<p>Less quirk, more snow: I'd suggest looking at URochester.</p>
<p>We're listening, and then exploring. We're biased to the MW, but will to look beyond if other things are there. Great inputs, all.</p>
<p>One fine alternative to Carleton in the Upper Midwest that typically is passed over on CC is Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Lawrence is less selective than Carleton but has some of its qualities, including a serious yet cooperative approach to learning and spirited intelligence in the student body. For better or worse, more Lawrence students are from the region than is the case at Carleton; a high percentage are achievers from Wisconsin and neighboring states.</p>
<p>Whenever Lawrence is mentioned on CC, the word "music" is sure to follow, but actually it is a well balanced liberal arts college that should be looked at by any student biased toward stronger liberal arts colleges in the Midwest region.</p>
<p>Beloit College and the University of Minnesota-Morris are fairly obvious additional possibilities in the area.</p>
<p>I agree on Lawrence. Although S chose Grinnell, S and I visited last summer. I walked away very impressed with both the quality of education and professors. Additionally, the city of Appleton is nice and has a lot of charm.</p>
<p>My S and I were impressed with Earlham, Beloit, Lawrence and Wooster. These colleges struck us as intellectually alive with interesting and quirky students. We were less impressed with Denison and Skidmore, which struck us as less exciting from an intellectual point of view. Of course, this is based on campus visits and random interaction with students and may not be accurate. I would however encourage you to look at the four colleges above as less selective, but perhaps closer to Carleton.</p>
<p>One more thought on a good Midwestern alternative to Carleton: Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa is worth a careful look, and a visit too; a visit partly because Mount Vernon an exceptionally pretty place, really gorgeous in the fall.</p>
<p>The ACT range of accepted students at Cornell College is more or less in line with the score you report. While Lawrence and Beloit may be slight though not impossible stretches (do apply if you like them), Cornell (like Minnesota-Morris, which I really do recommend) is in match range for you.</p>
<p>The student body at Cornell College is surprisingly diverse in several ways. About a quarter of its students are from Iowa and the rest are from everywhere. In this way it roughly parallels Carleton's Minnesota draw. The one-class-at-a-time schedule sets it apart from most colleges. Some people love the concept, others do not. Students take nine courses per year, each for 3 1/2 weeks, allowing them (and their teacher) to concentrate solely on it.</p>
<p>JoeCollegeDad</p>
<p>Here is a link to the Ohio Light Opera company history - </p>
<p><a href="http://olo.wooster.edu/history.php%5B/url%5D">http://olo.wooster.edu/history.php</a></p>