<p>There are lots of mid-ranked LACs that potentially fit the bill, especially if located near a more metrpolitan area where you have access to entertainment. What few talk about on CC is the difference in satisfaction/happiness of students across different LACs. This is hard to guage on college visits. Student*******.com is not a very reliable source for information (lots of whiners), but they do calculate a running tally on a global marketing question. "Given what you know now, would you attend this college'. It would be great if CC could facilitate such an index.</p>
<p>Macalester: Selective, but not impossible to get into. 20% of students are international. In metropolitan area. And you can get resources from University of Minnesota.</p>
<p>I may be a bit biased, but I think Bryn Mawr College (another women's college) fulfills all of that criteria. I didn't have perfect test scores/grades, but they pay more attention to essays and personal attributes, so I still got in. :) And if there isn't enough happening on campus, it's right near Philly, so there's always stuff going on. And since they have a consortium with Haverford and Swarthmore, and the chance to take classes at UPenn as well... there are lots of resources available.</p>
<p>I agree with Student615. The Claremont Consortium offers much of what you described. My son is a freshman at CMC this year, and he really enjoys the Atheneum (lunch and dinner speakers Monday through Thursday covering a wide range of topics). He particularly values the wide spectrum of political opinions students hold at CMC. He enjoys meeting and discussing ideas and opinions with people who may not share his own. (While there is no perfect college, I am sure there are many other colleges that can offer your daughter much of what she is looking for. You will just need to do the research to find them. Too many people never look beyond the brand name colleges and universities. I also recommend Loren Pope's books Colleges the Change Lives (mentioned in an earlier post) as well as Looking Beyond the Ivy League.</p>
<p>A ton of Christian colleges/ universities. There are a small handfull where students don't have to be Christian to get in, but have to abide by the Lifestyle Covenant of the school. Houghton College in NY and IN Wesleyan are both like that.</p>
<p>Occidental College and Lawrence University come to mind. Occidental has more racial diversity, Lawrence probably more diverse political views, and lots of concerts and activities. Both have excellent academics.</p>
<p>I think many LACs that are near a big city can offer you what you want. I would definitely recommend Haverford and Bryn Mawr, maybe Vassar too. The problem is that to get good jobs, the college needs either a) prestige or b) good local job opportunities. To give the full breadth of cultural activities, a city is needed (I may be extremely biased here). The other criteria fall more into the traditional LAC mold. </p>
<p>So yes, there are schools out there that, although not perfect, will give your child 4 fun and fruitful years.</p>
<p>Though you know, UChicago fulfills everything but the "balancing fun" thing ;).</p>
<p>I too have wondered where Utopia University is, and how I can get in. Many sleepless nights...</p>
<p>Brown?</p>
<p>Brown would also meet these criteria--but this year they only admitted 13.5% of their applicants.</p>
<p>Thanks. Many good choices. Is Vassar diverse? Oberlin? Haverford?</p>
<p>I go to Virginia Tech, and I'd say we fit that bill perfectly</p>
<p>Also, one thing you forgot to mention, The food here on campus is amazing too.</p>
<p>Columbia, Swarthmore, Pomona.</p>
<p>Very interesting... the things you brought up in your post are almost EXACTLY the same as what I looked for in a college (if you're curious, I'm going to Vassar College). Here are some thoughts/suggestions...</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Vassar College seems like it would be a close match to your desires... it has the arts you wanted (I think there's an art museum on campus), the diversity, the LAC education, and the focus on individuality. Also, Vassar offers over 50 majors... a huge amount for a small school (~2500 students). The one thing it doesn't have (from my understanding) is a huge variance in political opinion: for the most part, Vassar students are liberals. That doesn't mean however that there AREN'T moderate or conservative students on campus or that the campus isn't accepting of non-liberal students. Based on what you posted, I'd recommend the school highly.</p></li>
<li><p>Swarthmore College is another option which I'd say is very similar to Vassar College. Its harder to get into than Vassar; however, I'd say its a slightly more balanced institution, politically speaking (nevertheless, its definitely dominated by the liberal end of the spectrum). Also, Swarthmore is slightly less artsy than Vassar: it has a higher percentage of students major in the sciences and offers an engineering program. Nevertheless, Swarthmore definitely has its fair share of art and if you feel that you're missing out on something you can easily travel to Bryn Mawr, Haverford, or Penn.</p></li>
<li><p>Haverford College would also be a school I'd recommend you look at. Once again, its not a school that's EASY to get into by any means, but it definitely offers most everything that you mentioned in your post. Also, Haverford students have the advantage of going over to Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, or Penn... so even if something you're looking for isn't offered at Haverford, you can always head over to one of those other three schools to look for it. If you're interested in Haverford I recommend you look into the Haverford honor code; it definitely affects the dynamic of the school and could make or break your interest in the school.</p></li>
<li><p>Amherst College, although difficult to get into, also fits what you're looking for. Out of the four schools I've brought up this far, I'd say it's definitely the most balanced, politically speaking. Also, like Haverford and Swarthmore, it's part of a college consortium which means that it offers you the ability to hear and see lots of speakers, art exhibits, etc.. Amherst has a reputation of fostering more academic competition than Swarthmore, Vassar, and Haverford; however, I don't think it's over-the-top or cutthroat in nature.</p></li>
<li><p>Dickinson College is an easier school to get in to that I'd also recommend looking at. It has a major focus on the international community, so if you're interested in studying abroad, I recommend it. This international outlook, I'd say, makes up for its slightly less racially diverse climate (77% of students are caucasian). Also, Dickinson students, for the most part, aren't as intellectually focused as students at the prior four schools I've mentioned. Nevertheless, academics are definitely strong at the school... it's just that the students, on average, (although QUITE bright) aren't as well known for being intensely intellectual.</p></li>
<li><p>Trinity College (in CT) you might also want to visit. One of the aspects of the school that would appeal to you I'm guessing is its balance... community service clubs, sports teams, and arts groups all seem to be pretty equal in popularity. Academics are strong and the environment is relatively diverse. I'd say (based on my visit) that the campus definitely has a strong lean towards the Left... activism seems to be a major part of the school.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Other schools to visit (I don't know AS much about these so I'm not going to post a longer paragraph describing them): Williams College, Middlebury College, Wheaton College (MA), Brandeis University, Colby College, Colgate University, and Bates College.</p>
<p>I hope that helps!</p>
<p>thanks for the detailed response!</p>
<p>there is a school like that.
its called..
Kokomo Univeristy.</p>
<p>ikemarrus, I'd have to give Williams a "yes" for everything on your wishlist. Maybe not the most or best in every category (for example urban schools tend to be more racially and economically diverse), but across the board a good balance of what you describe. </p>
<p>Among the most academically rigorous LACs, it offers, I think, the widest and deepest opportunities in the arts. </p>
<p>It IS very selective, however, but many factors are considered in admissions, not just grades and scores.</p>
<p>Rice/Carleton/Claremont/William & Mary/Davidson</p>
<p>
[quote]
So you want a liberal arts style classroom, with the power of a major research university w/o prestige and open to the international community?</p>
<p>Um... I don't think there's a college even close to that. There are colleges to fit 2-3 of what you want, but not all, not even close to all...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Barnard. That's all I have to say.</p>
<p>Tufts seems to fit imo, but obviously I am slightly biased. :)</p>
<p>Columbia has the diversity and the entertainment/cultural aspects you're looking for. But it's harder to get into.</p>