Hi,
The Decision Day’s coming, and now I’m still confused to choose one. I got into Con Coll, Grinnell, and Lawrence University (Wisconsin), but now I’m no longer interested in Grinnell. Both Con Coll and Lawrence have limestone buildings, a nearby river, strong vibe with me. The net price is comparable.
I’m considering the city setting, academic prestige, and social sense to find best fit. As for my majors, I’ll study Government and Film. Could anyone have advice for me to opt for? I do feel grateful for your opinions.
I can only speak about Conn College.
Regarding city setting, there’s not a lot going on in the old whaling town of New London, which is on Long Island Sound (beaches) as well as on the Thames River. For shopping, there is Crystal Mall, a large indoor mall with neighboring outdoor shopping. These days the port is a transportation center for ferries to NY’s Long Island and to other smaller islands off the CT/RI shore. It is also a major Amtrak station, providing easy rail access to other college towns like New Haven & Providence, RI as well as farther to Boston & NY.
There is lots going on in the greater New London area, which is a tourist center. Of immediate interest is Mohegan Sun Casino. I recommend it not for gambling but for restaurants, live music, and some boutique shops. Some of the live music is free. It is also home to the Connecticut Sun, professional women’s basketball team, and host to the Big East women’s basketball tournament. Otherwise, there are a variety of museums in the area, state parks for getting outside, and historic sites to explore. Across the street from campus is the US Coast Guard Academy, expanding the population of college students by another thousand kids.
In terms of prestige, Conn College is a NESCAC college, which is a collection of New England “Little Ivies” and enjoys the prestige and reputation which goes with that. Poli-Sci/Government is one of their most popular majors and should be able to be easily combined with studies in their film department.
I’m not the best one to comment on their social vibe. I suggest that you contact Admissions and ask them to set up a phone or zoom call with some current students. That’s a pretty standard request at a small liberal arts college, something they should be able to set up easily for you. You might want to specify things like students from your part of the country, from your area of academic interest, etc. Admitted students days can also provide lots of information and contacts. On the Admissions page of their website, the “Camel Days” link brings you to that information. You might also have received information in your acceptance packet. I assume you’re not able to visit campus?
Good luck with your decision.
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We visited both Conn Coll and Lawrence as my kid went through athletic recruiting at both. My kid was also interested in continuing his instrument and his studio art, and was looking for a diverse, tolerant community.
Lawrence differs from Conn Coll campus in that it is in the town of Appleton – the Conservatory is on one side of a street (not particularly busy) and other college buildings are clustered together on the opposite side. The student union building is impressive, with sweeping views over the river, and my kid thought it was the best campus food he had anywhere. There is greek life at Lawrence, another difference from Conn Coll, but greek life at Lawrence is non-traditional and modest, it did not seem to have much of a presence or impact on campus and the kids my student met who were in greek life were not the stereotypical “greeks” – they were more the stereotypical “quirky” kids who’d be playing dungeons and dragons. Both schools are known for their arts – of course, Lawrence has the Con, and Conn Coll is known for both modern dance and studio art. Conn Coll definitely has more of an east coast vibe, felt more “mainstream” to us and, at least according to the NY Times data on economic diversity – which is now 5 year old – has more wealthy students than Lawrence. According to the NY Times study, as of 2015, Conn Coll has 18% of the student body in the top 1% economically, and 15% in the bottom 65% whereas Lawrence has 5% in the top 1% economically and 18% in the bottom 65%. Conn Coll will be known by east coast employers etc. and Lawrence will be known more by Chicago area employers etc.
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Thank you a lot for your info. I’m leaning towards Lawrence Uni because of the midwest vibe, more diverse international student community. Yeah, I’m an international student, too and I feel Con Coll is quite preppy. Could you tell more about your impression of Lawrence University facilities? I see Con Coll and Lawrence have limestone buildings but it is difficult for me who can’t visit both campuses to compare the equipment.
As best I recall about Lawrence – the student union with the dining hall is really nice, set into the hill on the river with big windows, so a really picturesque place for meals! The Conservatory felt open, lots of white, more modern. The studio art space was nice, brick, I don’t recall a lot of details. We did not go into a dorm, as best I recall. Athletic facilities were faded and, at least when my kid was visiting in 2015, the college arranged for students to have gym memberships at the YMCA a few blocks away because the recreational gym/work out space was pretty limited. That may have been upgraded since then. Lawrence felt cozy but it’s not a place where the “arms race” to have the best and newest facilities has taken over the college budget. On the “college” side of the street – since the Con is across the street – the campus is compact and comfortable. Unlike Conn Coll, Lawrence is not separate from the town, students could walk to shops etc. whereas Conn Coll is more of a separate, self-contained campus and feels larger than Lawrence’s campus. Both have varsity athletic facilities separate from the main campus – at Lawrence, they are across the river and at Conn they are across a pedestrian bridge.
Can you ask Admissions at each school to put you in touch with some international students, perhaps from your country, to learn more about their perceptions and experience?