories) He did a few of the social things. Also at the time they helped with housing beyond freshman year in terms of putting kids together, though out of sheer luck a mom posted in the FB group and my son and their son knew each other.
At some point a college kid may need medical care outside of the college health center. And then things could get nasty pretty quickly. Nobody needs judgement or hostility on their identity when they end up in an ER…..
