I don’t think you are wrong to be concerned. Whether that concern should be decisive really depends on the kid. Like, there are kids who will go to Swarthmore (or Chicago, or other colleges with a similar reputation) and end up saying they could not imagine going anywhere else. For other kids, it would be a horrible mistake–but I think most of those kids know that and don’t apply, or even are accepted but choose somewhere else.
So personally, if my kid wanted to apply to Swarthmore, I would not discourage it, but I would also want to make sure they had other options to consider. In fact, I visited Swarthmore with my S24, and he liked aspects of it, but ruled it out ultimately for these culture reasons, which in fact were reinforced by our tour guide.
If he had instead said it was the place for him, though . . . that would have been fine with me too. I think our job as parents is to make sure such a kid is walking into that sort of college with intention, and not just because it is highly ranked or whatever.
My daughter is a sophomore at Brandeis and loved it from day 1. It seems like a perfect match to what you are looking for. The kids are bright and interesting, and there’s not a lot of interest in partying. Instead, most weekends she and her friends take the Brandeis shuttle into Boston or into the local town. Fraternities and sororities exist but are not officially sanctioned by the university and are a minor blip in the social scene. It’s easy to avoid them. She also has friends very involved in Chemistry, Music, and Chess, thought I can’t say how they would compare at Brandeis vs other universities. I can’t say enough good things about what a warm and friendly place it is.
Thank you so much for telling me about your daughter’s experience at Brandeis! I’m so glad to hear that she loves it. It does sound like it would be a very good fit for my kid. We will plan a visit!
Thanks to all who have helped me, a non-STEMy person, understand more about the nuances of research opportunities for undergrads at LACs and research universities!
@Exploring1 I am a Boston person and have been reading about Brandeis’ financial difficulties. It is prioritizing STEM more these days and cutting parts of the music program (Lydian quartet, and demise of grad program is still ongoing).
I feel overwhelmed reading this! Your son had a good list and I understand the need for some matches and safeties. These are all great suggestions but I hope he can keep the number of schools down to a reasonable level!
Thank you! Yes, someone else mentioned budget cuts affecting the music program at Brandeis.
And yes, lots of great input here. I’m really touched by how much people want to help! I was not anticipating so many responses, and I do feel a tiny bit overwhelmed. But I can always go back and digest a bit more later.
I’m glad you think the original list was good.
One thing about the world today - you never know the where and when.
We will see schools cutting - you just hope not yours.
It makes sense to prioritize STEM. Right or wrong, people believe the majors are most employable and the companies (schools) are catering to their customers.
I’ll chime in on Swat- my son LOVED it, it was probably in his #2 or 3 slot (he got into his ED school so pulled his app). The tour guide we had said that while it is very academicky, the kids there seem to revel in that/embrace the stereotype- although they probably aren’t studying any more hours than kids at other top-notch LACs. My son wandered through the student center and found fliers for German Club- they played Settlers of Catan in German once a week and he was hooked, plus the beautiful campus was a big plus. Seems like a quirky, intellectual vibe and my son also really liked the strong music offerings (one of the few places he could have joined a classical guitar group). So while it’s a tough admit, might be worth checking out. Looking back at your list, Bard is on there, and I’d love to hear from anyone about STEM at Bard…my DD has it low on the list bc it doesn’t seem very strong in that area. TIA!
It’s fine to just cruise through a website, consider if they fit into travel plans or further exploration, and just to say “we have enough good options already” at the point where it feels right.
One on hand, one does college only once and it is a lot of things – academics, a launch to independence adulthood, (hopefully) lifelong friendships. It is also extremely expensive. Every college is a slightly different “flavor”. So yes, it’s important to do research and to try to optimize for a good fit.
On the other hand, there are SO many excellent institutions, and an engaged student is likely to have a wonderful experience at any of them. In this sense, optimization simply means getting good options on the list.
The folks on this site ARE helpful and full of great ideas. This part is exciting and fun – just like planning a vacation and contemplating the possibilities. At some point, you decide what kinds of destinations and experiences interest you most. While you may love to ski, a beach vacation may be what you need right now. We all get that!
Love your description of Swarthmore. A lot of what you say are things we sensed while visiting as well. It was from reading things elsewhere on CC–and I think on sites like Niche–that gave me a little pause regarding stress culture.
I’m with you on hoping to find out more about the sciences at Bard!
I know you’ve already heard folks recommending William and Mary, and that it’s now on your list of schools to look into, but I wanted to share something I came across that highlights its quirky/academicky-ness that I though your student might like.
A few weeks ago they held the annual “raft debate” — started in the 1960s, it ran through the ’80s, then was revitalized from 2002–2019, and this was the first one since COVID-19. The premise is that three professors — representing the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities — are stranded on a desert island with one raft between them, and they hold a debate to decide which academic discipline should get the raft. (Also on the island is a devil’s advocate, just to mess with everyone.) The winner is selected by audience voice vote. Props are involved.
Anyway, I just wanted to highlight that event, as illustrative of the kind of “life of the mind” culture that you’re looking for and that you’ll find there. And — as shown by the packed and excited crowd — you’ll find a lot of similarly enthusiastic community members interested in that as well.
As an opinion on science curricula generally, I’d regard a school as good for sciences only if sufficient breadth is available across the sciences. In particular, an available geosciences department can serve as a great source of electives (e.g., in topics such as hydrogeology, meteorology and volcanology) for a student who would like to study broadly in the sciences. Exposure to such electives could lead to a major or minor in geosciences as well.
Oh, I just love that. What a wonderful, creative, playful event that definitely does illustrate a delight in the life of the mind–and an ability to be lighthearted about it. I’m so glad you shared that with me. My kid will get a kick out of it, too.
Yet another plug in here for William & Mary. Big enough to have a lot of cool STEM options but small enough that the undergrads get real opportunity. The new music building is so great and there have been some interesting music alums - we have gotten a kick out of hearing Chip Esten’s college band play at Homecoming a few times recently (he is of Nashville and Outer Banks TV fame).
