Seeking College Recommendations for Nerdy, Techie, Socially Liberal Introverted kid...
The College of Wooster (my alma mater). In fact, check out all the schools on the "Colleges That Change Lives" list.
RPI might fit the bill for academic qualities and size, but it does have a significant Greek presence.
erins said:
The College of Wooster (my alma mater). In fact, check out all the schools on the "Colleges That Change Lives" list.
Funny you mention this because he actually had an interview there. Its very unique, isn't it?
I can speak to Vassar from experience. My flower child and wife chose there from a few of the Mid Atlantic
and New England schools. The academics were top notch and she was graduated with a degree in Bio Psychology. I can never prove it but a number of her friends were the children of Physicians. After a few years of working in Bio Tech she was admitted to medical school via a cooperative program which Vassar had with Tulane University. Today she is head of the Pathology dept. of the University of West Virginia in Morgantown. But I am bigger and stronger
The campus is quite lovely. Her only complaint was that it is gated, casually, one side is wide open
and she saw the poverty of Poughkeepsie. However the Mexican food in the restaurants with no English menus was terrific.
Academics A
Campus life......acceptable
No football team
Hampshire College. Amherst, MA.It's expensive but fits the bill. "FORGE YOUR OWN PATH." It's focused on student-driven independent study so the kid will need to be independent and motivated. No tests, no grades, no typical sports (Ultimate Frisbee is big.) No frats. No classes (unless he wants classes). Part of a 5-college consortium with Smith, Mt Holyoke, Amherst, and UMass. Gorgeous campus in an apple orchard.
ETA: It's my alma mater. Tried to get my daughter to go there - she was the right kind of student - but she wanted to be in NYC.
My daughter loves Sarah Lawrence. It has all the things you are looking for--internships, global focus, great faculty, etc. It's a very liberal, small place, good for artistic types and those who think outside the box. There are some sports, but no Greek life. She loves that she doesn't need to take math for her area of study (theater, literature). She's doing a semester abroad and can't wait to get back to SLC.
Check out Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. It is like the Hampshire College of the west coast. It's quite unusual. Entrance requirements are easy, but survival is tough. Most people attrite by the end of freshman year. The survivors are brilliant and motivated people. They find or create their niches.
These are all excellent thoughts, thank you guys. SoulfulT I *think* that might be a tad too unstructured for him. He might thrive there, but I am not sure he has the discipline for such an open program. Thank you for the info on Vassar and Sarah Lawrence. I love both but want to be sure there is enough Computer Science there for him. Tom I will look into Evergreen State, but that's a bit too far unless its a perfect fit.
My cousin's son, who has some of these traits, is a junior at Brandeis, a chemistry major. Happy there--and is just having a crossword puzzle published in the New York Times! If the student wants a city environment, that might be a good fit.
Oh Reed looks like his dream school. I think his academics may be a tad shy for it, but he has a shot. Thank you Angelak. Going to look further into that one. Nijjanyce I think Brandeis is unattainable!
You might want to consider Oberlin College. Sounds as though it might be a good fit. Strong tradition of commitment to diversity, very critical-thinking student body and faculty, artistic and non-traditional environment, sports not a priority, pretty nice campus setting. While it is known for having a strong music program, it is so much more.
My nephew has 3 of the 4 characteristics you mentioned above and he has thrived at Stony Brook.
Clark University in Worcester, MA.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, NY
shoshannah said:
Clark University in Worcester, MA.
Seconded, but I'm a bit biased since it's my Alma Mater.
WPI, also in Worcester is an excellent technical school and might fit the bill. Small school, great faculty, and a strong commitment to developing a well rounded student(required courses in liberal arts during the first few years there).
You might want to look into Bennington College. They put a premium on individuality and creativity.
Swarthmore and Reed fit the bill. If they're a reach academically, he could look at RPI and Skidmore.
Look at RIT (also my alma mater) Greek life is minimal (no off campus Greek allowed when I was there). Ultra nerdiness encouraged plus there's an excellent art school so you don't feel like you're in an academic vacuum. I was also accepted at RPI but didn't like it there.
Tom_Reingold said:
Check out Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. It is like the Hampshire College of the west coast. It's quite unusual. Entrance requirements are easy, but survival is tough. Most people attrite by the end of freshman year. The survivors are brilliant and motivated people. They find or create their niches.
Go Geoducks!!
Small to Medium college that emphasizes the kinds of things a son like mine would benefit from like internships/practical experience, low teacher-student ratio, excellent faculty, deep- thinking environment, independent study options, globally-focused, both nerdy/techie as well as creative, with little to zero focus on greek life and sports. A few that have come up as a "perhaps" include Sarah Lawrence, Earlham College, Vassar. Anyone have any great experiences with this kind of environment at a college? Or the opposite, so we know what to avoid?