best schools in midwest?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>i wanna do economics with some political science and history, so which school would be good for that in the mid west? i know of the big ones like uchicago, u of illinois and such, but what are some good LACs like carelton college?</p>

2

<p>Good LACs:
Beloit- Freaking Amazing school that is very underated. One of the nicest student bodies I have ever known.
Grinnell- Very work hard, intellectual atmosphere, similar to UChicago. Very writing intensive.
Knox- Similar to Beloit except a more mainstream student body (less quirky)
Lawrence- Great Schools similar to Beloit and Knox
Macalester- Similar to Grinnell, one of the most politically active student bodies in the US
Oberlin- Very good LAC, pretty well known compared to most on this list
Kenyon- Small, very communal college, with great writing program
Carleton- You already know this one</p>

<p>Good Universities:
UChicago
Northwestern
WashU
Michigan
Notre Dame</p>

3

<p>Does anyone have knowledge of Kalamazoo College?</p>

4

<p>Kalamazoo is a great college I forgot to mention. However it is important for fit. It has a great study abroad program and has good internship opportunities. It is known for the unique K-Plan</p>

5

<p>nyfa-my S is a freshman at Kalamazoo and I have nothing but positive things to say about that school. I have become quite fascinated with the place and could try to answer any questions. </p>

<p>It is very small, and most of the junior class is gone for most (if not all of the year) for study abroad. My S is thriving there and it was the perfect school for him.</p>

6

<p>Our older son is a sophomore at Kalamazoo who has just elected to double major in poli sci and history. He loves it, and as his parents we have been very impressed with the college. It is a rigorous school that requires its students to work hard and write (a lot!). Its quarter system keeps things moving fast. The faculty is very available to the students. Despite the intellectual rigor, however, it seems like the kids genuinely enjoy their college experience and find plenty to do socially. As someone said above, you have to find the college that fits you, but from what I can tell Kalamazoo is a place that most kids who are serious students but also well rounded people would find very comfortable. (Assuming they are not looking for the “80 proof” college experience of big football games, frats and sororities, etc.) </p>

<p>Kalamazoo also has very nice physical facilities for a LAC of its size, in my opinion, and the campus is quite attractive. As noted above it has a great study abroad program, too. Our son was just accepted to a program in Strasbourg, home to the European parliament. It should be a great experience for a history/poli sci type.</p>

7

<p>UNIVERSITIES:
Carnegie Mellon University
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Notre Dame
Washington University</p>

<p>Honorable mention:
Case Western Reserve University
Indiana University-Bloomington
Michigan State University
University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign
University of Iowa
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
University of Wisconsin-Madison</p>

<p>LACS
Carleton College
Grinnell College
Macalester College
Oberlin College</p>

<p>Honorable Mention:
Beloit College
Denison University
Kalamazoo College
Knox College
Lawrence University
Wabash College
Wheaton College</p>

8

<p>any other good LACs in illinois?</p>

9

<p>Lake Forest</p>

10

<p>Good LACs in Illinois:</p>

<p>Knox
Illinois Wesleyan
Lake Forest
Monmouth</p>

11

<p>Isn’t Wheaton also in Illinois?</p>

12

<p>Yes, Wheaton is in Illinois…my top 3 LAC’s in Illinois would be Knox, Illinois Wesleyan, and Wheaton.</p>

13

<p>K-zoo is a pretty cool place and the school has a great reputation in Michigan, but most people outside of the area won’t know anything about it. I suppose thats the problem with most small schools though</p>

14

<p>Universities to look at within the mid-west:</p>

<p>Michigan State University
University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
University of Wisconsin- Madison
University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
Purdue University
Ohio State University- Columbus
University of Iowa
University of Chicago
Washington University</p>

15

<p>UW Madison has solid programs in Pol Sci and Economics.</p>

16

<p>The elite 5: Chicago, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Michigan, WUSTL</p>

17

<p>Anyone know much about the University of Dayton?</p>

18

<p>Good Catholic school with a good basketball team. We get interns from there.</p>

19

<p>Looking at posts 7, 11, and 12, I ask, Midwestern Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois?</p>

<p>small excerpt from a longer article about the Illinois Wheaton College:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>The OP is looking for LACs. Alexandre, could you possibly have been thinking about Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts? What makes Wheaton College of Wheaton, IL, better than, say, Kenyon? </p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I am not familiar with Knox but Illinois Wesleyan and Wheaton of Wheaton, Illinois, have very, very different feels to them. I’m surprised to see them on the same list of an Illinois student.</p>

20

<p>We were listing good LACs in the Midwest. If the OP had asked for political and socially liberal schools, I would certainly have left it out. However, the OP was just asking for academic quality, and Wheaton (IL) qualifies.</p>