<p>How does Allegheny College stack up against some of the other LACs in the Western Pennsylvania and Ohio areas (OWU, Kenyon, Denison, Wooster, Wittenberg), both reputation-wise and in academic quality? And whatever other factors you care to comment on.</p>
<p>I'd been focusing on the Ohio ones, but I suppose I should look a little more at Allegheny too if it's worth looking into!</p>
<p>Kenyon and Denison are both definitely more reputable than Allegheny. OWU/Wooster are probably on the same level as Allegheny.</p>
<p>That’s the impression I get too. Is the reputation warranted?</p>
<p>Kenyon and Denison are a bit harder to get into, but OWU, Allegheny, and Wooster are all great schools. I think that OWU and Allegheny are more generous with merit aid than Kenyon and Denison. I know students who have attended and loved all five of these.</p>
<p>Allegheny is a very good school and I know of someone who attended and loved it. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Academically, there is very little doubt that Wooster is a step above Allegheny. In fact, I’d argue that Wooster is on par with Denison. (You’ll find many students who turned down Denison to attend Wooster and vice versa). Kenyon is the best of the three.</p>
<p>OWU and Heidelberg are comparable to each other, but are a bit below Allegheny in terms of academics.</p>
<p>This is all really subjective, though. You should visit all of the colleges, if you can, and try to find the right fit for you.</p>
<p>This is going to be somewhat vague, I suppose, but what does anyone know about the difference in atmosphere? As far as I know, Denison is supposed to have a “preppy” feel while OWU is more liberal and activist, and I know nothing of Allegheny or Wooster culture. Any input?</p>
<p>And is Oberlin really as “out there” as it seems?</p>
<p>Oberlin is out there. Kenyon is close on its heels. Lots of hairy legged women and purple haired guys at both. Gambier and Oberlin are also “out there” quite rural. OWU and Wooster are close in academic selectivity and niche, with Wooster being the generally stronger repuation. Wooster has a particular style of campus you either like or not. It’s downside is that Wooster, OH is a rather worn, depressed farming community, not close to any metro area. Wittenberg just a notch below. Much more “urban” in Springfield, OH. Denison is among the top 3 OH LACs and is much more mainstream in terms of student profile. Consistently among the top “value” Tier 1 LACs, as they’ve a very substantial endowment and are using it specifically to attract top tier students. Money can do alot of things. Very nice, current campus on a hilltop overlooking one of the most gorgeous college type villages you’ll ever see. The strategic geog advantage of DU is that it’s only 20 miles on a 4 lane from metro Columbus, a city having it “all.” All have very nice campuses. Meadville is a very weathered industrial town. Allegheny probly closer to OWU, Wittenberg in terms of academic prowess. imo, the least attractive campus, but beauty is in the beholder’s eye. OWU is one of the lesser campuses, imo. Definitely not “activist.” Alleg, OWU, like virtually all once Methodist campuses has been essentially set free by the denom. DU once was home to a Baptist seminary and heritage. Like virtually all of these places, God is still there, but none touts its Christian heritage. All have outlets tho.</p>
<p>All of these schools are members of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), which is an athletic conference comprised of academically rigorous schools with a like-minded approach to balancing academics and athletics. Thus, these are all great schools. While Oberlin, Kenyon and Denison lead the pack academically and in selectivity, Wittenberg, Wooster, OWU and Allegheny are all a very close second and all are nationally recognized solid liberal arts school with rich histories.</p>