<p>We have narrowed the decision down to two, maybe three schools, and one of them is Washington and Jefferson College in PA. </p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone had any input or opinions about Washington and Jefferson? It seems that there areonly really good OR really bad things to be said about the school. (I read the Collage ******* review.) So, it is making the decision process almost impossible! </p>
<p>We have visited and, honestly, the town is horrific. Is it even safe there? It was a little weird walking around the campus fringe and campus security was out in force. It was unnerving, so is that normal?</p>
<p>Also, supposedly everyone leaves on the weekends - if they are local, which it seems that most of the students are. Is that true and if so what is it like for the out-of-state kids?</p>
<p>Again, going back to College *******, it sounds as if the kids are clique-y, gossipy, and that the "Greeks rule". Is that true?</p>
<p>But, aside from that, the professors seem top-knotch and caring about their students. Is that true?</p>
<p>And, I have heard that they have a great reputation for getting their students in to grad school. Is that true and what does it take for a kid to get noticed by a grad school if they are from washjeff?</p>
<p>Please help us out. My kid loves the school but we are just struggling with this decision...</p>
<p>Well, I don't know anything about this school, but when we visited Juniata I met someone who was working near the school. She told me that her sons attended Wash Jeff and that we should look there rather than Juniata. She claimed that there was more for kids to do at WJ than at Juniata. We never looked on that trip bc we did not have time. When I got back I began to research WJ, but I quickly scratched the idea. I just don't recall what I read that made me decide to forget about it. My son did not hear the conversation about WJ so he never researched the school.</p>
<p>W&J enjoys a good reputation in its area. It's considered a cut above a bunch of like schools including some of the smaller state schools that were the old teachers colleges. I know a number of kid who have gone there. The very young mayor of Pittsburgh is not a Pitt, CMU, Duquesne, or Penn Stat grad, but a W&J grad.</p>
<p>As to the drawbacks, they are the same as they would be for most small schools that are not in a city, off the beaten track that tend to appeal to the local crowd. It used to be that W&J was not as much of a commuter or suitcase school as many of its peers in the area, but most of the kids who go there do tend to come from the western Pa, eastern OH, WV tri state area.</p>
<p>I've known a number of wonderful, successful,happy graduates of W&J, Allegheny, Westminister, Pennsylvania state unis, Grove city, St Vincent's , Thiel.</p>
<p>I was an adult leader on a church sr hi mission project to Washington, Pa and stayed the week at a church almost adjacent to the W&J campus. The only thing I can tell you about the college is that the administration was kind enough to let our group of about 40 use thier gym showers.</p>
<p>As to the town and the area surrounding the campus, I felt entirely safe in the area and our kids were allowed out at nite though they had to remain on church property. The downtown area was okay though we didnt spend much time there at nite.</p>
<p>Washington, Pa wasn't a bad little city back in the 1970s when I went to college in the Pittsburgh area. Unfortunately, the economic hardship that has ravaged that area over the past 30 years has taken its toll on the community and that is reflected in national crime statistics. Washington is rated as having more crime than Troy, NY, which is no rose garden, and is on par with Poughkeepsie (Pokip has marginally more violent crime than Washington, Washington wins the "property crime competition").</p>
<p>Of course, it has been many years since I've been on the W&J campus so I don't know what the immediate neighbornhood is like.</p>
<p>W&J is still well-regarded in western Pa. even though it doesn't have much visibility nationally (which is why it is often confused with W&L).</p>
<p>Ursinus is the highest ranked college of the three and is known to have a very strong science program.</p>
<p>You might want to just check out the financial health at Hartwick. A number of years ago, I believe, they discontinued some sport teams and I think that they wanted to sell some of their artwork and some land. While that was going on, they were building as well. I have seen the campus, and it is beautiful. BTW, I hope that your child likes to climb! There are lots of hills on that campus to help keep off "the freshman 15".</p>
<p>Yes, we've visited Hartwick and love the school. It is a gorgeous campus and everyone is friendly, helpful and supportive! My child received a great scholarship and has been accepted in to the honors program. </p>
<p>That said, we've been a bit concerned about the academics and the school's rep. (I know it's awful to consider this, but it is only a 3rd tier school.) But I didn't know they were selling off land or sculpture. Good to know. Will look in to it.</p>
<p>IMO W&J seems to have been built inside the town of Washington, if you know what I mean. Around the corner are some areas of some sort of low-income housing, but the school is in easy reach of shopping centers and Pittsburgh. I know people who go there and have gone there, and like/liked it.</p>
<p>I'm an Ursinus alum from a long time ago, and I know it's changed. However, except for a few houses along Main Street, it's secluded from town. The campus is beautiful and they've added some outdoor art! It's always been a strong pre-med school, and when I went there it had a great women's health and phys ed program (awesome field hockey and lacrosse teams). Close to great shopping (King of Prussia) and Philly.</p>
<p>I can't help you with the schools but can tell you that it was <em>extremely</em> helpful for my son to re-visit his top two choices in early April last year. He did back-to-back overnights and came away with a clear preference. Maybe another look at each will help with the decision?</p>
<p>Thank you ingerp. Excellent advice! I had always thought we needed to make a decision by this time of year. We did arrive to the same conclusion and are in the process of doing what you suggest and we've been able to narrow to two excellent schools. (Honestly, I wish I had had the kind of choices my child does!)</p>
<p>Robbia613: Unless you're flat broke, I don't recommend sending your child to whichever school gives the most generous financial aid. Schools with lesser reps nationally do tend to give more aid. They have to, but that's not a reason to enroll at Hartwick, IMHO. </p>
<p>My D1 turned down two full four-year scholarships because in the end, she wanted to attend a school with a better rep. She has her eye on the employment market after graduation.</p>