Recommend similar LACs to my top choices? (Oberlin, Colorado College, Grinnell, etc.)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey everyone, I'm applying to a lot of LACs, and I want to apply to a few more schools. I'm open to all geographic areas, but I'd rather not be somewhere competitive or particularly preppy. Here is a list of the schools that I'm applying to in the order of my preference:</p>

<p>Oberlin
Carleton (slight reach, I think)
Colorado College
Grinnell/Macalester
Vassar
Wesleyan
Occidental
Whitman</p>

<p>I'm considering:
Bard (intrigued by this school, worried that I won't get good financial aid)
Bates (see Bowdoin)
Bowdoin (visited, liked it a lot, worried that it may be too wealthy/preppy)
Pitzer (never visited, worried that I won't get good financial aid)</p>

<p>I have a 33 ACT, 3.8 UW GPA, fairly strong ECs, all that good stuff, but I don't know if some of the "possibles" are worth applying to (may be too strong of a reach). I'm trying to cast a wide net so I can compare financial aid packages in April. So, which of the schools I'm considering do you think fit best with my list and are there any schools that I should add?</p>

2

<p>Your main list looks really good except if you are worried Bowdoin/Bates are too preppy what about Vassar? </p>

<p>Have you thought about Reed (the Oberlin of the west)? </p>

<p>Pitzer is absolutely gorgeous and part of the Claremont consortium, which gives you a wide array of resources from the other four schools. Pitzer’s primary focus (but not exclusive) is on the social and behavioral sciences and so if you like psych, soc, or poli sci, among others, I would definitely submit an application rather than assume the FA will not meet your needs.</p>

3

<p>I didn’t really get a super preppy vibe from either schools when I visited them, I guess. It’s just a stereotype. </p>

<p>Reed seems just a little too hardcore for me, unfortunately, though I would love to be in Portland.</p>

<p>Thank you for that encouraging advice about Pitzer, I may just end up applying there, but then that means I have to choose b/w Bates and Bowdoin…</p>

4

<p>Take a look at Beloit and Lawrence. </p>

<p>Bowdoin is very preppy. Bates somewhat less so.</p>

5

<p>I applied to both as safeties. Can you please clarify what you mean by very preppy?</p>

6

<p>If you want to be in Portland and go to a LAC that’s less intense than Reed, consider Lewis & Clark College. If you’re looking for some merit aid, and willing to consider going to the Seattle metro area, you might want to look into University of Puget Sound</p>

7

<p>You have a great list and a good strategy. Good luck!</p>

8

<p>Here are some schools to consider: Sewanne, Hobart William Smith, Cornell College (IA), Allegheny, Knox, Wooster, Goucher, Washington & Jefferson, Seina</p>