When families ask me for college suggestions for a so-called “quirky learner,” they are often looking for one of three criteria:

1. A college that can offer intellectual stimulation as well as a clear culture of support, whether that culture is informal or formal;

2. A college that offers a distinctive experience in unusual academic areas;

3. A college with a welcoming social culture that embraces students who might not follow the crowd.

The colleges below feature at least two of these three criteria.