–Sarah Lawrence is expensive and NOT known for FA, or I would have suggested it. Running the NPC would be crucial.
–Kalamazoo is known more for co-op type study than for the arts.
–Smith in Northampton with the 5-college exchange is a lot livelier socially, intellectually, and in the arts that Conn College in New London. If this kid, assuming her test scores are good, didn’t get into Smith, I’d be astounded.
–Carleton and St. Olaf are both worth a look, if they are willing to consider Minnesota and *if * the NPC looks favorable. Carleton has the intellectual quality she wants, and St. Olaf is academically strong and has the music. Carleton is need aware.
The OP said her D was interested in French and Economics and the social sciences, not in STEM.
It sounds like the OP needs a school with good need-based aid, not merit.
IMHO, you really need to take a long hard look at the University of Rochester. Strong academics, strong music, both merit and need-based aid. It was my S’s safety school. They like demonstrated interest.
OP, would you be willing to reveal your D’s test scores? “High stats” can mean different things to different people.
My artsy non-STEM DD from a highly selective private chose Tufts- lots of high end theater, vocal music, studio art for non-majors. Big focus on languages. Mid-size on the outskirts of Boston. Not an easy admit though, and need based aid but no merit money. Other schools on her list were some of those mentioned, U of C, Vassar, Bowdoin, Wesleyan. Bates may be a good fit. Lewiston is not the prettiest city, but it is the right size with good arts opportunities. Skidmore and Tulane (a non-southern southern school) give merit money, have strong arts and are easier admits. Muhlenberg, Conn College and Brandeis definitely get a vote.
Just to comment on Kalamazoo – we looked at it pretty closely for one of mine, and I wouldn’t have said it is known for a coop experience, rather, the K plan is about an open curriculum with an emphasis on study abroad. As a trimester-based school, there is the opportunity for using a trimester for a single course with a strong intern/experiential basis, but its not like a Northeastern coop model. In terms of campus culture, like Grinnell, Bates, Earlham, Haverford, Vassar etc., there is no history of greek life and the student body cuts across a broad swath of culture – blue hair to Vineyard Vines. Although my student did not choose Kzoo, it is a very intriguing community.
Earlham would, I think, be pretty close to a safety for your D. It does not have all the attributes you mention but then, that’s generally the difference between safety and dream school.
Earlham offers merit as well as need based aid, did very well for my D (as did Denison, almost a dollar for dollar match). Many international students and huge emphasis on study abroad, some at ridiculously low prices. Sends disproportional number of students on to PhDs in science as well as other fields.
Small (about 1200 students). Lots of art and it’s available to nonmajors. Seem to be lots of musical groups, audition based as far as I can tell, a Sight Reading course is offered for those who need it to qualify. Can’t speak to theater and writing.
Location unfortunately nothing to write home about. All in all, worthy of consideration. Up and coming in my opinion.
I think the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University sounds like a perfect fit. Paid a visit there during Christmas break, a small campus that is stunningly beautiful, and it’s in the city of Houston. The only problem I had is that there were way too many trees, could barley see a thing when I walked down the road, I’m probably the only one with a problem like that though.
If that’s the case, she should pick a couple of ‘target schools’ to laser focus on. Do on-campus interviews if offered. Attend a class and meet with a department head or prof. Really get to know regional admissions officer when he/she visits her school or town. Stay in touch. Show them some love.
I assume you know the bar is set extra high for an unhooked female legacy from a NE prep school applying to a super reach SCEA University. Does she genuinely love the school, and will she be able to check ALL the boxes?:
Naviance scattergram dot well within or exceeding the accepted cluster of her school.
All required test scores comfortably within or exceeding the middle 50%
Taken the most rigorous high school schedule offered, as confirmed by the guidance counselor.
*Deep demonstrated involvement in one or two extracurricular activities.
*Top 10% of the class, but preferably top 5%
*Two 11th grade teachers in core courses and a GC who love her.
A willingness to dig deep on the required essays.
If so, excellent! If not, I might reconsider forgoing the ED advantage at fantastic schools that offer FA like Barnard and Swarthmore.
OK, we have nearly 50 suggestions within this list! Luckily, some can be eliminated on geographic or other criteria. But we have a lot of great options to learn about. I found the suggestions to look into schools such as Case Western Reserve, U of Rochester, and Brandeis interesting, as my son, with a different array of interests, has them on his preliminary list, but I don’t think my daughter has thought about that type of mid-sized university. I feel that some of the Midwestern schools might be very good options and possibly better for her than most nearby LACs, but at this point she doesn’t think she wants to go that far away unless it is for a dream school like the University of Chicago. @arwarw , Excellent advice…she does check the boxes as far as I can tell (scattergrams seem to have disappeared from our Naviance portal), so it is probably worth the chance. Anyway, there is plenty of time to decide. @TheGreyKing , are you a Susan Cooper fan? Again, many thanks all around!
Mount Holyoke is not in a small city setting like Smith is, and does preach being collaborative, but meets your other criteria. It’s a small drive from Smith, and can added on the same morning or afternoon of visiting Smith. My daughter is a Senior, and we had the same problem finding schools more in her likely, safety spots. We learned that the NECSAS school’s have so many athletes that there are far fewer spots for high stats girls. This is why some of the all woman’s schools, and some of the previously all woman’s school’s fill many spots on her list. They don’t have football and other sports where they recruit. So although Skidmore is now coed, they will never have a football team. Vassar has a lot lower percentage of athletes than the NESCAC schools, not a safer choice, but I’m guessing is on your daughters list? Schools my daughter chose to apply that fit some of you criteria, Saint Michael’s, Emerson, Wheaton (MA), Mount Holyoke, Skidmore, Hobart William Smith. Also Smith but we would consider it a match. She got letters offering free application fees for some. Many of the all woman’s colleges are free to apply as well, so having a longer list may not cost more, but may take more effort.
Smith also has great study abroad options - she could study in Paris for her Jr. year, etc. That was appealing to my D who will likely minor in French.
