Earlham Class of 2014 Applicants

Colleges and Universities A-Z Earlham College
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<p>Hi - my son is applying to Earlham, we're from Atlanta. Not all that Southern, except for a love of barbecue. He's a left-leaning moderate, not a partier. Likes funny British writers (Adams, Pratchett) and gaming. We visited Earlham this summer and were very positively impressed. It's in his top 4, others are Elon (NC), Furman (SC), and Ithaca (NY). Uneven SAT scores - 780 CR, 590 M, 730 W; grades 3.3 plus one AP and 3 honors, not factored in. Lots of ECs, student body officer, co-captain of two varsity teams. Good chance, you think? </p>

<p>We're going to visit again at the Preview Day on Jan 18 - anyone else going?</p>

2

<p>Ive applied EA to Earlham. Not going for preview day, I live atleast 8500 miles away!</p>

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<p>I also applied EA and am waiting quite impatiently. Not attending the preview day - I spent two weeks on campus this summer for the Explore-A-College program.</p>

4

<p>I’ve applied EA. Not doing preview day. Yes, your son has a great chance, much better SAT scores than me (mine are uneven aswell). Cannot wait 'til Feb. 1st…</p>

5

<p>Your son will be absolutely fine. Especially w/ preview day, visiting the college increase chances. It is also probable that he can get some merit money. My scores are a bit uneven as well, and combined, he’s much better than me. I applied EA. As long as I’m accepted, I will visit after. I’m sort of far away. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the posts - very encouraging - some of you sound like you’re from far away - where? My son is tantalized by the idea of getting to know people from all over the world.<br>
What other schools are you considering? My son’s main other two are in the Carolinas, Elon and Furman, both smallish liberal arts schools, more traditional in style. His high school is like a small version of Earlham, but not Quaker. He’s not really political or liberal - just not judgmental. And he’s very quiet. </p>

<p>Do you ever worry that if you go to Earlham that people will be saying “I’ve never heard of it?” I worry about that a little, but the bigger issue is for him to find the place that feels right “in his gut.”</p>

7

<p>Hey shelbymom- I’m also considering Wooster, Bates, Goucher and Warren Wilson. I’m from Upstate NY. I’m not too worried about my peers recognizing Earlham, just grad schools or employers - Earlham has a lot of respect with grad schools.</p>

<p>Good luck to your son! Maybe we will be future classmates!:)</p>

8

<p>Shelbymom- My daughter also visited during the summer and it is on her list of top 4 (others being Scripps, New College of Florida (admitted), and Pitzer). We were toying with the idea of going in January but I saw that there is an open day for admitted students in April. We’ll probably wait for that so at least she’d be able to see her potential classmates and there would be a greater probability that the weather won’t be as cold. We are from NJ and she has her heart set on going some place warm. She didn’t even apply to anywhere in the Northeast for that reason. She just got such a great vibe from Earlham when she visited so it still on the list. I hope they are able to come through with some merit aid though…</p>

9

<p>I’m an Indian from the Seychelles. And, I’m counting on some aid money. I have applied to a whole lot of similar mid-western LACs like DePauw, Wooster, Denison, Knox, Kenyon (REACH!) among others.</p>

10

<p>I’m from Wisconsin - not that far from Indiana, but I’m definitely looking forward to leaving Wisconsin winters behind! I also applied to Wooster, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Truman State, but Earlham is definitely my top choice. Most people I’ve met haven’t heard of Earlham - my friends just refer to it as “Quaker College” - but that distinguishes me from all the kids in my school who will end up at UW-Madison.</p>

11

<p>I applied to Earlham RD via the Common Application about 15 minutes ago! </p>

<p>Phun phacts:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>One of my good friends is a freshwoman at Earlham. </p></li>
<li><p>I’m also applying to Agnes Scott (EA - already accepted but not sure if I’m going), Beloit, Clark U, Guilford, Grinnell, Hendrix, Kalamazoo, Maryville, and Smith. All colleges on my list are created equal: no “first choices” or “safety schools” here! For me, going to Earlham and going to Smith would be equally happy fates, despite the USNWR rankings. </p></li>
<li><p>I’m not a Quaker, but I like what Quakers stand for :)</p></li>
<li><p>I’m interested in Earlham because of its CTCL affiliation, its reputation with graduate school admissions, and its ultra-liberal student body (I’m gay ^_^).</p></li>
</ol>

12

<p>I’m an Indian too. Have applied for RD in Earlham. Need some form of aid though, test scores are lower than shelbymom’s son. Best of luck to all the people who have applied here.</p>

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<p>My D is a first-year student at Earlham, from Northern California, and I can tell you that you both will definitely be answering the “Earlham huh?” question alot. But like your son, she cared less about what people thought, and more about what was right for her. I remind myself that although Earlham flies under the general public’s radar, it is highly regarded in academic circles.</p>

<p>On the other hand, I’ve had several delightful conversations with strangers who approached me after seeing my Earlham bumper sticker or sweatshirt. It’s not completely unknown, even out here.</p>

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<p>LasMa, great and reassuring response, thanks!</p>

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<p>My daughter is a sophomore at Earlham. I also get a lot of “Where is that?” when I tell people where she’s going to college. However, those who are familiar with Earlham all have very good opinions of it, often based on Earlham grads that they know.
My daughter loves Earlham. She has gotten to be friends with many international students, as well as students from all over the US. Good luck to your son on getting accepted!</p>

16

<p>We visited Earlham on MLK Day - in Earlham’s language, it was an “on” day in honor of Rev. King’s commitment to education, and there were plenty of other acknowledgments. I thought it was well-handled. Rev. King spoke there in 1959!</p>

<p>The day was incredibly foggy and dreary, but it made the leafless trees on campus look mysterious. Some snow on the ground.</p>

<p>After some charming and right on point remarks by the President, Doug Bennett (everyone goes by first names), parents and students separated. Parents went to the meeting house (classic Quaker style - pews facing into the center from all four walls) to hear presentations by panels of students, faculty and administrators. Students - by luck of the draw, all were female - and a delightful variety. They said it was pretty intense academically, very respectful of student differences, not at all heavy duty re partying, and they just loved the sense of community. Some complaints about financial aid. Faculty were next - again, a terrific variety - one black male philosophy professor who was funny and charming, one white middle-aged female psychology professor who was very encouraging about student engagement, and one white female chemistry professor who looked to be about 12 and was a live wire - it would be a blast to be in her class (and I mean blast - she said they blow things up a lot). Sounds like there are one or two introductory classes with headcounts as high as 90. Everything else falls to below 20, norm of 12. Sounds like academics are taken seriously. And then finally the administrators. A Dean opened with a moment of silence to collect ourselves and focus on the next topic. We are not religious, and I thought it was great. We were very impressed by the Wilderness Program - if our son goes to Earlham, he’ll undoubtedly do this - 24 day backpacking trip right before the school year begins, in Canada or Utah. Intramurals sound more creative than competitive - fun. All sorts of volunteer opportunities. And then the Student Housing Dean spoke. Get this - 94% of all Earlham students live on campus, with a number of upperclassmen living in cute old close together theme houses that line the east and north edges of campus. Re alcohol and partying - sounds like it happens, of course, but it’s not of the binge-ing type that we are hearing about in other places. These students are just too low key - and the significant international student body would tone that down too.</p>

<p>On the campus tour, I was a little off-put by the # of smokers I saw, but then again, they have to smoke outdoors, so it’s only natural we’d run into them at class time as we were going in and out of every building… I’d say the students looked about 1/2 hippyish, and 1/2 regular. </p>

<p>But the dorms blew me away. Very, very nice. Every single floor has a kitchen and a TV room. A real kitchen, with full stove, fridge, counters and plenty of cabinets and a table. These students apparently really do cook for one another. It’s a point of pride. Not to say the dining commons food wasn’t good - it was. Lots of variety, including vegan. </p>

<p>Some of the academic buildings are a little care-worn, with chairs and tables that could be replaced, but all equipment was first rate - sounds like that’s a real priority - function over form. That said, the physical activiites center is new and amazingly nice - climbing wall, lots of workout equipment in a nice setting, pool, the whole bit.</p>

<p>At our event luncheon, we heard two songs by the Brimleys, a student-run acapella club. They were terrific, in all their wild and varied clothing (lots of scarves).</p>

<p>My overall impression - this is a school for scholars with a kind, independent spirit. The academics are serious - they are at the top for % of students going to graduate school. The commitment to be good and do good seems to go throughout. Doubt this would be your place if you like malls, country clubs and pomp and circumstance. But if you like funky coffee shops, ultimate frisbee, and internationalism, this is it. We were very impressed.</p>

17

<p>Thanks for the detailed visit info. We haven’t visited yet either. I’m curious how Earlham compares to College of Wooster, in terms of personal opinion and reputation. Anyone know?</p>

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<p>shelbymom: My D is struck by the number of smokers too, although that could be partly because she comes from anti-smoking California. But she finds it jarring to see so many of her peers lighting up; it’s just not something she’s used to. </p>

<p>Glad you had such a good visit. I think your final paragraph sums up the place very well.</p>

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<p>I’m curious about djzmom question too…Earlham vs Wooster, who would win?</p>

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<p>Thanks shelbymom and LasMa. 15000 miles away from your country it helped me a lot.</p>