<p>Just got back from vacation and found more college mail for now senior son. He has 5 schools chosen to apply to (Allegheny, Wooster, K-Zoo, Hendrix and safety for financial reasons University of Cincinnati). He starts researching Carthage - has the perfect double major - neuroscience/psychology, perfect size, US News ranked etc. His recent ACT scores put him at a great start for money. He has scheduled a visit and is very excited. So what does anyone know about Carthage?</p>
<p>I know several kids that go there; are you more interested in academics or environment?</p>
<p>We are interested in the academics and beyond what we are finding on their website. Especially people who have visited or even are students there. Any and all info would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>There are some specific questions, in looking at the information, the campus is 2,500. It appears a segment is commuters and a percentage (30%) is Greek. Could you ask the students that you know two questions - is this a campus that clears out on weekends - is everyone either a commuter that is at home, someone from Wisconsin that goes home, is there enough to do on campus to keep them busy on weekends. And do you have to be in the Greek system in order to have a social life at Carthage? We will ask these when we visit, but it always great to have the info from students who aren't being prompted by an admissions office. Thanks so much.</p>
<p>I don't think students clearing out on weekends is an issue; the kids I know don't come home that often, and we're about 50 minutes away. There are lots of activities going on during weekends. I will say that many of the ECs revolve around fitness and sports, so you will find a larger population of students who really care about being physically active.</p>
<p>I know people who have gone Greek and some who haven't. Each has enjoyed their time at Carthage and kept busy with ECs not necessarily related to the Greek system. There is actually a line of the Chicago Metra Rail that ends in Kenosha, so it's easy for kids to catch the train into Chicago on weekends for entertainment purposes. It takes an hour and half, give or take some minutes depending on how many stops it makes.</p>
<p>teriwtt, thanks for the info, that is some of what he was looking for. I just made reservations today for a visit in mid-july. So far we are reading great things about it.</p>
<p>I'm assuming you are aware that the school in on Lake Michigan; not a better view to be had.</p>
<p>Carthage is pretty religious, from what I have gathered. The other colleges do not fit into that mold. It may or may not be an issue. I just wanted to point that out.</p>
<p>i second Wooster :)</p>
<p>Pretty religious is a relative term... how would you define that?</p>
<p>It is an ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) school, but all that means is that they have a religion course requirement, but there are many cool options for non-Christians.</p>
<p>D2 attends an ELCA school (not Carthage) where 30% of the student body is Catholic, 30% is Jewish, 30% is Protestant, and the remaining 10% is 'whatever'.</p>
<p>Teriwtt, I am just pointing out that it IS a <em>religious</em> school. It may or may not be an issue for the OP. I am not familiar with ELCA schools. I AM familiar with United Methodist schools, and if ELCA are like UM schools ... the fact that they are sponsored by a religion is not a factor at all. Some other religiously affiliated schools spring to my mind, though ... ranging from "kind of" to "very" religious. Personal comfort is important. So I just pointing out that it might be something to look into.</p>
<p>I think Carthage is in the range of the UM schools you refer to - it is not a factor at all, other than there is a required religion course.</p>
<p>Yes, I was afraid when you said religious school; I was thinking of some schools that are more overt in their code of conducts and/or beliefs, of which ELCA schools are not.</p>
<p>After reading the first post about religion my son and I looked at the course requirements again because we thought there was a 2 course religion requirement and there is. But the courses range from biblical study to Islam and the state of modern religion today. These are similar humanities type courses offered at most colleges and universities. Most of the colleges he is looking at are religiously affliated, we just need to see what the atmosphere is when visiting as we would at any university. It is a reminder to everyone to look at the underlying themes at a university or college - is your son or daughter going to be comfortable.</p>
<p>Son and I did two visits to Carthage. They had the best presentation of any school we visited . . . which included 7 on CC's top lac's and universities list. Admit counselor son interviewed with was most knowledgeable, as well as very personable.<br>
Son chose not to apply to Carthage, 1. felt not enough green space up by dorms (I didn't feel that way and what scenery being right on the lake!). 2. Concern about level of interaction given ACT scores. Counselor did speak to that, indicating some schools manipulate the scores and they don't.</p>
<p>We did not feel Carleton was overly religious My son would have considered Carleton based on the feel and what they said about religion . . . and he is an atheist.</p>
<p>An 07 graduate from son's school attends Carthage - he had 36 in his ACT. Obviously received good scholarship! His high school teachers alluded to his school (Carthage) as not having the students of this kid's calibur . . . and may have viewed his attending Carthage as not the best decision he'd made, but apparently he has been happy enough to stay there. This student also alluded to the callibur of students in talking with my son.</p>
<p>Even with the above, I was very impressed with Carleton. Friendly staff, appeared very open, very dedicated, honest, suggested during presentation that students need to look at fit, look at whether this school was the right fit for them. Certainly did not hear that statement to this level at any other college.</p>