@NolaCAR congrats on making a decision!
Agreed–congrats, @NolaCAR to you and your D!
I’d add Whitman to the list for the PNW. Perhaps not quite as liberal as some of the others but nicely balanced and really good art program. We were impressed overall by the arts focus at Ursinus as well, suburban location but easy enough do a city fix if you wanted one. She would qualify for nice merit there. Also a nicely balanced school, plenty of liberals but not too lopsided. I agree that the Jesuit schools are worth considering, im the PNW I’d look at Gonzaga and U of Portland (though that isn’t Jesuit). Seattle U is likely too urban.
My activist, environmental studies/policy kid with a desire to stay involved in music and theater (but also huniting merit money) has narrowed it to Western Washington University, University of Vermont and Ursinus. We should know in a few weeks who wins. UPS, while lovely, just didn’t have the right program.
I agree with the Evergreen assessment, as a local it’s definitely not for everyone. I’ll also note we were not impressed with the academics at Goucher, and I’ve a pretty mid stats kid so take that for what it’s worth.
We visited both DU and CU Boulder this weekend. She liked DU’s presentation which focused a lot on the social justice issues she is interested in but then she fell in love with UC Boulder. They have housing where you can live with others interested in social justice. The school is not as diverse as she would like racially but she said it will give her something else to work on improving. She really liked the art facilities there as well. I cant believe I am saying this in April of her junior year - but she may have found the one for her. She seems 100% sure and doesnt want to look anywhere else and fortunately we can afford the tutitiion. Wow
Keep things open though and insist on her applying to two affordable safeties and 2-3 more matches. Kids change a lot and what she loves now, she may not be as enthusiastic about come December (as impossible as it may seem to her right now).
Clementine7624- Check out University of Delaware: The University of Delaware is launching a new Biden Institute, a research and policy center focused on developing solutions to wide-ranging domestic policy issues.
Former Vice President Joe Biden will serve as founding chair of the institute, which will delve into many of Biden’s passions, including economic reform, environmental sustainability, civil rights, women’s rights, criminal justice and more.
I know that Boulder and Denver must be beautiful, but the east coast is where it is at if she is interested in politics/law/government/internships.
@MYOS1634 it does seem impossible given her enthusiasm but point well taken.
@harper8 Thanks. I will send to her but she is pretty committed to heading west - I think there will be enough to keep her interests alive.
Yet two Secretaries of State have degrees from U of Denver
Clementine: Best wishes! Great job looking early.
SUNY is good for justice socially, but not necessarily social justice .
congrats!
Revisiting this thread now that she is a senior. Once again trying to narrow down school choices. She loves Boulder but thinking she wants to explore some smaller schools and is also looking for somewhere with a little more racial diversity than Boulder if possible. Here are the latest criteria: no fewer than 2000 students, diverse and liberal student body, strong LGBTQ community, coed, in or near at least a decent size town or small city (not isolated or rural), not in the south. Good photo program a big plus. I am going to read back thru this chain and make a new list but thought I would see if this description brings forth some new ideas. Am thinking of doing a spur of the moment overnight trip next week as she has fall break on Thurs and Fri… Thanks!
Stats - 3.97 weighted, 3.8 unweighted
ACT - 31
co president GSA and STAND (activist club) and president and founder of Photography club
Wesleyan
Is she concerned mainly about the racial diversity of the school, the nearby area, or both?
If the nearby area is of concern, be aware that some diverse cities are highly segregated (e.g. Chicago). See https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-most-diverse-cities-are-often-the-most-segregated/ (list of cities at the bottom). Note that highly segregated cities are not limited to the south.
@ucbalumnus I think the school primarily. Her school is very diverse racially and she likes that.
It depends in part on why she seeks a strong gay community. If it is just for general diversity, most LACs will suffice. If she is trying to maximize her own dating opportunities and is uncertain about her sexual preferences, the largest schools will usually have the largest overall numbers of potential partners.
She may want to look at a consortium school for diversity. Bryn Mawr comes to mind, with the three college exchange and Philly so close.
I have a trans kid and I keep trying to add Bryn Mawr to his list and he keeps taking it off the list because he’s not a girl any more.