My step son has done well (85% avg) at a NE prep school (not one of the elites), with 25ACT score, and decent involvements (CS trip to Guatemala, term long Mountain Term off campus). I think Sewanee would duplicate his current school to a certain extent, something he’s looking for (close student-teacher relations) but unsure about a NE kid going to a significantly southern school. Thoughts?
There are plenty of kids from the NE at Sewanee. He won’t have a problem fitting in. The school has a southern vibe though so I would definitely visit and see if it for him.
We have visited several times, and D has felt very comfortable despite not being from the south. We had a great tour guide from California. D did an overnight with a student from Kansas City. We talked with a professor who did his undergrad at Kenyon. Although located in the south, it has a national feel to it.
If your S is a junior this year and you are able to visit, their day-long Admissions 101 program in the summer is really valuable, IMO. D enjoyed that, and then went back in the fall when class was in session. In addition to a very friendly and seemingly cohesive student body, they have the best food of any that we had during our various college tours!