<p>Got a boy who is solely focused on schools he has <em>studied</em> (ie, older sis goes to one of the PA schools). How should I best get him out of this comfort zone and scrutinize W&L? One knee-jerk comment of his was "But it's in the south!" I'd like some comparitive comentary, if possible.</p>
<p>I am quite taken with W&L, particularly the undergrad Biz program (which is rare at the LAC level, it seems). Otherwise, IMO the sheepskin he will receive from any of these schools will be pretty comparable.</p>
<p>Logistically, it would be a reach to visit W&L before applying this fall, and he has seen the PA and OH schools, most of which are semi-rural as well (I consider Lexington, VA to be in that category for purposes of this topic).</p>
<p>I've got a 6'5" basketball player S. I also am trying to get him to take a closer look at WLU. It doesn't fit on his radar screen because it is rural and too small. Yet he'll consider Davidson because a friend of his in the class before him went there from his small hs (total enrollment of 240--60 in a class) ... the adcom rep visits his school shortly.</p>
<p>He doesn't like winter. He likes the south. He's conservative and preppy. Has had enough religious indoctrination to last a lifetime so no religious affiliated colleges. While he hasn't taken his SAT/act , his SATII Chem was 710 (which on these boards is laughable but in the real world is better than some think)--so I think he'll have the brains to make a reasonable run if he wants to applly.</p>
<p>I think all you can do is lead a horse to water. I'm hoping that it's like his choice of hs--the one he is at wasn't even on the radar screen til the last moment. He interviewed and I was asked in. I was totally blown away by comparing it to my alma mater and said--if you don't go here, you're out of your mind.</p>
<p>Just a warning: W&L does have winters. It also has very cold fall nights, it's hit 45 degrees at night here. I'm loving it as the Russian/New Yorker but my friends from Florida and Texas not so much.</p>
<p>Lexington has rapid weather changes. When I woke up this morning, it was 55 degrees outside. When I got back from brunch, it was 81.</p>
<p>Oh and I'm sorry I can't help with the original topic but I know nothing about the Ohio and PA LAC's, W&L is the only LAC I was interested in. If you have any specific questions, I will be glad to answer them.</p>
<p>And semi-rural is a good way to describe Lexington. Technically, it IS a small city, but leave the town in any direction and you get farmland. Go a little farther east or west, and you hit magnificent mountain ranges.</p>
<p>dima,
is downhill skiing nearby? how about lakes for waterskiing in the spring and fall---S likes to backwards barefoot (and for those who have never seen this, it is insane. only a young teenager would have the guts????? to do this.</p>
<p>Like I said, we are surrounded by mountains so yes, there is downhill skiing a not-too-long drive away. The outing club sponsors ski trips in the winter and there is even a skiing gym class. The Outing Club also has a ski trip to the rocky mountains over Febuary break (as well as a sea kayaking trip through the Everglades)</p>
<p>As for waterskiing, I haven't a clue, don't know anyone who waterskiis and am not sure if there are any places you can do it. The Maury river is nearby and the James is not too much farther but I don't know if there are any lakes around where you can do it. If there are, you're probably going to need a car, since I don't think the outing club sponsors waterskiing trips. If I find out I'm wrong, I'll make another post.</p>