<p>I'm just a sophomore, but my friend is a junior currently looking at colleges. She loves everything about Carleton and Whitman except their locations--we're in eastern TN and she and her mom think it's too far away from any family. So, what schools have that similar unpretentious, intellectual but not too intense (e.g. Reed, Swarthmore? I don't know, this is her description.) vibe? They have relatives in Connecticut, so the northeast/mid-atlantic/south are all acceptable, as far as I know. I was thinking Davidson, but input from the more informed would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>Check out Oberlin and Kenyon, both in Ohio, for starters. Then Haverford ¶ and Wesleyan (CT).</p>
<p>Also check out Bowdoin, Bates and Colby.</p>
<p>^ Those are good LACs in Maine. How far north are you willing to go? Lewiston, ME (Bates) is farther away than Minneapolis from Knoxville TN.</p>
<p>Check out Davidson, Hendrix and Rhodes.</p>
<p>Trinity in Hartford,CT, Connecticut in New London, CT, Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.</p>
<p>Check out Hopkins and Loyola in MD, and Havorford, Swarthmore, Villanova and Franklin & Marshall in Eastern PA, or Pitt or Carnegie Mellon in W.Pa.</p>
<p>Parent here-</p>
<p>We have not been to Hendrix but I would say that Davidson and Rhodes are the total opposite of Whitman as far as the feel/vibe of the place. (We just revisited Walla Walla and Whitman earlier this week.) I doubt they have many cross applications.</p>
<p>Our kids really liked Davidson. (D applied and was accepted last year.) It is known for very rigorous academics/grade deflation. Couldn’t sell anyone on Whitman. Rhodes was nixed because of its Memphis locale. All great schools for the right student, but with the small size, fit is so important.</p>
<p>You have good suggestions in post #2 and #3.</p>
<p>Critter, I’m just really curious. I’ve been to Whitman but not to Davidson and Rhodes. Being a westerner, my son refused to look at anything perceived as “the south”, not that we know anything about the south mind you. How would you characterize the differences between Whitman and the other two?</p>
<p>I’m pretty confused about many of these suggestions. Davidson, Rhodes, Loyola, Villanova and Franklin and Marshall bear virtually no resemblance in personality to Carleton.</p>
<p>There really are no schools that are true East coast versions of Carleton. Closest approximation without offering an excessively “intense” academic experience? Probably would suggest looking at Haverford, Williams and Wesleyan. Think cousins, certainly not twins.</p>
<p>Try this list: [Colleges</a> That Change Lives | Changing Lives, One Student at a Time](<a href=“http://www.ctcl.org/]Colleges”>http://www.ctcl.org/)</p>
<p>ETA: At the home page, click “School Profiles” at the top, and then select the locator map or the specific region.</p>