<p>Does anyone have any info on Goucher? Are there any undergraduates here that attend Goucher? If so, can you briefly describe Goucher, what you like about it, how campus safety is, and what you DON'T like about it?</p>
<p>Thanks. I see the Goucher forum is a ghost town, I hope that doesn't mean anything bad, LOL.</p>
<p>Goucher is pretty high on our son’s list. We visited twice, once in the Spring and just last week. The campus is in an urban area, but feels safe enough (both tour guides we had were women and both said they feel safe). </p>
<p>For our son, the location is a big draw. Easy access to Baltimore/DC/Amtrak etc. Hard to find LACs in this kind of setting.</p>
<p>On the first visit, the campus was in the middle of the yearly Zombies game, which made everything pretty lively. Our son (a different sort of kid, but not overtly so) also liked the eclectic feel of the students. </p>
<p>The first information session was one of the best we’ve been to. There were three people there: someone from the admissions office, a student and a professor. The professor was particularly helpful and informative. (During our most recent visit, the information session was more standard—just someone from the admissions office, but it was the middle of August.)</p>
<p>The Athenaeum, Goucher’s newest building is very impressive. It’s going to be a terrific focal point for the campus. </p>
<p>I think this forum is quiet for the same reason many are: most folks on CC seem to be interested in top tier schools, and schools like Goucher simply get less attention. I don’t think it’s necessarily a reflection on these other schools.</p>
<p>Gweeta, I truly thank youf ort hat detailed response – that’s what I needed to hear. I’m considering applying to Goucher but I’m not 100% sure, which is why I posted here. I love how Goucher requires you to study abroad. But I find it hard to look for the class profile of Goucher. As a URM with a 1480/2400 SAT score, I don’t want Goucher to be a reach for me, you know? About 65% of the schools I’m applying to so far are reaches (which isn’t good). </p>
<p>Do you know if Goucher is REALLY selective? In your honest opinion, with the numbers I just gave you, do you think I would have a decent shot? Thanks again!</p>
<p>Beatfreaks, I’m not really in a great position to chance you. I’m just a parent with a kid who’s interested in Goucher. </p>
<p>But here’s what I will say. First, Goucher’s median SATs are 1195/1600 and the GPA is 3.2, unweighted. (The first number comes from ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■, the second from a Goucher admissions officer.) Second, my son’s guidance counselor has said that Goucher is trying to become more selective so the numbers may be a little deceiving (i.e., it may be a little harder to get into than the numbers alone might lead you to believe). Third, at a school like Goucher, an interview can really help. So if it’s high on your list, try to interview. It could make the difference. </p>
<p>Finally, and I know you know this, but you really need to focus on finding some safeties. I really don’t know much about you, but you might try perusing this thread. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/707436-new-3-0-3-3-gpa-parents-thread.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/707436-new-3-0-3-3-gpa-parents-thread.html</a>. It could have some good suggestions for you. Also, if you haven’t, look at the book “Colleges That Change Lives.”</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>I understand and thanks again. One last question though, do you know if housing is garunteed for all 4 years (or atleast 3) because I can’t seem to find it on the site.</p>
<p>There are more Goucher posts if you use the thread feature which allows you to see all threads ever posted. They vanish after a few months or so, so last year’s are not visible</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>I think housing is guaranteed for all four years.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. Your information helped a lot!</p>
<p>Hello,
I’m currently a junior at Goucher College. Gweeta, you definitely summed up Goucher pretty well 
If you have any more questions about student life (or anything in general) I’d be happy to help out!
As for admissions, Goucher is much more interested in you as a person than as a number-that’s why SAT scores are optional. An interview is a GREAT idea!!! They love to see that you’re taking the time to get to know the school, but also that you’re interested in making yourself known. Starting with a visit and an info session is perfect. Another great thing to try is an overnight stay. A current student will spend the evening with you and you get to stay in the dorms with him/her that night.
I LOVE Goucher and would obviously recommend it to anyone- but make sure you get as many questions answered and take your time investigating what aspects you do and don’t like at all of your choices.
Good luck!!</p>
<p>Exactly what is Goucher looking for in terms of “you as a person” - - other than an expression of interest, as evinced by visiting and interviewing?</p>
<p>(The expression of interest could be as much a yield concern as an interest in “getting to know you.”)</p>
<p>I was just wondering if anyone had information about the theater program? Goucher is high up on my list and I am visiting and having an interview in a few weeks but I would still like to know more before I visit the school. Any help, and general facts would be very much appreciated, and any insight into how academics are structured at Goucher. I have a general gist, but the information I have found is not as refined as I would like. I also have a 1700 on the SATs, not very good, but my GPA is a solid 3.5-3.6, should I bother submitting my SATs?</p>
<p>My family visited recently (Yom Kippur). Our info session, unlike gweeta’s, was surprisingly bad. </p>
<p>Although admissions staffers kept commenting on the large number of visitors expected - - so many that our info session was held in a lecture hall - - only one preson (an adcom) addressed the group. She reviewed basic info that was available on the website and spoke at length about merit aid - - but her response to questions about need-based aid was consistently, “I don’t know - - you’ll have toask some one from financial aid about that.” Similarly, when she spoke about internships and other opportunities in the Baltimore are, she glossed over the difficulty of taking advantage of those opportunities unless one had a car. (The campus is abut a 20-25 min drive from downtown Baltimore, longer using public transit. I figured the trip would take about 40 min via public transit, but the adcom said as student “would pretty much have to have a car” to get too and from downtown.)</p>
<p>I’m not sure it was the school’s intention, but I got the definite impression that Goucher - - which does not meet 100% of demonstrated need - - was less committed to economic diversity than other, more competitive LACs. Often, schools that do not met 100% of need have smaller endowments, but one does not get the sense that Goucher is lacking for money. Rather, this appears to be a conscious decision to use the college’s finaid dollars to increase it’s selectivity by discounting for high-scoring, full-pay applicants (as oppose to needs-blind admission and more $$ for need-based aid).</p>
<p>After the info session, our group of about 40 families was broken into 3 tour groups - - so each tour had approx. 35 participants, which I thought was too large a group. And our guide wasn’t comfortable walking backwards, so we missed a lot of her commentary, since she wasn’t facing the group. Fortunately, the campus, which was beautiful (one of the prettiest I’ve seen), spoke for itselt. Even the weather was cooperative - - warm and sunny, with a light breeze - - so the walk was quite pleasant, even if less informative than we expected and would have liked.</p>
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<p>Beatfreaks, as I said above, the adcoms focus on merit scholarships left me with the definite impression that the school is attempting to increase its selectivity by offering scholarships to high-scoring applicants (though some of the merit awards are modest and amount to little more than discounting for otherwise full-pay families). And while I’m certain Goucher is interested in the applicant as a person (what school isn’t?), since students must submit SAT scores to be considered for merit scholarships, the focus on merit money means an increased reliance on the numbers, namely gpa and SAT. </p>
<p>The adcom reported the mid 50% of admitted students presented SATs of 570-630. But, I suspect that is primarily students seeking merit scholarships, since Goucher doesn’t require SATs for admission. Also, you can even choose to have your SAT scores considered for meirt $ only (ie: the scores will not be reviewed for admission, but will be reviewed in case you qualify for a merit award).</p>
<p>Foolishpleasure, thanks for your input. It helps. </p>
<p>The reason what I am saying is my DS got a recruited email for soccer program after we just finished the camp visit the last week to LA for other school, most competitive LAC. I am trying to figure out if it is a good school for him. He likes major in science/pre MED and music also playing soccer in DIII. </p>
<p>So like to hear more. Coach invite him to visit. I am debating now. He already took two visits for other schools. It will take an toll on his daily study for missing so many days from school. Let me know if this school is academically challenge enough for him and have a good campus life. </p>
<p>His stat: ACT 34/36, writing 11/12. class rank 29/1489, WGPA 4.38. EC: 9 year soccer, 12 year music.</p>