Match Me - LAC with Japanese, French majors and no or little Greek (SAT 1420)

Applying to College
21

Yes that may take some off the list for business or simply require calc to be taken early.

Was there a budget or desired spend ? A school like Kalamazoo, as an example, will throw lots of $$$ at you.

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I agree that Middlebury is worth considering. It is not a safety of course but your son appears to be a strong applicant.

One wild thought depending upon how far “North” is desired, would be Bishop’s University in Quebec. It is in Lennoxville, which is a small essentially fully bilingual town right next to the largely French speaking city of Sherbrooke. Bishop’s has very good languages programs in general, and does have a Japanese major. I am pretty sure that study abroad in Japan is actually required to complete a bachelor’s degree in Japanese. Of course they are very good at French (although they might not think of it as a “foreign” language), and some French may be required for any student to graduate from Bishop’s regardless of major. It also has a decent music program although I have not specifically checked on classical guitar. I think that it is probably a safety given your son’s stats.

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23

For study abroad, if the school has nothing, most work with an organization like this - known as affiliates.

Study Abroad in Morocco | CIEE

Just as one example, this is the list of affiliates on Charleston’s website - including CIEE.

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If a school is of interest, and is affordable (no merit aid at Middlebury), it makes sense to apply.

The worst that can happen is they say no.

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Dickinson and Hamilton were my first thoughts.

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26

Seconding Earlham.

Colby’s Japanese is good and it hits all your requirements. Only issue – and this is worth checking everywhere – is how much is offered for students who come in with some proficiency already. Many are great for 3-4 years if you are starting at the beginner level but have fewer offerings at an advanced level once you’ve finished that progression.

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Does the student have knowledge and skill in the Japanese and French languages to be able to start in a higher level than the beginner course in college?

Checking the available course offerings and when they are offered can be particularly important at small schools where the departments may be small, and particularly for Japanese, since it takes more course time than French to reach a similar level of skill.

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Tufts may be worth a look. No international business - but very strong in international relations (which can include a concentration in international economics). French and Japanese language, overseas studies program in Japan (plus approved affiliate programs in Morocco), and Music classes that I think are not limited to Music majors. Greek life is very minimal. You’d probably want to go test optional since the 25th percentile SAT score in Tufts’ latest CDS is 1470.

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29

Seconding Earlham as a safety (they even have a dual program with Waseda) and Dickinson (match).
What about St Olaf? Lessons and ensembles available even for non majors, good French and Japanese, lots of study abroad programs including for freshmen during Jan Term, Management concentration that can be added to any major. No Greek life. (Low match if interest demonstrated)
Middlebury, Tufts, Hamilton would be reaches but worth trying.

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Ooh–really exciting option! I will look into that!

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St. Olaf wasn’t on my radar, but that looks like a really good fit!

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32

Yes–he placed into 400 level French and is taking an upper lever uni. class both semesters this year. No formal instruction in Japanese but he’s been studying informally on his own. But it wouldn’t be in his interest to try to place into Japanese because he needs the foundational stuff.

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He is not taking Math this year?

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34

Not sure if anyone said Case Western. Not an LAC. But has all three majors and is set up for multiple majors. Other schools may not be.

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35

I was going to toss in St Olaf but it has already been done. Definitely a great fit, though.

Asian languages are actually kinda a thing in Minnesota in general, so you might check out Macalester and Gustavus Aldophus too:

Macalester has no Greek life. Gustavus is under 1/5th Greek, which is not a ton but obviously more of a presence.

I’m not an expert by any means, but I have heard Macalester’s music program is very welcoming of non-majors in all sorts of ways. I really know nothing at all about music at Gustavus.

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36

Take a look at Oberlin. I think it checks everything on your list.

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I think a lot of these LAC’s are going to be very reachy if he is not taking math his senior year.

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Here is an example of the differences in Japanese offerings between different small schools:

Dickinson: up to 6th semester language skills: East Asian Studies Current Courses | Dickinson College

Earlham: up to 6th semester language skills, plus various other courses relating to Japan: Courses | Earlham College

Middlebury: up to 8th semester language skills, plus various other courses relating to Japan: Courses | Middlebury College

Oberlin: up to 8th semester language skills, plus a few other courses: Course Search - Oberlin College and Conservatory - Modern Campus Catalog™

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St. Olat could be a good fit…great foreign language program, top notch study abroad (with programs in Japan and Morocco), amazing music program, and no Greek life. They offer a business concentration and an international relations concentration, but no business major. They give generous merit aid too.

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40

Georgetown is not an SLAC but they have a strong liberal arts core and their undergrad enrollment is only 7200. They offer everything you’re looking for, including no Greek life, and they excel in anything international.

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