<p>If engineering is on the table, then IU would not work. Purdue, however, also has a great sports culture and great academics. West Lafayette is not as beautiful as Bloomington, but it is a true college town.</p>
<p>I would second Tulane. Great academics, unique environment and even a new football stadium on the way!</p>
<p>I’m picturing OPs DS attending a school that is in one of the big conferences. Try going to a website that lists the conferences and then look at the schools individually. I would imagine most of the schools in the big conferences have a lot of school spirit.
[NCAA</a> College Football Conferences - ESPN](<a href=“http://espn.go.com/college-football/conferences]NCAA”>NCAA College Football Conferences - ESPN)</p>
<p>Do they have potential majors (engineering/political science/etc.)? Mark them off they don’t.<br>
Are they too big? - mark them off. </p>
<p>University of Arkansas (yes, my alma mater and instate flagship) has a wonderful following of fans! Sometimes they do well in sports, sometimes not, but they still have a huge fan base. They also have a great engineering school and honors program. Is it too big? They are close to 25,000. But, again, once you’re in the engineering or honors program, it will seem smaller. You may never step foot in the majority of buildings! Their price is not that high and offer in-state tuition to bordering states (you would qualify if you are in Missouri). They also have nice merit scholarships for NMF and high-scoring students. ([New</a> Freshman Academic Scholarships | Academic Scholarship Office | University of Arkansas](<a href=“http://scholarships.uark.edu/1239.php]New”>http://scholarships.uark.edu/1239.php)) It looks like the deadline may be tomorrow??? </p>
<p>Good luck with your search! My son (a junior) has similar stats and is considering Vanderbilt as well. We toured Wash U this past summer and hope to tour Vandy over spring break. How would you compare the two? I’m thinking they are very comparable in size, feel and financial aid.</p>
<p>@SteveMA - all that “awesome sauce” spread on St. John’s and not one mention of the “new” most dominant mini-Notre Dame… that crushed St. John’s 2 years running; this year won the MIAC in football 3 years in a row, went to the National Semi finals last year and is home of the 2011 boys National Basketball title… of course I’m talking about UST. THE University of St. Thomas. I’m appalled :eek:</p>
<p>giterdone–UST just doesn’t have the almuni network that St. John’s has, sorry. It’s just a different campus/culture there and not like how things are at Notre Dame. St. John’s has WAY more national titles across the board than UST too :D. Besides, they are Tommy’s…:).</p>
<p>Hmmm. How’s the kool-aid in Collegeville? University of St. Thomas O-W-N-S the MIAC in every sport, male and female, by a wide margin. Except football. Which they’ve resoundingly corrected over the past 3 years.</p>
<p>I visited all three last year. St. John’s is not what it used to be (a HS friend graduated from there). Its tired, old, remote and so small, like revisiting your elementary school… so much “yester-year” Glory days just pass you by, for sure.</p>
<p>Oh, dare I bring up the dreaded UNWR and Forbes ratings? no, I don’t want you to jump off anything too tall. ;)</p>
<p>More “in your face” MIAC (and St. John’s) 
</p>
<p>[2012</a> Division III Women’s Volleyball Tournament - NCAA.com](<a href=“http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/volleyball-women/d3]2012”>http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/volleyball-women/d3)</p>
<p>LBowie, Thank you so much for your message! I am trying to figure out how to reply to your message, I do have questions, but I am not allowed to b/c I haven’t posted enough in CC!</p>