Institutes similar to New College of Florida?

College Search & Selection
1

I’m seeking colleges that are similar to New College of Florida i.e. colleges that allow students to discuss their interests with professors and develop an individual plan of study. New College of Florida is where I’d really like to get in because it hits all the marks for me, but I need a few backup colleges to apply to. Marlboro and Hampshire are on the list, but I’d like to add a few more. I’ve listed a number of things that draw me to New College and am looking for in other colleges:

  1. loose general ed./liberal arts requirements
  2. ability to design education (or major if you prefer the terminology)
  3. thesis requirement for graduation
  4. hands-on research
  5. ability to create independent study projects, independent reading projects and tutorials
  6. narrative evaluations instead of grades

It’s of most importance to me that I’m able collaborate with professors in designing my education through traditional classes, research, independent study projects and internships. Essentially I’m not interested in being handed a list of gen. ed. and major requirements. Additionally, it’s important that I attend a school that’s strong in the sciences. I’m not sure what I want study, but I’ve been considering a profession along the lines of biostatistics, bioinformatics or epidemiology. Are there any other alternative type colleges that might work out? I’m familiar with a few other alternative colleges, but I’m concerned about their strength in the sciences.Are there any that I should shy away from due to a weakness in the sciences?

2

Evergreen State College (total safety since it’s basically open enrollment); CCS at UCSB, but it’s super difficult to get into (and if you don’t live in CA, it’s 55K without financial aid); Johnson Center at U Redlands.

3

1 and #2 may limit the choices of strong science schools.

I think Reed College satisfies #3-#6 of the OP’s criteria.
However, it’s more selective than New College and its sticker prices are higher.

Check out some of the other Colleges That Change Lives:
http://www.ctcl.org/colleges/list
Many of them will meet at least some of those criteria.
Check out the graduation requirements at Lawrence, Earlham, or Wooster.

Or consider this list:
http://www.hercampus.com/life/9-most-flexible-colleges-country
NYU’s Gallatin School, the University of Rochester, Smith (women only), or Hamilton might work (more or less).
However, again, these schools are not really appropriate “back ups” to NCoF
(in terms of selectivity and costs).

4

The new Quest University in BC, Canada is similar.