<p>You should definitely take a look at Lawrence University in Wisconsin. Its conservatory is top notch, same with its academics. Can't speak to swim program.</p>
<p>From the Willamette site:
Four-year graduation rate 75%
First-year to sophomore retention 88%</p>
<p>I'm confused -- why did Whitworth come into the conversation? The OP mentioned visiting Whitman, which is a different school entirely (though also in the PNW) -- Whitman is a classic liberal arts college, and I don't think that it has any religious affiliation. Whitman also has a very strong choral scholars program. Not sure about their other music offerings.</p>
<p>There's no confusion between Whitworth and Whitman. Whitworth, along with a few other PNW colleges, came up tangentially.</p>
<p>Lawrence in Appleton, Wisconsin is a academically stimulating LAC w/ a great music program that allows non conservatory students participate. I know they have a lot of californians, despite the cold. Not sure about there swimming opps.</p>
<p>"good reputation for veggie food"</p>
<p>You'll be glad to know that Carleton this past year hired on Mac's food vendor. Lots of very sated, even happier, and somewhat heavier Carls as a result.</p>
<p>You should definitely bring your intellectual, offbeat swimmer by for a look. He sounds like a great fit for the school. The winters at Carleton may be cold but are kindly short. Weather in the Fall and Spring terms is generally great. And even in January you'll find plenty of Texans, Floridians and Southern Californians with hockey or broomball sticks out on the Bald Spot rinks. They're the ones with the rapidly fading tans.</p>
<p>"You'll be glad to know that Carleton this past year hired on Mac's food vendor."</p>
<p>Which vendor? Many in the PNW are served (very well!) by Bon Appetit.</p>
<p>Carleton switched to Bon Appetit.</p>
<p>Winters at Carlton short? The St. Olaf kid visiting my house yesterday was talking about how much more snow there still is there, rather than here in Wisconsin. I think winter never ends in the upper Midwest, though a little warmer than seems normal this spring. </p>
<p>My part Jewish musician girls were a bit put off by the more decidedly Christian emphasis at St. Olaf than other midwestern LAC. When they applied, 2 religious studies classes were required, drawing from a variety of religious topics. The school feel is rather blonde and Lutheran, though they welcome and need diversity. My girls just didn't want to be the ones providing it! A graduate I know certainly re bonded with his Unitarian roots in that setting. Personally, I love the place, especially for a non music major that want to perform and take lessons. The campus is physically gorgeous. The emphasis on values based education does some great things for my soul. </p>
<p>Are you sure you don't want to give U Puget Sound another look? Their music program is quite good, and they are known for financial aid. </p>
<p>Laurence is a great place, but a little more oriented to the music majors than some LACs.</p>
<p>Are you able/willing to pay full price at Carleton? So far as I can tell, the only merit aid is a small NMF stipend.</p>
<p>a friend attended st Olaf for a year. She tells stories of having to link arms with people just to get up and down the hills during the windy stormy weather.
( she is from Minn, but a friend of Ds did graduate from Carleton- I think he spent a semester or two in Mali though ;) )
However cold weather makes you smarter.</p>