I am planning on applying to 2-3 LAC’s, and I wanted a wider base of input as some of my criteria is very subjective. So which would fit the following?:
I'll restrict it to the top 20 LACs
Must be in Northeast
Not entirely rural/in the middle of no where
I'm not big on 'eco-friendly' farm-type bends
One that isn't very, very focused on only one area - I'd like to study at least a little in multiple of different fields
I'd prefer if partying isn't the main form of social interaction. It's fine if it's there, but I'd hope there are other things to do.
Haverford, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Amherst, sound like a fine start. That said they are very VERY different institutions. I think all LAC’s and most Colleges (and businesses for that matter) are more aware of sustainability, so you may best get used to that. Good luck on making your decision.
Not surprisingly the suggestions that have come in are primarily for very selective colleges. We don’t have much information about you, such as stats, extra curricular activities, likely major, budget, and reliance on merit aid.
@fogcity: Many suggestions are for very selective colleges probably largely because I restricted it to the top 20. All I’ll say here about my stats is that they are competitive for the top schools, and finances are a non-factor.
I’d hope any of these excellent institutions would have a wide range of EC’s - and there’s nothing particular I’m chasing.
Otherwise, I noted that I’d like a school strong in many aspects because I will go in as a biomedicine major, but will probably consider switching to something like political science early on.
@janjmom, Thank you I know, of course, that entrance to the top couple of LACs is very difficult, but I have (non-LAC) safeties already set-up. That, and my confidence in being a reasonable applicant at these schools is based on statistics, un-biased opinions of my GC, etc.
Actually, my GC originally put Skidmore as a safety, but it has since been eliminated.
I wasn’t doubting you, @anonymoose3, just saying the others were all highly competitive. Skidmore and Dickinson are terrific LACs with lots of options. Any of the schools already suggested here are great schools - but you asked what would be right for you and, really, no one here can answer that without knowing you! Sometimes a school seems perfect on paper or online…my child was particularly interested in Gettysburg College, for example, until we pulled into the parking lot! Something about the look and feel of the school immediately eliminated it from the list. That may sound crazy but it happens all the time…a visit makes all the difference in the world.
If you’re female: Wellesley, Smith, Bryn Mawr, Barnard
Please keep in mind that even if you have perfect stats and ECs, you could still get rejected to any of these schools due to the competitiveness of admissions. Thousands of kids have stats as good as yours, some better.
Williams, Amherst, Haverford sound like they fit your bill. Some outside of the top 20 might be Barnard (if female), Lafayette, and Franklin & Marshall.
@happy1 and @anonymoose3 I really wanted to list Williams (where DD just got accepted !) because it stands out academically to me. But, I do realize Williamstown is a challenge for many students. If at some point OP decides to consider small town life? Consider Williams.
Not to be too snarky, but if all you want a list of top 20 LACS in the non-rural northeast, would it be that challenging for you to just go look at the US News list and look for non-rural northeast colleges? You know, when you get to college, you are going to have to use research skills, so you might want to put them in practice now.
If you’re female, definitely check out Wellesley (4) or Smith (19). Neither are big on partying. Would you consider Colgate, which is rated 22? Hamilton NY might be a bit small for your taste, though. Your criteria really limit you to about 9 schools, some of which are located in fairly small, isolated towns: Amherst, Swarthmore, Wellesley, Bowdoin, Haverford, Vassar, Wesleyan, Bates, and Smith. There are many great schools ranked in the top 30-40 that are worth checking out. USNWR rankings really should be taken with a grain of salt.
If you are a female not being recruited for sports make sure you analyze the acceptance data. At many northeast lacs that demographic pool has the lowest acceptance rate. A few of the overlooked ones are Dickinson, Muhlenberg and Gettysburg. All three very nice schools with very nice campuses. Dickinson and Gettysburg are located in especially nice towns too.
If you’re looking for very urban, the only ones that really fit the bill are Swarthmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Barnard, and Wellesley (the last three are women’s colleges). These are places where you can hop on a subway and be downtown in a major city within 10 to 15 minutes. The other places we listed have more of a small town feel to them, but they’re still not totally middle-of-nowhere like Williams. The largest of the towns would probably be Middletown (Wesleyan), Poughkeepsie (Vassar) and Lewsiton (Bates). Of course, there are a lot more options you look outside the top 20-30, which other people are mentioning more now.
Portland Maine is a lovely and fun waterfront small city with 200,000 people and if you go to Bates or Bowdoin you can be there in less than 30 minutes.
Middle of nowhere
Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Colgate, Hamilton, Middlebury, Williams
Outside of the NE
Carelton, Claremont McKenna, Colorado College, Davidson, Grinnell, Harvey Mudd, Kenyon, Macalester, Oberlin, Pomona, Washington and Lee
I agree with @belle08, and would not call Bowdoin in the middle of nowhere. The town of Brunswick has a nice little selection of restaurants and some of the best gelato in the US. Portland, ME is a very dynamic small city with wonderful dining options and a nice live music scene in a few venues. Boston is easily accessible by train, the ocean is right there, and mountains not to far away.
Bates/Lewiston is more like 45-50 minutes from Portland.
I know, of course, that entrance to the top couple of LACs is very difficult, but I have (non-LAC) safeties already set-up. That, and my confidence in being a reasonable applicant at these schools is based on statistics, un-biased opinions of my GC, etc.