<p>Reed. Because Reed would be a good fit, and because Portland has Powell's bookstore.</p>
<p>Just a note -and I'm sure you've heard it before - your kid sounds great, but make sure you find a surefirebet school that he likes and that he will definitely be accepted to, then shoot for the stars.</p>
<p>I think all the schools mentioned would be wonderful...your son sounds great!</p>
<p>Anyway, I just wanted to say that for someone interested in philosphy, history and language, he should defenitly check out the interdisaplinary College of Letters at Wesleyan: <a href="http://www.wesleyan.edu/col/%5B/url%5D">http://www.wesleyan.edu/col/</a> (it doesn't mention it in the discription there, but being proficiant in at least one launguge is also part of the program: all COL student go abroad second semster sophmore year). Very cool and intellectual program...lots of seminars, and they aren't graded on papers and such (though they get lots of comments) until comps at the end of sophmore (and/or junior, I'm not sure), year. I know people who really love it.</p>
<p>Thanks--that sounds interesting. We'll check it out.</p>
<p>A random anecdote regarding Chicago and Philosophy -- We visited three colleges over break, and it was interesting how my daughter's interests seemed to shift depending on which school we were visiting. Her interests have been for awhile, languages and science. At Kalamazoo, she was intensely interested in going abroad and figuring out how to double major in science and a language, probably because the school is very focused on the abroad experience. In Wooster, she seemed focused on molecular biology and religion (don't know why religion, but the head of the dept. must have impressed her). So we visit Chicago and suddenly she's asking, "So, do you think I could get a master's in Philosophy?" I'm thinking, well, I suppose so, but why the sudden interest? Must be something in the air at Chicago. The interest seemed to abate after we left campus!</p>
<p>If your son wants a musical environment at a school with strong academic programs and which gives merit aid and has never had a fraternity culture, he could also consider Oberlin, though it is rural.</p>
<p>Your description, minus the sports, sounded very much like my oldest, who graduated from UPenn two years ago. He started as a PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics interdisciplinary major), but decided he wanted to get deeper into Economics. He minored in German. (He took both German and Latin in HS). UPenn was his first choice; he felt his "fit" the moment he stepped on campus, and never doubted. (We, his silly parents, doubted. We didn't think we could afford it. We were afraid of Philly. We didn't like the urban setting.....)</p>
<p>Penn gave him grants for all his financial need, which is what made it possible for us. He also applied, and was accepted, to UVA (I saw you mentioned this as a possibility), Cornell, and two in-state. He was waitlisted at Duke - which your S might like very much. The state school (UGA) gave him lots of money. I think Cornell gave him $500 and UVA $200! </p>
<p>This was our first child to go through the process, long before our CC time, and we were flying by the seat of our pants. Knowing what I know now, I probably would have tried to get him to look at more schools - more merit money, etc. - the ones he chose were from his own research except the in-state ones. But when I ask him if he thinks he should have done it differently he is still adamant that UPenn was the right place for him. </p>
<p>Good luck in your search, and I hope you can find a place your S likes as much.</p>
<p>One last thought - look at Emory. They are generous with aid for those with need.</p>
<p>I thought of William and Mary too - don't be put off by it being in Virginia - it is not a "southern" school. Most of my friends there were from above the Mason/Dixon line. I had many friends there who sound a lot like your son.</p>
<p>Hi Consolation,
I'll put in another vote for Swarthmore. My S is a senior at Swat and your "truly an intellectual" quote, also fits my kid to a "t." Spent 6 summers at CTY, musical, mathematical, all-around student. Went into Swat thinking he would be a History major, switched to Poli. Sci. major with a history minor, and will attend U. Chicago starting this fall beginning his quest for a Ph.D. in poli. sci. He also liked Amherst. Enjoy your hunt!</p>
<p>I would put in another vote for Oberlin. It is in a small town, but students can get to Cleveland pretty easily. As stated above, no frats, lots of music opportunities. Religion not an issue. Excellent school with merit aid. And I think they are often looking for athletes. I don't think sports are all that big but that means that he can participate pretty much in whatever he wants.</p>
<p>Stanford University</p>
<p>I see why so many people say Chicago and I'd agree. I could see him there more than Reed. Neither Reed or UC do the athletic thing much though, so if he wants to do sports and would consider going to the West, he might look at Whitman because he could have a good shot at merit money there--and they do a nice balance of athletics/outdoorsy but collaborative and challenging and some great abroad opportunities and some fine scholarship opportunities when kids have need. Any way, just one more for the list. He'll have some great choices I'm sure.</p>
<p>Although the financial aid would probably be more of an issue, the Honors programs at some of the top public U's can challenge and be an excellent choice for students like ours...</p>
<p>What about Deep Springs?</p>
<p>Notre Dame's Program of Liberal Studies.Davidson's humanities program.It might be in the South,but the students and sports are very serious.</p>
<p>Re money for study abroad, some schools will give the same aid for Junior year abroad as if you stayed at the school that year. My Natl Merit D did not accept this offer, but her potential full ride at State U Honors would have included study abroad. A great deal!</p>
<p>To the OP-- make sure you've run through a finaid calculator before concluding you'll get lots of aid. The posters people here are mentioning had flukey things with their finances (Evil Robot's parents were self-employed as I recall; don't remember Curmudgeon's situation). If you've got a plain vanilla, two paychecks, mortgage, decent cost of living area, the aid calculators will be very close to what you can expect from Yale, Princeton, etc. You can then decide if you can afford your piece of it or not. If you've got something quirky in your finances (lots of cash you inherited which is in T-bills even though your income is relatively low; a home-based business with some complicated write-offs; etc.) you may want to add a bunch of merit schools to the mix just to make sure you can actually afford your options once next year rolls around.</p>
<p>However, I don't know anyone with a simple tax return who didn't get a pretty accurate picture from the online calculators.... in a few cases, Princeton turned out to be more generous than their aid calculator had predicted, but that's always a nice surprise, no????</p>
<p>Your kid sounds great; he really can't go wrong.</p>
<p>W&M/Davidson would be good matches</p>
<p>There are a few people at Oberlin who read Dostoyevsky for pleasure too. I know at least one, and I haven't even visited / met anyone off the internet. And there's all the music in Oberlin :), even for non-Conservatory of music students, and you said he plays music.</p>