<p>Well, I thought the college list was pretty much settled, but after another heart to heart talk with S, I realized that we are still searching for colleges.</p>
<p>S has decent stats....mostly As, 3 Bs and 1 C (upper division Latin at the college) at a rigorous public charter school. SAT is 2200. Musical. Decent list of ECs. His mid-year report might show 2 Cs (hopefully 2 Bs). His strength is in the social studies, especially writing/English.</p>
<p>He wants a school that has some diversity (we are Asian American)
He wants a school with not much of a frat influence
He wants a school with intermural softball/baseball
He doesn't want to go to a school in the southern states
He doesn't want to go to a school that is really small (i.e. under 1100 students)</p>
<p>Our EFC is $6,000 so we need to look at schools that are good with need/merit financial aid.</p>
<p>We are already applying to
Amherst
Pomona
Occidental
Redlands
UCs</p>
<p>Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I am doing the US News and World Report search right now...</p>
<p>Fresno Mom, Lawrence University. 11 % international, one of the top Lacs for Asians, (maybe because it has a music conservatory?) My son is dating a girl from Singapore! He loves it. Minor league baseball team in Appleton and baseball team on campus. Don't overlook this school. It is Northern! As a parent, I am a "happy camper." And my son, he loves it.</p>
<p>P.S.--93% of students on campus have financial or merit aid. They are well known for being generous and they are! I can't say enough....</p>
<p>1400 kids</p>
<p>P.S. I wanted him in CA and he wanted Wisconsin!</p>
<p>All below are great nominees, I think. And in these settings the role of fraternities is often very different from the stereotype so I think it can be important not to rule out a campus simply because frats exist. In LACs they often function more as as housing elements/service clubs with parties typically open to all on campus. I'm not really a proponent of them myself, but would hate to see a kid miss a great school simply because there were fraternities there. Maybe someone on CC could propose a way to gauge their degree of influence in the course of a visit. Since there certainly are non-Greek campuses with alcohol problems that variable alone won't do it..</p>
<p>It is difficult when you set certain criteria because sometimes it backfires. </p>
<p>For example, CCers recommended Grinnell, Kenyon, Denison and St. Olaf a few weeks ago......I think all of them could be a good fit for my son but if we went strictly with the US News and World Report, only Grinnell is a good match (in regards to diversity and no frats).</p>
<p>If anyone knows more about the above colleges, they can comment on greek life and diversity. I think S just wants to fit in (he doesn't necessarily need to be surrounded with Asians).</p>
<p>They have absolutely no greek life, about 2800 students, plenty of intramural sports, and plenty of diversity (not to mention a rich history in it).</p>
<p>Have a look at Brandeis, I don't know about softball/baseball there, but they are diverse in the sense that in addition to 55% Jewish students, there are pretty many Asians and a mixture of others as well. When we toured we met a roommate pair--Jewish girl from Maryland with roommate from China and our tour guide was a Dominican. Great school for social studies--and plenty of diversity in nearby Boston.</p>
<p>Might check out Holy Cross very good school 1 hour from Boston. Holy Cross offers merit aid in certain areas-Classics being one of them. Also HC recruits diversity and has very good alumni network.</p>
<p>Asians are well represented at most American colleges and I can't think of many at which an Asian would fail to fit in. Other LACs that may fit your son's criteria (with varying selectivity) are Hamilton, Bowdoin, Trinity, Haverford and Williams. These all have some degree overlap with Pomona and Amherst in ambience. Williams is especially good for both sports and music.</p>