<p>Q wants to choose the school with the greatest academic vigour (interested in humanities), but she's conflicted due to the varying strengths of college swim programs. Kenyon is a div 3 powerhouse, but does it measure up to the same academic standards as Williams? </p>
<p>She's also considering applying to other schools purely for academics (Brown, Duke etc.) How much does the "prestige"/name factor really matter? </p>
<p>Kenyon alums: Honest thoughts on time at Kenyon? </p>
<p>How much does the name matter for what? I thought Williams was an athletic powerhouse, and it certainly is an academic one.</p>
<p>I would browse: the athletic recruit forum, the williams forum. and ask your Kenyon question in the kenyon forum.</p>
<p><a href=“Athletic Recruits - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/athletic-recruits/</a></p>
<p><a href=“Kenyon College - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/kenyon-college/</a></p>
<p><a href=“Williams College - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/williams-college/</a></p>
<p>@flabbergasted, My son is a Williams graduate. He liked Kenyon very much but ultimately chose to stay on the east coast. I doubt that you’d find much difference in the academic rigor between Williams and Kenyon. At both the kids are intellectually curious and highly motivated; the professors are accessible and engaged. Williams’ averages for scores and class rank are higher than Kenyon’s, but really I think a student seeking academic challenge would find it at either place. Specific majors may vary.</p>
<p>My son liked the idea of a rural campus, but found Kenyon a bit too small and isolated, even by rural LAC standards. Williams at least has Williamstown, which although more of a village than a town, has a smattering of walkable shops and restaurants. Gambier is pretty much Kenyon; you’d need a car to go out to dinner.</p>
<p>My son also really liked Williams’ mountain environment, but that’s a matter of personal preference.</p>
<p>Williams has an excellent D3 swim program. I know Kenyon is ranked higher in swimming, but Williams isn’t too far behind. Have you met with the coaches? Have you looked at where your swimmer would place at championships? Williams sends many swimmers to NCAA’s. So, it depends on how important it is to be part of the 1st or 2nd ranked team in the country, compared to all the other factors one considers in picking a college (strength of major, location, study abroad options, etc.) I, too, suggest going over to the athletic recruit forum and gathering some opinions there. There are quite a few swim parents who are active posters. </p>
<p>An option that is a small step down in academic competitiveness but not athletically is Denison, and a very picturesque town at the base of the college.</p>
<p>Look into Emory University; they have great academics, and their D-III women’s swimming/diving program is very highly ranked: <a href=“Athletics | Emory University | Atlanta GA”>Athletics | Emory University | Atlanta GA;
<p>Son of a good family friend graduated from Kenyon 2 years ago. He majored in economics, had a great internship at a federal agency, and was hired by the same agency upon graduation. Our high school is very rigorous and he was challenged at Kenyon.</p>
<p>Coincidentally, he was on the swim team. He loved his time at Kenyon and goes back to visit periodically and watch swim meets. His parents also used to enjoy the swim meets when they were able to go. They always said that the drives out to Kenyon, although long, were very scenic and enjoyable. Although it is a rural location, activities like swim team created an instant group of friends that became like family. Both son and family found the athletic and academic experience at Kenyon were top notch. I remember that when he visited Kenyon(as well as other schools) he was able to spend time hanging out with the swim team before applying.</p>
<p>Additionally, another young man from our high school who graduated last year is also attending Kenyon and is on the swim team. He visited and spent time with our other friend discussed above and fell in love with both the swim team and the school. I hear he loves it there and is doing well also.</p>
<p>I also have 2 daughters who attend another LAC, University of Richmond, and they are both having a great experience academically. They are challenged, like the small classes, have a lot of interaction with their professors. </p>
<p>They have paid summer internships and research opportunities during the school year. They are science majors, but humanities majors have similar opportunities. LACs like Richmond, Williams, Kenyon, etc. have fantastic career advising and a wide alum network, also great track records of grad/med school placement.</p>
<p>My husband and I both attended a large New England state U, and we are continually amazed at all of the opportunities afforded our daughters at UR. I think the LAC experience can be a fantastic and successful one!</p>