<p>Ds would like an LAC; We live in a Philly suburb, and would love to visit some more in our area. But, the LACs around here seem homogeneous with a dominant Greek scene, which he doesn't want.</p>
<p>Of course, we checked out Swarthmore and Haverford - super high reaches. We also visited Lafayette - which seems like a match - but he was turned off by the Greek life. The Admissions Director admitted that it is a very strong part of the school's social scene. </p>
<p>To top it all off, ds wants a creative, intellectual vibe.</p>
<p>I was hoping he would have some choices within a reasonable distance. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Muhlenberg College in Allentown I believe has only has a couple fraternities, plus some sororities. (It has the interesting aspect of being a Lutheran College with 40% Jewish enrollment).</p>
<p>Villanova (a mid sized school, not a LAC), has fraternities and sororities, but they don’t have their own official houses, which minimizes their control over the social scene.</p>
<p>If you look at data on [College</a> Admissions - SAT - University & College Search Tool](<a href=“http://www.collegeboard.com%5DCollege”>http://www.collegeboard.com) for each college, it will tell you % in fraternities and sororities, among much other useful comparable data.</p>
<p>You will find at some colleges that the Administration has been doing everything possible to close down fraternities and to regulate their activities. At other colleges, the fraternities have much more independence, for good and bad results.</p>
<p>There are also some colleges where the administration is trying to crack down so severely on parties, that off-campus fraternities become the only refuge. In some cases, those are “unofficial” fraternity houses.</p>
<p>Gettysburg & Susquehanna both have Greek Life, not sure if Greeks dominate the social scene or not. </p>
<p>Cross your state line & look at Connecticut College (CT) or Wheaton College (MA). </p>
<p>Small classes, co-ed, both formerly women’s colleges, highly ranked.
Conn does not give merit aid, only need based aid. Wheaton give both need based aid and merit aid.</p>
<p>Many of the Pennsylvania LACs do seem more traditional and therefore fraternity/sorority oriented than more northerly ones. Conn College is a good idea. Also Skidmore. Maybe Hamilton.</p>
<p>Some current students post there. I attended many years ago, when there were 14 fraternities. Now they are down to 5. I believe that fraternities are not as dominant as they used to be.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the ideas. I checked the statistics of Greek life on these campuses; I was just hoping some wouldn’t be as dominant as others. PA tends to have the greek/preppy LACs - what’s up with that?? Another requirement for ds is a competitive club volleyball team. Unfortunately, Muhlenberg and Haverford don’t have one. Sigh. </p>
<p>I was hoping someone would chime in about Dickinson. Susquehanna might be worth a visit. I’ll be sure to check out Hamilton, Connecticut College and Skidmore. Bard is an option, but may be way too hipster for ds’s liking.</p>
<p>You’d think we shouldn’t have to compromise, since we’re paying so much!</p>
<p>We are in the same boat. I was hoping to get my rising HS junior to see some schools close to home before making any long distance trips next year. The Greek life doesn’t bother my kid, but many of the schools are very homogeneous. He attends a very diverse high school (economically and ethnically) and the PA/NJ/NY suburban crowd at many of the PA LACs aren’t appealing. </p>
<p>Dickinson - We did a “soft” visit when we were in the area and walked around. We did not find it very diverse.</p>
<p>Susquhanna - Haven’t visited, but know 2 kids who attend. Not very diverse, but some good merit for high stat kids (up to full tuition).</p>
<p>Conn College - Haven’t visited, but have heard outstanding things.</p>
<p>Gettysburg - Although stat wise it looks very Greek, we have heard it is not “typical” Greek domaniance. For example, most parties are open and pledging is shorter period than many schools.</p>
<p>Have you considered looking at College of New Jersey? OOS cost may be an issue, but if you are in the Philly region, esp East or Northeast of Philly, it is probably worth a quick trip.</p>
<p>There is no Greek presence at Juniata, I believe. I don’t know about Ursinus, which is not far from Philadelphia; but I don’t think the Greek presence dominates. I don’t think, based on what I have read, that Greek culture dominates at Susquehanna.</p>
<p>Hard working, smart, athletic, friendly, greek = student body of most PA LACs
The College of NJ is nearly 90% NJ students, I believe (zero geographic diversity).
Gettysburg’s social scene revolves around the greek system - it is quite lively and beloved.
Lafayette is Gettysburg’s Div 1 twin but admin is trying to crush greek - kids won’t allow(little known fact: ~20% of Lafayette students are Div 1 Athletes!).
Loyola, MD (not a LAC and not in PA) = nice campus, smart, well dressed kids, mostly from parochial HS, no greek system
I second: Skidmore - beautiful, newer campus, thriving artsy scene located in the Adirondack region of NY. Not sure about greek life.</p>
<p>Would you consider going a little farther and heading to the midwest? Carleton, Grinnell, Macalester and Oberlin would all be worth checking out! All will fit the intellectual, creative no Greek life student who wants some diversity in the student body. </p>
<p>The stats on diversity are found in every college’s common data set, under the student enrollment section.</p>
<p>I thought I’d mention Penn State though its not an LAC it does offer Mens Club Volleyball and if your son is considering Swarthmore perhaps he’d consider Shreyer Honors College at Penn State.</p>
<p>I’ve visited a few LACs here in PA let me tell you they are not diverse at all. If diverse is a strong criteria I’d check out Temple- they also offer club Volleyball.</p>
<p>Thanks again. You have given wonderful suggestions. Unfortunately, Connecticut College and Skidmore do not have volleyball. </p>
<p>I love the idea of the midwest schools, except for the traveling. Are any of them close to an airport?</p>
<p>Great idea about Penn State’s honors program - Penn State should really be on his list, although he has no interest in a big school. DS loves to go to their summer volleyball camp, so he is familiar with the campus. Maybe he’ll reconsider this summer!</p>
<p>Juniata and Susquehanna are possibilities, I guess. </p>
<p>Clark? Bard? Reaches would be Vassar and Wesleyan. </p>
<p>Juniata has no greek organizations. and VOLLEYBALL is THE sport at Juniata!!!One of the reasons my D loved it! We toured many of the Ohio schools .D wasn’t impressed with the geography out there. Good luck!</p>