ADVICE: New College, Sarasota?? Thomas More College of Liberal Arts,NH???

Parents Forum
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<p>Does anyone know anything about these two colleges? We did visit New College but were not impressed with their presentation/school.
I see that they are one of the top schools where graduates are accepted to first choice law and med schools. Has anyone been there/know students/any info/etc??</p>

<p>NOW--Thomas More is a TINY catholic liberal arts college--only 100 students. Good reputation. Students participate in the upkeep of the college. They admit non-catholics. My son went to the 2 week academic summer program with 30 high school students and loved it. But being so small--it could either be fantastic or a flop. ANYONE been there/know students/info/ etc??</p>

<p>FYI about my son in case anyone has any constructive advice or ideas about where he might fit in and enjoy.
My son is an old soul, conservative, loved by all students but reserved, does not seek attention yet likes to participate, great photographer and writer, does not care for the "greek" life, and not very active in sports as he has fibromyagia and ankylosing spondylitis. He is definitely a thinker. He wants to study philosophy and he has been dying to really get into it, but there are not many teens wanting to sit and discuss Plato and Socrates. We lived in Scotland and England for 5 years total, and now we are in Oklahoma City. A few years earlier, we lived in Argentina. We have traveled to almost every continent so my son is very culturally aware and extremely well read. We don't care for the grading system because education should be about the love of learning in the area of your passion----but this may not be possible to escape.
Because of our moving (8 times, and 12 schools, including 3 for high school)--he is not the average student. His grades are now a 3.0 but usually higher. He is bored to death. His ACT is only around 27 but he never does well on standardized tests. His science teacher told him he really thinks "out of the box". With all this is mind, and knowing we can't afford more than say 22k a year...ANY advice as to a school we should check out that you might think would be a good fit?? Preferably under 5000 students. I have looked at Lauren Pope's book and he may apply to Reed and Amherst, although we would definitely need some scholarship/financial aid for those.</p>

<p>NOW--oops, I rambled. I just found this site and how great it is! My son is a senior, first of three, so I think I will learn a lot here.
MANY THANKS!</p>

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<p>I've lived in New Hampshire but never heard of Thomas More until maybe a week ago (it might be perfect for him, but with only 100 students, if you are concerned about prospective employers/grad schools recognizing the name, that might be an issue). New Hampshire is also very cold...if that makes a difference with the health issues. US News has a rating list called "A plus Colleges for B students," so you might want to look at that (subscribe to usnews online; there is a lot of great info there). There are not too many colleges 22K or less, if you qualify as Oklahoma residents of course those state schools will cost the least without financial aid. I think New College is very competitive.</p>

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<ol>
<li><p>From CC archives, try to get the list of colleges that do not require SAT/ACT scores.</p></li>
<li><p>Read AdmissionsAdvice.com website, by wonderful Carolyn of CC. Start with the linked article, "Building a list from the Bottom Up" plus many gems of advice on that site. </p></li>
<li><p>If he was in NH in summer, he was in a perfect climate, but it is certainly cold all winter. They do sell warm clothing with no sales tax, but perhaps ask a doctor. If fibromyagia is what I think it is, it causes extreme fatigue. Ask a doctor if that would argue against a cold climate, if you think your kid might stay in bed rather than exert the extra "push" to wake up, dress in layers, and then face the brisk outdoors -- which is actually invigorating and quite beautiful. It's a different response to weather than in a steady Southern climate. If he liked the school, you can afford it, and you both think he could excel there, then it sounds like it should be one on your list. People in NH will know of it, and there's an extremely high rate of employment around Manchester, Nashua and Concord. Would you be willing to imagine him staying and living up there after graduation? If the reputation is regional, no problem if he wants to live his life in that region.</p></li>
<li><p>Amherst is magical thinking right now. USNWR lists them as having a very small percentage admitted, not only because it's got high standards but is so small and has few seats to offer. Your S has a 3.0 average and weak standardized test scores, Mom saying he's bored, and a science teacher who says he thinks outside the box. I think you need to really study USNWR and get a better handle on what is realistic as well as what you hope for your S. What you describe here just isn't likely to get him into the most selective LAC in the country. </p></li>
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<p>Amherst recently published a chart on its admissions website with some bottom figures, below which they won't even consider the application. See where he stands relative to that list. They only have 450 spots to give out to freshman students each year, and get plenty of applicants with triple-800's, so I think you need to focus on where there is a closer match with what your S can present in actual fact.Among LAC's when you say Reed or Amherst, it's as if you've said Yale or Harvard among all the universities in the country. </p>

<p>Perhaps you can identify what qualities you LIKE about Amherst and Reed (small, intelligent, frat-free, friendly, peaceful...) but find another school of similar size where the midrange ACT's and GPA's sound more like your own S. Use Petersons.com to look up each college you read about, and zoom into their midrange scores on the Admissions area. They'll also take kids above and below those ranges, but it'll give you a better handle on the norm of each school. </p>

<ol>
<li>I'd look at his travels and photography and have him assemble some kind of knock-your-socks-off portfolio and essay. Even start to work on a manuscript to publish a book. Have SOMETHING to point to when it comes time to write an essay or go to an interview.</li>
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<p>If he could compose/illustrate something really amazing, then I'm wondering if he might look at places that emphasize creativity, such as Hampshire College in Massahcusetts with its "capstone project" (and I think they might also be a no-SAT, no grade school, too). Financially Hampshire is out of range for you as it costs much more than 22K. Are you willing or able to take out student or parent loans? When you say "afford" I don't know if you mean from savings or salary alone.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>We had to move a lot, but not as much as you. I strongly advise you to continue developing that as an asset for the fact that he can move readily and confidently onto any campus and build community with others. Try to stop expressing it as an excuse for his transcript; it's kind of self-evident and you don't have to say it. He's actually done pretty well for all those moves with 3.0. Just come to peace with that. It IS a huge help sociallly when the go to campus as freshmen without any fear.</p></li>
<li><p>Might he be interested in a gap year after h.s. to live at home, earn money, take CC courses in topics he finds interesting, knock their socks off with grades (A's, my man, get only A's) and perhaps apply a year later that way?</p></li>
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<p>GOOD LUCK. YOu've got a neat sounding kid, but it's going to take a lot of research now to make a suitable list with safeties, matches and reaches.</p>

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<p>Muffy, thanks for that info and good idea to think about the cold. I had not thought about it so now we will.</p>

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<p>Thomas Moore is a fairly conservative Catholic school. Unless you are also Catholic this may be an issue. Then again, the programs activities and clubs described they off may be exactly what he is looking for. There are many many wonderful schools out there where your S can find a sense of belonging. Paying3 always has some of the best advice on CC so I'd follow it. Good Luck!</p>

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<p>WOW!! "Paying3tuitions"---THANK YOU!! What a wealth of information and insight. You can obviously see I am a "first-timer" and not so great at this.
We had originally decided on Thomas More with the idea to also apply at University of Oklahoma. Initially, I was freaking out, looking at zillions of colleges. I wish I would have know about this website then.
We just now started looking at some others as I started worrying that maybe we had not searched enough and that he could possible get a great scholarship because of his background and his portfolio.
SO--at this point, we will figure out if the weather will be an issue and whether or not to apply to possibly Hampshire, which I do like and have read up on. You are right about Amherst---wishfull thinking! When my son gets back from taking the ACT this morning, I will show him your comments and this website. What a great resource! THANK YOU and all those who participate and help those like me!</p>

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<ol>
<li><p>Thomas More College is an excellent place to study philosophy. The lectures are, for the most part, brilliant and provocative, and most of the students there (not only juniors and seniors but freshman and sophomores too) are willing to read and discuss Socrates or Plato among themselves. In fact, if he is hungry for philosophy, your son can certainly eat his fill at TMC. For in addition to the classes for philosophy majors, the college requires all students to take four years of Humanities, in which they read many of the West's great philosophical, literary, and political texts. This would allow him to continue reading and discussing philosophy, as well as furthering his understanding of philosophy, even before he decides to major in it. As a four-year cycle, moreover, the Humanities (or "Great Books") classes provide students with a more extensive and profound understanding of the history of philosophy than could be gained by attending a one semester class on that topic. Whether he wants to study ancient, medieval, or modern philosophy, TMC offers a unique setting in which to study and learn.</p></li>
<li><p>Your comments about the nature of education, that it is not about grades but the love of learning, sound perfectly in line with the college’s vision of education as well as with the intellectual character which the college seeks to develop in its students.</p></li>
<li><p>Further, all second semester sophomores study in Italy, which may appeal to someone so well traveled.</p></li>
<li><p>Lastly, although most students are Catholic, the college's (Catholic) founder Dr. Sampo has often told his class: "the classroom, not the chapel, is the center of the college."</p></li>
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<p>~class of 2004, TMC</p>

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<p>I just looked Thomas More up! Looks great, sort of like a Catholic St. Johns (the great books one). They give money back if you become a priest.</p>

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<p>If he wants to talk about Socrates and Plato my first thought was St. Johns (campus in Annapolis or NM). It's not as small as Thomas Moore, but with 300 students is still tiny. Personally I'd want at least a 1000 students, but that's just me. I want more choices, more courses in majors, more students, more clubs.</p>

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<p>What's the name of that CC thread where everybody wrote anecdotally about wonderful but not so famous colleges? Maybe someone can put the thread title on for this OP.</p>

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<p>My initial gut suggestion is St. Olaf in Northfield, MN. Unfortunately, it gets cold there too. But it's a place that really encourages intellectual exploration and debate. There is a wonderful sequence that kids can take to satisfy their general ed requirements called the Great Conversation that I think would be perfect for your son. It's also a LAC that, I think, looks to attract more males and might possibly look a little more kindly on your son's ACT, which is just below their average, and his GPA (which is low for them.) They have been getting more selective over the last few years, but it's worth looking into, perhaps.</p>

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<p>I have two nieces at New College. They love it there.</p>