<p>For those of you talking about St. Olaf - can you tell me more about the student vibe? I guess my main question is, can a kid who is decidedly atheist be happy there and fit in?</p>
<p>PinotNoir, it has been awhile since any kids that I know personally have attended St. Olaf. However, I don’t think it’s ever been an “in your face” religious school. Religion is there and is woven into the fabric of the community in that people may talk about it and attend services. I believe there is a religion course requirement but that it can be a general type of course. </p>
<p>St Olaf is associated with ELCA, or as a friend calls them the ABC Lutherans. She is a member of ELCA so she’s not making fun of it by the way. I think it’s a pretty tolerant faith.</p>
<p>As far as a child who is decidedly athiest I would guess it would depend on how easily offended or upset the kid gets around religion. If he or she is a live and let live type of person it should be OK.</p>
<p>Here is a link to St. Olaf’s website that might address some of your concerns.</p>
<p>[St</a>. Olaf College | Northfield, Minnesota, USA](<a href=“http://www.stolaf.edu/church/]St”>http://www.stolaf.edu/church/)</p>
<p>I hope someone with more recent knowledge of the student body responds as well.</p>
<p>^^Fine at St. Olaf…it’s Lutheran and not the super strict – more belive in what you believe… Student vibe: it’s been awhile since I’ve been on campus but I can’t imagine it’s changed much: Midwest friendly, smart kids, more wholesome than hipster. Campus is dry (damp)…not a huge drinking college. From what I read: math and science a strong area, merit aid considered “good.”</p>
<p>OP here: Actually St. Olaf is on our list based upon their rep for math/science. We have several friends who attend and love it. And it’s only a few hours from us. However, son was hoping for a larger school (i.e. small university) with a more “fun” environment. St. Olaf is very wholesome.</p>
<p>Noimagination: As far as stats go he is on track to be Val or Sal. Test scores not in yet but I’m guessing around 32 ACT.</p>
<p>Okay, here are a few possibilities:</p>
<p>Fordham
RPI
SUNY Geneseo
Truman State (MO)
U Rochester</p>
<p>Here are a couple of St. Olaf links to give you insight into the students:
First, the Class of 2014 Fan Page on Facebook
[St</a>. Olaf Class of 2014 Fan Page | Facebook](<a href=“http://www.facebook.com/pages/Northfield-MN/St-Olaf-Class-of-2014-Fan-Page/228688206765]St”>Redirecting...)</p>
<p>Note that the comments are funny, the kids are supportive of each other and everyone was so eager to get to campus. Compare to fan pages for other schools and you will see that the St. Olaf kids lack snarkyness and any kind of mean edge that is rampant elsewhere. I mentioned this to the president of St. Olaf, and he commented that they somehow do not get the snarky, biting kind of student. He is proud that the kids are so nice, smart and cool. </p>
<p>Second, here is an article from last year’s (?) school newspaper trying to describe a typical St. Olaf student:</p>
<p>[</a>" + artTitle.replace(“-”,“”) + " - " + “Manitou Messenger” + " - " + “Variety” + "](<a href=“manitoumessenger.com”>manitoumessenger.com)</p>
<p>I hope these sites help! St. Olaf is a very well run, thoughtful place. If you can’t visit the campus, at least request their literature and visit their website. They know themselves well and represent themselves very fairly in their literature, and they have one of the best college websites out there. You can check out 3 different webcams to “see” the campus and what the students look like (go under “Future Students” and look for the webcam link on the bottom right).</p>
<p>I forgot to add that St. Olaf has no Greek presence and while its reputation is for wholesomeness, DD reports enough parties to count it as a “true” college. She has seen no drugs, but wouldn’t be looking, either. Kids who want to party more seriously leave campus (private houses rented by seniors, or across town to Carleton).</p>
<p>DD has friends of a variety of religious beliefs and customs, including none, and all are respected equally. Because it’s a 4 year residential college and the kids are close, they do talk about their value systems and beliefs with each other. Discussions can alter or reinforce your own beliefs, which is one of the areas you should explore within yourself in college, right?</p>
<p>Fordham. The Rose Hill campus is beautiful.</p>
<p>Is there a reason you need the admit rate in the 35-55% range?</p>
<p>I’m wondering about the admit rate too. Are you looking for a match/safety?</p>
<p>Sounds like I might be misguided on the admit range requirement. But my logic was that schools in this range will 1) be more likely to admit and 2) be more likely to give merit- and need-based financial aid and 3) still have the desired amount of rigor as well as a good math and/or pre-med program.</p>
<p>cbug - I think we are looking for the same combo - possible to get into, help with money, and a good program with smart students. Try looking at the middle 50% of admits for SAT scores too. </p>
<p>Thanks for the info on St. Olaf everyone. For some reason, that one keeps moving onto the maybe list, then of, then back on. I think we just need to plan a visit and see what my son thinks about it!</p>
<p>I actually think admit rate is pretty helpful. When I was putting together a spreadsheet of the college my son was considering that was one of the columns. For him the sweet spot was about 25% admit rate to get admitted, but twice as high to get merit aid.</p>
<p>Absolutely admit rate is an important variable-- especially if merit/need aid is important too-- was just trying to figure out schools with the criteria the OP listed. She said Rice was a top contender, but Rice doesn’t fit 2 of his/her criteria (size and admit rate).</p>
<p>OP- do you care if it is a LAC or University?</p>
<p>Yes - admit rate is on our spreadsheet too. For selectivity I have admit rate, middle SAT’s & ACT’s, and average GPA. I automatically consider anything with a 40% or lower admit rate a reach, but i think I’m pretty conservative on classifying things as reaches and matches.</p>
<p>jym626: We’d prefer a small university but haven’t ruled anything out yet. Also about Rice: yes we know the admit rate is low but the size is around 6500 – or is that with grad students? Nonetheless, I was really just using that example because we like the feel of the school. The kids seem very happy and the residential college approach is very appealing.</p>
<p>American University Washington DC
Northeastern University Boston, MA
RPI Troy, NY</p>
<p>PMKjr is currently attending Northeastern, I’m happy to try and answer any questions.</p>
<p>Rice’s undergrad population is only around 3,000 (haven’t cked the latest numbers- its was 2800 when my s was there, but they have been increasing enrollment to increase undergrad by about 30%.) That would still keep undergrad at around 3,600. PS its a GREAT school!!</p>
<p>Marist, Tufts, Renneselaer Polytech</p>
<p>you can put in all of the criteria you mentioned and more… and find schools that match… a really useful tool…</p>
<p>the link</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/[/url]”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/</a></p>