<p>my son (a sophomore) likes computer science, music (classical - 2 instruments & composing), math, science, latin & the outdoors (hiking, biking, camping). Also likes ultimate frisbee. Wants small classes (connection with profs) and friendly kids to hang out with - he's nerdy, but in a nice way. Won't like frats or a major drinking/drug scene. he hasn't taken the sats yet, but his grades are good and he's taking a very challenging curriculum at a top public school. he's also trying for an eagle scout badge. </p>
<p>he likes harvey mudd (sister's going to pomona), but we'll need alternatives. anything come to mind?</p>
<p>I would say Cornell because of your son's interests, but there is also a large frat scene at Cornell so in that respect I wouldn't recommend it.</p>
<p>How about Oberlin? LAC with strong math and science programs, small classes, no frats, incredibly nice students and a healthy population of nerds. The Conservatory provides a ton of musical opportunities, and the Ultimate teams are pretty good. Other LACs that come to mind are Swarthmore, Haverford, Carleton, Macalester, Grinnell.</p>
<p>My D has a lot of the same interests and she was looking at UChicago, Carnegie-Mellon, Harvey Mudd, Olin, MIT, and Swarthmore. She also liked Reed but found out they don't have CS but they do have relationships with other schools to do the CS part. My D was noticing that a lot of schools offer a math/CS combination program.</p>
<p>Less competitive and in California...U of Pacific has a music dept that is well known...it's in Stockton which is central Calif but not terribly far from the Sierra's and all that skiing, hiking,etc. Also, UC Santa Cruz...outdoorsy, beach, hiking...not a big frat scene.</p>
<p>Where are you coming from? Where is S willing to go location wise?</p>
<p>bowdoin...very outdoorsy lac with no frats/sororities with comp sci & music programs, northwestern...lots of frats, but I have heard that they are very avoidable if you wish, uniersity of vermont...small for a public, about 7500 ugrads, and emphasis on small class sizes, but gorgeous location...ideal for the outdoorsy type (also very limited frats)</p>
<p>Two of my son's roommates at WashU are CS majors and both play in the university orchestra. I think it's not hard for non-music majors to participate in the music groups. </p>
<p>The frat scene is there but not dominating; there's a take it or leave it attitude. All the parties are open to everyone. There's a very active ultimate frisbee team, supported with school funds. For outdoorsy stuff, WU students have right next to the campus a huge urban park, Forest Park, which contains a sport center that offers golf, tennis, baseball, bicycling, boating, fishing, ice skating, handball, rollerblading, jogging, rugby, etc. The park also includes the St. Louis Zoo, an Art Museum, Science Center, and it's the site of the Shakespeare Festival. </p>
<p>It's a medium-sized university, less than 7,000 undergrads, so it's not tiny and not too huge. It's worth looking into.</p>
<p>Cal Tech comes to mind. Plenty of ulitmate frisbee players and I happen
to know one student who happens to be an incredible violinist and has plenty
of opportunities to play with other like minded students and faculty members. Also plenty of locations in SoCal for outdoor sports. But since
your familiar with Pomona, you already know that.</p>