<p>Hi, I'm looking for a school(s) like Williams, Dartmouth, or Middlebury that is a little less selective but still has the good name, liberal arts environment, and is nestled in the hills (access to nature/skiing/hiking). Basically, I'm applying to Williams early and I would like some back up schools. I already have Vassar and Bowdoin. Any others in this field?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Colgate & Hamilton come to mind.</p>
<p>Colby, Colgate, a bunch of the NESCAC schools</p>
<p>You may want to look at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA. It’s a great school and very small too.</p>
<p>Colorado College–I was looking into the same schools as you are, and then I found out about CC. Look into the block schedule, you may fall in love with it!</p>
<p>Check Skidmore, Trinity, Grinnell, Bard.</p>
<p>Bucknell? …</p>
<p>For a LAC that is less selective than those 3, with solid academics and outstanding outdoor recreation, 2 of the best choices are Whitman College (Walla Walla, WA) and Colorado College (Colorado Springs, CO). With high stats, an applicant from the East may get a little geographic diversity boost in competing for merit scholarships, which these schools grant but the NESCAC colleges do not. So these schools could wind up being significantly less expensive (out of pocket) as well as more likely to admit. </p>
<p>Other choices in the Northeast include Hamilton, Colby, Bates, Bard, Hobart & Wm Smith. Colgate is another, but is not too much less selective than Middlebury. There are quite a few other good LACs but they do not necessarily meet your criteria (for selectivity and recreation) as well.</p>
<p>Good public LACs include St. Mary’s College of MD (on the water) and SUNY Geneseo (dunno about recreation there). These could be good safeties if you are a resident of either state (MD or NY) or if cost is not an issue.</p>
<p>Sarah Lawrence, New College of Florida (public), The College of New Jersey (public). There are a lot of nice schools in the Midwest, though they are pretty selective, too, such as Macalester, and Grinnell, and (slightly easier) St. Olafs.</p>
<p>Macalester and Grinnell are not “nestled into the hills.”</p>
<p>Not sure about the “hills” part: Oberlin, Haverford, Carleton, Davidson. And check the other NESCAC schools. Easier to get in: Kenyon, Denison (actually is on a hill with woods).</p>
<p>I would look at all of the NESCAC schools. When we started looking at colleges we eventually got to the point where we made a conscious effort to visit every NESCAC school because the 1st few we saw we were so impressed with.</p>
<p>St. Lawrence, maybe…</p>
<p>How has nobody mentioned Amherst yet? Did I just miss it? Amherst is very similar to Williams and the two are reasonably close.</p>
<p>Amherst is just as selective as Williams, and the OP wanted something easier. Otherwise, I would also suggest Swarthmore.</p>
<p>How about St. Michael’s in Colchester, Vt? Small, LAC on 400 acres outside Burlington.</p>
<p>I see from another one of your posts you want to play soccer. Are you recruitable? If so, contact the coach. could significantly increase your odds of being accepted.</p>
<p>Colgate, Holy Cross, Colby. Holy Cross is also 1 hour from Boston.</p>
<p>If you want a university with a LAC-feel, look at Rice. Although we are more science/engineering oriented, humanities and social sciences are strong here as well.</p>
<p>
St. Mike’s is hardly “nestled in the hills.” The hills are close though.</p>