My D is looking for a college environment that is cooperative and collaborative, not super competitive. She wants a socially and emotionally safe an environment as possible. She seeks a socially cohesive (i.e. not too cliquey) student body.
Here are the schools she has applied to: Willamette, Puget Sound, Whitman, St. Mary’s (CA), Grinnell, Knox, Beloit, Ohio Wesleyan, College of Wooster, Kenyon, Sarah Lawrence, Wheaton (MA), Goucher, Drew, and Juniata. (We cast a wide net looking for merit money.) Any insights GREATLY APPRECIATED!
By emotionally safe- are there particular medical or psychiatric issues you are concerned about?
Based on kids I know and the schools they’ve attended, I think that Beloit, Wheaton, Goucher, Drew and Juniata fit the “not super competitive” vibe. Don’t know enough about the others to comment.
But are there specific things you need or are trying to avoid? Diversity an issue? Trying to be on a dry/substance free campus? Not sure the question you are asking, or the academic goals your D is trying to achieve.
I’m just going to throw this out there because when D attended the accepted students weekend, the school brought it up. Oregon legalized marijuana, so Willamette had to rework a little its policy on it (similar to alcohol). Not a deal breaker for D or me (then again, she didn’t choose to go - it was the food) but it may be a factor for others.
I’d argue you’ll find marijuana at 98% of colleges regardless of state legalization or not. It is fairly easy to buy anywhere and there is little stigma to smoking it amongst that age group - hence why its bound to become legalized nationwide at some point - similar to the younger generation’s attitudes about gay marriage. States like WA and CO with legalized marijuana have 21+ laws anyway just like alcohol. It’s just not an issue to most students. Just like alcohol, if they want it they can find it regardless of laws.
I’m not familiar with all the school on OP’s list but at Whitman and Grinnell I think you’d find the student body smart and academically focused but collaborative rather than competitive.
I’m not saying pot will be more or less prevalent at Willamette, just the way they handle may be different because it is legal. Give me a little credit, I’m not that dumb. Like I said, the school brought it up (not me)
I think you’ve identified a bunch of great schools that would meet the description of what you’re looking for. About the only thing I have to offer is that I think the academic load at the schools on your list probably varies quite a bit. I get the impression the kids at Grinnell and Whitman work particularly hard, and Kenyon’s going to be filled with a lot of very hard working high achievers as well. Grinnell even makes Princeton Review’s top 20 “Students Study the Most” list. That isn’t to say that the environment at any of those places is competitive or cutthroat, on the contrary in fact. Just something to consider. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a really top-notch academic experience, those are probably your top three, so I guess I think those things walk hand in hand.
We’ve visited Knox and Wooster several times (as well as Kenyon and Grinnell), and I think both Knox and Wooster are very special places. Knox seems like an especially warm, caring environment, the students range from quirky (man in skirt) to jock-y, but all seemed comfortable together on campus. The faculty and administration we met with at Knox were extremely engaged and supportive of the students. I would have been very comfortable sending my student there. Wooster is also a neat place, though larger student body than a number of those schools. Also a neat community, wide range of kids.
Wow. I appreciate all the thoughtful comments from everyone. Let me answer a couple of questions. Pot is not an issue, nor alcohol. Of course, it will be everywhere. “Socially and emotionally safe” means the school admin. fosters an environment that accepts differences, encourages people speaking up honestly and respectfully, and encourages students taking healthy risks. It would be the opposite of traditional Greek life that encourages conformity (no disrespect to the great Frats and Sororities out there) and am administration that empowers students and faculty. And yes, students who are WARM and CARING, where deep personal connection is a big part of the college experience, not partying and getting into med school. As for academic rigor, my D is very capable but doesn’t want to spend her hours burning the midnight oil in an ivory tower. She is more a “doer” than a “thinker”, and loves theatre, community service, student leadership, etc.