<p>Some thoughts. I’m not going to edit and make them flow better.</p>
<p>Time is a huge factor. Your child is still evolving. Many introverts don’t want the high powered social life most consider normal. Do not assume that what is good for the majority is good for everyone. Choosing a college with many interested in the same things will be better than a “nuturing” place but without a peer group.</p>
<p>Every college leads to personal growth. Not everyone will ever have the same people/social skills. A lot of maturity/“growing up” occurs senior year of HS. Many kids you think will never be ready for college do fine by the fall they go.</p>
<p>Confidence comes from being successful. It could be that a big research school works for the introverted science type- finding a peer group who thinks like they do and has the same interests.</p>