My DD 19 is an excellent student at a demanding prep school. She’s used to lots of homework, so a heavy workload is not a deal-breaker. She is expecting rigor; what I’m most concerned about is the pressure cooker environment of some schools. She is considering these schools:
Barnard
Bryn Mawr
Colby
Emory
Grinnell
Scripps
Smith
WashU
Wellesley
I want her to experience rigor but not a pressure cooker. I would welcome any feedback. FYI she is very political and planning to major in Poli Sci.
ime none of those are ‘pressure cooker’ schools. They are pretty tightly bunched in terms of academic standards, though there are some pretty different experiences: Wash U & Smith; Emory & Bryn Mawr; Barnard & Grinnell, Scripps & Colby are examples of some of the more disparate combos. Would have expected a politically-oriented applicant to have at least one of the DC schools (Georgetown, GW, American), all of which fall inside those parameters.
I’m assuming she has some safeties that you haven’t listed? If you are assuming that Smith & Scripps are safeties make very sure that is actually true for comparable students from her school. They may be very likelies (obvs, no info here, so no idea), but even students from strong prep schools can get nasty surprises.
^^ Interestingly (maybe not coincidentally), the opportunities for politics/poli sci are probably best at the three all-women’s colleges in my “most pressure cooker” category above. Hopefully she can do overnights with class visits before or after acceptances come through.
Also @Momto2girls: I’m hoping Mount Holyoke is still on your D19’s list - I’d put it in the Bryn Mawr category of rigor without so much grind/competitiveness, and great merit for top scores/grades.
Agree that Grinnell is not a pressure cooker and Iowa is a fun place for a poly sci kid to be during a Presidential election cycle. All the Democratic hopefuls will visit at least once, often more. There will be lots of opportunities to volunteer and participating in a caucus is a great experience. Also, Grinnell in Washington has a mandatory internship component.
Your daughter may want to consider Washington & Lee. They meet full need, are not a pressure cooker and are very strong in political science. They run a Mock Convention every 4 years which is a big event involving most of the student body and should be interesting to someone political. They predict the nominee for the out of office party in February of the election year. They have an excellent track record with their predictions. A Washington semester with an internship is also offered.
My daughter thought Wash U was a pressure cooker when she did an overnight visit, but maybe it was just the girls she stayed with who were very intense.
No need to start worrying until she has her acceptances and giving you option to eliminate pressure cooker schools. Most likely, she won’t get in half of these and would like to go to one she prefers, even if you consider it a pressure Instapot. Us parents have a way to worry about hypotheticals.
I think it is better to apply to schools that actually have the qualities you want. One of my kids WANTED a super rigorous school, and got in everyplace she applied. But basically, why waste an app on a school that doesn’t seem like a good fit?
What a strange comment – “most likely, she won’t get into half of these.” She is being very strategic in where she applies, and several of the schools on her list have flown her in for visits.
I also have the impression that WashU and Wellesley can be pretty competitive, but I’m guessing not like the pressure cooker prep school she’s coming from.
Seems like a solid list – my D had merit offers from both Scripps and Grinnell last year. Also applied to Barnard. PM me if you have any questions!
just saw this “My DD attended an overnight visit this week at American. At the financial aid presentation the person giving the presentation said that American is now a needs meet school. I thought it would be good information to share.”