<p>I was admitted early action (!!). It seems like a great school, but I am not so sure about spending four years in the middle of Indiana. I'm a WI native, but from a Madison suburb; I am used to being in a city in 10 minutes and am not sure about missing out on the opportunities that go with a city. However, I am not sure it is wise to not attend a school (offering a great education and great financial aid) just because its location isn't ideal. I also have no clear picture of just how removed Earlham is. (I haven't had the chance to visit.) Are there still things to do, internships to be had? </p>
<p>I know the humanities are pretty highly regarded at Earlham, but what about the sciences? </p>
<p>Any input, about either question, would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Visited there last month. It’s barely half an hour’s drive to Dayton, Ohio. The town of Richmond where Earlham is located has lots of stores, restaurants (several chain versions), and all the usual businesses that a town of 36,000+ people has. Pretty sure there’s at least one other college in town. Look up the web site for the Chamber of Commerce for Richmond, Indiana to see what’s in town, what activities are going on year-round, etc. </p>
<p>When we were there and I asked two girls separately what kinds of activities they did off-campus, both talked about having lots of on-campus activities. Don’t know if they only hung out on campus or totally misunderstood the question. haha</p>
<p>Call or email their career services dept to ask specific questions about internships, they’re very helpful.</p>
<p>woody is right; it’s not hard to get to Dayton. My D and her friends drive over there whenever they need a taste of the city. But they often go out on the town in Richmond too, and have fun. In addition, there are always on-campus activities on the weekends – concerts, theater, dance, lectures, athletics.</p>
<p>I agree with LasMa. At least I know the Biology is actually one of the top in the country even when compared to the ivies. What helps also, is that you get to do the actual work, not just sit in a lecture and listen. It’s not easy and my kids both say the first year classes are to weed kids out from majoring in Biology. They have small classes, easily approachable teachers and the teachers will also reach out to you and help when the need is there. It’[s unfortunate that not many people have heard of it, but then again, locatio0n, locatio9n, location!</p>
<p>Richmond has some nice things to do. It’s not Madison (I got my undergrad there), but then again the school is a lot smaller and you’re not just a number. They have some trips you can sign up for, kids with cars are all over, and there’s usually something to do on campus depending what you like. A lot of kids are happy to cook meals in the kitchens in the dorms, hang out and talk, have LAN parties or whatever. There really are no cliques and everyone is very accepting of others no matter how different you are. Pretty laid back. Of course there are the partiers and if that’s your thing, you’ll find them around. </p>
<p>I definitely think the school is more important than location especially when it’s a good one. I’m from a large city back east and when I went to Madison, I thought it was a cow town. So whenever I needed a “city fix” I would take the bus into Chicago. Fun, but always happy to come back to campus!!</p>
<p>Hello,
Many of the Earlham sciences are highly regarded by graduate schools. Biology/pre med for example. Earlham is the kind of school that will try to stretch any student, so part of what you get out of it will be what you bring and how hard you work, but there is an opportunity to get an excellent background to prepare for graduate school. In general, in the sciences you can’t do much without an advanced degree even though Earlham prepares you to do actual research. </p>
<p>As for location, not sure about it today but in the past the school was something of a bubble, and a lot of students didn’t take advantage of much of the town. Any town has strengths if you want to look for them. These days there is more volunteerism in the community so that may have changed some. One thing that is a little interesting is that anywhere north of the school is completely flat, where anywhere south has hills - partly i guess where the glaciers ended during the last ice age. I am on here b/c I am thinking of the school for my daughter, so I graduated a few years ago :)</p>
<p>We are encouraging our D to look at Earlham, she wants to do pre-med and being a bit of a homebody she is reluctant to go too far from home (North Carolina), but she also wants a small, friendly school, and from everything I am hearing about Earlham it might be just right.</p>
<p>Will be visiting with son in a few weeks. Visited with older son a few years ago, he loved it but went elsewhere. To the OP’s question on location–both of my older kids (I also have a daughter in college) thought location would be much more important to them than it has turned out to be, they both have said that. Their lives are really about what goes on on campus–the academics, the clubs, a club sport with my older son, student gov’t with my daughter. Neither one of them has much time to do things off campus, which I think is the way it should be. They both are at schools where the basics (e.g., pizza place, movie theater) are near enough. That being said, I think Richmond is fine. Good size town, there is a large shopping area not far away (not a walk, but a very short car ride) that I think has just about everything that a college student without a lot of money could want in terms of off-campus amenities–large movie theater, the usual chain restaurants, some non-chain type restaurants, Starbucks (whether there is a Starbucks in town has become somewhat of a litmus test for my kids and me, i.e., if there is a Starbucks, there is a level of civilization that will suffice). Earlham’s campus is beautiful, the school has terrific resources for a school its size, the academics are top notch. And, because it is a Quaker school, it is special and different, I do beliee that Earlham is offering something that other schools are not.</p>
<p>Visited Earlham with our D … she loved it, and it is now her first choice! The science programs really do seem impressive, and the atmosphere on campus seemed very friendly and not at all the cutthroat competitiveness you see some places.</p>
<p>I’m glad she liked it! My kid is a first year student there and is really enjoying it a lot. Good timing for your daughter with Earlham’s current science building renovations. </p>
<p>It’s definitely (by choice) more of a collaborative campus and not cutthroat. All the faculty I’ve met there have been very caring and supportive of the students. It’s not a place where students fall thru the cracks!</p>
<p>Does anyone know when the science building is going to be completed? I think someone said for next fall but my friend’s dad is working on the project and said maybe in two years. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>nygiaqnt-I talked to you via email a while back with my dd input. She keeps asking me how your ds is doing so I thought I’d ask. My dd is now a sophomore and still loves it and is hoping your ds is happy there too.</p>
<p>Hello. Sorry it has taken me so long to espond to your post. He is enjoying Earlham very much. He had a GREAT time on the Wilderness experience trip! He said it was one of the best things he has ever done. Has made quite a few friends.
Academically, he is doing well…working hard . Grades are good.</p>