<p>With a chronic medical condition, you need to be aware that if you are over 18 and are not a full time student, medical coverage under your parents policy may cease. Some allow non-student dependants to stay on the family policy and others don't. Check this out if you seriously consider a gap year.</p>
<p>The Redlands thing-y seems quite interesting. I'll take a look into it.</p>
<p>Any comments on New College?</p>
<p>I think you're on the right track and there are quite a few good suggestions here from some pretty saavy adults. My S was bored in school, higher GPA than you and ACT scores but scrapped through his share of classes by his teeth, really. Loved his world culture high school class....loved his Latin class, loathed just about everything else. Played a sport or too, but no fire in the belly according to the coaches. Much to my dismay wrote his college essay on how bored he was through high school. Nonetheless he is a happy energized freshman at a small school. He's taking all the intro courses: Into to Sociology, Into to Psychology, Into to Philosophy, Into to Religion....and he's loving it. I, too, tried to gently push him toward Cornell and Colorado (1 class at a time schools because I worried that he really wasn't bored...but a closet slacker) but he's just in a plain 'ol LAC The only advice I would add, is if you are intrigued and have a desire to go to college and you think you'll do just fine, go for it. To me, it sounds like you are engaged and ready to do that. Find one where you don't have to declare a major for a couple years and sample the waters. I love the Hampshire and Marlboros of the world, but I sense you need a path, and if you still are uncertain of the path, then alittle structure and an academic advisor that you connect with makes sense. Believe me when I say my S thinks the 15-17 hours in class in college is far, far more interesting and compelling than any of his high school years were.</p>
<p>New College. I'm a fan but I don't know how affordable it would be for you. I never got around to checking but I think it may be fairly expensive at your stat level. But check it out. How about College of the Atlantic (if you could make the very limited major work for you)? Another school you might really like is Hendrix , a non-traditional traditional LAC in Arkansas. Don't judge too quickly. You miss lots in life that way. This is one cool school. Think old Volvo's with canoe racks. Lots of outdoorsy, crunchy granola and off-beat kids mixed in with an otherwise traditional looking student body with a forward thinking administration. Give it a look. Pretty campus. Great prof's. My D liked it a lot but as she is more traditional chose a more traditional southern LAC. Imagine that. ;)</p>
<p>New College really attracts the "off-the -beaten-path" types -- sort of self-selecting in that regard. It's a very open, creative environment where everyone is accepted and the curriculum can be self-directed. They place more emphasis on the content of study than grades, but at the same time, it is an honors college. I think it is a very unique place, but the kind that you will know right away whether or not it's for you.</p>
<p>What is the name of the school that only has about 30 male students, and the students are in charge of the teachers being hired, and the students also work on a ranch? Would that be a fit? It is located in California/ with the actual address in Nevada or Arizona, i think. You attend there 2 years and then transfer. It is very reknown.</p>
<p>Mom of four means Deep Springs. I believe the number of students presently is 26, with only three permanent instructors. Most classes have about four people, and the entire campus, meaning students and staff, eat together. They tend to send grads to schools like Oxford, Harvard, and Chicago. But, at least as far as standardized test scores, their average is very high. Beyond that, I would point out that alongside Olin College, they have one of the most involved applications of any American college.</p>
<p>^^^Deep Springs College <a href="http://www.deepsprings.edu/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.deepsprings.edu/index.html</a></p>
<p>Another option, and I don't know how hard it is to get in OOS, is UCSC. Quirky, non-tradional, beautiful and when I went there back in the day it challenged everything I had ever thought I'd known.(and I thought I knew everything ;-) ) I do know that it is one of the least selective UC campuses so that may improve your odds</p>
<p>I believe UCSC is around 80% acceptance for applicants, but is still very well ranked in certain areas, physics being a major one. Still, as a large university, I don't think it has the kind of small, comfortable intellectual vibe you want. A good school to be certain, but not a CTCL type institution.</p>
<p>Brandonk -- Best of luck to you. Managing depression is a lifelong challenge. Here's hoping you find a college that challenges you and makes you feel productive and happy.</p>
<p>Funny you mention Hendrix- I'm actually from Arkansas.</p>
<p>It's a school that has an appeal- I believe the Odessey Program would allow me to tailor my education to fit my needs.</p>
<p>I spent over 7 hours at Barnes and Noble last night researching New College. It's quickly becoming a major player in my new search.</p>
<p>Deep Springs is another school that I am looking at. The idea of a self-governed school and the complete imersion into an enviroment such as the Ranch, where I would have day-to-day interaction with such unique and intelligent men is very appealing.</p>
<p>brandonk , I have two more - both of which I really think might be pleasing - Evergreen and Warren Wilson. Here's a quick blurb from WW- All Warren Wilson students take at least one class within each of the school's eight liberal arts areas. This rich academic base is your starting point; numerous concentrations let you decide which path is right for you. If you choose Integrative Studies, you can design a major of your own, such as Environmental Spirituality and Art or Women's Performance Art. </p>
<p>If possible, I think Evergeen is even "looser". Look up those two.</p>
<p>BTW Asheville is a great town for a college kid.</p>
<p>New College is an public Florida school, so tuition isn't bad for residents. Stats need to be pretty good, though. Also, it is less structured than most, and requires a great deal of self-motivation.</p>
<p>Curm may be talking about New College of California, though.</p>
<p>No, I'm talking Florida for an OOS kid. If he was instate , and got in, it would be a no-brainer cost-wise</p>
<p>Florida Residents Non-Florida Residents
Tuition $3,850 $21,625 </p>
<p>Room Costs</p>
<p>First-year students typically live in either a double or triple room. </p>
<p>Room Type Fall Semester Spring Semester Yearly
Double Occupancy $2,539 $2,047 $4,586
Triple Occupancy $1,929 $1,556 $3,485 </p>
<p>Other Housing Options:</p>
<p>Room Type Fall Semester Spring Semester Yearly
Apartment $3,336 $2,658 $5,994
B Dorm (standard) $2,440 $1,959 $4,399 </p>
<p>To see a complete listing of residence hall costs, click here. </p>
<p>Board Costs:</p>
<p>Meal Plan Fall Semester Spring Semester Yearly
Standard $1,336 $1,112 $2,448
Alternate $1,212 $951 $2,163 </p>
<p>Pretty expensive OOS and I don't think they are either need blind or a 100% of need school.</p>
<p>Alright- I have list, that I would like people to pick apart.</p>
<p>Bard College
Bennington College
College of the Atlantic
Colorado College
Cornell College
Evergreen State
Grinnell College
Hampshire College
Kenyon College
Marlboro College
New College of Florida
Oberlin College
Reed College
Sarah Lawrence College
Warren Wilson College</p>
<p>Brandon, to be gentle, I think too many of your schools require a much higher GPA than you have. Bard, Bennington, Sarah Lawrence, Grinnell, Kenyon, Oberlin, and Reed all require demonstrated success in a high school curriculum, although certainly you might convince them with a compelling essay and excellent recommendations. While it's fine to be ambitious (and you should be), you must also be realistic with your choices. Don't load up on the reaches and neglect the matches and the likelies.</p>
<p>BTW, I'm getting a great idea from your selections about the type of school you're looking for. Many others have suggested St. John. Have you looked into that yet, either at the Annapolis or the Santa Fe campus? The curriculum is structured and classics-oriented, but its students are free-thinkers.</p>
<p>I've definitely looked at St. John's, and another Great Books school- Shimer. The curriculum interests me and I see the value in it. However, I'm struggling to bring myself to attending a school with no immediate professional ties.</p>
<p><< I think too many of your schools require a much higher GPA than you have. </p>
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<p>Alternatively, as a student hailing from Arkansas you have some additional cachet for these schools.<br>
I have read a fair bit about Warren Wilson - the mandatory community service part is very interesting.</p>