<p>OP: I think your initial question is very interesting, and I’m finding some responses I wasn’t expecting. Look at Bard and Hampshire, as well. Much less structured than Deep Springs or Merchant Marine – but both are considered “unique” by some.</p>
<p>However your statement in an earlier post is a little troubling</p>
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<p>Among CC posters, there are numerous “casualties” in the spring of high performing and well qualified kids who made similar statements. Find a safety or two that meets your final criteria (if that’s “unique college experience”) that hopefully has rolling admissions.</p>
<p>2boysima: Don’t worry, I have a few back-ups in mind. Thanks.
Slumom: Webb apparently has amazing dorms, but unfortunately I don’t want to major in naval engineering :(</p>
<p>You may want to do some more research on US Merchant Marine Academy. Its all about a career in the merchant marine and requires a service commitment of 5 years in maritime industry and the Naval Reserve. Marine engineering is a big major there or you can study to be a deck officer. Its true that has some great opportunities for the summer but you’ve got to be very very committed to this industry. My brother graduated in the 1980s and is now an admiralty attorney. He sailed for 6 years before giving it up to go to law school. He loved it but it wasn’t the easiest lifestyle. USMMA is a federal service academy so while you don’t pay (or pay minimal) tuition, you have a commitment after graduation. If the field interests you but you don’t want that commitment check out Mass Maritime, Maine Maritime or NY Maritime.</p>
<p>You seem strong in math & science, so have you looked at Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art in NYC? It’s Ivy-leave-difficult to get into, yet everyone who is accepted gets a full scholarship. But the school itself is very, very small, accepting less than 300 kids each year.</p>
<p>Look overseas as well. St. Andrews is a good choice, and one that makes things a bit easier for Americans. Of course, you can aim high and pick either Oxford or Cambridge, but both do require that you have decided on a ‘course’ (what they call a major), and you’ll probably get no scholarship funding.</p>
<p>dottydotty and 4erkez: Olin and Cooper Union seem great, but I don’t want to limit myself to a technical school in case I ever wanted to switch majors or even double-up…
Nemom: My parents would never let me apply overseas…</p>
<p>Your parents would let you go to Deep Springs, but not Cambridge? That’s …um…interesting.
Right now is the time to cast the net as widely as possible. At one point, my child’s list was 22 schools long. It was down to just under double digits by the time applications were going out.
Another very interesting school is Berea, although I suspect you won’t fit their profile.
Also, you should really think about cutting MIT if you aren’t fairly sure about getting a tech-based degree.
If you want to jump into the ‘real world’ , look at schools with a strong work/cooperative program like Northeastern.
Think about money too. You must be sure you have an option that you can both afford and get into.</p>
<p>nemom: I was trying to keep my list to under 10 schools, but 22. Whoa! I’ll keep MIT on my list, but I’ll definitely look into Northeastern. I have a few state schools I’m applying to for back-ups. Even though Deep Springs is so isolated, it’s still in the U.S., unlike Cambridge. Warped logic, I know, but their word is the final say I guess…
Mspearl: I’ll look into that</p>
<p>California maritime academy (not just engineering; has some other internationally-oriented majors).
For unusual schedules: Colorado College: you take one course at a time, intensively (4-6 weeks, several hrs/day)</p>
<p>dizzycat: I heard about this college with the block plan. That’s cool how you focus on one thing at a time. California Maritime Academy looks interesting…
Impero: Thanks! Hope your dreams come true!
Schmaltz: Awesome location!</p>
<p>I’d recommend taking a look at St. Johns College in Annapolis, Maryland. Their entire curriculum is based around great works of literature, and you spend four years reading and discussing the classics. There are no teachers, only “tutors”. This system provides a fantastic intellectual experience, and it seems like it might be something that you would enjoy.</p>
<p>St. John’s College in Santa Fe and Reed College are both colleges on my “list,” and I think they’re certainly colleges that you would be interested in.</p>