1500 SATS, 4.3 GPA (3.9 unweighted), tons of AP courses beginning in 8th grader. AP Stats (9th grade), AB Calc., AP Govt, AP US (8th grade), AP Psych, ap computer science. AP Lang, AP Lit, AP Music (8th grade). Graduated HS a year early. taking a gap year.
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Then look into UChicago, Vassar, HarveyMudd, Carleton, William&Mary, Brandeis, St Olaf (+Enduring Questions seminar).
Seconding suggestions of McGill for Arts&Sciences degree and UToronto (&its collegiate structure).
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When I think of non sports schools with intellectual students, and places where I donāt think of partying (but who knows), other than many Ivies, or East Coast SLACs (Hamilton, Swarthmore, Bowdoin), I also think of schools like Reed (there is the reputation of drug use, however), UCSD, maybe Claremont Colleges like Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pomona (although warm climates).
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Less partying would generally describe colleges with larger commuter populations, where students do their partying (if they party) at home.
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The first school that popped into my mind was St Olaf. Officially a dry campus. Amazing music program, well respected academically, and certainly a colder environment (with warm personalities!).
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What year is your son? Please keep us updated with how your search is going as it will be helpful for others like him. And if he does visit St. Olaf, Iād love to hear his impressions. Itās a school lots of CCers have fallen in love with.
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I agree with this. Large universities with 25-50k students have something for everyone. Itās easy to āfind your peopleā among so many. And, if the college is in a city, thereās even more options.
Itās true that every college has party people. Itās also true that some party people are highly intellectual and would make great classmates.
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There are a great many schools that fit the bill. Even at colleges that rank high on the greek and/or party school lists like UIUC, your student could find their preferred environment and cohort. A good starting point might be the University of Chicago.
Case Western. The Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Institute of Music are in the same neighborhood.
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Case is surrounded by almost all the cultural institutions in Cleveland, including the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Matz Performing Arts Center, and the Cleveland Botanical Gardens.
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Case is a GREAT suggestion!
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Deep Springs.
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We are also looking at this school! It sounds like one intense Foundation year and then studying at Dalhousie University? which is very large?
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I notice that size of the school does not seem to matter? How about a school like UCSD? Definitely not a party school, although it is in a warmer climate, not as hot and muggy as the southern schools. Also always considered a ādryā campus with highly intellectual students. Son attended University of Portland. Not a party school and it is a very good school with solid programs in engineering, nursing, business. Itās in a cooler climate during the winter (snows!) though it does get hot during the summer.
Hi nutmegger1,
Our D has similar interests and traits - interested in math/music/computer science, doesnāt find fun in sports or the typical party/drinking scene, very much enjoys performing arts. She also doesnāt use social media, loves video games, is mature but very down-to-earth and simple.
As others have suggested, Swarthmore came to mind for your son. My impression is that a lot of mature students find a nice home there.
Case Western is also on our list as it seems to attract a similar type of student. We havenāt visited yet but Iām hoping we like it when we do.
One last thought is Clark University in Worchester, Ma. Someone here suggested it. D looked it up and likes that it seems low key and offers video game design (thatās a separate topic but Iām excited that sheās excited about creating her list! lol). I read that there are lots of research opportunities at Clark for undergrads to work with graduate students and professors. So if your son prefers the company of adults, this could be an aspect that may appeal to him. They also offer merit aid.
Iām sure many of us would be interested to hear which schools he prefers if you are inclined to share. Best of luck to you both!
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There have been some great suggestions here- Iām following for my D26 who is also looking for a nerdy, non-greek/party environment. Sheās really liked (so far) Vassar, Carleton, Oberlin (tons of music opportunities, even for non-music majors) & Brandeis. My older kid is at Brown, and loves it- they have wonderful substance free housing (thatās the competitive dorm to try to get into!) and heās in a special interest house called Tech House- they play board games, have substance-free parties, etc. That might be a great fit, as well. Other schools my older kid leaned towards were Swarthmore, MIT, UMD, Carnegie Mellon and Johns Hopkins- full of kids who seemed intellectual, well-rounded and interesting.
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It depends on your area of study ā I think? I know STEM students take the foundation classes and then two classes at Dalhousie their freshman year (at least per the website!). I have no idea what happens in subsequent years.
I see you mentioned Carleton. What about St. Olaf? We toured both and my DD ended up not applying to Carleton. Is at St. Olaf now and having lots of things to do, making lots of friends and is NOT a partier. She transferred from Hamilton College this fall.
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I highly recommend St. Olaf, great music program and my very studious non-partier is absolutely loving it after starting last year at a higher ranked small liberal arts school with a completely different vibe.
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Thanks for the insight! Weāll have to take a closer look at St. Olaf- we only drove through the campus, which was very pretty, and didnāt get a chance to talk to any students. I know a few people who are alums and really loved their experiences there!
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