<p>My senior daughter has still not applied to any colleges. She is has good grades and takes all honors and APs and had good boards. The problem is she suffers from anxiety and some depression and is unsure of her ability to handle college, even though she very much wants to go. We live in Virginia. Can anyone suggest a school in the southeast that has a nurturing, friendly environment? One with a good art program would be particularly welcome. Our son is at James Madison, which we think would be a good fit but she doesn't want to look like she is following in his footsteps. Thanks for any help.</p>
<p>mary- your kid has to get in her applications ASAP or she is going to get a bit more anxious when her friends start receiving their acceptances.</p>
<p>there's a website- Colleges</a> of Distinction - A College Search Tool yes, it is a marketing tool- but many of the schools listed are on the smaller side, emphasis teaching to UG's and often seem to be among the "hidden gem" schools that people on these boards talk about. I'm not familiar with Va schools, but I did a quick check and 11 schools in Va are listed which include Roanoke, Randolph and U of Mary Washington.
I think the website is worth looking at.
others will mention checking out the L. Pope book (senior moment- I can't remember the name of the book. It's been a while since I was looking at UG programs) so that may be another resource too.</p>
<p>also- I don't want to get into the emotional needs of your kid- but if she has not yet applied to colleges due to anxiety, I don't think you can rule out having her go to a college very close to home- or have her seek professional help in dealing with her anxiety. But that's a whole 'nother issue.
good luck to your family</p>
<p>franglish just listed the L Pope book- "Colleges that Change Lives".
Thanks</p>
<p>Check out the book "Colleges that Change Lives." It is a very good place to start.</p>
<p>Davidson definitely</p>
<p>Hollins University</p>
<p>Mary, any chance for a three way (or four way if there's a dad in the picture) for all you and her counselor/therapist? I'd get an outsider's perspective on what she can handle.... especially since she hasn't gotten moving on the application process yet. I'd be reluctant to push a kid who was this ambivalent. Is there a place she can commute to next year, get some credits under her belt, and then look at college with a fresh eye?</p>
<p>Another reassuring option might be to encourage her to apply to small LACs that allow admitted students to defer a year. So she could apply now along with her peers, but know that if she wanted to take a year to be at home and work and relax about all this, she had that option. And I wonder if Sweet Briar might be an option?</p>
<p>My heart goes out to your D. I'm not sure if the school itself will make as much difference as getting her what she needs in terms of medical care or therapy. As I say a lot on these boards, I was depressed for years before I realized that LIFE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SO HARD. Some smart kids just think this is how it is and the happy people just don't "get it." You might want to look at schools that are within an hour and a half to two hour radius from you so that she gets her taste of independence but it will be easy for her to come home or for you to visit on weekends.
All the best to her and to you!</p>
<p>My son has blossomed at Rollins College in Winter Park, just outside of Orlando. He has a wonderful group of friends, and is active in several campus organizations including arts related ones.</p>
<p>It has small classes, professors go out of their way to mentor students, too, and the administration is very supportive of students' ideas.</p>
<p>I do not know specifics of the art program, but S has done lots of things in the arts including some in the visual arts.</p>
<p>Feel free to PM me if you'd like more info.</p>
<p>"Can anyone suggest a school in the southeast that has a nurturing, friendly environment?"</p>
<p>Guilford.
Guilford</a> College Art Department</p>
<p>If the St. John's College (Maryland) Great Books program appeals to her, that could be a good option.</p>
<p>How about checking out Elon in North Carolina?</p>
<p>I second Guilford. It's Quaker philosphy seems very nurturing and gentle. I was very impressed during our visit with the support it offers students. It's also a CTCL.</p>
<p>And a really good art program.</p>
<p>maryg03, I am not sure from reading your initial post if your daughter likes James Madison, but doesn't want to seem like she's invading her brother's turf or can't find her own. (Or, does she actually not really like it, for her, although it's terrific for her brother?)</p>
<p>If the former, we know of several pairs of siblings who ended up at the same universities and it has worked out very well. They don't necessarily see a lot of each other day to day, but it can be practical for rides home and such, and older sib can be a trusted source for info as well as a friendly face at an unfamiliar place, which might be of particular comfort to your daughter. That is to say, I hope that she doesn't withhold applying to a school that might truly be a good one for her, and maybe with the added reassurance of having her brother there.
She could always apply to James Madison as well as others suggested here (including some close to home), and be thinking things over and dealing with the anxiety, meanwhile. Even if she decides to put off college for a year, she'll at least have options.<br>
Just a thought.</p>
<p>Yes, I'll add that in my family the benefits to both children and parents of having siblings attend the same university are substantial, and far outweigh the occasional drawbacks. Mine see each other probably no more than once a week at this point, but they have a fair number of associates in common -- #2's job and apartment put him in frequent contact with three of #1's best friends -- so that each always knows how the other is doing, and when a quick visit/hug might be welcome. They are much more willing to talk honestly to us about each other than about themselves. And their vacations match!</p>
<p>(The drawbacks? From our standpoint, none. From theirs . . . they are much more willing to talk honestly to us about each other than about themselves.)</p>
<p>thanks for all the good advice. I am going to check into the schools suggested. We would love for our daughter to go to JMU. It is an hour and a half from home and the environment would be a good fit. Unfortunately, she thinks I am pushing her in that direction, although I am trying not too. Wish us luck!</p>
<p>I don't know if you want to look as far west as Lexington, KY, but Transylvania is the model of nurturing. If you are at all interested in looking at a small LAC that far away, PM me, and I will be glad to offer any questions.</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman at JMU. Two good friends of hers from high school went there also and she never just bumps into them. If they want to see each other, they plan it. It's a big enough campus that I don't think she would feel like she is crowding her brother of vice versa. If she would like to get in touch with my daughter with questions or have lunch with her on a visit, PM me. You can feel free to PM me too with questions. I have a good sense of the pros and cons. I have been told, BTW, that the counseling is very good there.</p>
<p>Take a look at Emory & Henry also.</p>