<p>Wondering about a good college vibe for my son (he's not sure what he wants to major in, maybe cs, maybe pre-med, maybe something else) - he's mostly a math/science/CS/robotics nerd - but also likes frisbee, music ( orchestra, composing), hiking/camping and the outdoors and hanging out with friends. Isn't into traditional sports at all. Not competitive and doesn't hang out with people who are . I'm interested in the feel of the college or university - not so much the academic ranking of programs (which I've seen in other postings). He'd like a laid-back place rather than something too type-A with a balanced view toward academics & extracurriculars. Would probably prefer rural/small-town to urban. Medium-sized probably best but would consider large or small. Has liberal views, but can get along with people of all political viewpoints as long as they are not close-minded -- and would prefer a diverse environment (race, ethnicities, politics, economics) to homogeneity. Any school in the top 40 or 50 schools would probably fit somewhere (reach, match, or safety).</p>
<p>Carleton College immediately comes to mind -
Strong math/CS departments
huge ultimate program (national championship program)
880 acre Arboretum for hiking, other outdoors programs are available
Laid-back, non-competitive students</p>
<p>On West Coast, Whitman College may have the right feel -- or, for a more selective option, take a look at the Claremont Schools. Pomona is highly selective, but might be a great choice -- with the advantage of the other schools (i.e, Mudd) in the consortium.</p>
<p>Bucknell, Denison (not sure about robotics) for small to med size LAC, rural fit your description. Wesleyan and Lafayette (has engineering) are small but are apparently strong in science and he could play in the orchestra there. My Daughter just started at Bucknell, is very much into science and math and joined the band. So far it seems to have the college vibe you describe. My brother went to Denison and it seems to be laid back but strong in all the academic areas. While he was there he started running thru the nature preserve there and went rafting and conoeing there. He loved it. (he's a lawyer now but is laid back but loves outdoor stuff).</p>
<p>I think these suggestions are on the right track - my daughter chose Pomona (she's a freshman), and my son really likes Harvey Mudd (although it's a reach). I'll look into Whitman - does it have good math/CS/science?</p>
<p>Less outdoorsy but math-science heaven and interesting consortium opportunities---Harvey Mudd?<br>
U of Rochester?
Bates? Close to White Mountains, Maine lakes, big outing club, strong math and science, commitment to environment, laidback student culture
Bowdoin meets most of these qualities---perhaps more type-A.</p>
<p>You might also consider Beloit, especially if your son is not too type A. My very bright but very, very laid back daughter is a freshman there and has been delighted with her choice. My older two children went to Carleton and Grinnell, respectively. The three schools are all excellent and share many of the same qualities, but Beloit strikes me as slightly less intense than the other two. If your son likes what Carleton and Grinnell have to offer--and he has the stats to get in--then Beloit might be a good safety for him.</p>
<p>
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he's mostly a math/science/CS/robotics nerd - but also likes frisbee, music ( orchestra, composing), hiking/camping and the outdoors and hanging out with friends.
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Aside from the robotics which I know nothing about, Williams offers everything else on this wishlist. Rigorous academics but not cutthroat. </p>
<p>I'd also look at Bowdoin, Hamilton, Kenyon.</p>
<p>I'm just going to reply to the robotics thing since I've done a lot of research into that in colleges.</p>
<p>These may not fit with any of the other requirements, but I figured I'd throw them out there.</p>
<p>Good Labs:
Carnegie Mellon
MIT
Stanford
Cornell
Johns Hopkins (surprisingly good, especially with surgical robotics)
Purdue
Virginia Tech
UCB
UCLA
UCF (did well at DARPA challenge and I've been to UCF a lot and talked with a lot of their students and profs, pretty good program)</p>
<p>I know these may not fit the other requirements, but if this is something that is important to him, you may want to definitely look into these colleges because there aren't too many great programs after those. (I just know someone is going to post a link to some random college's fantastic robotics program after I hit submit)</p>