<p>My 18 y.o. daughter took an alternative approach to finishing high school, meaning the traditional high school scene was no good for her. She did some courses at the community college, and ultimately "dropped out" so she could get her GED, which she passed with flying colors. She is extremely bright, but has no focus, and no idea what she wants to do or where she wants to go. She has been steadily working for a year, and taking one or two courses, but failed 2 last semester because she just didn't do the work. Now, she wants to go away to a 4-year school. We've been reading Pope's book "40 Colleges that Change Lives". My daughter wants a mid-size school (1500-4500 students). She is artsy--good at photography, drawing, creative, but not sure that's what she wants to do, but says she's ready to go "have the college experience". So far we are considering Allegheny College, Goucher College, and a couple of others. Is anyone familiar with that book, and any of the colleges in it?</p>
<p>I have heard of the book, but have not read it. I don't know what part of the country you are looking for, but I wanted to suggest SUNY New Paltz. It is very artsy, around 5,000 undergrad students and has a very good art dept. The town that is within walking distance to the school is a very funky, hippie, artsy town. Thought you might want to have a look. Even if your daughter doesn't want to major in art, it has the artsy population.</p>
<p>Lots of people are familiar with the book (especially on the Parent Forum on here) and lots of us have kids in those schools or we've visited many of them. </p>
<p>I will warn you though, it's not that any of those schools is super easy to get into, and it sounds like your daughter has a spotty record. Not to mention that they are all very expensive, and while many do give out good merit scholarships it might be tough for your daughter.</p>
<p>Maybe you should post this on the parent forum. You might get better advice about particular schools. Have you looked at your state college/university? </p>
<p>Good for her, though, persevering on her college quest. There are lots of kids like her - the traditional route just didn't work for them. Many do best in a 2+2 program - community college and then transfer to a 4 year college.</p>
<p>Has she taken an ACT or an SAT's? That would help in advising you.</p>
<p>Evergreen State College in Washington seems like a good fit. About 4400 students; very open, multidisciplinary curriculum. Narrative evaluations instead of grades. Accepts a lot of non-traditional students (older students, kids with GEDs, community college transfers, etc.). You should really check it out.</p>
<p>I second Evergreen. Local paper just run a good article on it:</p>
<p>BB.</p>
<p>Warren Wilson in Asheville, NC. Very different, alternative kind of place. Might be worth a look.</p>
<p>Evergreen State is a great idea too.</p>
<p>My daughter goes to Goucher. She is a Junior. Your daughter sounds like she would fit in perfectly there, but I would not call the education "alternative" . They have plenty of core requirements, even more so than some of the schools my son is looking into.</p>
<p>There is a writing proficeincy requirement, which usually means at least two English courses, a language requirement, science and math.</p>
<p>It definitely is an openminded environment, but the school is very small, you know everyone. It's typically a place where kids who were not in the "social box" in high school feel comfortable, but also an environment where people try to be different just for the sake of being different. The fine arts department is good, although my daughter said her high school photo classes were more challenging than the one she took there. She is a Junior by the way and my son will also be applying there, because over all we are very satisfied.</p>
<p>New college of Florida</p>