<p>Good point about the faculty being both sexes at single sex schools Hoedown. Wabash, I just want to say again that "single sex" does not mean "conservative." In fact, quite the opposite can be true. As I mentioned previously, I have heard first hand reports that there's a lot of partying at Wabash on the weekends and both Wabash and HSC have a fraternity scene with all that entails. (In fact, some of the frats at HSC have been put on suspension for being too wild). So, make sure to visit and see if the atmosphere is what you are looking for - try to arrange an overnight stay in both a dorm and one of the frat houses at both schools if possible as it is my understanding that a substantial majority of students at both schools live in the frats after freshman year.</p>
<p>"'privatecolleges.com', which appears to be yet another of these marketing organizations that universities seem to create all the time (CTCL, Colleges of Distinction, etc.). " lderochi, what do you mean?</p>
<p>Wabash, </p>
<p>Well, maybe I shouldn't have been so flippant. What I mean is that there are several "groups" of colleges that band together for various purposes. The rationale for doing this is because the colleges have the same basic profile, and it is a way of getting their message to a greater number of people -- basically, it's "power in numbers" for colleges that simply don't have the individual clout to get their message out and become more well known outside of their historical geographic base. I'm thinking specifically of the Colleges That Change Lives consortium (CTCL.com) and the Colleges of Distinction consortium (collegesofdistinction.com). The privatecolleges.com group seemed like that to me. </p>
<p>I don't think there is anything wrong with this approach, but sometimes it seems to me that the groups' efforts, despite their best intentions, come across mainly as slick marketing tools -- they make it sound as if ONLY their schools can provide that holy grail -- the great college experience. The CTCL group, in particular, comes across as overly self-congratulatory to me. But this is probably the influence of Loren Pope, who started the whole CTCL thing -- his book, for all of its good points, could be almost unreadable at times because of his gushings. And his constant argument that small (less than 2000 students) = good and large (everything else) = evil was just too narrow-minded for my tastes. </p>
<p>Having said that, there are many GREAT schools in these groups, and I hope I didn't imply otherwise.</p>
<p>no, thank you for the calafication.</p>
<p>I talked to my do to see if we could swing by on our trip in VA and he said yes! S, my next question is now what?</p>
<p>Which school are you going to see?</p>
<p>Hampden-Sydney</p>
<p>in Hampden-Sydney, VA</p>
<p>Ok - that makes more sense - I thought you were talking about Wabash. I looked at the Hampden-Sydney website and it looks wonderful. </p>
<p>I do have a suggestion, though - which to also visit a couple of co-educational colleges. You need a good basis for comparision.</p>
<p>Wabash, </p>
<p>Ohio-Mom makes a good point -- if your schedule allows, you might want to take a look at some similarly sized co-ed schools. And you would have plenty to choose from in that area: Randolp-Macon, Lynchburg, Washington and Lee, Roanoke, etc. </p>
<p>Have a great trip.</p>
<p>Well, you see I am also considering Wabash College as well as state schools (Arizona State U., Central Arizona College and the like)</p>
<p>Right, but I think her point is, it may be hard for you tell if those colleges are special just because they are so much smaller than your others, or because they are smaller AND single-sex. Seeing a co-ed school of the same size might be a useful benchmark.</p>
<p>That said, it's too bad you're seeing these places in the summer. You get a better feel for a place when the students are around. HS-C is especially friendly, they've got this campus tradition that its bad manners to not greet/acknowledge other people when you pass them on campus. I think H-SC graduation takes place the week before your visit, and I suspect the place will be utterly cleared out.</p>
<p>Actually, it takes place theday we fly in</p>
<p>so the school will be cleared oiut by the time of our visit</p>