LACs similar to Reed, Grinnell and/or Carleton?

College Search & Selection
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<p>I am trying to research LACs more indepth, because I only recently "rediscovered" them a bit late in the process.</p>

<p>I am very attracted to Reed, Grinnell and Carleton and I will be applying to those three. However I want to know if there are any other schools that have similar vibes. By this I mean it possessing an intellectual atmosphere, rigorous academics (I have heard how hard Reed is), excellent physics program, variety of language courses. A body that "loves to learn". Absence of greek life would be ideal. Particularly those that are known for giving great aid - The three I mentioned earlier are the cheapest on my list so far in regards to financial aid according to NPCs. Carleton College is so cheap - like 10k / yr before the federal loans. very generous aid.</p>

<p>Also keep in mind I'm not looking for any more high reaches, the likes of Williams, Amherst, Bowdoin, etc. unless I have a reasonable expectation of acceptance; I have 32 ACT (33 superscore), 3.68 UW gpa, 21% class rank, and a few great ECs. I would prefer the college to be in a rural area or easy access to rural areas, but that is not a deciding factor. I love the cold as well. For an idea on the other universities I like, I am also applying to WashU, Tufts, Rice, Brandeis, Lafayette, possibly Lehigh. Lafayette may seem culturally difficult from others on my list but they also offer engineering, an option I can explore in a LAC environment. I also looked at Bucknell but it will be unaffordable for us, and greek life seems to be fairly active there. (And yes, I have a safety!)</p>

<p>Is Colorado College anything like these three? At a first glance it seems to have that "quirky" vibe but in a different kind of way - perhaps I'll go over to their forum and see exactly what their thoughts are.</p>

<p>I would really like to potentially participate in the KNAC in college.
<a href="http://astro.swarthmore.edu/knac/"&gt;http://astro.swarthmore.edu/knac/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Of those 8 LACs in the consortium, which do you believe fits my goals best? (I can't attend Wellesley without a bit of genetic engineering). Although they are all pretty far away, distance is not an issue. However, I love the Midwest / Northwest / North, whatever you want to call it. The air is clean and I can see the stars in rural Midwestern towns. Such a feeling isn't really available in New England or the West Coast...</p>

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<p>Macalester has a pretty good Physics program and I might apply there. They don’t have a very broad Physics course selection, but they do have independent study and I heard that you can take advantage of certain courses at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. While it’s in New York and is a research university, University of Rochester would be a pretty good school to apply to as well. Oberlin might work for you as well.</p>

<p>Also, good luck. I’m also applying to Reed and Carleton, but I might not apply to Grinnell because of the location.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the response. Macalester has been shoving tons of crap in my mailbox, so the other day I checked it out. I haven’t gone to see what it “feels” like there, but nonetheless worth looking into. URoch was actually on my original list. I had to take it off when I realized it would be too expensive. Sad, because that was one of my favorites… Are you planning on doing physics as well?</p>

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<p>If a school is otherwise a good fit, it’s worth considering sending in an application anyway as the EFC calculators are not 100% accurate. They can be both over and under-generous. If you can afford the application fees, send it in and see what kind of offer you get officially. And you can sometimes shop a better offer at a school you’d rather attend to get a little boost to make it affordable.</p>

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<p>Whenever I hear LAC and Physics together, I think of Kenyon because I’ve seen a few of their professors on TV. I have no idea what the aid is like.</p>

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<p>Ohio Wesleyan is a small LAC with its own observatory >> <a href=“http://perkins.owu.edu/”>Perkins Observatory | Ohio Wesleyan University;

<p>Strong academically, especially in sciences and fine arts. Campus is in the small town of Delaware, Ohio and is well maintained although not what one would call “pretty.” Might be a little more diverse than most LAC student bodies. Gives excellent merit aid.</p>

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<p>You might look at Whitman in Walla Walla. Don’t know much about their physics program but it is a good LAC, and in the northwest. They do have a Greek system but am told it does not dominate campus culture.</p>

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<p>Agree that you might like Mac - (note the focus on international relations and large international portion of student body). Oberlin and Kenyon are similar-ish LACs to your picks. Kenyon not as liberal and FA not as robust, but you would love the campus and intellectual culture. Haverford is also that kind of school, KNAC and in a tri-co with Swarthmore and Bryn Mawr. But it’s suburban - a park-like campus rather than rural. Bard and Skidmore are not as reachy as Williams et al but probably not as good as Carleton and Grinnell, honestly. Vassar? Also not rural, but KNAC, a sublime campus and the culture you’re seeking. Colorado would be a good choice but not as ‘quirky’, although that self conscious iconoclasm tends to mellow considerably after a couple years at any of these schools. </p>

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<p>My son is a freshman at Colorado College and I would say it fits your description, but with the added element of most of the students being very outdoorsy. Most students are very intellectually curious, but equally into outdoor adventure. The culture very academic mixed with hiking, biking, skiing every chance they get. The block program is intense so they have a work hard, play hard philosophy. My son has never been happier, he feels like he is with “his people” and “loves his f-ing life right now”! Happy to answer any specific questions if you pm me (my son shares more with me then most kids so I think I could answer questions realistically as opposed to as a clueless parent).</p>

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<p>If you’re looking for midwestern LACs less selective than Carleton, have a look at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.
<a href=“Lawrence University – Colleges That Change Lives”>http://www.ctcl.org/colleges/lawrence&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“Lawrence Physics Workshop | Lawrence University”>http://www.lawrence.edu/academics/study/physics/physics_workshop&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“The Colleges Where PhD's Get Their Start”>http://www.thecollegesolution.com/the-colleges-where-phds-get-their-start/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Seconding Oberlin and Haverford.</p>

<p>I’d also give consideration to Wesleyan (of the non-Ohio variety) and to Rice (despite your love of the cold). They’re more LAUs than LACs, but they have that intimate and intellectual feel of a liberal arts college.</p>

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<p>@momentscaught‌ Definitely my type of college! :)</p>

<p>@Ctesiphon‌ Hmm… I know Macalester’s Physics program is good.
I would of suggested Swarthmore but it’s in the top ten list.
What about St. Olaf or Lawrence University? I don’t know much about these schools but I have an acquaintance that attends St. Olaf and she loves it there!</p>

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<p>St. Olaf very strong in Physics and Math, but not as “quirky” as Carleton. Recommend visit to Northfield to take a look at both. They have much different vibes.</p>

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<p>@Ctesiphon Yes, we actually had a good private message conversation about this a while ago.</p>

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<p>Oh, that was you! good luck in your endeavors, we may possible see each other if we end up going to the same school :P</p>

<p>I don’t want to add too many more to my list, so I’ll have to decide between all of the new suggestions here. Thanks for all of the ideas.</p>

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<p>I would like to mention two things: Look into the Reed:CalTech 3:2 joint degree program. I think it may have been designed just for you. In fact, I would check a bit into the details of all of your top choices. CalTech has an observatory at Big Bear Lake (as well as interest in the Palomar telescope down in San Diego). The other place I would check into is the Claremont Colleges- especially Harvey Mudd and Pomona. They are a shortish drive from Big Bear (skiing, hiking, etc.), the high desert, etc. and about a 5 hour drive up to Yosemite, with Kings Canyon, Sequoyah National Park, and the tallest mountain in the lower 48, Mt. Whitney, closer in on the way. The Claremont colleges are co-located ( adjacent to one another) and you may cross-enroll. Each has its specialty. Claremont has a special small-town feel to it.</p>

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<p>Caltech admits 3+2 transfers from various other schools. Such admission is competitive, not automatic for meeting a certain GPA or whatever:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/content/32-program”>http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/content/32-program&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Reed has 3+2 arrangements with some other schools as well:</p>

<p><a href=“Three-Two Program - Physics Department - Reed College”>http://academic.reed.edu/physics/threetwo.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You can read other threads about 3+2 programs and why it is uncommon for students to actually transfer to the “2” school (not getting admission to the “2” school, not getting enough financial aid or scholarships at the “2” school, extra year of costs, not wanting to transfer away from the nice LAC to a big university, etc.).</p>