<p>My D is a junior. We visited several colleges while in VA last month, the only one still on the list is W&L. What we liked: small beautiful campus in the mountains :) Everybody spoke to us (we've since read about the speaking tradition). Strong history attached to the school. Small classes taught by professors. </p>
<p>My D is pretty set on VA (she loves the mountains) but would be open to other areas with a similar climate (four seasons but none too drastic ;) I would like to find other schools similar to W&L so she can widen her net. She'll likely major in English/Lit but also enjoys Math and French. Thanks for any help you can give me. :)</p>
<p>I also loved W&L and have visited about 16 other schools. I thought Bucknell had a very similar vibe and it is another one of my top choices. Although it's in PA, the setting was beautiful and the drive through the mountains was amazing. Gettysburg and U of Richmond are also pretty similar.</p>
<p>Bucknell, Colgate & University of Virginia. The Univ. of Alabama as well. DePauw University in Indiana. Gettysburg College & Davidson College. Basically a preppy, frat heavy Southern school in a beautiful setting. I do not agree that Sewanee-The Univ. of the South is similiar to W&L. But I would like to read from those familiar with both schools. Furman's social life is quite different in my opinion as it is a dry campus. Bucknell, Wash. & Lee, Gettysburg, Alabama, Colgate & Depauw are fraternity & drinking oriented schools in beautiful locations. The drinking issue does, however, strike some nerves at W&L due to the recent publicity in Princeton Review's Best 368 Schools. W&L tried to work it out with PR by sending a letter to PR stating what W&L was doing to curb the binge drinking of hard liquor & beer. Apparently things did not work out and W&L was either dropped or withdrew from consideration (would not provide access to PR on campus) for PR's Best 368 Schools. Davidson College is not a heavy drinking school, but is Southern conservative with high academic standards.</p>
<p>W&L is pretty unique - especially when you add things such as the climate and geography. I can't think of any schools exactly the same, but I agree on Colgate, Davidson, and maybe Gettysburg. I'd also add Dartmouth.</p>
<p>Thanks for the ideas! DH (her dad) went to Furman and I'm from Alabama so we're quite familiar with those schools. She's not into drinking but we personally know of several current students at W&L who aren't either :).</p>
<p>I think New York would be too far north for her Texas blood. Davidson, Sewanee and UofR would be good options. Thanks for brainstorming with me everybody! :)</p>
<p>My son got an email from the school, inviting him to apply to the school and for the Johnson Scholarship. We have lived overseas for many years, and had, frankly, never heard of the school. Any third culture families out there? Any international students? What has been your experience? Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>Furman in Greenville, SC is my alma mater but I live near WandL and know many fine WandL grads who got great foundation educations in Lexington..my dad is a VMI grad. Furman is not as selective as WandL but is still quite rigorous in class. The speaking tradition at WandL is very marked and you will see the same courteous culture at Furman..extremely warm and friendly and faculty members who will sponsor students carefully into grad schools..no TAs. English at Furman has produced several published writers, novelists etc. Greenville is hugely cool downtown new, very New South vibrant, and Furman is in the foothills of the gorgeous NC Pisgah Forest but six miles from a good sized city with a good downtown. They are eager for geographic diversity.</p>