Quirky, history loving M seeks NE matches

Parents Forum
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<p>It's time to start thinking about colleges for son #2 so I return to the Parents Forum for advice, for which I thank you in advance.</p>

<p>I have 3 days off next week and I invited my son to come up with three schools which he might like to visit. I threw son #1's old "the 351 best colleges" at him and he came up with Boston University and Brandeis. He's into Boston as his brother goes to Tufts and the entire family really loves Boston. But...I'm trying to think of some other schools to visit outside the Boston area too.</p>

<p>Stats:
High 600s/Low 700s on SATs/SAT2
GPA 4.0 unweighted
Not the most rigorous curriculum but several honors classes and AP history.
ECs: no leadership but will demonstrate committment to two activities throughout high school </p>

<p>Here is his wish list:
Within a five hour drive of northern NJ.
Must have GREAT history department (his probable major).
No or negligible frat/drinking scene.
Within striking distance of a big city with cultural offerings, esp. theater and music.
Classmates who are cerebral, free thinkers; enjoying learning for the sake of learning and not to get an "A," who explore all sides to a situation before making up their minds.
Not into ..uh...mind-altering substances himself and would prefer a student body in which he would not be in the minority, or at least would not be ostracized for not drinking/getting high.</p>

<p>About him:
A bookworm. His favorite place in the world is Barnes and Noble.
He is relatively shy around people he doesn't know but is open and fun with those he feels comfortable with.<br>
Has a strong sense of right vs. wrong; ethics are very important to him.
Loves to have a good political debate.
Wouldn't feel comfortable in a Christian school. (He's proudly culturally Jewish though not religious.)</p>

<p>List of schools I came up with:
Haverford (huge reach)
Vassar (reach)
Skidmore (safety)
I've never visited but possibly Bard and Hampshire if not tooooo off the wall, based upon what I've read.</p>

<p>His list:
Brandeis (reach)
Boston University (match)</p>

<p>Can anyone add any others to this list? Any comments about whether I'm on the right track?</p>

<p>Thanks a million!
Jjsmom (who may need to change her handle to Djsmom now!)</p>

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<p>Take a look at the Connecticut group: Wesleyan, Trinity and Conn College. Also Sarah Lawrence, Dickenson. Luckily history is a strong department at most LACs so he can really concentrate on the best fit and not worry too much about academic offerings.</p>

<p>Has he worked on improving his SATs? They seem on the low side in comparison to his perfect GPA (assuming that it's 4.0 out of 4.0).</p>

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<p>What about Northeastern? I don't know about their history department, but it's right in Boston.</p>

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<p>If he likes being in cities, Bard and Hampshire should be out. They're both in the middle of nowhere. Clark is in Worcester, a rather dreary town about one hour from Boston. it has a good history department.
If your S is interested in LACs outside the NE, Conn College, Trinity (Hartford) are good choices as is Wesleyan; think about the University of Delaware, Franklin & Marshall. Bucknell.</p>

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<p>Your son sounds a lot like my D - she already scoped out the B&N near her college - she loves history, and anything in the social studies area. Will attend Amherst. While there is a rep for some partying there, they have sub free dorms, and one of the dorms is nicknamed "the nunnery." No frats or sororities. One of the freshmen seminars takes the kids to Wash DC and NY to the Folger library, and medieval theater.</p>

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<p>A nice safety might be Goucher. They have an excellent history department, pretty campus, located right outside of Baltimore with exchange agreements at Johns Hopkins. Actually, Johns Hopkins would also be a good choice. Wheaton College in Mass. might be worth a look as another safety.</p>

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<p>What about University of Rochester?</p>

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<p>NYU?-unless he not want to be in the middle of a city.</p>

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<p>I understand your interest in branching out a bit but you mention Brandeis in your original post, and it sounds ideal for your son--excellent history department and probably a comfortable social mix. Haverford does sound like a possibility but as you note, a big reach. What about Bates? A little farther from home than you might wish, but within striking distance of Portland (Maine) and a very pleasant, down-to-earth place. Possibly a reach but more of a high match maybe.</p>

<p>I am not sure about drinking and/or drugs at some of the other schools mentioned, thogh I think there are students at most schools who don't indulge--you just have to find them.</p>

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<p>Haverford might be a very good fit for your son, who sounds a bit like my daughter. We visited a couple of weeks ago and loved the feel of the place. Very accessible professors--they just came up and talked to our small tour group as we walked around. My D also likes the whole honor code thing.</p>

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<p>I know you mentioned about not feeling comfortable in a christian school, but one possibility might be Holy Cross in Worcester. They have a very strong history program including a major in medieval and rennaisance studies (my own son's interest). They emphasize political discourse, activism, and service. Many graduate from Holy Cross and go on to law school (my husband included).</p>

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<p>Hampshire for quirkiness and for a self-directed kid.</p>

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<p>check out Colby... history and International Studies. And it's a beautiful campus.</p>

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<p>In the DC area, he might want to look at GWU and American.</p>

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<p>A little more about son for those who might have a school to suggest that is not already on this list: Son #2 also hopes to study ancient civilizations (mexican, roman, egyptian, etc), either through a minor or just for his own edification, so an archaeology department or at least some available courses in this would be super too.</p>

<p>As for your WONDERFUL replies so far (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!):</p>

<p>Northeastern: Though in Boston, has definitely a business school bent with their coop program, so not really for my kiddo. :(</p>

<p>Wesleyan: Son #2 was on the Wes tour when Son #1 visited. Both didn't care for it for some reason. :( Will need to find out why...</p>

<p>Conn College and Trinity in CT: Too preppyish/frat methinks, but will explore more. Thanks for mentioning these!</p>

<p>U Delaware: Will check out, thanks!</p>

<p>Franklin & Marshall and Bucknell: Too frat-driven, I'm afraid :(</p>

<p>Amherst: Would never get in, unfortunately. Congrats on your daughter's acceptance!</p>

<p>Goucher and Wheaton: Nice finds! Did a little research into Goucher and I've liked what I've read so far. Will look into these further, thanks! :) </p>

<p>U Rochester/Bates/Bowdoin/Colby: May be too far from home and the Maine schools definitely too far from a metropolis. Too bad, all great schools!</p>

<p>NYU: just the opposite, too close to home! :)</p>

<p>Holy Cross: Agree, would have been a great match but for above mentioned reasons, will have to leave it off the list. :(</p>

<p>YES will look into GW and American too. :) THANKS!</p>

<p>Thanks and keep 'em comin' if you think of any more!</p>

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<p>how about some PA schools? Lehigh and Gettysburg and Bucknell might be good. I have several friends who go to Moravian and one whose father teaches there and it gets high marks from everyone...might be something to look into. Although it is technically a religously-affiliated school that seems to have little impact on day-to-day life.</p>

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<p>oh yeah, and muhlenburg.</p>

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<p>If he wants no drug culture, Vassar, Bard, and Hampshire need to come off the list fast.</p>

<p>Trinity is one to absolutely look at.</p>

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<p>My son sounds a lot like yours, except being catholic, is open to more options. He also doesn't want a heavy frat or drug involvement at school which knocked out a lot of Pennsylvania colleges (except Haverford, which is a reach). He likes the honor codes too and possible things to do besides drinking every weekend. Trinity has frats and one alumni told us, it's harder for the guys to not be involved than the women, (but not impossible.) Conn College doesn't have frats, but it is very preppy and about half the kids don't need aid. At 41,000, you have to comfortable with that. We are waiting to visit with the students there. He also liked Clark and emailed a History major there who loves it, Wheaton was "okay",he'll revisit,and Brandeis and Goucher are still a possible visits before summer ends. It's hard to make a list sometimes with more than a few schools when you have certain criteria, but it does help not to go in blind. I'll be interested in how your list grows and maybe get a few hints to pass on myself.</p>

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<p>LOL, I thought the NE in your subject meant New England and now I see it means Northeast. I would add Drew University. No frats. Excellent history department and many great international semesters to choose from. However, if NYU is too close to home likely Drew is as well.</p>