Schools like Bard

I had Ithaca on my radar, but they’ve been having institutional problems, no?

Parent didn’t set a limit for cost, so I assume she will run NPC after we discuss some schools. Right now, we’re just looking to get options on the table.

It is a waste of your time and efforts if you don’t know what the financial parameters are.

Unless money is no object, the ability to pay for college, without major debt or raiding your retirement is real, the overwhelming majority of schools in the U.S. do not meet 100% demonstrated need.

There is often a disconnect between what parents are willing to pay and what the school says they can afford to pay.

Her current profile does not put her in the position to chase merit

What happens if none of the schools, you come up with are affordable options. Student needs a bottoms up approach, which consists of at least 2 safety schools that meet the following

She can be admitted
It has was she likes (major/social/etc.)
It is a financially feasible option for the family
If it is the only school left standing, she will be happy to attend.

Ithaca has not been having institutional problems, however the profile she presents (her scores) will make Ithaca a slight reach

I don’t know what state you’re from, but I think it’d be really difficult to find a private college that meets your needs. Almost all the private schools I can think of that come close are either too small or too selective for those stats. But there are a number of state schools that might be worth looking at: UNC-Asheville (already mentioned), SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Purchase, SUNY Geneseo, Evergreen State (WA), U of Vermont, UC Santa Cruz, U of Colorado - Boulder. I’m sure there are others. But among private schools, “off-beat” usually goes hand in hand with “small” and/or “selective.”

Can you explain why you think Rochester would be a good fit for someone who is interested in Bard? S graduated from there last year (as did H and I in the dark ages) and I don’t see the connection. Is it just the size and the test optional thing? It’s not really very artsy/quirky at all (well maybe compared to some schools, but nothing like Bard.)

Agree about Clark and agree with @sheepskin00 re schools like Evergreen (but doubt it would be worth paying out of state to go there.)

D had better scores and grades and was waitlisted at Skidmore. Accepted at Clark with merit. Does the student have any standout ECs?

Any interest in women’s colleges? If so, may want to look at MHC as well as Hampshire.

Definitely look at the test optional schools.

Clark does have merit aid though the merit scholarships may be competitive. As I remember the big ones were based on service in the community.

We loved Clark, the curriculum, the interesting majors, the freshman seminars, the diversity. One thing I really liked, which the kids may not have been as aware of, is its relationship to the community. And there is a prize-winning elementary school that serves the surrounding area.

There is a consortium, I believe, with Holy Cross and WPI.

@PNWedwonk The connection I see to Rochester is that the students i’ve encountered there are all very intellectual, independent thinkers. This is the vibe she’s looking for. I don’t think she’s going to be a viable candidate, though. @sheepskin00 We are in New York, and those SUNY’s are on the list. I think she could be happy at those schools, although my hope is that she falls in love with one of the smaller, quirkier schools. She is a home schooled student, so I think the jump from that to a school of a few thousand will be dramatic enough. @sybbie719 I have SUNY’s on the list as safeties for her and completely understand the concerns about financial feasibility. Thanks for all the input!

@PNWedwonk Yes, I mentioned the women’s colleges to her. She is open to them. I was thinking MHC, Smith and Scripps. We discussed Hampshire, but she said it;s too small for her taste.

Wesleyan University is offbeat and has ~ 2900 undergrads, but may be too selective.

I would agree. There may be more state schools than privates in the “off-beat and 3000+” category. On the West Coast, options might include Humboldt State and Portland State, as well as UCSC and Evergreen State. UCSC is maybe the only one that is comparable to Bard in selectivity though.