We are struggling with the selection for my D23. She is interested in psychology and related studies. She is an international student, educated in private schools in Europe and Asia. She is intelligent, kind, open minded, and very sensitive to people and environment around her. Accepted by the three universities, here’s our recap:
Clark University: my D likes the program the best due to research opportunities. And she received a scholarship, making the cost 20K to 25K less than the other two. But we are very concerned about the safety around campus. We searched extensively online but information is mixed, some said fine, some indicated downside. Any personal experience will be helpful for us.
Sarah Lawrence: the most well known among the three although rankings are lower. The location is interesting and the campus looks beautiful. They have probably the most interesting alumni network. Our concern is the high ratio of women students, 70%, making the university life like a women college experience.
Whitman College: very good school and students all seem very happy. Probably the most comfortable place for my D in terms of campus environment. However we have concerns about the location and diversity of the student body. Although we are confident that she will make friends there, but she really needs to fit it, otherwise no where to escape.
We’d appreciate all comments and advice as we need to make a quick decision in the coming days. Many thanks!
For what it’s worth niche evaluates safety in whatever way they do it.
They give Clark a B, Sarah Lawrence a B-, and Whitman a B-.
So they say Clark is safest.
Here’s their methodology:
Safety grade, which incorporates factors such as campus crime rate, local crime rate, as well as student surveys regarding health and safety services on campus.
Thanks for your reply. Program is the top criteria for my daughter. If safety is not a bigger issue at Clark than the other two, the choice is easier to make.
Clark is in a small city. Like any city, you should be aware of your surroundings, lock car doors, go out in groups, etc. But, I wouldn’t hesitate to send my kid there. And being a city, there is so much more to do there than at SL or Whitman. There are at least 5 colleges in Worcester, so lots of college kids and things to do. If you’re coming from the east coast, Whitman can be tough to get to.
Anything can happen anywhere but I don’t see why Clark would be any different than the others. Worcester has WPI, Holy Cross - lots sending kids there.
Id be at Clark and wouldn’t hesitate any moreso than the others.
Unfortunately the real world has monsters but they have to face them.
Based on all you say, Whitman. It’s a really lovely school.
SLC is a real fit school, imo. If she is concerned about the ratio, she should pay attention to that.
I like Clark. I don’t worry about neighborhoods. There are campus police and students aren’t as dumb as we think they are. There are two other prominent colleges nearby.
How is it that you have three choices this late in the game?
We read a few news reports and student comments on Clark neighbourhood safety issues, that’s why the impression that Clark is less safe than the other two.
Regarding campus safety, some of the more common campus safety issues are not really about the neighborhood, but have to do with sexual misconduct often after student parties with alcohol.
Clark is fabulous–we visited and it is on my daughter’s list for apps. We are not concerned about the neighborhood. Although it is very urban in appearance, it is fine in safety for the Clarkies. We live in what most people would call a fairly dangerous city, and in those places. crime is truly unpredictable. It doesn’t confine itself to the “bad” neighborhoods. Clark has cultivated its relationship with its community, and things are pretty positive there.
We took a school off our list because it was in an area with nightly car jackings and gunfire. That is certainly not what Clark is like. There is one “sketchy” part of Worcester, but it’s totally avoidable and your daughter would have no reason to be there.
I live about 20 minutes from Worcester and was just there last week for lunch with a friend. We were both marveling at how “cute” it’s gotten and how much there was to do. My husband and I are even thinking of relocating from our sleepy suburban town now that our kids are grown to lower our taxes and have better access to all Worcester has to offer.