<p>Thank you for your comments; much appreciated. Student has a 700 Writing score (B/B+'s), but wants to major in math (610/29/A’s) or science (27, but A’s). Wants do studio art (drawing/painting) only as minor. Quirky, polite, shy. Will never be a bro.</p>
<p>I third Wooster. Denison kids are slightly preppier. Kenyon kids are pretty quirky but that school is tougher to get into than most of the CTCLs.</p>
<p>Definitely look at Beloit</p>
<p>I second Kalamazoo College - No Greek system, all go on foreign study, strong LAC educational philosophy, good academics, small classes, good community.</p>
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<p>I must have been very lucky. </p>
<p>One I’ll say about Oberlin students…disengaged is the last word I’d use to describe any of the ones I knew when I attended in the '90s. If anything, one main issue many have is being too engaged to the point of being over-committed to academics, ECs, and political activist activities and being stretched thin.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, which schools have you toured and how did they hit or miss your objectives? Any preference for number of students (both of my kids wanted at least 2k students, more was better).</p>
<p>Oberlin would be great, but I think the OP’s son’s stats make it something of a reach.</p>
<p>I agree with Beloit. You might want to look at Central College in Pella, IA too. Lovely town, campus is in great shape and students are engaged in school there–they have automatic merit aid (chart on their website even). UW-Wisconsin Eau Claire is another option. St. Thomas in St. Paul has nice merit aid as well. Carthage in Wisconsin is also a great school for artsy kids but also strong in science and math. It’s a lovely campus along Lake Michigan as well. There are a few kids from our high school there and I would classify them as artsy kids all the way.</p>
<p>I third Kalamazoo, Beloit, and St. Olaf. I would look at Hope College before Carthage.</p>
<p>My S’s academic scores aren’t wildly different than the OP’s, and he was accepted to Oberlin and offered some merit money. I suspect that his expressed interest (he visited twice, plus audition) and his essay were what made the difference. We ultimately decided that Lawrence was a better fit, though. It seems to have the right mix of strong math and science with a small community, rigorous academics and committed faculty.</p>
<p>Being accepted into the auditioned music program at Oberlin is different from general academic admission. In some ways harder, in some ways not. Since the OP’s son is not an auditioning trumpet player I don’t think it’s similar.</p>
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<p>I think the key word there is “audition”. As I noted above, talent can make scores look a lot higher.</p>
<p>Anyway, I didn’t say the kid couldn’t get into Oberlin. His stats are consistent with the 25th percentile of the class, or a little lower. That makes it, as I said, something of a reach, not an impossibility.</p>
<p>Earlham has no Greek system at all. You can read about their current art courses in their online curriculum guide. Lots of strong B students there. Their biology degree program gets some great reviews.</p>
<p>It’s about 55-60% female, depending on which statistics you believe. It’s possible that an interested male student might receive some extra inticements to attend and help balance the M/F ratio???</p>
<p>I agree about Earlham. ;)</p>
<p>You can run across students that are disengaged at any campus. When my daughter spent the night at Kenyon she met a few.</p>
<p>That being said, Kenyon and Oberlin would be my tops in Ohio. </p>
<p>Also the College of Wooster for their senior thesis. That is a pretty challenging endeavor - I have witnessed two close family members go through it.</p>
<p>Sorry, Erin’s Dad, I should have clarified. S applied to the dual degree program, was accepted into Oberlin College but not admitted to the Con. Since the admission’s process for the College and the Con are separate tracks, I can only assume that S was accepted into the College on his academic merits and interest.</p>
<p>I will second Hope College. Many new buildings, Holland is a clean, safe small town, Grand Rapids is baout 30 minutes away, and the school has a strong science program.</p>
<p>trumpetguysmom – I don’t think there is any “Chinese Wall” between Con and College admissions at Oberlin. With friends of my kids, I have seen the College try very hard to bring in kids who are near-misses for the Conservatory but whom the music faculty would love to have around and playing with the Conservatory students. That’s not to denigrate your son’s academic qualifications at all – all the kids were in range for College admissions too – but getting turned down by the Conservatory does not mean that someone’s musical abilities are not being valued highly. (And, by the way, I suspect the reverse is sometimes true with Conservatory admits.)</p>
<p>I’d put in another vote for Kalamazoo College. Strong academics, quirky kids, everyone does study abroad. Also, lots of opportunities for internships, field study, etc. It’s small and there’s a close connection between the faculty and students. My stepson had a very good experience there.</p>
<p>I would second Knox in Galesburg Illinois and third or fourth Beloit. Oberlin gives merit aid. My son received a very nice merit award to the Conservatory. Admission to the college is highly selective although the numbers are better if you apply ED. The musical studies major in the college is run jointly with the con. It is an auditioned major.</p>
<p>DS’ list is Carleton, Olaf, Grinnell, Lawrence, Beloit, Knox, maybe Rose Hullman and IIT. DS’ HS does well at all these schools. Looking for a friendly, not snobby or clichey, and academic challenging campus. DS knows Carleton is a “reachy reach” and that there’s little art merit aid there. Somewhat committed to Lawrence as “best fit”. Have toured all but Grinnell. (DS e-mails w/Grinnell rep.) Toured schools in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, but not Oberlin or Denison. Don’t think “big Greek” schools like DePauw, Wabash, or Denison would be a good fit for DS’ personality, but we’re open to everyone’s input. Thinking of touring Butler and Hope too. Kalamazoo sounds like Michigan version of Beloit and Knox. Input appreciated!</p>
<p>We liked Northfield’s and Appleton’s downtown vitality and good town-gown relations.</p>