S is a senior, who wants to major in History/Linguistics and go into law or academia, possibly writing historical fiction. He is trying to decide between Colgate, W&M, Bates and U Delaware (where he was invited to join the Honors College, the World Scholars program, and has a large scholarship). We’re full pay, but that doesn’t mean money is no object. He’s waiting to hear from Brown, which I assume will be a rejection, based on the other rejections he has received so far.
The kid is pretty nerdy and shy, and truly passionate about learning and activism. He will do well academically wherever he lands, IMO. He has been bullied, but he does have a few fiercely loving, fun, long-term friendships.
I have some ideas about pros and cons of all of his choices, but I would love to hear your thoughts, particularly about social atmosphere and community. Obviously a community is what you make of it, on some level, but I’d like him to have a leg up by entering a place known for acceptance of quirkiness.
If it were me, I would say Bates or U Del. Bates is an open, inclusive community, no greek life. Honors and other perks at Delaware would create a community of his “peeps.”
Both Colgate and W&L have greek life and, while greek life can be great for the kid who finds their “peeps” in a chapter, it can be alienating for kids who want to find their social home but don’t. I am not anti-greek, as one of my kids found his home in greek life, and it was a fabulous experience for him. But I can see the lines being drawn between greek and non-greek, and among greek chapters, as being uncomfortable for a quirky kid who has been bullied. I do not know what Colgate’s greek life is like, but we do know W&L grads and it does not seem like a top choice for a comfortable home for quirky/bullied. That doesn’t mean a kid can’t have a wonderful experience at either Colgate or W&L, but for someone who perhaps has struggled with acceptance in the past, I’d recommend the LAC without greek life.
Colgate alum here. It is a beautiful campus. The school’s history department is top notch. Even though the school has greek life, but because it is fairly small and isolated the students are fairly tight. It has a very strong alumni network, especially in the NE. Not to generalize too much…Colgate students tend to be more jockey, many students participate in intramural sports. They have great study abroad programs run by their own professors. My kids didn’t end up there because they thought it was too small.
My quirky nerd has found her place at Bates. They are very accepting and want students to try things they have never done before. High school life was very difficult for her but Bates life is good No greek life just means they all party together. It is totally up to the student whether or not to participate. There are always on campus activities scheduled and every student is automatically part of the outdoors club. She has loved her Bates experience.
Good luck!
In terms of feel, U Del is its own category because it’s so much bigger. If he were my child, I’d go for the smaller environment of the LAC. You are obviously concerned he may not form a tight group, because you mentioned the bullying. I think it’s in some ways harder for a kid to find his niche in a big school, but others will say you can make a big school feel small.
I may not be correct here, but in order of most conservative to least, I think it’s Colgate, W&M, then Bates. Does that matter to him? Bates was named one of the Top 20 Impact Schools by Princeton Review, so if he wants to make a difference,it’s a good choice. Lots of volunterring and a real spirit of inclusion.
He needs to look at the Linguistics department at each school. Available courses could vary widely. There are different subfields in that field as well- which one appeals most to him. My flagship (UW-Madison) math major son took a linguistics course that was cross listed in that department and Anthropology, for example. Some well known colleges don’t even have the major.
There are financial considerations, distance from home, the academic experiences available and the overall college feel. He needs to look at the classes he could take.
Thanks for all the advice. Very helpful. Looking at linguistics departments is a great idea. He is only just now getting into linguistics, but he’s fascinated by it. He’s liberal, for sure. The net costs are anywhere from $25K to $72K.
Net costs- but what is the financial impact on the family? Straining the budget for school X instead of Y is not a good thing. You DO NOT raid your pension plans to pay for college either.
How many of us would have ended up doing something different than we did if we had known about a field?
College is so different than HS. He will find like minded people who also chose the same school. There will be people like him who share his passions. Good to be sure a school has the courses.
William and Mary is known for the strength of its history department and is also a great place for pre law studies as it benefits from its own law school. Known for a quirky, intellectual vibe with a touch of nerd thrown in. Your S has excellent choices. Good luck!
No greek life just means they all party together. It is totally up to the student whether or not to participate. There are always on campus activities scheduled and every student is automatically part of the outdoors club. She has loved her Bates experience.