<p>Both Kalamazoo and Earlham are part of the GLCA, a consortium of Midwestern liberal arts colleges that work together on international study experiences so that each college in the GLCA specializes in a particular country. That maximizes the opportunities for students. Both schools emphasize a semester or year abroad and have long experience in making that work for students. Earlham is unique among the colleges to which you have applied in its extraordinary emphasis on building community and supporting social justice. Students and faculty work together in a non-competitive but absolutely first-rate academic atmosphere. The placement record into graduate programs is as strong or stronger than any other college on your list. I recommend that you take Earlham up on an offer of a visit. Attend a couple of classes and hang out with students. The ethos of the college will quickly become evident to you and you will either fall in love with Earlham (as I did) or be able to cross it off your list. - an Earlham alum who still is passionately in love with the place many years after graduation.</p>
<p>Wow! Thank you for all of your replies! If any other parents have plugs for a certain school on my list, I’d love to hear more (as I’m still undecided)</p>
<p>Kzoo, absolutely, especially since they’re paying for you to visit. The Kzoo campus is absolutely beautiful IMO and it’s definitely worth a visit. I really enjoyed the Kzoo curriculum, too. I don’t know much about the other ones to give you yes or no votes :)</p>
<p>I think the 5-college cooperation gives Smith an edge over the other choices. You’ll have resources beyond one campus, both academically and socially.</p>
<p>Well, I’m a Smith honk but I read each of your questions and, seriously, Smith is the answer for every single one. Smith’s support of internships is outstanding and their advising is multi-layered and generally outstanding. My D worked for three years after graduation and is now in a PhD program and is planning on visiting at least five faculty members next month, all of whom were very helpful along the way. Smith’s academically challenging but not cut-throat, a nice balance. For a tag line, “bright and quirky” would describe many students. All your majors are good ones for Smtih.</p>
<p>amtc – Smith is not a girls’ school, it is a women’s college.</p>
<p>Well, they’re all fine schools. What kind of atmosphere are you looking for?</p>
<p>Clearly you’re already going to Kzoo, Earlham, Smith, and Bard. I think on your list, I would also visit NCF and Beloit.</p>
<p>I agree that Smith is the highest-ranked one and best in the areas on your list. It probably also has the best resources for your degree.</p>
<p>And there’s something to be said for studying gender and sexuality in a school that isn’t single sex</p>
<p>IMO, no there isn’t. You don’t study your classmates when you study gender and sexuality, and some of the best teachers create the best gender and sexuality programs at women’s college because they are attracted there - many are women themselves.</p>
<p>Is it okay to say “girls school” if I say “boys school?” These kids aren’t women or men yet, they’re still kids and I use “school” often on CC because it’s not always a college, it may be a university, and for variety in words. The point is the same. Yeesh!</p>
<p>Sorry, I couldn’t resist - this is almost a mantra at women’s colleges, you can even find it on t-shirts…</p>
<p>All good schools.How does financial aid compare?Crunch some numbers if money is a factor.College debt can really impact everything you do later.</p>