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My brother is currently a sophomore, and is just beginning his college search. He may study abroad for a year or a semester next school year, so he and my parents are trying to get a jump start on looking at colleges.

He has mostly B+'s with some A's in regular (as opposed to honors) classes in his freshman year and so far about the same this year. He goes to a competitive public high school on Long Island.

He has yet to take a real SAT but generally has scored around 1300-1350 on practice tests.

He is a pretty darn good artist, in my opinion (which is probably somewhat biased). He takes lessons in that and piano. He sings in chorus at school, and was selected as a member of the select choir in his junior high school in 9th grade. He likes woodworking and is quite good at it. He's also been in a couple of school plays, but not the lead roles.

Basically, he's interested in maybe becoming a teacher. I think his ideal job would be to teach the tech/woodworking classes. However, he is also considering art and architecture programs as well, but is not hugely committed to that.

He would probably do best in a smaller school with more personal attention, as he has been known to recieve better grades and make more friends in a more intimate environment.

He also tells us he'd much prefer going to school in a rural environment, although region of the US isn't really an issue at all.

My family, like I said, have just started the process, so they don't have a really good idea of the schools that would be appropriate yet.

What do you think?

By Jenskate1 (Jenskate1) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 09:25 pm: Edit

For more info:

He also volunteers helping with children's summer programs at a local museum, and interacts really well with kids. I think it is for this reason that he wants to be a teacher.

He is not an athletic kid, nor do I expect him to be really into partying, as he's much more on the quiet side.

He also wants to go to a college where he can continue being involved in music and maybe theater, even if he is not a prodigy in these areas.

Hope that helps to get more responses!

By Reidmc (Reidmc) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 12:46 am: Edit

Based on your posts, it does sound like a small liberal arts college would be his best bet. If he is interested in teaching, make sure he finds out if he can be certified as part of a regular four-year program. If he is interested in architecture, he will not find many accredited programs at small schools, though there are a few art/design-oriented programs that would be good prep for a masters degree in architecture.

Sort of a left-field choice, but one that covers his range of interests is Bennington College, a very small, very unique school with a lot of personal attention. With a 30/70 M/F ratio I supect a M student gets a bit of an admissions edge.

Though they may not cover all his interests, he might investigate Skidmore, Kenyon and St. Olaf.

By Pattykk (Pattykk) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 09:45 am: Edit

Does he prefer a particular part of the country? I must say that you are a very nice sister. You say such lovely things about your brother, and you are helping him.

By Pattykk (Pattykk) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 10:06 am: Edit

Sorry, I missed the part about not caring what part of the country.

By Pattykk (Pattykk) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 10:23 am: Edit

I really like Alfred University, which has the woodworking and would also allow him to be involved in music and theater. I have liked my contacts with graduates of AU. He might also want to look at the Rhode Island School of Art and Design, if art and woodworking are his big interests. San Francisco State is supposed to have a good woodworking program. I could not think of any small LAC's with the programs he wants.

By Jenskate1 (Jenskate1) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 11:10 am: Edit

Thank you both so much for your suggestions, I'm sure that my parents and my brother will definitely consider all of them.

My sister and I were both very different students from him, much more interested in academics and much less apt artistically. So I think my parents could definitely use all the advice people give on this board!

By Pattykk (Pattykk) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 11:18 am: Edit

Take a look at studentsreview. They have several reviews of Alfred University. I have never met anyone who attended there who did not rave about how friendly the campus is and how good the arts departments are. It "are" cold, however.