<p>James Madison really isn't that competitive, really. Apparently it just fills up fast. </p>
<p>I'm applying to both RCAH (the new one/also called Mandela) and Madison. I like MSU a lot, but it isn't exactly a first choice.</p>
<p>I'm becoming more intrigued with Kalamazoo and I'll probably apply to Vassar, too, if I have more of a shot there than I thought. And I need to look into merit aid at Skidmore.</p>
<p>Most colleges need males because the male/female ratio is closer to 45/55 than 50/50.</p>
<p>If you like Oberlin, I'd take a look at the Madison or Boulder... if you like UofM, cool town, big school, hip kids, 4 seasons etc. That should pass muster with your father. One college that seems to be moving up the prestige list (if that's important) pretty rapidly is Carlton in Minnesota. I had a couple friends that went there that were similar in spirit to my friends from Oberlin and actually for that matter to friends that went to Kenyon. (Take it for what it's worth, I'm very probably your dad's age so I don't have current experience) If your dad gives on So Cal then the Claremont Colleges are very well known and there is variety for the soul. Some of my friends that prepped out east went west to those schools. I cruised through some of your old posts, but I'm not sure I caught what your interests are. Perhaps you can update us and we can make more focussed suggestions for you and a prestige loving dad. I'd make a visit to K - you're so close you can do a day trip. I'm not doing a full court press for K, but its almost silly being so close and not taking a quick day trip. The mix of kids is definitely eclectic - you'll figure out pretty quickly if it's a serious contender or not. If you like K then steer your dad to the alumni office or pick up an alumni magazine, the grads and their jobs/careers etc are pretty impressive, the graduate school acceptance rates are unbelievable for a school that flies alittle under the radar and if UofM, State and K are on your list then I'd definitely stretch my wings and look past Michigan and try to balance your wants, your dad's wants as well as the "recognition". To be honest with you, I just updated the bios for our most senior executives (very large, very global, very well known company) and 6 out of 10 of them went to undergraduate schools that I guarantee you no one on this board has ever heard of and I looked because I have a senior searching for colleges. But that's a conversation between you and your parent(s).</p>
<p>ReninDetroit, Kalamazoo is a great LAC, but experiences with kids/parents is, if it's a school that really ruffles their feathers for whatever reasons, don't go their. College is important, but family relations are moreso, esp if the old man's footing the bill. I would avoid the directionals though (Eastern, Central, Western, Grand Valley, etc.) b/c compared to Kzoo, MSU or UM, you'd be taking a real hit reputation-wise which will result an a noticeably more regional, less diverse, less competitive student body.</p>
<p>BTW, James Madison at MSU doesn't have separate admissions but does fill up early. However, the program itself is academically demanding. More than a few professors (at MSU, Madison, at Ivies and Ivy-likes) describe Madison as "Ivy League at State U prices."</p>
<p>I think I'm going to try and convince him to look at it further. He was a little impressed by the NYT article.</p>
<p>I have a few friends at Madison. I'm applying to both that program and RCAH, but I want to live in RCAH because the housing is a LOT nicer.</p>
<p>I wouldn't lump Grand Valley in with the directional schools. GVSU is considerably better.</p>
<p>Sorry Drew00, can't agree with that. Stats wise, GVSU is slightly better than the rest (Avg ACT 24 vs. Avg ACT 20-23). However, reputation wise within the state they are all lumped together. It terms of which one is best, it really depends on your intended course of study.</p>
<p>I've heard that Vassar has such a high female:male ratio because, unlike similar liberal arts schools, they DON'T actually give priority to males in the admissions process.</p>
<p>Like others said, construction at Wesleyan (where I'm currently a student :) ) is almost done, and will be completely finished by the time you'd get to campus. Also, I know a couple of cool tour guides, but then I also know a couple of REALLY STRANGE ones that maybe wouldn't be the best examples of the awesomeness of the Wes student body. Anyway, if you didn't like it when you visited, I guess that says something. But if you didn't visit while school was in session, I highly recommend visiting again while students are around... because the best things about Wesleyan are the amazing student body and amazing professors.</p>
<p>Denison, College of Wooster, Kenyon, Allegheny, Ohio Wesleyan might all be good safeties/ matches for you. Each is very different so check them out. Also maybe Depauw in Indiana?</p>
<p>... wait a minute, ReninDetroit mentioned LAC's nearby (Ohio & Michigan). Are we talking about Wesleyan, in Ct, or Ohio Wesleyan?</p>
<p>Speaking as a Michigan resident, who went to HS in Michigan. I know for a fact that most people hold Grand Valley in a higher regard than the directional schools.</p>