That about says it all–my son is a senior and we are narrowing down his list. He wants to be an elementary teacher, maybe major in education or psychology; likes politics, jazz trumpeter, likes foreign languages and travel. 3.9 unweighted GPA and several A’s in AP classes. Did not take SAT.
Does not do sports or go to sports events. Does not have interest in Greek life. Prefers smaller schools.
Cost: we don’t qualify for financial aid, but that said, would be nice it it were less than 50K per year. Location: pacific northwest, east, midwest. Not south. Urban, suburban. Not rural.
Other students: Does not like highly competitive/driven students. Would like to meet students from all over the country, and the world, and “not be with just a bunch of rich white kids”.
So far we have: Lewis and Clark, Univ of Puget Sound, Macalester, Bard, Fordham, Northeastern.
Where does he hope to teach? It’s easiest to attend a college in that state that has a teacher prep program because it will have all that is required in that state for certification.
great question and he really doesn’t know where he wants to end up
Rhodes College
I’d strike Bard if urban is a priority. Maybe consider adding Clark in Worcester, MA, more urban, and strong in psych?
Curious why Northeastern ? Just doesn’t fit the ‘small’ because of size but then why not Pitt, for example.
I was thinking Kalamazoo but not sure how to get into teaching from there but there are programs like Teachfor America.
Whitworth in Spokane. Drake in Des Moines.
Dayton is not an LAC but is small. Butler in Indy. Evansville as well and all have merit. Also U of Portland.
Rochester could work but admittance or merit are unlikely but not impossible. Same with CWRU.
What’s your state? If in VA, W & M could work.
If a school doesn’t have a formal education major as many LACs won’t, there is still likely a path.
I’d agree that Northeastern is pretty competitive. But, there are so many options in Boston and specifically within the Colleges of the Fenway where cross registration is possible.
Bard is pretty rural, though it may check his other boxes (at least some of them).
northeastern and bard, agree, probably not great matches–suggested by family members…
Agree, there might be a “path” but it certainly won’t be as seamless as a program that has an education major leading to certification.
Some colleges have a path to certification that requires a fifth year, for example. But check!!
I would start with the colleges in your state that offer education. In many states now, you need to major in a content area subject and the education courses are added in. So wherever he goes, check to see what the requirements are.
Most colleges offering education degrees have many majors from which to choose…so if he changes his mind, he will be able to.
If it were my kid, I would also want a program that has some classroom experience of some sort very early on in the program. You don’t want a student to get to their last year of college and student teaching to find that this isn’t their thing. Many programs have at least required observations earlier in the process…sophomore year is good.
So…do some research!
Was more looking at its size. Wheaton would be a possible Boston area college.
I know your description indicated that the south was out, but I’m going to throw a southern possibility out there: Loyola University New Orleans. It’s got a great music school and includes a degree in jazz studies. The media program is also very good and several of its grads have gone on to successful careers in newscasting. And although there isn’t an education degree, many majors (English, foreign language, music, environmental science, etc) also offer teacher certification. It’s not a large university (roughly 3000 students) and it is urban, but has a definite campus. At least I think it’s worth checking out.
Great insight. You can also cross register with neighboring Tulane.
I stayed away from South. I thought Rhodes as @gablesdad suggested for LAC and SMU (not LAC but mid size with solid performing arts… but it’s South.
Would Duquesne be an option? It’s in Pittsburgh and has good education programs from what I recall. Not too huge.
Wheaton is very close to me, but really not urban at all. Music is definitely a strength, though. Stonehill is closer to Boston. I’d say Emmanuel College is worth a look.
St Olaf? Not urban, but strong in music, has friendly students and has education major. Strong in study abroad and has J term which allows for even more travel.
I’m not sure about the relative strengths of the programs, but here are some small schools in urban or suburban areas with jazz bands and elementary education as a major:
Salve Regina University (Newport, RI)
College of Wooster (Wooster, OH)
Hobart and William Smith (Geneva, NY)
Lewis & Clark (Portland, OR)
University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, WA)
Whitworth University (Spokane, WA)
Drake University (Des Moines, IA)
Clark University (Worcester, MA)
I was going to say LoyNO as well but noted “no south.” My s23 is considering music education and its on his list.
How about Loyola in Baltimore?
Or Loyola Chicago?
Lots of good suggestions so far, adding DePaul in Chicago (about 14k students so maybe too big?)…has all 4 majors, U Rochester, U Southern Maine in Portland.