Ohio Wesleyan is definitely a good school for a liberal. Very diverse, and also academically challenging. Campus is kind of ordinary in its aesthetic; well maintained, however. OWU probably is more generous with merit aid than any other small college in Ohio.</p>
<p>Wooster has a more compact campus, which is somewhat more attractive as well. Although it has the mandatory senior project, Wooster does not seem to be quite as rigorous as Ohio Wesleyan. This might partially explain Wooster’s higher graduation rate (75% vs. 68%).</p>
<p>Earlham is probably the most deeply Quaker of all the colleges in that tradition. Even so, only about 10% are Quakers there. Nonetheless, the atmosphere is reflective of Quaker values… namely respectful discussions even when disagreeing. Because Quakers are pacifists, they often are perceived as “liberal” – and most probably do vote for Democrats – but their personal behavior is quite circumspect. Religiously, Quakers have never been pushy. Earlham is a great place for anybody who is seriously philosophical, even if they are not interested in religion itself.</p>
<p>I don’t think that she will really WANT to go to any state school. However, if the choice in an instate college that she sees every day, where half of her her graduating class will attend (Kent State) and anything out of state, she would prefer to be away. </p>
<p>Between her favorite schools and EMU and others at the bottom her list, are a few colleges that she might be OK with attending. Her average this quarter will be a 4.0 (4.25 weighted) She is applying to test optional schools and Hampshire, which will not even look at standardized tests.</p>
<p>With reference to drugs, my wife and I are not on the band wagon of hysteria created in the 80s by Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign. </p>
<p>There were drugs available in college when we attended in the late 70s early 80s. We expect that there are going to be drugs available at most colleges that are not terribly religious. She isn’t looking at any party schools. We really dpobt that she will be involved in hard drugs or orgies. </p>
<p>Please eliminate EMU off your list. It’s among he weakest of the public universities in Michigan, is not in a desirable location, and has had fairly frequent safety issues over the years. Even if it were free, I would discourage attendence.</p>
<p>Here’s some solid $$$ saftey schools not the list:
Colby Sawyer in NH. Both my girls loved this school after their visits mainly because of the friendly and welcoming attitude of the other students and stunning new hampshire landscape. Both were rewarded VERY generous merit and FA packages. This school is serious about attracting serious students with large scholarships.
Hobart and William Smith (rape scandal and pink shorts aside) Excellent programs and solid internships. Older D received nice merit / FA. Younger wait listed.<br>
My older D attends MHC. She’s very impressed with quality of education. The no-boy thing takes some adjustment. Fabulous aid. </p>
<p>Thanks for these suggestions. It’s good to know about Colby-Sawyer. We know some one who attended Hobart and William Smith. She was very “preppy” - not a prep school grad, but not interested in activist or progressive pursuits and not at all artistic. </p>
<p>My wife has visited there and reports that it’s very pretty and on Lake Geneva. Is the social climate moderate, conservative - or other? </p>
<p>Again, our daughter is going to major in political science.</p>
<p>I think that your daughter would find a match at either Beloit or Earlham. Kalamazoo, while also a match, my experience is that it has a slightly more conservative vibe than Beloit or Earlham. While Earlham is closer, the drive to Beloit from Northern Ohio is really not too bad. If I remember correctly, the drive from Beloit to Cleveland took about 6 hours when I last did it.</p>
<p>Another college that your daughter may consider is Skidmore College. It is in the right direction for you. Plus, I think the campus atmosphere would be a match for your daughter. </p>
<p>She is thinking of these colleges. The issue is that we live slightly east of Cleveland and we already have a son seven hours away in Vermont. As the holiday season approaches, we are concerned about the drama and expence of getting two kids home from colleges in opposite directions.</p>
<p>Also, we are originally from the East Coast. Many of my daughter’s friends from school and sleep away camp will be in upstate NY and New England colleges. </p>
<p>OK, here is basically the final, list for my daughter. But don’t hold me to it. Most are test optional.
The top four are: Clark, Mount Holyoke, Bennington and Hampshire. In that order.
The second tier are: Earlham, Wittenberg, Hiram, Eckerd, Beloit, Wheaton (Ma.), Kalamazoo and Ohio Wesleyan
The safety schools are: Capital, Albright, Flagler and Elmira.</p>
<p>We were debating about Beloit, not about the school, but about the location. Beloit is about 8 1/2 hours from us, the opposite direction from our son. I guess we wouldn’t turn down a hefty scholarship for our daughter if they offered.</p>
<p>LUX, between my two Ds we’ve attended the admitted students events (and some over nights at your top four). Here’s my take: MHC superior LAC, world class education, gave the best aid, no-boys takes some adjustment. Bennington, The bennington mystic, creative freedom in ways you can’t begin to imagine, Field work term was turn off as it semed expensive and unstructred. Hampshire, perhaps the most well spoken and interesting tour guide ever! great school for self starters with a clear path. The last year is almost like a graudate school. My D2 was not “ready” for that enviroment–terrified her. Older took a five college hampshire class recently and loved it. and, of course, Hampshire holoween! Clarke.Both kids like the school. I found lots of “gimicks” while reading the fine print terms and conditions, lots of “intorverted” kids (like you find at an engineering school), cool hippser arty kids too wierd mix… Worchester-yuck. Otherwise a well rounded top pick.<br>
You should do a careful job on your CSS profile. She should Interview. Overnight if accepted. D#1 had Eckard as her top choice until her EA admission package came back (NO merit or grant $$$!!!) I know nothing about the other schools.
No Colby Sawyer? I tell ya, you can’t beat their aid package. Lovely school. NIce down to earth friendly students.
No HWS? Yes it’s preppie. But the former director of the Peace Corps (under clinton) is President. Strong internships in DC–college gaurentees internships and funds selected study abord programs. (I think with last years scandal admissions may be less selctive this year) School gives good aid to test optional kids based upon the wholistic app.<br>
Best of luck. </p>
I am not sure anybody needs four safeties. I suggest cutting at least one, if not two.</p>
<p>Also there is a world of difference, academically, between Hiram and Ohio Wesleyan. OWU is far more rigorous, has brighter students, and is plenty liberal. I would cut one or the other. Hiram might be a safety.</p>
<p>For some reason I think Wittenberg is kind of conservative. Maybe I’m wrong.</p>
<p>Wittenberg and Capital are both affiliated with the same branch of the Lutheran Church. If you are Lutheran, then maybe keep both, but if not, why are they both here?</p>
<p>Keep Earlham. It is totally unique on this list. Quakers are totally unique, actually. Give it serious thought.</p>
<p>Witt might be more conservative - or moderate, than she would like. My wife and kids are Evangelical Lutheran. They are comfortable in that environment. She will also recieve more consideration and aid there.</p>
<p>The ELCA Lutheran Church is a liberal denomination. They marry Gays and have a trasgender Bishop, for example.</p>
<p>Capital and Witt are not her first choices, but my daughter is ELCA Lutheran.That’s why they are their.</p>
<p>Okay, that explains that. Makes sense. Thanks.</p>
<p>Anybody who takes religion seriously should explore the Quakers at some point. Lovely people, and very committed to intellectual inquiry. Earlham is on my list of favorite schools because it really is good, but also because it is the only remaining Quaker college which attempts to be true to that tradition. Haverford once was Quaker and some of those values still influence the college, but the religious aspect is mostly gone. Earlham has become the Quaker college of choice for Quakers.</p>