<p>It seems that several liberal arts colleges are losing interest in fine arts, art history and literature majors, in favor of science or business majors. Any thoughts on this, or suggestions of schools that are committed to maintaining strong arts and lit. programs?</p>
<p>Jg, No, I havent got that impression at all. What schools are you looking at? Williams, for one, has just built a $50 million performing arts center for theater and dance. They have one of the worlds foremost art history programs and three world-class museums. The music and studio art departments are well respected and well funded. There are many opportunities for performance, even for non-majors, and the kids like to attend their friends shows. The career placement office runs art-focused weekends in New York for students to network with alums in architecture, advertising, museum work, theater, etc. </p>
<p>Although the school continues to support its athletes, artsy types get equal emphasis. They are definitely recruiting and admitting kids with arts backgrounds. For the class of 2009 106 are accomplished musicians, artists, actors or writers, and 151 are talented athletes.</p>
<p>Obviously, Williams is the school I'm most familiar with, but I could say that you'd find the same commitment to the arts at Wesleyan, Hamilton, Skidmore, Smith, Bryn Mawr, Vassar, Kenyon and many other LACs.</p>
<p>No, not the least bit, even schools leaning towards business and government, like American are investing $17 million into a new center for the arts. At many schools, the arts are getting the best upgrades, sort of like the previous trend and growing of LACs building strong hard science programs.</p>
<p>Look to such schools with a solid tradition in the fine arts & literature: Swarthmore, Williams, Grinnell, Davidson (outstanding museum & facilities, BTW), Vassar, Pitzer, Kenyon, Oberlin, Wesleyan, Wellesley and Bowdoin. Other strong schools with revitalized programs include Bucknell, Middlebury, Colgate, Carleton, Colby, Dickinson, Hamilton, Macalester, Lafayette, Trinity and Holy Cross.</p>
<p>Thanks all, for your responses. It was very encouraging. In part, I was reacting to something I had read about Oberlin looking to recruit more athletes in an aim to attract a more conventional applicant. Re: Williams, my daughter's GC told us that Williams comes to their school (very competitive NE private school) and just picks out top athlete/scholars. This was pretty discouraging, I will definitely take a closer look at Williams. Also, thanks for all the college suggestions. My daughter is looking at Bard, Bates, Haverford, Oberlin, NYU, Pitzer, Skidmore. We just got back from visiting Colby, my daughter is really looking for a more diverse environment. Her favorites so far: Haverford and Oberlin.</p>
<p>Even if Oberlin recruited a few "regular athletes," it's wouldn't do too much to get the entire school away from the arts. Williams loves the intelligent athletes, but also, to a slightly lesser extent, the incredible artists. Best of luck.</p>