<p>D is an average student (B grades - but improving; PSAT 163). She describes herself as "indie" (I'd say quirky hipster) - - but not artsy, and is very committed to community service. She has played sports throughout hs (competitive travel leagues), but does not consider herself to be an athlete; she's not thinking much about diversity (D is black), but that's b/c she has always been in diverse environments (Quaker school) and has always had a very diverse group of friends (rich/poor, gay/straight, all races, etc.). </p>
<p>D's college list is a work in progress and includes: UVM (toured, loved it), Pitzer, Hendrix, Earlham, Clark, Hampshire, Wooster, Ohio Wesleyan, Guilford, UNC-Asheville, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Charlotte (too big?), Bennington (drive-by, luke warm), Ohio Wesleyan, Eckerd (too remote?), Hobart/WmSmith (too preppy?) and Hartwick (same). She will also be applying to state U.</p>
<p>I'm looking to add a few more LACs to the middle or bottom of the list only, preferably with schools in the northeast (close to home) or southeast (warm weather), but the midwest is also ok and I'd even consider CA for the right school. </p>
<p>When you looked at Hobart/WmSmith, did you also do a drive-by of Wells College? Charming small town location, and the students can cross-register for certain courses at Cornell U and Ithaca College.</p>
<p>My son's best friend is the very definition of quirky hipster, and his first choice school is Chapman U. in SoCal. In his case it's because they have a great film program, but he liked the feel of the campus. He's the kind of guy who dyes his hair periodically and wears an earring, and he felt very comfortable and welcomed there. Loyolla-Marymount U. is another LA-area school he liked. Gorgeous campus, solid academics, and LA is teaming with diversity of every sort. I don't think that either of these schools fall into the safety category for your daughter, however.</p>
<p>The one CC thread about Berry describes the school as beautiful, but conservative and religious, which is pretty much the polar opposite of the schools listed in the orig post.</p>
<p>Can add to Fendrock's post. I looked at many of the CTCL schools on your list with DS #1, including Goucher and McDaniel (also in MD). Goucher is certainly the hipsterier of the two and I think easier to get into. Nice little campus although inside the Baltimore beltway, right up the street from office buildings and strip malls. <em>Very</em> politically active. Mandatory study abroad for all students. The kids we met there seemed <em>very</em> happy with their choice. Not quite my DS's cup of tea, but might be worth some e-browsing.</p>
<p>D will definitely be looking at SUNY New Paltz (we are in-state). </p>
<p>Goucher because it has been a "maybe" since the beginning: the social vibe is spot on, but a school with fewer requirements would be a better academic fit (though students from D's school and w/ D's profile have been successful there).</p>
<p>I never considered Wells b/c a friend who is an alumna repeatedly described it as "remote," also it is very small (smaller than Bennington, I believe). And D is not anxious to be "stuck in the middle of nowhere" with the girls outnumbering the boys 2:1.</p>
<p>If I decide to add a "reachy" school to the list, it will probably be College of Charleston. It is a bit larger than I think would be best for D, but D would absolutely love going to school in Charleston (Part of UVM's appeal was walking out your door and into Burlington.).</p>
<p>A friend suggested Kzoo, I just haven't looked into it yet. My impulse w/ all of the midwest schools is "too cold," but it can't be much worse than Burlington. As for Allegheny, I ruled it out a few years ago when I was searching for D1 (too homogenous and remote, I believe).</p>
<p>foolishpleasure, median stats for acceptance to College of Charleston from our suburb-of-Boston high school are 3.24 GPA (unweighted, core courses only) and 1220 SAT (CR + Math).</p>
<p>We visited the campus and I'd say it has more of an LAC feel -- not that obvious that it has so many students.</p>
<p>Wow, now I am looking at the College of Charleston. I had a meeting right near there once and walked across campus. It was gorgeous and the kids looked like they were relaxed and having fun. And, as noted, you walk off campus and there you are: in Charleston. I didn't know it was also relatively reasonably priced. Hmmm.</p>