My DD is looking at potentially transferring for sophomore year. She has realized that she has no interest in taking classes solely for the purpose of fulfilling core requirements. Her current school is Jesuit and has a rather long list of requirements. (I know the arguments of why this can be a great thing but ignore that for purposes of this post). So looking for schools that really let students pick the majority of classes they take from the beginning.
Other factors:
She would like to be in or near a mid or large size city
would like school to with strong arts program
would like a school where most classes are small and discussion based
liberal and LGBT friendly.
She got. 3.85 her first semester. Hs GPA 3.9. ACT 31
Thank you for any ideas. She currently is applying to Eugene Lang (New School) which is the only school we have found that meets all her requirements. Looking for two more to apply to as she has never visited Lang and who knows if she will get in or if she does, if she will like it.
Sarah Lawrence has extensive arts offerings (although offerings in many other areas are limited), but limits students to half of the total course work in arts to count toward the degree (other areas of humanities, social science, and natural science are limited to two thirds of the total course work toward the degree, and at least one twelfth of the degree must be in each of three of the four areas): https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/undergraduate/areas-of-study/ https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/media/student-life/pdf/SLC-Student-Handbook.pdf
But it is expensive.
There is also Evergreen State, which is completely open curriculum, and has visual arts and performing arts offerings: https://www.evergreen.edu/catalog/index
But it may be expensive for non-Washington residents.
Definitely check out the list above. My DD is applying to Smith, which seems to meet all your criteria, except perhaps the urbanish location. However, Northampton, while not huge, is a very vibrant town and may be worth a visit (real or virtual). DD recently went to an applicant event and came home pretty excited about the idea of an open curriculum, so it is something they really sell about the school. Good luck!
@ucbalumnus state of residency is Georgia. She is currently at school in California. I would like her a little closer to home if possible. Does not want to be in the south. No cost restraints thought she currently gets good merit at her school and it will hurt if she doesn’t but it’s not a must. She is looking at Sarah Lawrence but at least on paper - isn’t sure about it.
@iwantalltheinfo - have been trying to get her to look at all women’s colleges but she is currently opposed. However - given all her criteria - seems like something she should consider!
Just as an FYI, Smith is a member of the Five College Consortium, with Amherst, U Mass Amherst, Hampshire, and Mount Holyoke. Students can take classes and take advantage of opportunities at the other schools. I agree Northampton is a great college town, and campus is immediately adjacent.
Maybe also Emerson in Boston, although I don’t know about academic requirements there.
VCU in Richmond is another one. VCU Arts is considered one of the top arts programs in the country. Richmond (RVA) is now a great city for students and young professionals. Again, not sure about academic requirements, especially wrt to the arts program.
Not sure if Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota meets all of your requirements, but it is worth investigating as it is very liberal, offers small discussion based classes & is in a major metropolitan area (Minneapolis & St. Paul).