Crime in Memphis

<p>As for the school spirit for athletic events at Rhodes, you can certainly view it as my perception, and, yes, I have attended only one event at Rhodes, but it is a "fact" that at a basketball game on a Sunday afternoon in February there were about 200 people in attendance, and about 50 to 60 of them (excluding cheerleaders and players) were students. I was surprised by the turnout so I actually did a loose count. My son attends a high school with about 2,700 students, which is a good bit larger than the student body at Rhodes, and the basketball games at his high school draw much larger, and more vocal, crowds. As I said, this is not unusual for small liberal arts schools with 1,000 to 2,000 students, so it is not intended as a "criticism" of Rhodes (and maybe that day was an aberration for Rhodes). I have some first hand experience with this as I was a college athlete at a smaller liberal arts school. I did my doctorate work at a very large state institution with a huge sports program and great fan support, so I've seen both extremes. My son decided he was not interested in Rhodes more due to the size of the school then anything else. After looking at a variety of small, medium and large colleges, he decided he wants to go to a college that has a student population a good bit larger than his high school. Obviously there are trade-offs with that decision, but to each his own.</p>

<p>Icy9ff8, it is not that Curmudgeon is trying to intimidate anyone. It is just that he has done a lot of research on Rhodes both in the past before his daughter decided to attend and in the present so that he can present a fair and factual picture of Rhodes on this board. I, along with many other members of this site, have found Curmudgeon's posts to be extremely helpful when it comes to answering many questions we have had about Rhodes. He has gone out of his way to help anyone who has asked for his help in receiving information about Rhodes or many other colleges.<br>
Now Razordad, on the other hand, decides to post his "perceptions" about Rhodes in a negative manner on this board - perceptions that came from a
3 hour visit to Rhodes as opposed to an overnight stay or more importantly, by having a child who attends the school. My son is seriously looking at Rhodes and I was a little offended by Razordad's comments as we just went to visit for the first about three weeks ago and had a totally different impression of the school. Now mind you, I'm not writing this to start a fight with anyone - I just don't think that it is fair to "insult"
Curmudgeon and other more informative posters about comments that they have written on this thread because you deem them to be on the defensive.
Choosing the right college for your child is a personal decision for any parent and no one wants to hear derogatory comments about their child's school - especially comments or "perceptions" based on a three hour tour.</p>

<p>"A three hour tour, A three hour tour............
The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed"</p>

<p>As a follow up to my earlier post, I have since visited U of South, Furman, Elon, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, and visited Rhodes on Thursday of this week. I live in Memphis and have lived here since 1981 thus consider myself to know the area well. The fact is that Rhodes is in a rough part of town. My wife and I would have concerns of our D leaving campus to go to Walgreens, etc. That being said, the campus itself is very safe and beautiful, gated and fenced. If Rhodes was 20 miles away in another section of town, it would be the best selection among the other smaller private schools, hands down. Folks, look at it very carefully before your s or d makes the decision.</p>

<p>Tennheel -</p>

<p>How can you possibly state that Rhodes College is in a very rough part of town?? In all of my research - whether it be through the internet, talking to students and coaches and actually going to visit the campus - I have NEVER come across anyone stating that Rhodes is in a very rough part of town. It might not be the very best part of Memphis but it is in no way considered to be a "very rough part of town". Why would you put that fear into prospective students and their parents? Are there any FACTUAL statistics of anything bad ever happening to a Rhodes student while venturing to Walgreens or anywhere else for that matter??!! I don't think so but if there are any facts, please feel free to post them here for all of us to read so that we, as parents, can really THINK about whether or not we should send our child to Rhodes. Why don't you think about backing up your post before you write such a negative comment about Rhodes on this board.</p>

<p>On break right now and thought i give this forum a visit. Helpful for me when I was in HS. </p>

<p>I am currently a student at Rhodes, so I am going to give a very accurate perspective on the school. All the students will say that they feel like in a bubble in Rhodes. We feel safe inside, and security is tight inside here. Nothing bad ever happens inside the school, but outside the bubble it can get a little dangerous. In the past couple of months, we had a warning of robbers within 3-4 miles of the school. I had friends who got stuff stolen from them. But I mean I feel entirely safe here. The fact is that if you are with a group of friends in Memphis, it is not likely someone is going to harm you. </p>

<p>About school spirit, no one goes to the games barely. Football season consists of tailgating and basketball is even of lesser concern. Ppl tailgate only. Anyways, Greek life rules the campus. Weekends usually consist of drinking, house parties, and swaps/mixers. Almost everyone I know is either in a fraternity or sorority. Its great though since it is not intense as state school. Plus it gives everybody a sense of belonging and a great group of friends </p>

<p>On the bright side for parents, Rhodes give us a very academic environment. Studying is strongly encouraged, and I became a better writer because of the class papers. Teachers are great, and they make you try your best on every class. The most important part is that the school has ton of people driven by hard work and intelligence. It is easy to be surrounded by smart kids who want to succeed in life. The courses are challenging, and it's hard work to get an "A" here. Attitude here is weekdays are intense working days, and weekends are fun time. Ppl talk about writing papers and difficult tests. Germantown, cordova, and collervile are great places in memphis</p>

<p>Rhodes is a great place, but the smallness is sometimes a problem. If you are trying to avoid somebody, you are probably going to see him/her everyday.</p>

<p>Side note: Church's Chicken is on the way to the airport. It is on Airways, so you can't miss it.</p>

1 Like

<p>My son just got his acceptance to Rhodes and while he is very excited about the school I have a number of reservations that perhaps you might provide some candid insight about. First, we live on the West coast. Do you know of other west coast students and how they have assimilated? Second, how important is a person's religion for integrating with students as well as amongst the faculty? My son was not raised with a particular religious belief. Third, I read much about the challenging academic environment but really do not have a frame of reference for comparison. Have you found that most of your peers have managed to handle the work load or has it been more difficult then most anticipated? Fourth, I am getting a somewhat mixed message about the crime situation. My "first blush" impression is that the campus is a bit of an oasis. Is it fair to say that if you venture off campus it is to travel by car to a destination rather then a campus that blends into a "college town" that is an extension of the campus?</p>

<p>Thanks for any insight here.</p>

<p>UcMichigan</p>

<p>We're from Ohio, near Detroit. Northwest's airfare between its two hubs is pretty brutal. Have you and your family figured out a better/cheaper way to get back and forth?</p>

<p>Are there weekend activities for non-drinkers?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Darden and Paintball-Curmudgeon is THE source for all thingsRhodes IMO. His daughter is finishing her freshman year and they did an extensive college search-so you might want to PM him if you do not hear back from UcMichigan. our twins were there in September ( we all stayed downtown). My kids talked at length with some other students and tennis team members because they want a place where they can socialize without the pressure to drink ( literally quit applications at two other elite southern schools because of hard drinking reputations). OUr understanding is while there are plenty of students that drink there are plenty that don't and there is no pressure to. While it is a big Greek campus, parties are open and kids mingle back and forth.</p>

<p>I do know that the academics are very rigorous. As for the religious environment-having been raised a Presbyterian and now an Episcopalian-I can truthfullly say the atmosphere on campus felt very laid back to me. our kids have also applied to Pepperdine and I get the feeling ( though we have not visited yet) that it is a much more conservative atmosphere at Pepperdine than at Rhodes when it comes to religion.</p>

<p>The head tennis coach mentioned to my kids that her players often have friends who want to get groups together after studying around 11 pm to catch a band on Beale street after 11 pm-the mom in me reacted-YIKES!!! Then i remembered going to college in Savannah in the 70's and leaving to watch bands on River street-but the times were different. All that to say -Curmudgeon is your best source-. Rhodes is a great school-we are waiting on scholarship/FA package and will make another trip in the next 2 weeks.</p>

<p>
[quote]
All that to say -Curmudgeon is your best source-.

[/quote]
Not anymore. UcMich has that honor now and BTW did a good job answering. I agree with the post.</p>

<p>Do you know of other west coast students and how they have assimilated?</p>

<p>Nope. But I know a dozen kids from everywhere else. 75% of Rhodes kids are from somewhere other than Tennessee. Check the OOS percentages on some of the other LAC's mentioned. I have met kids from New York, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Maine, Wisconsin ...you name it. I think they'd fit in like quite well.</p>

<p>Second, how important is a person's religion for integrating with students as well as amongst the faculty?
Faculty? Zero issue. No worries.
Students? Still no worries, but their religion is "Community Service" and they are really into it. (Now, that being said my particular data point is very religious and helps lead a Bible Study.)</p>

<p>Third, I read much about the challenging academic environment but really do not have a frame of reference for comparison. Have you found that most of your peers have managed to handle the work load or has it been more difficult then most anticipated?</p>

<p>The ones that don't study aren't there after Christmas. Look at Rhodes retention stats. They lose folks the first year and (according to the staff I quizzed) most of those came thinking it was a country club and when it wasn't well.... they didn't adjust. The corsework is seriously tough and UcMich has it right- ain't no easy A's at Rhodes. </p>

<p>Fourth, I am getting a somewhat mixed message about the crime situation. My "first blush" impression is that the campus is a bit of an oasis. Is it fair to say that if you venture off campus it is to travel by car to a destination rather then a campus that blends into a "college town" that is an extension of the campus?</p>

<p>You have it right. In three directions you'll be O.K. In one- not so good. As far as crime stats , as I've said before Memphis a big city with big city problems. But compared to Penn, Yale, Vandy, Case.......many, many others it ain't that bad. Sewanee would be safer. Then again, you might get eaten by a bear.;)</p>

<p>I've commented on frats/sororities before. D's chosen roomies are the Pres of (another) sorority and a GDI. Both great kids. This is not like UT or SMU or Ole Miss or Alabama.</p>

<p>As to drinking, search my other posts. IMO They drink like fish. But D says it's like that every school she's been to visit (she said the Harvey Mudd boys were hilarious when she visited Scripps) and that includes Centre, Vandy, Scripps, Hamilton, Colgate, .. a whole bunch. She also says her friends experiences at their colleges are the same. Residential private colleges. But she finds a lot to do and goes to the parties without drinking. Heck, she seems to have something social all the time.
She loves the place and it seems people like her. She's being challenged and motivated. She has amazing opportunities to choose from all the time. I can't see it getting a whole lot better than that.</p>

<p>BTW, D is a soph not a first year. ;).</p>

<p>Two different but equally interesting glimpses of Memphis are offered in the movies Castaway & Mystery Train. Neither, however, has anything to do with Rhodes College. I have two friends who lived in Memphis for substantial periods of time. One is a housewife whose family just got transferred to Atlanta and her one word published thoughts were "ugh" & "yippee"; the other was a long term president of the Memphis area gas & water utility who was political, but not overly positive on the city. In my opinion, Memphis is more similiar to the nortern portion of Mississippi than to the rest of Tennessee. Both movies, Castaway & Mystery Train, are outstanding.</p>

<p>curmudgeon did a great job answering these questions. All my information about the college comes from experience, so it's different from person to person.
So here is my 2cent:</p>

<p>About the west coast and religion questions: No one cares what religion are you, and you will not be targeted or ask about it rarely. So it's no problem. I mean we have mandatory classes called "search" or "life." Both do with a little with religion but mostly with values and writing. I think it's pointless, but you will write alot on these classes and will express your opinions. Next question about where you from. I know people from NY, Seattle, Alaska, Texas, and all over. It's no big deal where you are from since everybody is from so many different places. It actually gives you something to talk about in the first few weeks. Plus ppl will remember you better if you are from a far away place. It makes you interesting, but it does not divide you from other ppl. Mostly at Rhodes, you find your group and then stick with it, no matter where you are from. Its easy to find friends since we are all new to the area and are friendly. Ppl here are nice and not many ppl will get on your nerves</p>

<p>Oh yeah, i am from Mississippi not Michigan, so i don't have to fly. Ppl mostly fly home on major holidays or stay on campus.</p>

<p>Academics questions: curmudgeon did a great job on these. Anyways, i don't have anything to compared to Rhodes because i only have taken classes here . But i will tell you that Rhodes is very challenging and will bring the best out of you. Writing tons of papers is going to be a part of your life, and science courses are very time-consuming. Its hard, but it is not impossible. If you are good at time management, you will find time for fun. Works and Grades come first here then play.</p>

<p>About the weekends: Drinking is pretty prevalent here. I can count literally on my hand the number of people i know who doesn't drink. But i am just a freshman. Typical weekend is start with drinking at a dorm room, then go to a party. People who dont drink still have fun at these parties since you can meet new people. And no one pressures you into drinking at all. If you don't drink, then its fine. Anyways, I fall into the statistics of being in a fraternity, but it is not that hard core. It's just a social group really where you will a ton of people. Independent students are great, but they will go to Greek parties and consider joining one later. If you go to Rhodes, I recommend joining the Greek system. It gives you a great set of friends and a better opportunity to meet ppl. </p>

<p>You can go to germantown, cordova, collervile or young ave for a great time. Memphis has tons of muesum and concerts like music fest.</p>

<p>Good post. The "Search" and "Life" sequences UcMich speaks of are really quite cool. D took Search, which I believe is considered less religious than Life (which is certainly not preachy, more comparative). Dr. Byrne was her prof in both and he is one spectacular dude. I have had occasion to spend some time with him and he is a world class prof. D was mesmerized. I have mentioned on this board that this multi-disciplinary class just blew the door off the hinges for a little white kid from Nowhere.</p>

<p>As a freshman , D had bio and chem. The mean grade was always in the 70's. No gift B's around there either.</p>

<p>A Davidson poster has nicknamed Rhodes "Davidson Lite" not for any supposed inferiority, just that it's smaller and less known. He is suggesting it to his brother. I find the comparison very accurate (although Davidson's neighborhood is loads better).</p>

<p>Boy! You "guys and gal" were great. I really appreciate the hand holding and the info. As you would expect, it is usually the parent, not the kid that has the most trepidations about big changes like this. Once again, thanks to all, the information was reassuring and helpful.</p>

<p>PS to Georgiatwins. My son refused to apply to Pepperdine because they apparently require some degree of participation in daily religious service. Having said this, it is in the middle of Malibu and it caters to a fairly diverse religious and cultural base. Because we are in proximity to the school and our HS feeds a number of kids into Pepperdine I can tell you that of the ones I've seen go there, their families were religious but surprisingly from many different faiths and denominations - at least that was my take.</p>

<p>Hi , I just wanted to add my 2cents into this about the safety of Rhodes. We will be visiting soon and will know for ourseleves. What I want to say,there is a very good college in Conn called Trinity. I am sure many have heard of it. It is a very good school. Small. Beautiful campus. Kids from the northeast go to it. While we heard so much about it before we visited, we were very eager to see it. It did not take me long to realize it was not where I wanted to be... it is in, how do I say, not the best part of town in Hartford. ( I think Hartford... it has been awhile) I knew there had to be more for me than just the campus. I knew I would need to be able to safety go off campus. I did not feel I could do this at Trinity College. BUT, I had to see that for myself. It is very important to visit with the schools one is thinking of living at for 4 years... We are heading to Memphis soon, we are eager to see Rhodes, but will only know ourself once we do.</p>

<p>I joined up with this thread a little late, but wanted to share our perspective. We have just returned from our second visit to Rhodes. Our first was during the summer, and S wanted to see the college again while school was in session. On both occasions we drove in, and stayed downtown at the Doubletree near Beale Street (because dad is a blues fan). That means we take Danny Thomas to Parkway to get to Rhodes, or come in south of the zoo.</p>

<p>I personally don't really like the "feel" of the areas around Rhodes. There are some absolutely lovely old mansions immediately adjacent to Rhodes, but get on the other side of these to the south or west and you're in some pretty sketchy mixed-use urban areas. </p>

<p>But to me, it's not any different from many of the colleges I've visited and/or studied at myself. You have to be aware, take certain precautions as you would in any downscale urban area, and you'll be fine. </p>

<p>And on the other hand, just about ANY college campus can be a target for those low-lives who pray on the young and/or naive. </p>

<p>Case in point: I spent my graduate years at Cornell. Beautiful small-town campus in the Finger Lakes, right? "Ithaca is gorges" we all say. I had lived in my Cornell-managed, family apartment on the edge of campus all of 10 days when my brand new mountain bike was stolen off my porch. The bike was locked up and the cretin cut the chain. </p>

<p>Also spent a couple years at U Dayton, where the off-campus housing area just next to campus is appropriately called "the Ghetto". All kinds of issues there as I recall. </p>

<p>So any campus can have problems. </p>

<p>On our most recent visit to Rhodes I was concerned about these very issues (which is why I read this thread). I dropped my son off for his overnight visit last Tuesday, and I drove to the hotel, wondering if this was going to be the place for him.</p>

<p>S had a specific conversation about the safety issue with his host at Rhodes: they don't go off campus alone at night, and Rhodes provides shuttle services to off-campus parties. Apparently, most people take advantage of these shuttles.</p>

<p>In the morning, I joined up with him for the campus tour (my 2nd), and fell in love with the place all over again. It truly is a beautiful place, once inside that wrought-iron fence. Rhodes has done a wonderful job of creating a very nice physical environment for its students, and on campus one does not have the slightest twinge of concern for security.</p>

<p>My son came away very excited about Rhodes, and we have visited Emory, Duke, Chapel Hill, Trinity U (San Antonio), Vanderbilt, Mizzou <others escape="" my="" memory="">.</others></p>

<p>As an aside, when we left Rhodes we went right across the street and spent the remainder of the day at the Memphis Zoo, and had a fantastic time. (just thought I'd throw that in.)</p>

<p>So, our bottom line is probably clear: we like Rhodes a lot, and if the financial picture works out my S will probably go there. To him, the school feels like a great fit: friendly, smart, and hard-working students. ("They study hard and play hard" reports my S.) Besides, I haven't had my fill of Beale Street yet. ;-)</p>

<p>Sorry -- I meant "prey on the young and/or naive" not "pray..."</p>

<p>No one was forcibly converting poor innocent Rhodes students, as far as I could tell. ;-)</p>

<p>Canyon Creek, I think your asessment of the "safety" issue is fair, balanced, and honest. I don't "really like" the neighborhood either and I wouldn't walk alone in any city at night away from lots of other walkers and action that is. I don't frighten easily and I have to admit, a brilliant decision once left me walking from Broadway to a bar and then towards the Empire State building. 2 hours after the evening performance ended. I figured I'd just catch the next cab. Well...........there never was a cab. Not good. I was a little concerned. LOL. So, no. I wouldn't walk alone from campus except maybe to that Tiger Mart (on Union?).</p>