<p>So I have my reaches (Brown and Yale) and most of my other schools are small, selective, north-eastern liberal arts schools (Colby, Wesleyan, Vassar, Amherst, Middlebury, Bard). I know I'm applying to SUNY Geneseo for one of my safeties but I feel like I need a few more? I have a 97 unweighted average, 800 Critical Reading, 800 Writing, 680 Math, plus a 740 on both the Literature and US History SAT2. I'm looking for a school that gives decent merit aid, or at least generous need-based, has a liberal environment, and strong academics with a good writing program. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Thanks Jillian. The only issue I have with large state schools is that I really want to keep under 8,000 or so undergrads? when I’ve visited large schools they tend to seem sort of overwhelming and without character? At least that’s the feeling I got from Binghamton</p>
<p>Any of these smaller public schools of interest?
<a href=“http://www.coplac.org/members/”>http://www.coplac.org/members/</a>
Some of them have relatively low out-of-state costs.</p>
<p>BU is not a safety. It’s way too expensive. If you are in NY, have you looked at Binghamton?</p>
<p>If you want a small SUNY campus with liberal arts curriculum, check out SUNY Purchase.</p>
<p>What about Hampshire College? That was my D’s “safety” and she was also applying to small, selective Liberal Arts colleges in the northeast. She also considered some of the SUNYs but really preferred the small LAC vibe. And it’s part of the 5-college consortium so you can take classes at (and go to cultural/social events at) Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke, and UMass. I do not know, however, whether they give merit aid or not. The need-based aid she was offered there about equaled Bard’s… or rather, our net price would have been about the same; neither are meets-full-need schools. Are you applying IDP to Bard? It’s a neat program, and you find out immediately if you’re in. Nice to have that in your pocket in October/November!</p>
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<p>Sorry @AnnieBeats, but its ridiculous to say that a school is not a safety because of cost considerations when you know nothing about the applicant’s financial situation. Also, the OP already stated that Binghamton felt overwhelming and w/o character.</p>
<p>Really you’re a top student. What you want is difficult to find in a small school. Small schools tend to be a little flaky with top students and often waitlist them as part of yield management. </p>
<p>I would consider University of Rochester because you are likely to get in, though not a true safety. They offer considerable merit aid. </p>
<p>You might also consider University of Vermont which is a tad over 8K (10.5K) but is really gorgeous and has an honors program. It’s a popular destination for Boston area kids for whom UMass is too overwhelming. Not sure about the scholarships. </p>
<p>If you are willing to go to the midwest, there are some really good LACs with EA </p>
<p>Drew in NJ is small and a definite safety, and I’ve heard the campus is gorgeous (very Princeton-esque supposedly). </p>
<p>@CDH2013 Well it’s actually not ridiculous considering the fact that the average American household makes around $50,000 per year. If you use averages to determine the chance of getting into a school, does it not make sense to use averages to determine what someone can afford? And besides, no one in their right mind uses a school that accepts 35% of applicants as a safety. THAT is ridiculous. Not to mention that the OP explicitly said they need generous aid to attend a private school. If you need generous aid to attend a school, it isn’t a safety. </p>
<p>OP, what type of character are you looking for? Are you looking for a school that has a lot of students who are outspoken socially? Small, liberal arts schools tend to have below average school spirit especially since they are usually in the middle of no where. If you want a student body with character, you are likely looking in the wrong places. Also, be advised that at Vassar, a large portion of the student body is nowhere to be seen on campus. When I visited Vassar, Poughkeepsie was completely empty.</p>
<p>I would think Bard is a safety for you. You might consider Hamilton, or slightly farther afield Oberlin and Kenyon. You could also consider a place like Lewis and Clark with non-binding early action just to have one in your pocket.</p>
<p>After reading the OP, I immediately thought of Binghamton because of the initial characteristics the OP named, but if that’s not what the OP wants, the fine. </p>
<p>Bard should be a safety for you, you might consider Skidmore as well. Perhaps SUNY New Paltz would be another good state school to include (mid-size state school less selective than Geneseo)</p>
<p>Binghamton (I know it’s been mentioned before) is fairly similar to Geneseo in academics and feel. A lot of my friends applied to both and ended up having a slight preference of one over the other, although for many, the preference flip-flopped after visiting both. Ithaca College also gives out decent merit aid, and would give you a lot for your stats. </p>
<p>@AnnieBeats by character I just mean that I want the school to feel like it has a personality. Interesting architecture and interesting people. It’s a little vain, but I want a school with a scenic campus. School spirit in a “Ra-Ra Go Team” kind of way isn’t really a big deal, as long as the people are smart and kind and interesting. </p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions!</p>
<p>Visit Buffalo</p>
<p>When someone suggested Bard as a safety, I was a little concerned because some LACs like Union will often waitlist strong applicants for enrollment management purposes. However, I looked at a scattergram for Bard, and indeed Bard does not do that, and should be a safety. So you should be all set. </p>
<p>Bard also has EA, so getting in before the rest of the apps are do is also reassuring. </p>
<p>So you have two safeties Bard and Geneseo. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>Bard is NOT a safety. 1. You said that you need significant aid, so that makes Bard too expensive. 2. Bard accepts 35% of their applicants. It’s too selective to be a safety. </p>