Hi! First time posting. Learning how to do this. Would be grateful for any input!
My DC26 is a junior and looking for schools with some of the following:
“Life of the mind” culture where others are excited about and dedicated to learning
A playful vibe (“work hard/play hard” is fine–but not if “play hard” means this mainly happens through substance use; looking to avoid party schools)
Unpretentious, friendly
Strong chemistry department (considering majoring in chemistry; interested in going on to get PhD)
Vibrant music culture (possible minor in music; interest in music theory and history; would enjoy a rich array of concerts and peers who are into music)
Active chess club
No–or limited–Greek presence
Probably 2,000-8,000 students, but this is flexible (doesn’t want very small or very large)
Location not especially important, but would prefer some access to a city
DC is a strong student. US (Mid-Atlantic)
4.0 UW
Independent school. Does not rank.
Currently taking 4 APs and two honors (APUSH, APLit, AP Calc AB, APChem), Honors Spanish 4, Honors Biology); all other classes in previous years have been honors except 9th grade English, which didn’t have an honors option. Will probably take 3-4 APs senior year.
1400 on PSAT (760 verbal 640 math–interesting, given DC’s hope to major in chemistry); SAT hopefully will be a bit higher
Very good chess player (rated close to 1900 online); co-leader of school’s chess club; chess coach; volunteer with a senior center chess club; counselor at a chess camp
Very good classical piano player; has done summer study at selective music programs. Was in orchestra and jazz band in 9th grade.
Not super athletic but has run X-country, tried wrestling, and takes tennis lessons; will be on tennis team in spring
Loves to read and watch videos about theoretical physics (string theory, etc.); chose to accelerate in math because wanted to learn calculus in order to better understand physics; chemistry comes very naturally; gets excited about challenging calc problems
Tutors peers in chemistry; also offers essay writing support
Probably no cost constraints
LACs we’ve visited and that DC likes:
Carleton (liked the strong academics, sense of humor, and friendliness)
Oberlin (liked the music scene and strong sciences; thought the students seemed “a little wacky”, but was OK with this.
Macalester (positive impression after an excellent “Meet Mac Day”; very friendly)
Vassar
College of Wooster (didn’t love, but needs some targets/likelies!)
Schools we’ve visited that DC is considering crossing off:
Grinnell (too remote, maybe too much substance-focused partying)
Wesleyan (visited in summer and campus felt dead; lackluster tour guides; didn’t like Middletown)
Kenyon (liked, but maybe too small and too isolated)
St. Olaf (I think this would be a good target/likely due to the strong sciences and music, but DC was turned off by the vibe and by the two-course religion requirement)
Whitman (liked, but very remote/hard to get to; also maybe too small)
Universities on the “might visit” list (but most are maybe too “reachy?”):
Rice
Washington University in St. Louis
Tufts
University of Rochester
Brown
Northwestern
LACs on the “might visit” list
Bates
Bowdoin (too “reachy”?)
Pomona (too “reachy”?)
Middlebury (maybe too sporty/preppy/pre-professional?)
Williams (maybe too small, remote, “reachy”)
Skidmore (maybe not strong enough in STEM?)
Bard (STEM not strong enough? Too much of a “stoner” culture?)
Lawrence University (I know, technically not an LAC; maybe too small)
Beloit (don’t know much about it–how is the STEM?)
Take a look at Kalamazoo, one of the top PhD feeders per capita, Willamette and Franklin & Marshall. They are all in society. The list you show above isn’t. That’s two safeties and a low target (F&M). Occidental may be another. This is more important than adding more reaches.
Not quite as close to society but in a nice town - William & Mary.
Before reading your list I thought of St Olaf. He may want to take a look at what classes count towards their religion requirement. My understand is it’s very loose.
He has a good list. Tufts has excellent science, a “vibrant” music department and access to Cambridge and Boston. Vassar, Oberlin, Macalaster all good choices. Another school we liked was Clark U. in Worcester, also good music. WPI is nearby so maybe they have some exchange classes. I thought of Skidmore too but don’t know about STEM.
Amherst is part of a consortium with UMass Amherst, Hampshire, Smith and Mt. Holyoke so lots going on there. Classes at UMass would be accessible.
See also Colleges that Change Lives website. Clark, St. Olaf’s, Lawrence, Bard, Beloit and Wooster are all on that. Oberlin and Depauw were recently added.
Willliams is reputed to have good music. I personally like the area.
He can submit a music supplement if talent justifies it and since he has done selective summer programs, it seems appropriate. Recording/video, music resume and 1-2 letters of recommendation related to music. This can sometimes help quite a bit with admissions. Including with reachy schools like Brown or some of the “little Ivies” (His list is heavy with little Ivies).
One thing to consider, if he wants to do performance or take lessons, is that schools with BM degree programs may give the best resources, teachers and opportunities to the BM students. Not saying that is always the case but something to check out.
Bard is definitely worth a look. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but a very interesting place.
Seconding Kalamazoo.
Tufts has a dual degree program as well as good opportunities for musicians. Definitely worth checking out if you are thinking Bowdoin and Midd are attainable.
Bowdoin is super-reachy but if you’re going to look at Bates, it’s not much extra effort to see Bowdoin as well. Colby has a lot going on for music kids and a good chem program, so make the most of that trip to Maine and see all 3!
You might want to check out Denison too.
Earlham has an excellent chem department and super nice vibe. Their course catalog suggests music options that might be of interest. Would be an easier admit with merit. This was one of the best surprises of our tours. Will probably be too small and isolated.
Lastly, not to confuse things, we have known two extremely accomplished musicians who decided not to go the conservatory route and chose Haverford (which sounds like a good vibe for your son) and pursued their music in Philadelphia. Neither had any interest in music as a major or academic pursuit, but both continued to perform at a high level this way. I mention this only because for some kids, a great way to get both high level music and high level academics on their terms is to decouple them. My kid wouldn’t have liked this, but those two friends of his felt like they had the best of both worlds that way.
I think that with the 5 schools that your C26 likes, you already have a good list. Wooster is a safety, Mac and Oberlin are matches, and Carleton and Vassar are reaches (but reasonable reaches.) If your student can identify a favorite, and since cost is not a problem, are they open to doing ED?
With the 'DC" designation, not sure if women’s colleges are an option – no greek life and may have the “life of the mind” vibe, including Bryn Mawr and Mt Holyoke as more of match/targets.
I’d definitely visit Rice if you can! You are describing it almost to a T. After visiting and meeting students, D24, very similar to your student (academics, music, arts, going into stem field), decided to ED there and is very pleased with her decision.
I can’t help with small schools, but my thoughts after reading your OP were that you might want to make sure the school has a good math and/or physics program in addition to chemistry. That sounds like a logical fall back given the stated interests. A lot of students change their majors.
While Hamilton is nicely offset from the east coast megalopolis, it resides within 10 miles of the small city of Utica, which students and parents visit for its features, such as its variety in restaurants and hotels, excellent art museum and convenient train station. Of note, Hamilton’s immediate area of 10,000 residents experienced literally zero violent crime by official statistics in a recent year.
With respect to the OP’s child’s academic interests, Hamilton is notable for its excellent science facilities, balance among disciplines and open curriculum.
Thank you! That’s a good point to consider. Yes, theoretical physics is a big love–but currently not being considered as a major because it’s less practical. Might change, though.
Great to know! Thank you! I wonder if it’s too reach-y. But maybe if it ends up being an ideal fit, ED would be a possibility.
There’s a tiny bit of reservation about the location (hot, humid, red state), but probably not a big concern.
This is very helpful to hear. I wasn’t sure whether Mac and Oberlin would be matches or reaches. Yes, DC would be open to ED but doesn’t yet have a clear favorite. It’s nice, too, that Macalester has an EA option.
DC does want to consider some schools (small/medium universities) that are larger than these LACs, so we’ll likely add a few more to the list. But it would be nice to not have an overwhelming number.