Since the conversation has shifted to geoscience, and I had suggested Denison, I should add, Denison has Geoscience and Environmental Science departments, with funded summer research program opportunities.
You might look at Allegheny. Very strong in environmental science, a leader in undergrad research. Would likely qualify for top merit (30K) and honors college. Daughter looked at LOTS of LACs and thought the student body was on the more quirky and nerdy side than most. Everyone we have met from administration to professors to students have been incredibly warm and down to earth, and passionate about what they do.
I would suggest Muhlenberg in Allentown, PA. Strong science and theater programs. Very good disabilities office. Not much in terms of Greek life. A very accepting campus community where ever group seems to be very accepting of each other. Worth a look and visit. Best of luck to you!
@tk21769 This coming year Muhlenberg will give out 5 top scholarships of 40,000 each.
@planner03 I completely agree there are a lot of bright, interesting students at Gettysburg but there can be no denying that the social scene is dominated by Greek life. For students who want that environment it is great but for students who aren’t interested in Greek life it severely limits the social options.
Thanks for all the suggestions. After looking at this and talking with my kid, I think we have:
W&M (in state safety)
VT College of Science (far 2nd place in state safety— size). Can get in and afford
Oberlin
Kenyon
Denison.
CWRU. All safe admits. We’ll see about merit aid. But at least they offer it, and it is realistic
Also being considered: Villanova, Boston College and/or Northeastern…Davisson. Probable admits Merit aid is a stretch, but possible
——————————- | Safeties and matches above
Duke. Reach. By a long shot
CMC Keck school (CMC & Pitzer for men). CMC is a reach, Pitzer is a match. Merit aid I’d to ugh.
UC Berkley- excellent geosciences department. Costs approx the same as WM for OOS, so no scholarship needed. But huge, and in CA. And a reach, but possible depending on where grades go. Although they have a high admit rate for TJ.
I’d like him to look at CMC consortium and UC Berkley before he decides for certain that the west coast is a no go. And see a large school with a different vibe than UVA.
So— balanced looking college list?
Union College? A lot of the top geology programs tend to be large universities.
But I see the point some make. The schools that may offer merit aid may not be better academically or more affordable than W&M in state. From an undergraduate quality perspective, there aren’t too many that are much better.
If he’s interested in science and music, he should try to include St Olaf. It’d be a low match (absolute safety if he expresses sustained interest).
You’ll need to make sure he expresses interest early on for most of these since his stats may result in a deny for yield protection.
I’m not sure how UCB OOS can cost the same as WM instate though. For TJ students it’d make a lot of sense (they’re used to the intensity and no hand holding).
I’m unclear how W&M is close to UCB OOS tuition. The latter looks like maybe $34k and UCB is $44k+?
I’m going to throw DePauw out there as an option. It’s right at your 10 hour drive limit. Small town but about 30 minutes from Indianapolis. Geoscience major, great musical environment, and has a reputation, at least in Indiana, for providing enough financial aid to be affordable to those of us in the donut hole.
My daughter visited with a friend and came home obsessed. She was impressed by the small discussion-based classes and the approachable faculty. Like your son, she is music kid, but not sure at what level she wants to pursue it in college. DePauw has options for music minor, double major or dual degree should she decide to go that route. Most important to her, even if she doesn’t follow an academic music track; she needs a musical atmosphere on campus. DePauw definitely had that; lots of productions and visiting artists. She should have the stats for more competitive schools, but for now, DePauw is her benchmark.
DePauw is an outstanding school. The music program and artists they bring to campus (Yo-Yo Ma came this year). My son is a student there and has a radio program, is in a fraternity, in the Management Fellows program, takes great classes at the Prindle Institute on ethics, etc. The student engagement is the best around. For a small school out in the middle of nowhere, they manage to make it a great experience for every student that attends.