<p>Friend's D has a 3.6 GPA + 2100 SAT. Wants an LAC with a good poli sci dept. (No very large U's.) E.C.'s are not spectactular: consistent Debate, minor performing arts involvement with no major visibility or awards in those. No sports or leadership. Only desired choices right now are Vassar, Bard, Wesleyan, Chicago (I know, not an LAC).</p>
<p>Top 25% of class.</p>
<p>Opinions? Alternates? Recent experience/knowledge of admissions to these or suggested alternates?</p>
<p>With the possible exception of Bard, I'd say they all sound a bit reachy; Try looking at Bates, Connecticut, Hamilton or Trinity (CT) in the East or Claremont McKenna out West.</p>
<p>That would be my take, too, JW. Perhaps I could interest them in Conn. College & Trinity. (However, come to think of it; I think most students are at or nearly at deadline-time.)</p>
<p>What's anybody's take on Macalester? Or the women's colleges as alternatives? Have been common data sets; for some reason GPA ranges are not usually listed in cds. I should probably go to Freshman Admitted Profiles on the college sites.</p>
<p>I agree with johnwesley, Bard aside, named schools a bit of a reach. The SATs are, more or less, just around the median for the listed schools (assuming the total isn't a function of a disproportionately high writing score), and the GPA/rank are a bit low. ECs won't make up the difference. But reach does not mean impossible: strong recs, essays, etc. all could help. </p>
<p>Claremont McKenna is strong in Pol Sci, but also a reach.</p>
<p>Macalester (in Minn.) is good in Pol Sci and a bit more of a match.</p>
<p>Macalester is excellent, bar in the fact that the change in setting is a bit drastic, but the study of all the social sciences at Macalester are among the best of LACs, particularly if she interested in international politics. The student body is an atypical quirky bunch that truly love what they are studying. Study groups and debates into the whee hours of the night abound. It is a wonderful setting for minds with a thirst for knowledge and to be with others students that share that same passion. </p>
<p>The community is accepting of everyone and has a very strong international and gay community. Make no mistake, that this is one of the most liberal and politically active LACs in thhe country, which for students, can be a blessing or a curse. The food is beyond excellent by the way, not Cornell level, but still excellent. with its strength in community, does come a small lack in campus life and it doesn't exactly have the boundless activities that many other schools have, but there's still plenty to do. I'd say it would be a great choice to apply to, but if she is accepted, you'll definitely need to take visit like I did. </p>
<p>Also, Yahoo Education College Database is pretty good at listing statistics, and for most schools list he average GPA, check here:
<a href="http://education.yahoo.com/college/essentials/%5B/url%5D">http://education.yahoo.com/college/essentials/</a></p>
<p>good post, cre8tive. I was only somewhat discouraged with the broad GPA ranges on the Yahoo site. These days, 3.5 - 4.0 is a huge range, actually. It would be better for them to narrow it to 3.8-4.0/3.6-3.8, etc. However, of course even <em>that</em> seems to be a moveable target. I'm sure the student in question could have been admitted 3 yrs. ago. Whether the same is true today, I wouldn't know. One thing for sure: she is NOT from the liberal political spectrum. I did warn the family about that.</p>
<p>"NOT from the liberal political spectrum" and contemplating Bard, Vassar, Wesleyan? Hmm.</p>
<p>Well it not like Macalester is in your face protest and demonstrations like Mills or Reed, but it's is open to all forms of political thought, and those that represent different form of thought generally represent it to the max. So it becomes a highly politically active climate spudding with debates. It may actually be good for here to begin cubing different perspectives in politics and also debating her own sides.</p>
<p>Also, Yahoo! gives pin point GPA averages, they may be dated for somes school by 1-2 years but their good numbers to have...</p>
<p>Vassar's Avg GPA - 3.75 (Class of 2008)
Bard's Avg GPA -3.5 (Class of 2009)</p>
<p>Ephiphany, Can you tell us anything more about the student's high school curriculum? How many years of math, foreign language, science? How many AP/honors classes? I have found that GPAs aren't always reliable indicators of chances at any particular school without being able to compare the applicants curriculum to the college's requirements and recommendations. </p>
<p>Other suggestions for schools to check out however (I'm assuming this person prefers the Northeast and taking your "not too liberal" comment into account: Dickinson, Denison, Lafayette, Mulhenberg, Franklin & Marshall, Gettysburg, Hobart & William Smith, Kenyon, Hamilton, Washington & Jefferson, Colby, Trinity, possibly Connecticut College.</p>
<p>Hi, carolyn. Agreed: blanks need to be filled in. Student has taken one or 2 Honors level courses in the last 3 yrs. One AP exam was attempted soph yr., minus the class. (Score was 3.) One AP class + exam was taken jr. yr. (Good results for class + exam.). Three AP's are currently being taken. Emphasis has been history/gov't.</p>
<p>I believe 3 yrs. math, 4 yrs. science have been taken, or vice-versa. Struggles with both. (At least one C, possibly two.) Three yrs. foreign language. No advanced classes in math, science, language.</p>
<p>I have suggested at least Dickinson, Kenyon, Muhlenberg to family. Mom expressed gratitude, but D has other ideas. D tends to be ruled by pride; concerned about being "shown up" by classmates who may get more lofty acceptances.</p>
<p>WesDad, my sentiments exactly. (Again, I tried to point this out to family; Mom concurred with me; D more interested in ego than in practicalities.)</p>
<p>Cre8tive, I thought your response on the politics was excellent. And I definitely agree with you. Wherever one is on the spectrum, it is both mentally stimulating & emotionally opening to be exposed, to debate viewpoints in general. Heck, what in the world is college all about? Arguing! Debating! Experimenting with ideas not one's own!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the student in question would sacrifice openness & growth to flash an acceptance. Oh well, one only has so much control...Or none at all.</p>
<p>More conservative: Dickinson, Bucknell, Gettysburg, Franklin & Marshall, Bryn Mawr, Trinity, Mary Washington, U Richmond, Centre, Rhodes, Emory, GW, Hamilton...</p>
<p>On the Bard front: Skidmore, Sarah Lawrence, Goucher, Wells</p>
<p>Just another thank-you to the posters who added several colleges. Some of them were a first-time investigation for me. It's so important to know that there are alternatives, & what the flavors of the differences are. Some of these options are quite small (for those who prefer or need that), some have wonderful internships, some grads advance to very fine graduate schools, etc.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I doubt that the student will take wise advantage of these, some of which would be terrific for her. But I'm filing these lists away, regardless.</p>
<p>SBMom, what did you mean by "on the Bard front"? Did you mean geographically? (I think one of those colleges is in PA.) Perhaps you meant political leanings?</p>