Building a list of supportive schools for nice average kid

Parent Cafe
1

Heigh ho, parents forumites! I’m back, starting to build up a list for DNiece, a current high school junior.

San Diego CA area, public high school with decent reputation.

PSAT 1110, up about 100 points from 10th grade, no serious test prep/study yet. Academic only GPA 3.6 UW, 3.8 W for 9th-10th; overall GPA higher when performing arts/music courses included. College prep but not taking most rigorous coursework. Enrolled in English AP. Currently interested in becoming a veterinarian (she’s worked at vet offices). Extracurriculars mostly in vocal music and theater; an eager, committed, but not standout participant.

DN is looking for a smaller school (<7k undergrad) relatively near to home (within a 2 hour plane ride), no cold weather, collaborative rather than competitive. Small classes with helpful professors. Students who tend to do things on campus, but it should also be easy to go off campus to a nearby city or town. She would like to be able to continue with a choral performance group, and possibly join a sorority. However, she’s not a big partier. No particular interest in rah-rah or passionate politics.

Good support services (academic tutoring services and mental health support) are important. She may need access to a regular therapist, which should be possible in most college towns.

Not looking for need-based or merit aid, though of course it’s always nice. No cost restrictions. Yes, vet school is expensive, but fit for undergrad trumps that.

She is one of the sweetest people that I know, a conscientious student, but not (yet!) an assertive personality.

I’ve taken her to visit Chapman and Redlands. She liked both, especially Redlands. Redlands looks like a safety to me. Chapman it’s hard to tell because their stats are driven up by the competition for Dodge; I’m thinking that for a liberal arts major she’s a low match.

Where else would you suggest that she visit? I have on my list for her to consider (and for me to research more–already aware that some of these don’t fit all criteria like having a greek system):

Safety?
University of the Pacific
St. Mary’s College of California

Match?
Loyola Marymount (Los Angeles)
University of Puget Sound
University of San Diego (will definitely visit)

Reach?
Lewis and Clark
Santa Clara University

Random possibilities (relatively nearby other visits, so check 'em out just because)
Occidental (reach, possibly too academic for her)
Mills (if Scripps appeals, see below–but suspect she will not like Oakland location)
Pitzer (D2 attends, so easy for DN to do a visit)
Scripps (while at Pitzer, see if single sex appeals; reach otherwise)
University of San Francisco (suspect she will not like urban location)

We’re also looking at possible fits among the Cal States, maybe also at Merced or Riverside. I do think she’ll do better at a private school.

As always, insight, suggestions, and errors in my assumptions are much desired. One caveat: I do not have in-depth insight into details of how students at her high school fare in admissions, and it’s not easy for me to get that kind of information.

OK, have at it!

2

Smaller UCs and CSUs include UCM, CSUCI, CSUMB, HSU, CSUB, CSUStan, SSU.

What kind of cost constraints does she have, and have net price calculators been run?

For class sizes, see if on-line class schedules list them (or if you can infer the sizes based on number of lab and discussion sections attached to the main lecture).

3

Have you looked at Whittier? I know a young woman there who sounds a great deal like your daughter in terms of disposition, and it has been a great fit. I can’t speak for their pre vet programs; I only know it’s ridiculously difficult to get into vet school period.

4

I would suggest looking at Wilammette in OR and Gonzaga in WA.

5

I’m glad she likes Redlands. I recommend it; my older daughter, with similar stats, went there and loved it.

6

Did you try the College Super Match function on the homepage of this website?

Also try:
Colleges That Change Lives
http://ctcl.org

A number of CTCL have already been suggested by earlier posters.

7

While looking into CA publics, consider UCSC. Although it is larger than she desires, the university is organized into colleges which create a smaller feeling within the larger campus.

Upper division classes are small and professors are accessible and helpful. Weather is fantastic and the campus is gorgeous. It is easy to get to town. There are a few sororities, but Greek life is not very prominent.

8

If she would be willing to travel further, she might like Delaware Valley University near Philadelphia. http://www.delval.edu/ Del Val resembles an LAC, but has a very strong School of Ag and Environmental Sciences, and a good reputation for getting students into Vet school.

9

Definitely look at Willamette in Oregon and University of Puget Sound. They sound like great fits for her. I know St Mary’s grads who had great experiences, and I was impressed with class offerings and campus. It is in a residential neighborhood with not much going on around it; however, supposedly there is a way to get to San Francisco from campus. I also recommend UCSC. I know many grads and current students and everyone loves it. All of the grads made it out in 4 years and enjoyed their years there. Santa Clara U is a beautiful school that is well regarded. She should look at it closely. Lots of good options if paying private tuition isn’t prohibitive.

10

Thanks for the comments so far. A few clarifications: this is my niece, not daughter. The family is fully aware of costs for both undergraduate and possible graduate school and is not looking for need-based or merit money (though the latter is always welcome). She is not willing to travel further, especially going somewhere with cold weather.

I’ll take a look at Willamette and Whittier. Dunno about Gonzaga; we’re a Jewish family and I’ve always thought of Gonzaga as a more Christian-oriented school.

I’ve been unimpressed with CC’s Supermatch. I did try running it for her a few months back, and came up with far too many false positives.

For publics for her, I’m still not seeing anything that looks like a good fit. Smaller upper division classes are great, but with great big lower division courses and lack of personal attention I fear she’ll be lost. She is not someone who is a strong self-advocate, and there have been some mental health issues, which can be a bad combination in larger, more impersonal settings.

11

Gonzaga is Catholic but so are St. Mary’s, U San Diego, Loyola Marymount, U San Francisco, Santa Clara. Students of any religion (or no religion) are welcome, but there are required religion classes and activities. Most students feel included and enjoy the courses and activities, but I’m sure some don’t.

When I read OP, I thought U San Diego. Right size, location, nice kids, Greek life but not overpowering. My niece attended and liked everything about it. The Oregon/Washington and even the SF schools are not going to have perfect weather all the time. It does snow (and ice over) in the pacific northwest.

12

I only mentioned Gonzaga (Jesuit) because you mentioned U San Diego so I thought religious colleges were ok for your niece. I can understand not wanting a religious school (that was a big deal breaker for my D and she did not consider any of them), but I will let you know that friends who have visited those two and LMU all said that USD felt much more religious than the other two.

13

USD is religious, and it has a great big cathedral on campus to remind you if you forget. Still, very beautiful and the kids are nice.

14

University of Denver. Check it out.

15

This might be helpful: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/students/admissions/ClassOf2020Statistics.cfm

16

Another vote for Willamette (and don’t forget, it rhymes with “dammit”!). A sweet campus sandwiched between the Capitol and a great teaching hospital. Many students work/intern at both.

17

I would have her look into Whitman College in Walla Walla. If she wants a small school environment with excellent academics, an intellectual and outdoorsy (very down to earth) vibe it could be right up her ally. They have Greek life but from all I read and hear it is very mellow and inclusive. Whitman went test optional this year so if her test scores don’t improve she doesn’t have to submit. Finally, Whitman is need aware- if her transcript is otherwise in their wheelhouse being full pay could help with admissions. It is one of the CTCL schools.

Walla Walla is a nice size college town, strong tourist destination downtown, has lovely shops/restaurants and a healthy regional wine industry. There is an airport which is a huge plus since it is truly regionally isolated- 4 hours to Portland and 5 to Seattle. It’s a school my own D18 is considering, she really liked it when we visited this past summer.

18

I sent you a PM.

19

Thanks all!

I hadn’t thought about USD as being a religious school, so thanks for the heads-up. DN can tour and see what she thinks for it locally. I’ll go in and take a close look at the religious requirement classes to see specifics for the other Catholic schools on the initial list.

The vibe of Whitman sounds lovely…but I’m concerned about the length of time it takes to get to the campus, even flying. There are (no surprise) no direct flights, so it’s about 6-7 hours transit time.

U Denver doesn’t work because of the weather issue, unfortunately. Otherwise I’d be pushing it hard.

Grateful, as always, for any and all suggestions!

20

Whitman is a wonderful college and it’s worth considering, despite the travel issues. Glad I could help in regards to USD, which is definitely worth visiting since it’s not so far from home.