<p>Thanks for all of the extra advice! I will look into those other schools, but at this point, I’m focused more on narrowing my list instead of expanding it.</p>
<p>Hillsdale is a very religious college, so would be quite different from the other choices on the OP’s list. </p>
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<p>I would classify it less as religious than as conservative in terms of the focus being on strict constitutionalism. I know several grads (from 23 to 51) and several current students. They had tons of fun while getting a very strong liberal arts education with a decided nod to strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. The school does not accept any government funding … they do not participate in federal financial aid programs. However, their aid director attends state financial aid training, and she keeps up on what is going on with the financial aid world. The school is known for helping their students financially through alumni donations, and they work with lenders to help their students secure student loans.</p>
<p>I might add DePauw to your list if you haven’t considered it.</p>
<p>Our D applied to/accepted at Northwestern for many of the same reasons you did (chose a different school, though). She also applied to WUST. These two are about a 5 hour drive apart. There’s one school I don’t see on your list that’s in the area – Notre Dame. It offers many of the same things you’re seeking.</p>
<p>Thanks for the additional responses! In regards to the last few posts, I’m looking primarily for a more liberal or at least moderate, feel. It seems to me that Hillsdale, DePauw, and Notre Dame are all more on the conservative side. Not that it is a bad thing, but I’ve already gone through that in high school and would like a bit of a change of pace. Any thoughts on DePaul or some of the other Chicago schools (Columbia, Loyola, Shimer) as to whether they would seem to fit my interests?</p>
<p>Shimer is tiny, definitely not for everyone. Loyola is a very solid education, but it’s on the conservative side, and has a large percentage of commuters. Columbia is a good choice for an arts career, but the student body is in no way comparable to the top schools you’ve mentioned. I like Beloit as a strong match for you. Be sure to visit these smallish schools when school is in session. We went to Macalester on a summer weekend and could barely find a body to talk to.</p>
<p>Here is the link to the MN Private College Week - June 20 - 24, 2011. All the private colleges will have admission staff and tours during the week. In addition, summer students and summer research students and professors will be on campus.</p>
<p>It’s a great time to tour the MN colleges.</p>
<p>Iowa has a similar week - usually in July or August.</p>
<p>[Minnesota</a> Private College Week | Minnesota’s Private Colleges](<a href=“http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/events-news/upcoming-events/minnesota-private-college-week]Minnesota”>http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/events-news/upcoming-events/minnesota-private-college-week)</p>
<p>Wisconsin’s Private College Week is July 11-16:[Wisconsin</a> Private College Week, July 11-16, 2011 - Tour any of our 20 Private Colleges and Universities](<a href=“http://www.privatecollegeweek.com/]Wisconsin”>http://www.privatecollegeweek.com/)</p>
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You may have more luck if you go during the work week, what with kids on campus for classes (Mac has the Summer Physics Institute), internships and research.</p>
<p>amtc@20: When we visited Knox, it was way, way more than 3 - 4X day which wouldn’t bother me. We came across more than that when we had to run an errand across the tracks, then come back to meet DD. It <em>felt</em> like 15 - 20, but of course I could be way off. Most of the business part of the town and school are all on one side, and I don’t recall hearing the train from the school. I think the hassle would be if a student had an internship or lived on the other side of the tracks.</p>
<p>Yeah I knew about the private college weeks, but i’m fairly busy both weeks. Does anyone know of a way to get application fees waived besides showing up during these weeks?</p>
<p>I don’t know the exact numbers but like I said, if you like the college it won’t bother you, if you dislike the school, it will be a factor.</p>
<p>I don’t know if this was mentioned, but Beloit has a summer language program so there will be people on campus there during the summer.</p>
<p>Not to complicate your search, but you mentioned an interest in journalism, have you looked at U of Iowa?</p>
<p>I have been around the University of Iowa campus; however, I’m focusing mainly on privates aside from UW-Madison. Thanks for all the great feedback!</p>
<p>You seem to be interested in small midwestern LACS…others seem to have mentioned the other similar ones you might like (Lawrence, Kenyon, IWU, etc.). Yeah, St. Olaf & Carleton should work in one day. I live in MN by the way…St. Thomas is literally down a few blocks from Macalester…very close to each other (there are a few other collegs around there too, but probably not as good- St. Kate’s, Hamline, Bethel, NWC all around the same area within a few miles).</p>
<p>Concordia in Moorhead, MN is a sometimes overlooked school. They run the Language Villages in other parts of Minnesota. </p>
<p>Northland, in Ashland, WI is a good, rural, interesting place for those who care about the natural world.</p>
<p>^I forgot to even mention that. I looked at Concordia too. It’s a nice small LAC, so the OP may like that too. </p>
<p>OP- you mentioned you’re visiting St. Olaf & Carleton in Northfield…Concordia in Moorhead would be a good 4 1/2 hours or so north. I live in the Twin Cities (about 45 minutes from Carleton/St. Olaf, and Concordia is about 3 1/2 or so hours from here in good traffic).</p>
<p>I don’t know much about Northland, but one of my friends will be attending there this fall.</p>
<p>Don’t know how they fit in to your perspective, but other schools in or near Chicago, DePaul, Loyola, Illinois Wesylean and Bradley.
Also, my daughter was accepted at Lawrence and Illinois Wesylean with very nice financial aid, although she didn’t choose either, it might be part of what you’re looking for in deciding where to apply.</p>
<p>DePaul & Loyola are also good midwestern schools to consider, as stated above. I know several people from my school going there this fall, and we have somebody go to Loyola just about every year I think. DePaul I think it going to be a bit larger student body than several of the other small LACs listed on this thread as suggestions.</p>
<p>It is not clear if you have limitations in cost. If you do, Case Western is very well known for their Merit awards. If D. had chosen to go there, we would end up paying only $5k / year in tuition. Also, it depends on your major. Case cater mostly to pre-meds and engineers. They might have other good majors, but these 2, I believe Case’s focus.</p>