<p>I was going to suggest Skidmore, but it's not urban and doesn't strike me as internationally diverse.</p>
<p>Two other suggestions: Macalester in Minn-St. Paul because it's a well-rounded LAC with strong international focus and located in a city with lots to do. <a href="http://www.macalester.edu%5B/url%5D">www.macalester.edu</a></p>
<p>Also: Occidental College in Los Angeles. Another well-rounded gem, strong in sciences, arts, and located in a funky, fun part of Los Angeles. Diverse student body. <a href="http://www.oxy.edu%5B/url%5D">www.oxy.edu</a></p>
<p>paying3: you seem like a pretty insightful parent. You've got lucky kids. And jazzymom, funny but my daughter is a frosh at Oxy this year, and just loving it! And her second choice was Mac, so you and she are certainly on the same wavelength. I think I'll add Chapman, Reed and Colorado College to the list, and and other than making sure his deadlines are posted on the calendar (and referring to them ad nauseum), I'll be getting out of his way so that his real voice comes through. There's no fitting a square peg in a round hole with this one - he really chafes if something feels inauthentic.</p>
<p>I've gotten the impression that the Jesuit colleges have a mission to develop and mold these unformed lumps of clay (read late-blooming sons) into productive citizens. I think they look for potential rather than long lists of accomplishments before they even walk through the college gates. </p>
<p>So another suggestion: University of San Francisco <a href="http://www.usfca.edu/artsci/%5B/url%5D">www.usfca.edu/artsci/</a></p>
<p>Colleges will know he's capable of handling high-level work at a very demanding pace. Reed would appreciate the rigors of IB. With a full plate of IB, I totally understand not adding more 'stuff.' (I have a soph in a competitive entry IB. We have the leadership vs. more activities vs. time to breathe discussion here, too. He seems to have found a nice balance so far.) In fact, DS2 sounds a lot like your S!</p>
<p>Your S will write some fine, funny, mildly cynical essays and the college folks will know he's for real. It's just creating that list that will be important. LACs might be a very good fit for him -- and they are looking for young men!</p>
<p>Some of the LAC's and even small universities (in the 5,000 population range, not 25,000) speak a lot about "family-feel" and "building a campus community." If he's the youngest of 3, perhaps he also has some skills that simply come from being that third child. I'm not saying that's an essay topic, alhtough with certain prompts it could be. I'm suggesting that the adaptability that often goes along with #3 child can really come in handy on a campus to add or contribute by being a supportive friend,
willing participant and so forth. The Adcoms know this; how many hyper-ego crash-and-burns do you think they want to handle each year? :)</p>
<p>My youngest is a freshman, living in a tripled double, so it's crowded. Sometimes this happens on some campuses, some years, due to housing shortages until dorms are built. They discount the room costs, but still! Fortunately, all 3 young men are flexible, reasonable, low-maintenance types who get along very comfortably. One is going to apply to be a Resident Assistant next year, a very much needed skill set. As you can see, there are many social and emotional skills needed, along with the academic skills your son demonstrates already on his transcript. These come through in a good essay, and don't even have to be written about directly. When they ask, as they often do, "What can you contribute to this campus?" think of some of these strengths, too. It's not all about winning competitions after he gets to campus. Think about helping to build community on his campus. Anothre generality: small LAC's often ask why you choose this college, so if your research is strong and he's identified some of their offerings that align with his interests, connect the dots for them. If he visited and enjoyed the mood of the campus through specific conversations, recount them. Be personal, in other words; don't only write about wanting to go their for the major. But this is really standard advice. Best wishes for your #3!</p>
<p>If you're visiting Reed, check out Lewis & Clark. More of an admissions safety and also gives merit $$ to some. Beautiful campus with interesting students, international focus and Portland on its doorstep.</p>
<p>I recommend Syracuse just because they have a great media program. Reed has an iconclastic atmosphere, I've heard, but I don't know about the opportunities for TV production, etc.</p>
<p>I think the unusual career choice of the OP's child will make up for the lack of leadership activities.</p>
<p>After reading so many excellent responses, I can see that I was quite inappropriately focused on the resume portion of his future app, thinking that it was going to be on the rather slim side. That realization, along with searching beyond the "usual suspects" of colleges, will probably be the best process, going forward.</p>
<p>collegealum: funny you should mention SU - my alma mater! It is indeed a wonderful school for communications. If he decides that the television/film thing is of a career interest rather than an avocation, then SU will be on the list, along with Chapman, Emerson, FSU (although I heard that FSU, a school of 35K undergraduates, accepts 30 kids in film???? Sheesh.)</p>
<p>Maybe he should look at schools that have solid media programs AND good offerings in liberal arts, so he could develop the choice along the way. Would you think that to be a difficult endeavor, since one seems more pre-professional and the other is academic? Do you think some kids could/would do dual majors or something similar?</p>
<p>Even though he wants an urban environment, I would encourage him to look at some LACs anyway. I, too, said I only wanted an urban environment one year ago and then here I am today....applied to 10 schools, only 1 of which is urban (and that's my safety, too). I just loved the liberal arts atmosphere too much to give up for a city.</p>
<p>Vassar and Sarah Lawerence are close enough to NYC to spend weekends there.</p>