<p>My son, a junior, has expressed greatest interest so far in College of the Atlantic, although we haven't been there yet. He also likes Beloit. His grades are decent, but not stellar, all in AP and Honors. Very intellectual, artistic, has studied and volunteered abroad, with main interests in anthropology and botany. Any suggestions so he has more options? SAT not yet taken, but anticipate verbal close to 700, and math 550 plus good writing skills. Thanks!!</p>
<p>Warren Wilson, Prescott in Arizona, Connecticut College (excellent for Botany), perhaps Colorado College?</p>
<p>I agree with all the suggested colleges from radannie- maybe also consider Hampshire College in Massachusetts, Bard College in NY, Marlboro College in VT? Good luck with the searching! Beloit and College of the Atlantic are two very unique colleges that produce many brilliant students! Hope all is well!</p>
<p>One of my very good friends is at College of the Atlantic and raves about it. She is a freshman and applied ED. She got alot of money and had about a 94 average. She orignally wanted to be a marine bio major, but has changed to a concentration in English. From what I hear from her it is a very unique special place, and you can't beat the location.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of your replies. It is great to hear positive reviews of COA, since it is difficult to find much firsthand info. about this place, due to the small size and unique approach. I expect that the students in general are a bit eccentric, and that is fine. However, we are not looking for kids who are totally off-the-wall counterculture. Can you comment on this?</p>
<p>Also recommend Bennington and Sarah Lawrence (which doesn't accept SAT scores.)</p>
<p>If you don't want too much of a hippie feel, you should be fine with Bard and Sarah Lawrence (which are more intellectual than hippie). </p>
<p>I'm not so sure Hampshire and Bennington though (I think they're more hippie than intellectual).</p>
<p>Bennington is more hipster than hippie, not so sure about Hampshire or Bard though. In my visiting/touring experience the school that had the most off-the-wall counter culture kids was Sarah Lawrence (and don't even get me started on Reed--huge drug scene) All have many intellectual, bright kids who are very engaged in their work. The same kids all apply to Bard, Sarah Lawrence, Hampshire and Bennington, (along with a handful of other schools) so the populations are very similar.</p>
<p>Goucher, New College of Florida</p>
<p>In addition to Beloit (which is particularly strong in anthropology), I would suggest that he look at Earlham, Lawrence, College of Wooster, Kenyon and Grinnell in the midwest. Each of them is intellectually alive and somewhat offbeat in different ways. For Kenyon and Grinnell, he might need SATs over 1300; for the others, the SATs you forecast would probably do. These are wonderful colleges. On the east coast, I would add Skidmore to those already mentioned.</p>
<p>Hampshire, Oberlin, Grinnell, St John's or Reed (super intellectual, and drug scene by many, but if you're not into it, there is no pressure at Reed to conform, just the opposite).</p>
<p>I would reiterate Skidmore and Kenyon and add Hamilton, Conn College, Colby. Search this site for SAT optional schools.</p>
<p>I have not been to College of the Atlantic but I have vacationed in Bar Harbor a dozen or more times. There is no more beautiful place on earth. At COA your son would be minutes away from Acadia National Park. I have heard nothing but great things about the college.</p>
<p>knox, earlham, wooster and lawrence</p>
<p>My daughter is a happy Beloit student. Although I'm obviously biased, I can't say enough good things about the wonderful opportunities she's had at Beloit, and the closeness and caring of the faculty. She's found it to be academically challenging, socially accepting, and just a laid-back, unpretentious, and friendly place overall. </p>
<p>Earlham is probably closer in feel to Beloit than Lawrence, Knox or Wooster, although all four do draw overlapping applications. Kenyon definitely does NOT have the same feel as Beloit, although they both have stellar creative writing programs. I also think Colby, Hamilton and Conn College draw a different type of student than Beloit. Of those I've just mentioned, Earlham and Beloit are far more "quirky" and do-your-own-thing types of places than those above. (Not that ALL of these aren't wonderful schools).</p>
<p>Other schools that I would say are more on the same continuum as Beloit in terms of feel and student body (some more than others) would be: Oberlin, Reed, Carelton, Macalester, Sarah Lawrence, Bard, Skidmore (a little more preppy than Beloit though), Goucher (ditto), Grinnell, The Johnston Center at the University of Redlands, Hampshire, Lewis & Clark.</p>
<p>If your son likes the College of the Atlantic, you might also check out Sterling College in VT. and Northland College in Wisconsin, both of which also focus in on environmental issues. Also, check out Warren Wilson and Guilford.</p>
<p>By the way, Beloit isn't SAT optional, but they don't put a huge emphasis on SAT scores. My daughter was admitted with very similar verbal and math SAT scores to those you are mentioning. However, while Beloit is easier to get into than comparable schools, your son should know that it is NOT an easy place academically. The classes are small, the professors expect each student to rise to the top of their ability, and the curriculum is very reading and writing intensive. My daughter, who attended a very rigorous private high school and was a very good student in high school, was somewhat taken aback by that at first. The teachers truly care about students, but they demand a lot and don't tolerate slackers. Feel free to click on my name to your left and send me an email if you have further questions about Beloit (I don't come to CC often so I don't often respond to PMs).</p>