I applied ED to Dartmouth, but I’m trying to find safety schools just in case I’m rejected. Do any of y’all have suggestions? I love literally everything about Dartmouth, but 4,000 is my absolute minimum. Thank you!!
4,000 what?
There are plenty of great schools for people who love Dartmouth. Based on your HS’s naviance are you a credible applicant for Dartmouth?
If so, schools like Muhlenberg, Franklin and Marshall, U Vermont, Lawrence, St. Olaf, Goucher, Skidmore, Conn College, could be “very likely” types of colleges.’’
What do you love about Dartmouth? If you can post that, we can be helpful. Are you applying to your own state flagship?
I’d say that Dartmouth’s strengths align most cleanly with those of several colleges with enrollments in the ~2000 to ~3000 range. However, you have posted a minimum of 4000 students as a requirement, so I won’t recommend particular schools at this time. Wishing you luck with your ED application.
I don’t think that we can suggest safety schools unless we know (i) Your stats; (ii) your budget; (iii) your home state; (iv) Some sense of what you might want to consider majoring in; and probably (v) Where you have already applied.
For many students their in-state flagship is their safety. Of course for students in California the two top in-state public schools are a safety for almost no one, and other UC’s or CSUs are the safeties for many strong students.
You are going to need to get your applications in relatively soon at many if not most schools.
For colleges that do meet your enrollment requirement, look into Miami (Ohio) and Elon. If you would like an option just somewhat less selective than Dartmouth, consider the University of Virginia.
It depends on why you liked Dartmouth. If you liked that it has greek life and engineering, Union, Bucknell, Lehigh, and Lafayette might fit the bill.
UMass?
@Blossom I got rejected by Dartmouth ED. I love how it’s rural, beautiful, tons of research, close relationships with teachers, emphasis on Greek life, and the overall amazing community. And I mean 4,000 people. I had a moderate chance of getting in: my SAT is 1540 but my unweighted GPA is 3.72. And I am applying to my state school, but it’s a very last resort. Also, I’m interested in biology and politics
Hopefully you have already developed a comprehensive application list that goes beyond Dartmouth and a state school you consider to be a “last resort.” What other schools are you considering?
A few ideas: Lehigh?Tulane? Bucknell (close to 4,000 students)? Vandy?
Wake Forest - similar vibe, amazing community of 5,000 undergrad students. same architect even (Baker hall? & Wait Chapel). Not easy to get into by any stretch but it fits your ideal. Best of luck to you!
It seems you’d be looking for matches and realistic reaches at this time? If, from among your criteria, you were to emphasize close relationships with professors, ample research opportunities and beautiful settings, then consider Colgate, Hamilton, Amherst, Williams, Bowdoin, Middlebury and Carleton.
If you liked Dartmouth definitely check out Colgate. Can you find time to make a visit?
I love the choices that everyone has been suggesting (WF, Bucknell, Lehigh, Elon), but are they really “safety” schools? I agree that the OP’s post feels like he/she is asking for backups/alternatives more than safeties
But a true safety? That’s similar to Dartmouth? High Point, which is sort of an Elon wannabe. DePauw, but the OP doesn’t want schools under 4,000 students.
Safeties: High Point, College of Charleston (huge party/greek scene), James Madison University, and Miami of OH.
St Lawrence has the small classes, close relationships with professors, rural vibe, outdoorsy culture, and stunningly beautiful location you might be looking for. An easier admit than Dartmouth, and you’d likely get some merit $. 2400 students and not much greek life, but a good option if you are drawn to schools like Dartmouth.