<p>I'm currently an HS senior and my top college choices right now are:</p>
<p>the University of Puget Sound
Whitman College
Willamette University
and Colorado College</p>
<p>I have stats (SAT 2090 V730 M620 W740; ACT comp32, lang36, math28, writing 10) that could probably get me into about all of these, that is to say my stats are within or above the averages for these schools.</p>
<p>Anyway, my mom is dropping what what I perceive to be hints that she does not want me to go to any of these colleges, but she explains that she wants me to be able know what other colleges are out there and how the schools listed above compare to those other colleges. She has therefore given me the task of researching a few colleges in other locations in the country to see what else might interest me, though I'm fairly sure I'll end up in the at one of the colleges I already mentioned.</p>
<p>So I'm wondering if anyone here could suggest some small-medium liberal arts colleges that are strong in humanities, languages, education (as a major/minor), and overall similar to the colleges I've already mentioned. I'd prefer schools in the Northwest, Southwest, and Northeast ( I can deal with heat, and I can deal with humidity, but not the two put together; I really like colder places).</p>
<p>Any suggestions would be hugely appreciated!!!</p>
<p>Some you might consider would be Occidental, Macalester, Knox, Cornell (Iowa), Beloit, Rhodes, Centre, U of Redlands, St. Olafs.....The College Board site has a way to search that also lists schools "like" the ones you search so that may be helpful as well. Good luck. All 4 of those are great schools so I hope you mom opens her mind to those possibilities....Some of the above are definitely Midwest but maybe you can open your mind to that possibility since there are some great options there...</p>
<p>Thanks a ton, Mmaah! I forgot to mention that the midwest is ok as well, so I'll definitely check those out. I really like what I've read about Macalester so far, so I'll look into that some more, and I'll also check out the others. I just received a Knox application in the mail, so I'll definitely take a look!</p>
<p>I'll throw two names at you just for fun-- Lawrence in Appleton, WI and St. Olaf in Northfield MN. I happen to be a Midwest transplant and hope my duaghter will consider those schools. Lewis and Clark would be in the same geographic area you're looking at. Or have you considered it and decided it's too small or too liberal?
Honestly, though, I think you have a reasonable list. I'm probably like your mom-- have you considered this; have you considered that; ooh, this one looks interesting. I'm a bit obsessed, and it's counter-productive. There are so many colleges worthy of consideration that it is easy to go into information overload. Your list shows laudable focus.</p>
<p>Is there a reason you can't go to these OR/WA schools? We've considered all of those, plus PLU, Linfield and several others. All of these schools offer an opportunity for a great education. Most are very generous with scholarships and aid. Not a dog amongst any of those schools. </p>
<p>Could the reason be cost? the ones you mention aren't cheap, but if you are a good student, they can present packages that make state public school seem expensive in comparsion.</p>
<p>Reading Loren Pope book " Colleges that change lives" might give you names of more schools very worthy of attention. Knox, Beloit, Lawrence, Cornell, St Olaf being some of them. Midwest has many fine LAC so if geopraphically you are located elsewhere you might be accepted with better merit aid than at schools close to you.
My D is freshman at Knox, my eldest graduated from Macalester, my niece is grduating from Beloit this year. Everyone had/has great time.</p>
<p>To clear some things up, I am a guy living in Colorado, so Holyoke and Smith aren't going to work, but I have thought about Colby and Bates before, LFWB-- your suggestion definitely adds to my interest in them. I don't think I could get into Amherst or Williams though, I think they are still reaches, if only slightly.</p>
<p>Cost is a factor, but I have good grades, test scores and activities that hopefully can get me some merit aid. My family doesn't qualify for much need-based aid.</p>
<p>Ultimately, the issue at hand is that my Mom suggests a college (in this case UPS and Whitman), I see it and love it, and then my mom immediately decides she no longer likes it, so then she tells me to look into other options. It's interesting because she seems to be shopping for a college for herself, so everything's coming from what she likes (she hates rain and cold...so therefore I shouldn't want to go to a school in the Northwest).</p>
<p>Anyway, I've noticed that many of you have recommended St. Olaf, and I like the looks of it, but I actually like what I've read about Carleton a little more-- is one way better than the other, or is it a matter of what one's looking for?</p>
<p>To OfromM, I agree that these schools are very high quality, and that's why they are my top choices, but alas my mom likes to be very contrary when I'm making decisions... Also, I have seen PLU but I thought it was too small and in an awkward part of Tacoma and I didn't like it nearly as much as I did UPS which I saw that same day.</p>
<p>Lewis and Clark College, WA
Occidental College, CA
Hood College, MD
U of San Diego, CA
Westminster College, PA
Allegheny College, PA
Lafayette College, PA
College of Wooster, OH
Ohio Wesleyan University
Skidmore College, NY
Connecticut College</p>
<p>"I actually like what I've read about Carleton a little more-- is one way better than the other, or is it a matter of what one's looking for?"</p>
<p>Carleton has a stronger reputation and is harder to get into. It is reportedly also distinctly liberal and activist. You might be some degree happier at one than the other. Carleton's name might have better instant recognition, but I doubt it your choice between the two would make much difference for post-graduation opportunities. Both have strong reputations.</p>
<p>That's odd because I think PLU is bigger than UPS. Both schools are in Tacoma, which unfortunately, isn't the safest city to be in. Look into Linfield as they offer merit based scholarships and also have a competition where you can pick up another $10,000-16,000 in scholarships by testing in a subject (writing, math, chem..etc..) </p>
<p>And mom's do that kind of stuff. That's normal natural mom. Just take notes pro and con for each school, compare costs and narrow it down to three or so. College is what you make it, so as you said they're all good choices so go with something that's a good fit. </p>
<p>Mom58, thanks for the insight... I'm not a big activist, so maybe I'd feel a bit out of place at Carleton, though from the website it looks like they have way more fun than St. Olaf (of course I shouldn't judge fun by a website lol)</p>
<p>OfromM, thanks for the Linfield advice I'll check into that. On the subject of PLU I meant I didn't like how small the campus felt, not the size of the student body--but agreed, Tacoma's not the best location, though I felt really safe while visiting at UPS. PLU felt... less secure I guess... just a strange feeling, but I don't deny that it has a good reputation.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! From the list so far, I think I'm going to mention Carleton and St. Olaf to my mom and see what she thinks... if she likes them at first, but then we go to see them, she might not like them and forget about not liking the northwest... but I do think Carleton and St. Olaf look really interesting, so I'll keep an open mind.</p>
<p>My advice: You need to sit down with your Mom and gently tell her that you are the one who will be spending four years at whatever school you end up at, not her. I suspect that the reason she keeps making suggestions and then deciding she doesn't like the schools she suggests is that she is very afraid and worried that she may point you in the wrong direction. So, please <em>gently</em> tell her that you LOVE her suggestions, butthat you are making fully informed decisions, not just picking schools solely because she suggests them but because you honestly like them after you look at them. Let her also know that it will all be OK - you are a smart guy, and you're not going to end up in a school that's wrong for you or blame her in any way for your decision. Make sure to give her a hug or two. Us moms tend to get a little loony when our babies are applying to college, so be patient. BUT MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICES in the end.</p>
<p>I agree: deal with you mom, its your choice not hers! As for schools, I would recommend Middlebury (huge outdoor scene), colgate, Pomona (reach), Vassar (might be too urban but a great school), and hamilton.</p>
<p>Carolyn and Slipper, thanks for you advice! At a recent college fair my mom and I learned more about all of those schools and she's turned around again, and is very exciting and encouraging for me to go to one of them... imagine that.</p>
<p>Slipper, I've looked at Middlebury and liked it, but I believe they don't offer any merit=based aid. I've also looked at Vassar and like it a lot, but I think I'd be happier on the west coast, as a somewhat superficial, yet important geographic preference.</p>
<p>Carolyn and Slipper, thanks for you advice! At a recent college fair my mom and I learned more about all of those schools and she's turned around again, and is very exciting and encouraging for me to go to one of them... imagine that.</p>
<p>Slipper, I've looked at Middlebury and liked it, but I believe they don't offer any merit=based aid. I've also looked at Vassar and like it a lot, but I think I'd be happier on the west coast, as a somewhat superficial, yet important geographic preference. I'll check out the others... I'm not sure if I like the idea of being near Los Angeles... too many risks...lol.</p>