I think Davidson and UVA are both more of a reach than Wake, especially going test optional, but definitely put Elon on your list. The people who love Elon really love it and it gets many comments on its campus being beautiful.
Have you considered Furman or Wofford in SC?
If you are open to a women’s college Agnes Scott in Decatur/Atlanta is gorgeous and has a collaborative approach with many of the other nearby schools like Emory (just a mile or three away) and Georgia Tech. It’s in a vibrant area walkable to many restaurants and shops. My daughter and I toured it and she came away thinking more positively of it than before when she had just seen it online. I think it’s an amazing school and they give out a lot of $$.
You could look at Appalachian State too. It will be a little harder for an out of state student but I’d say you have a good shot. Gorgeous part of the state and Boone is a fun town. Great school spirit. Wide variety of majors. Big football school if you are looking for sports to cheer for.
The Fiske Guide To Colleges writes that the University of the South-Sewanee “…is more conservative than Davidson and Rhodes and continues to have old-line Southern feel.”
I agree that you might think about Sewanee (aka the University of the South). Anecdotally, the people I personally know who have gone to Sewanee are not conservative, though. I know a handful of them, and while most of them are religious in the Episcopalian flavor, they skew more liberal, but I live in a liberal area. I’m sure there are some conservative students there too if you are looking for that but I think you will find a variety of political ideologies. It was too preppy for my feminist hippie child to consider.
BTW, her feminist/liberal/hippie perspective is not a mark against Agnes Scott and her positive feelings for it — she liked the diversity there with all kinds of young women including the more preppy sort.
(She really found her people at Warren Wilson near Asheville, but it has nothing in common with your list.)
I would definitely look at the College of Charleston, too.
I think you need some more safeties on your list. Your accomplishments are great but going TO may make it harder at the extremely selective schools like Davidson, Duke, UVA. Honestly I would concentrate on finding some schools that would be safeties for you and still meet your wants.
My list for you to check out and see what you think is:
Elon
College of Charleston
Sewanee
Furman
Wofford
App State
Agnes Scott
James Madison U
U of SC
As a North Carolinian born n raised , I think Elon and CoC are going to have a feel that is most similar to Wake.
I have several friends who are parents that went to Wake Forest that now have kids at Wofford with my son who is a Wofford freshman. Take it for what its worth, but I think they (Wake Parents) enjoyed the small college atmosphere, and professor accessibility with fun and rigorous academics for their now Wofford kids.
Eckerd college has beautiful grounds, located directly on Boca Ciega Bay. There are walking and biking paths, a sustainable farm, study areas on a beach along the seawall. They have a very active waterfront with free SUP, kayaks, fishing gear, etc. There are theater, film and orchestra programs that are open to all students, and a new visual arts building. Many of the students intern at the Tampa Zoo, their research has been featured on Nat Geo, a primate center, Tampa Bay Watch, etc. The school is eco friendly and focused on sustainability and environmental issues. There are reflective service learning projects and service learning Spring Break trips.
If you are considering going out West and looking at Pepperdine, you should see if you can still apply to Loyola Marymount. Stunning campus about 1 mile from the beach, private and about the same size. It’s Jesuit but doesn’t not require religious classes.
My daughter was just accepted ED, but I think you can still apply.
Speaking of stunning campuses, University of San Diego struck me that way. It has the feel of an old Spanish village and sits on a bluff overlooking San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Gorgeous.
Absolutely, so is San Diego State University. That’s where my daughter is going next year. She fell in love with the campus. USD was beautiful as well, just too small for her. Just depends on the size of campus, student body size, and majors offered. I know SDSU app are closed, not sure about USD. LMU is open until Jan 15
