Oberlin has a conservatory. Oberlin College is much more than the conservatory, which I believe has a totally separate admisdions process.
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How about Skidmore. Definitely a bit of an artsy vibe. Emerson? Though it might be too artsyâdefinitely very LGBTQ friendly.
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The OP has already ruled out Skidmore.
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Missed that.
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Bard and Sarah Lawrence were the first two to come to mind when I read the OP. I see theyâve already been mentioned so this is just an additional plug. 
If a HWC is a possibility and your D is willing to look in the South, Agnes Scott is a hidden gem IMO. It definitely fits LGBTQ friendly, liberal and funky and is in an area just east of Atlanta with that same vibe. Solid academics plus itâs part of the Atlanta consortium allowing cross registration with other local schools (Emory, GTech, SCAD, etc).
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Oberlin, Pitzer.
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Colorado College if interested in One Course At A Time schedule. UMN - Twin Cities.
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What is the budget? Some of these schools will be bumped up the list (or possibly taken off) depending on thatâŠ
Out of curiosity, is there a newer Honors dorm now? My D18 was in the Honors College at Pitt, living in Sutherland first year and Irvis second. I thought Sutherland was pretty basic, but Irvis definitely nice.
Maybe I missed. What is rigor like. How many APs? What level math etc ? Many schools mentioned will require a rigorous schedule.
3.8 to 3.9 would typically show a lack of rigor but maybe in your case not ?
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My D23 had very similar interests and priorities (strong interests in journalism and environmental studies, wanted a friendly, non-cliquey environment, social but not party-driven or fratty, etc.). Of her acceptances, some of her favorite schools were among those mentioned in this thread: Bates, Macalester, Mount Holyoke, Wesleyan, Pitzer (also Scripps for a slightly easier pathway into the Claremont Colleges). She ended up at Bates and loves it.
Reed might be worth a look, as would Oberlin, Kenyon, and St. Olaf. Bard could be a great fit, but it might still be a NY-dominant student body (Iâm really not sure).
One piece of advice about journalism: donât just look at journalism programs, as most LACs wonât have them (though I believe Oberlin, Kenyon, and Mount Holyoke do have concentrations if not majors). Look at student newspapers, and suggest that she reach out to editors at these papers to get a sense of what kinds of opportunities exist. Some make it very difficult to climb the ranks, and some are very welcoming, offer a lot of opportunities for advancement, and can help students with internships. At Bates, which has nothing like a journalism major or minor, the student newspaper is excellent, editorial positions are paid, and there is a significant alumni network in print and broadcast media, so students have been very successful in getting internships, grad admissions, and jobs. Just something to keep in mind for a student interested in journalism â the absence of a specific journalism program need not be a deterrent.
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Has your daughter considered womenâs colleges?
Those may targets, not likelies depending⊠(I am not understanding 3.9W and 3.8UW given all those APsâŠ) Umass has a WEALTH of data which will clarify that one. 1) Check her GPA on UMass scale (Admissions / For Students & Families / Massachusetts Department of Higher Education) and then check the GPAs on their website by school. https://www.umass.edu/uair/sites/default/files/publications/admissions_enrollment_reports/fall23.pdf#page=5 The 25th percentile overall is 3.93 for current freshman (using their weighting scale), I would imagine for next year will be even higher based on results I am seeing this year. However, it is truly 3.8UW with 8+APs and those majors then should be a likely I would bet.
And you may have done all that, if so ignore me:) I have seen a lot of dissapointed people lately with UVM and Umass.
Hampshire, Bennington, Conn College, BU, Emerson (if you rule out enviro science and want only journalism and artsy),
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My LGBTQ+ kidâs preferences were very similar, with UVM, Wesleyan, Vassar, Macalester, Pitt, all on the list.
We eliminated schools in any states that had or were pursuing LBGTQ-hostile legislation. So that took Ohio off the table, although Oberlin would otherwise have been a match for my kid. Not sure where your kid is on this, but I thought Iâd mention it given your kidâs stated preference for LGBTQ-friendliness.
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Great point thank you.
Ithaca. Pitt.
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Ithaca, Loyola New Orleans, Mount Holyoke, Goucher, Earlham, Macalester, and Sarah Lawrence all rang some bells with your description.
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My thoughts also went to Bard, Oberlin, Ssraj Lawrence, Grinnell, and Macalester - all mentioned here.
I wonder, though, if sheâd be happier focusing on bigger schools in cities. Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, DC, might be a few where there would be fewer NY kids.
She might also want to look at Emory.
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Lafayette might be a good fit. It is about 2800 students in Easton PA. Very inclusive. Not big city obviously but only 60 miles to Philly and 70 miles to NYC. Easton is re-gentrified. Lots of good restaurants and bars in town. College Hill where the school is located is a charming very safe area.
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Bates, Macalester, Lewis and Clark
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