Looking for LAC/Univ suggestions...

<p>D is beginning to look at colleges... she will be a junior next year and I like to plan ahead... visits etc.</p>

<p>She is a B student - average... but works hard. She is very talented artistically and will major in Studio/Fine arts but doesnt wish to go to an "Arts College". She enjoys English & History, not too crazy about Math or Science.</p>

<p>She wants to stay on the East Coast, but in the Atlantic/SouthEast region. </p>

<p>Can anyone suggest a moderately competitive, good quality LAC or University in NC, SC, MD or VA that might fit? She is not that particular about size.</p>

<p>WOFFORD (Highly recommended), ELON, PRESBYTERIAN (SC), FURMAN (Great - but would be a reach)</p>

<p>Goucher College outside of Balitmore sounds like a possible fit - my daughter loved this school when we visited, they take B students, beautiful campus, quirky students, strong emphasis on the arts and performing arts and you can satisfy their science requirement by taking intro. to psychology (can't avoid one class in math though). One nice plus is the opportunity to cross-register for one class a semester at the Maryland Institute and College of Art.</p>

<p>Some others to look at (some of these will be reaches): Hollins (if she'll consider an all girls school), Furman (SC), UNC Asheville, Towson State U (Maryland, can combine visit with Goucher), Wingate (NC), Elon (NC), JAmes Madison U, Lafayette (PA), Centre College (KY). You might also check out the art program at St. Mary's College of Maryland (Maryland's public liberal arts school) and Mary Washington University in Virginia. Outside of your geographic limitations, check out Southwestern U in Texas, Skidmore in NY, Wheaton in Illiniois, Beloit in Wisconsin, and St. Olaf in Minnesota. </p>

<p>This should get you started. A few words of advice: my daughter also thought she wanted to major in Studio/Fine Arts when she was in tenth grade. That has changed but she still wants to be able to take studio art classes. We have found that it is useful to ask each school you visit (especially the ones with good art programs) how difficult it is for non-majors to take art classes. This is worth doing as you investigate now just in case your daughter changes her mind. We have also found that it is very important to ask specifically on any tour if you can visit the art studios and talk with an art faculty member. Some schools that claim to have great art programs have extremely limited facilities. We have also noticed that many schools use quite a few part time instructors in their art program - not always a problem but could be if there is a lot of turn over from year to year. Finally, internships and study abroad opportunities are another thing to investigate with this major.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Wofford is also a great suggestion. :)</p>

<p>Thank you both...I"ve heard good things about Wofford, Goucher & Elon, although I think both Wofford & Elon would be definite reaches. </p>

<p>I looked carefully at Goucher for my S when he was in the college search mode last year... and I really liked what I saw there. </p>

<p>Have either of you heard anything about College of Charleston or Coastal Carolina University?</p>

<p>Many kids from my area go to College of Charleston - not many to Coastal Carolina. CofC is in the middle of Charleston close to the battery (harbor edge tourist/old beautiful house area). It is rising in prestige and popularity here mostly in the science/health field area. It is has a reputation as something of a party school although many serious in state kids choose it due to the close connection with the Medical University of SC. They attend 2-3 years CofC and then into MUSC for nursing, pharm, PT, etc. </p>

<p>I would not really choose CofC to pay OOS tuition. I don't mean to sound negative because I have heard many favorable things about CofC as well. </p>

<p>I know very little about Coastal CArolina except that it not very competitive academically </p>

<p>I wouldn't consider Wofford as a reach if your D is a solid B. Especially if she has good ECs. Maybe a match/reach. Also the junior year is critical. Wofford is a wonderful place. </p>

<p>If Wofford is truly a reach consider Presbyterian (SC) if you like the SC area and I second UNC-Asheville.</p>

<p>Orangemom- </p>

<p>Tx for the insights on CofC... D is NOT a partier... rather shy, but very involved in volunteer work and ECs and with the emphasis at CofC on the sciences, I don't think it would make sense for her.</p>

<p>Will take a closer look at Presbyterian as well.</p>

<p>just visited St Mary's...worth a look. I had the impression they were looking to beef up out of state #'s. kids claimed art program was good. Bio seemed to be the strongest.</p>

<p>yep, oldman, your post on St. Mary's piqued D's curiousity enough that it is now on the must visit list. Other schools to consider might be Stetson, Eckerd,Tampa, or Flagler in Florida and if all -female is a possibility look at Wesleyan in Macon, Georgia. That is one interesting looking, diverse, stand-out from the norm kind of southern College. Very, very intriguing.</p>

<p>We live near Elon, my junior daughter is planning to attend in two years. Elon is pretty impressive. At 4600 students it is large enough to offer a good residential life, plus a wide variety of majors. With a graduate school only in business and Physical therapy...classes are taught by professors- not graduate students. The most popular major is communications, followed by business. It has a pretty strong musical theatre program also. The campus is pretty small and compact, but gorgeous. Half the campus is relatively new. It's nick name is the "bubble"
The town of Elon, and Burlington which is immediately adjacent, may disappoint some students. Neither is by any stretch "college" towns. They are however safe. Greensboro is 30 minutes to the west, Durham and Chapel hill are 30 minutes to the east. The students are very friendly. I actually think your daughter is on to something, being interested in Art, but not going to an "art" school. I think you will get smaller classes and more individual attention majoring in an area that the school is not known for. Let me know if you have any more questions...</p>

<p>we have fine arts as a major at my school which is on the east coast as well... and i know we accept B students.</p>

<p>I forgot one I meant to mention: McDaniel in Maryland. They seem to have a very solid art program and I have heard the campus is quite nice.</p>

<p>I'd also recommend you get a hold of the books "Colleges that Change Lives" and "Beyond the Ivy LEague" Both by Loren Pope. They list many excellent schools for kids in the B range (and up).</p>

<p>I would add one school to go along with the fine suggestions already made -- Warren Wilson College. It is a unique school that certainly won't appeal to everyone, but I think for the right student it could be a really rewarding experience. Warren Wilson is kind of known for their arts program, along with their writing program. Probably worth your time to at least check out their website to see if such a place would appeal to your daughter.</p>

<p>Thank you all for these suggestions...it is great to have a place to start!!</p>

<p>Take a look at Radford University and James Madison University in Virginia. They both have pretty extensive art departments. My niece is very happy at JMU. VCU probably has the best art department in the state, but there are other aspects of the school I don't like, so I can't recommend it.</p>