<p>Out of all the college visits I have been on, my top three favorite colleges have been 1) William and Mary, 2) Wake Forest, and 3) Northwestern. I really like their medium size and the perfect combination of research opportunities and liberal arts values. However, all of these schools are probably a reach for me. Does anyone know some schools that are similar to the three above, but would be easier to get into?</p>
<p>Elon might be an alternative to Wake and W&M.</p>
<p>BU, Brandeis</p>
<p>Rochester, Washington U, Case Western, Tulane, Emory</p>
<p>Most of the Ivy League schools work hard to maintain a liberal arts focus. In fact Dartmouth still prefers to call itself an LAC despite having many of the characteristics of a small university.</p>
<p>Similar in what ways?</p>
<p>Clark University in Mass.</p>
<p>Maplerose, post your stats so we can get a better idea of what schools to suggest!</p>
<p>University of Richmond perhaps?</p>
<p>Boston College is essentially a liberal arts college on steroids. Tulane and Emory are two other good options.</p>
<p>Here is a hierarchy of schools that I believe share a similar DNA and occupy different rungs on the pecking order ladder, from top down:</p>
<p>Dartmouth
Vanderbilt
Wake Forest / W&M / Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State
Richmond
Furman
Elon</p>
<p>All but Dartmouth and Barrett are schools with a Southern vibe. I include Dartmouth at the top because several years ago, Wake Forest identified it in its strategic plan as its aspirational peer. The student stats and demographics between Wake and Barrett are eerily similar, making Barrett a less-preppy, less-Greeky, less-Southern Wake alternative.</p>
<p>Richmond, Holy Cross, Bucknell.</p>
<p>Easier to get into than William and Mary, etc? What are your stats; GPA, SAT, ACT, etc? Do you need financial aid? Are you hoping for merit aid? It will be easier to suggest schools with more information from you.</p>