<p>'Socially conservative' can be a place like Earlham that is politically liberal...</p>
<p>My D who is very socially conservative (not big partier, not sexually promiscuous, etc) but politically liberal is at a "liberal" LAC-- one with a nice "live & let live" attitude. My D is very comfortable in her liberal school.</p>
<p>An example is Smith: gay friendly & politically liberal but very comfortable for non-drinkers and conservative kids so long as they are accepting of others' lifestyles.</p>
<p>If you are looking for socially conservative/politically left-leaning- I'd also suggest St. Olaf (MN)- it made the "stone cold sober" list for Princeton Review, but has a slightly liberal political environment. (A Lutheran school- but it doesn't seem in-your-face about it).</p>
<p>It's important to keep in mind with a lot of the schools being listed, is that it really isn't accurate to call them conservative. The best you can say is that they are less liberal than typical colleges.</p>
<p>Colleges are going to tend to be liberal, it's just how it is. However, a lot of the choices listed here are good places where it won't be quite as overtly liberal( and a few are perhaps truly conservative).</p>
<p>Most colleges in America are politically liberal, some more so than others. Tolerance toward diversity is also a given at most colleges. Usually this just means that kids who are different from the majority either more mainstream or more unorthodox are accepted. </p>
<p>Social liberalness/conservatism is more difficult to gauge because you often get trade offs, especially at small liberal arts colleges which have distinctive personalities, e.g., more drinking/less drugs or less drinking/more drugs. Same goes for heavy Greek scenes and atmospheres that are known to be gay/lesbian/trans friendly or have a radical feminist bent Depending on your point of view either or neither could be acceptable for a "social conservative." Large colleges just because of their critical mass often offer more social diversity, i.e., you can find just about everything at a big state school.</p>
<p>So it's a complicated question. Maybe you'd do better if you described what your daughter is looking for in a college -- large/small/medium, urban/suburban/rural, Greek/no Greek, sports focus, arts focus etc. Or put another way, what type of environment would your daughter like to avoid?</p>
<p>I guess by 'socially conservative' I meant that they want to do more than 'party'. My daughter has no interest at all in drinking or drugs. She's a Democrat, if that helps any :) And very tolerant and accepting of gays and lesbians (probably because one of her cousins is a lesbian and has been 'out to the family' for almost all of my daughter's life).</p>
<p>My daughter's into volunteering and intermural sports and is looking for a friendly college. (Which is what drew her to James Madison -- one of the friendliest college campuses I've ever been on).</p>
<p>As far as majors, she's narrowed it down to two main areas: either something in the field of Biology (likely pre-med) or something working with handicapped children (her big area of volunteering, and two of her younger siblings have autism).</p>
<p>She says she wants a big college (mainly because she wants to have lots of friends and activities -- my daughter hates to be bored), but..she's been homeschooled since Kindergarten and I'm not sure understands exactly how big a college like Virginia Tech, for example, really is. </p>
<p>I so appreciate the advice and, maybe now that you know a little more about my daughter, the choices can be narrowed down a little.</p>
<p>OH! And she's leaning toward schools in Virginia and further south (some already on her list are James Madison, UVA, William & Mary, Mary Washington, Virginia Tech, Auburn, and Clemson)</p>
<p>We did some reading about Davidson and Furman last night and they sound very appealing! Any thoughts on Elon?</p>
<p>Strangely...a lot of more conservative VA schools (Washington and Lee, Richmond, UVA) also have ridiculous amounts of drinking and greek life. So if that isn't your D's thing, she's probably out of luck.</p>
<p>I know George Mason's Law and Econ departments are quite conservative politically, but I don't know about undergrad as a whole.</p>
<p>Oh...just read your last post. I'm in the same boat as your D completely. I'm a Democrat. I'm REALLY not much into the whole drinking and drugs scene (in that I want NO part in it). I'm looking for the same thing.</p>
<p>William and Mary might be worth checking out, though drinking is becoming more of a problem there. Also, if your D is into politics, she should check out American. I hear that there is lots to do there if you don't drink.</p>
<p>St. Olaf sounds perfect for her. I am a homeschooler, as well, and I applied there and was accepted. </p>
<p>I visited the school in the fall. The students didn't seem to be leaning too far to the left, and it is large for a college (4,000 students or so). And Carleton is right across town, so students abound in Northfield. St. Olaf also has one of the best biology depts. in the country, something that was very appealing to me, (as is their mathematics dept.). </p>
<p>When I visited St. Olaf, I stayed in a student's dorm. She ended up having been homeschooled and was majoring in one of my main interests, which was quite a coincedence. I ran into another homeschooler the next day, as well. </p>
<p>To me at least, St. Olaf seems like a good fit for your daughter. Of course, the college visits are crucial and make or break schools for prospective students, as they did for me. As much as I suggest you look into St. Olaf, the visit, and your daughter's impression of the school, are what counts.</p>
<p>I wouldn't count on Colgate being very "conservative", either politically or socially. And reading the initial question, I don't think UVA would fit the bill either. Colgate and UVA are two very social schools.</p>
<p>Furman sounds like a good fit. Check out the trip review of it on the Parents Board. I think it is both politically and socially conservative, but I do not think a dem would have trouble fitting in.</p>
<p>Others to consider: Austin College in Sherman, TX. Trinity U in San Antonio, Hendrix in AK, Centre in KY, Scripps in CA (women's)</p>