<p>blackeyed susan, thanks again for the input. My D says that she will spend some time researching Rice closer after hearing what you have said.</p>
<p>I just thought of another - has she looked at Vassar? I think it might be just the atmosphere she's looking for (it's fairly similar to Chicago, but more artsy).</p>
<p>No she has not looked at Vassar. Thanks for the tip we will add it to the list.</p>
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She is pretty passionate about her studies and in most ways does not fit in with her group of friends at school, she actually enjoys reading and homework and learning in general
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<p>This describes me exactly in high school... I wasn't a misfit, but I wasn't a fit-- and I went to a competitive, professionally superdriven high school where I was far from top dog. I'm at Chicago, it was my first choice, and the best evidence I can give for absolutely loving this school is that I post on these forums.</p>
<p>I think Tarhunt brought up a solid list of schools that every person who likes Chicago should consider, but I would also like to add Rice (again), Johns Hopkins, Rochester, Bryn Mawr, Oberlin, WashU, Emory and Wellesley. Those schools are sort of all over the place, but Roch. and JHU have relationships with music conservatories (Eastman and Peabody, respectively), Bryn Mawr is a sister school to Haverford and Swarthmore, Oberlin has its own conservatory.</p>
<p>WashU and Emory might have a similar size and location dynamic to UChicago. They're attached to awesome, accessible cities and have a comfortable undergrad size.</p>
<p>For somebody interested in pursuing academics seriously, I think womens' colleges tend to be more appealing. The women that choose a womens' college willingly sacrifice an aspect of social life (i.e. men) to be in an environment that is nurturing to their academic selves. Though I never saw myself at a womens' college, I'd say half of my best female friends attend a womens' college and they love them.</p>
<p>I'm not so sure about Vassar. I like the place a lot and my sense is that the kids do tend to have a love of learning. On the other hand, there is little or no required curriculum, and that makes it very different from Chicago. Not better or worse, just different.</p>
<p>unalove,</p>
<p>You said "I wasn't a misfit, but I wasn't a fit..." that is exactly how my daughter would describe herself at school. Her school is not what I would call competitive. I know that they did send a kid to Yale a couple of years ago. She does takes the most rigorous course load available which is all honors and 2 AP's...she isn't advertising that she is self studying for 2 APs because she knows her friends would think she is nuts. </p>
<p>She is glad to hear of the schools that everyone has recommended and is hopeful that she will find other schools that fit and that she thinks she could be happy at.</p>
<p>Flutemom, I've sent you a PM with more information.</p>
<p>I would reccomend trying the college search engine with the college board. It asks really specific questions and generates a manageable list.</p>
<p>How about Georgetown University?</p>