schools similiar to Amherst, but less selective

<p>My son loves Amherst, but will Amherst love him? Can anyone suggest other schools that are similiar (or sightly larger) that might be matches or safeties for him? Puerto Rican/ Irish 93, unweighted average, SAT V 770, Math 690
average EC's, recs. Democrat, middle class, not first generation. Prefers diving distance from NY (up to 6, 7 hours) Thanks!</p>

<p>other NESCAC schools such as:
Bates
Colby
Hamilton
Conn Coll
Trinity
Tufts
Wesleyan</p>

<p>he would have a very good chance (matches or better) at all of those</p>

<p>Holy Cross would be a good match as HC has 2800 students vs 1700 for Amherst. Also like Amherst, Holy Cross has good balance of academics and social life. HC is located 1 hour from Boston.</p>

<p>Thanks. Anyone else?</p>

<p>ptmor offers some good options. Some less selective alternatives include Dickinson College and Franklin & Marshall. Bard and Vassar would also be worth looking into, though both schools are less like Amherst than the other listed schools.</p>

<p>I would add Bowdoin, Haverford and Colgate.</p>

<p>You might want to consider schools in the 'upper middle range.' 'Upper level' schools like Colby, Colgate, Franklin and Marshall and Bates have already been mentioned as have 'top range' schools like Hamilton, Haverford and Bowdion. Amherst is also a top school...but so super tough to get into. 'Upper middle range' schools to consider might be:</p>

<p>Hartwick - Oneonta, NY</p>

<p>Hobart and William Smith - Geneva, NY</p>

<p>St. Lawerence University - Canton, NY</p>

<p>Muhlenberg - Allentown, PA</p>

<p>Thanks. He might add Bowdoin to the list because he is somewhat familiar with it. We stopped by Haverford once and he found it too studious. I thought Colgate was more of a party school and Vassar was extremely liberal. Are these misconceptions?</p>

<p>"I thought Colgate was more of a party school and Vassar was extremely liberal. Are these misconceptions?"</p>

<p>Not really misconceptions relative to the rest of the field, but not necessarily reasons not to avoid either school. Excellent academics at both. And note that though denied by admissions staff, male students get a little extra bump at Vassar.</p>

<p>Colgate-big frat scene in the middle of nowhere. Long winters.</p>

<p>Colgate-big frat scene in the middle of nowhere. Long winters</p>

<p>Ditto Hamilton</p>