Hi parents!
I know you are all well-experienced in the realm of college admissions and I’m definitely not, so I was hoping to receive some suggestions in terms of schools I could apply to next fall. I’m a junior at a large public high school in New Jersey and while my counselors care very much, they’re not the best resource for college planning. We have one meeting with them in the start of our second semester for college planning ad they ask that we already have some ideas about schools we’re interested in. I currently love Notre Dame, William & Mary, and the University of Richmond, but I was hoping you all might have some more ideas.
I have a 3.94 UW GPA (4.22 W) and a 1530 on the SAT (760 CR, 770 M). I’ll be taking SAT IIs later this year, but I am unsure of which subjects. I will have one AP (Euro) at the end of junior year and more next year. I have good, but typical extracurriculars with some leadership positions.
I prefer a smaller LAC environment, but my parents are less than excited about that. They both went to large state schools and my older brother is currently at Northeastern, so they feel that I’ll be stifled at a small school. To be honest, sometimes I have the same fears. I loved Richmond, but I toured Sacred Heart recently, which is actually bigger than UR, and I just couldn’t see myself there. I was thinking I’d go into some kind of healthcare field for a really long time, but I’m getting further and further away from that idea as time goes on, so a school that doesn’t demand you know your major right off the bat would be great. I’m looking for a place with students who learn just because they’re interested in a subject, an environment supportive of the arts, and a good French program even if I don’t major in French. I’d like to be on the east coast through Indiana, and Virginia is as far south as my parents are comfortable. Finances aren’t technically a concern for undergrad, but I’ll probably end up seeking some sort of graduate education, so any sort of merit aid would be a plus, but not necessary.
I know this is a lot of stuff and there’s probably no school that fits all of these requirements, but if you have any suggestions, I would be so thankful!
I’m having a hard time figuring out what is similar between Notre Dame, W&M and Richmond.
Based on my guesses of what you may like, I’d consider Bucknell, Lehigh, Lafayette in the smaller category, and Miami of Ohio, Delaware, Vermont in the larger school category.
Interesting you mention Richmond as I was going to suggest that. Excellent school with easy access to a really fun city. They are a D1 school for sports and basketball is exciting and well attended (gives you some of that bigger school feel).
You may also want to consider Wake Forest. Very unique place (full disclosure - where my son attends). Small, intimate LAC feel (although bigger than a LAC with 4800 undergrads) with all the attributes; small classes, intimate relationship with professors, core curriculum. Also has excellent pre professional tracks (business and pre med are outstanding), beautiful campus, etc. Plus major sports culture within the ACC. Very loyal fan base. I attended a soccer game and they had 6k watching (5k in the sell out stands and 1k up on the hill - really cool environment) All the major sports are exciting. Merging the the LAC aspects and big school spirit is what’s unique and attracted my S. He liked Richmond but felt it was a little too small (for him) and he liked W&M but didn’t sense the school spirit - more of a laid back intellectual, artsy feel.
I don’t normally suggest this… but are you applying to Princeton? Sure, it’s a reach for everyone…but you have nice stats that make it a possibility.
It seems you want schools that are NOT in cities. Richmond is actually outside of Richmond. Notre Dame is sort of in nowhere city wise. William and Mary has Williamsburg (which my 20 something describes as Disney for seniors).
What about the schools in Philly…Haverford, Villanova, Bryn Mawr?
@thumper1 I had a good chuckle at your 20 something calling Williamsburg Disney for seniors. When we toured with my S almost 5 years ago, he ruled out William and Mary because the town made him feel like he was on a field trip. Full disclosure - I love Williamsburg, but he did go on a field trip there in 5th grade.
I would also second Wesleyan, though its vibe may be different from your listed schools. Again, good languages, great arts support, and it’s on the large size for an LAC (almost 3000 students.) Full disclosure–my D went there so I am biased.
I don’t want to presume, for the OP, but ND, W&M and Richmond seem to be schools with nice, hard working kids, not high on the super quirk factor. So small schools with a similar vibe might include Trinity in CT, Union, Dickinson. Larger schools would include Wake Forest, Emory (though outside the VA boundary), Vandy and Wash U St Louis.