<p>My friend's daughter is torn between these two schools and looking for some guidance. Daughter is possibly interested in speech pathology. Daughter has had past medical issues which makes mom a little nervous about distance. Butler is closer to home, 3hr drive, worried that it may be too preppy and Greek. Wooster is a 7 hr drive, worried that it may be too small town and isolated. Also wondering where academics may be better.</p>
<p>I would welcome any input to help me help them with this decision.</p>
<p>Butler is not all preppy and Greek (Greek life is around 25% and can be countered by the art/theater students), but I do consider it more pre-professional. They focus on getting internships and experience early and often. Lots of school spirit around the basketball team, and located in a very safe and friendly (though slightly boring) city.</p>
<p>I loved Wooster’s senior program but DS wouldn’t visit.</p>
<p>Wooster is wonderful. The city is not that boring and it is quick drives to Canton and Akron. Its academics are first class and their senior I.S. is highly revered nationwide. You have access to professors and the student body is eclectic And open minded/tolerant. She will leave being able to write and think independently. Vastly underrated college with a high percentage of kids whose parents are educators. The campus is pretty abs very safe. They just built a gorgeous new athletic facility. </p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Both good choices. I like them both and I know kids who have been to both. My vote is for Butler due to the distance and the accessibility to an airport and major city and hospital for someone with health issues.</p>
<p>Butler alum here. Also looked at it more recently, with S1. I liked the size, smallish, but not tiny. Very pretty setting in a nice, although not fancy, neighborhood. Very close to downtown Indy. I wouldn’t call Indy boring, but ymmv 
There is a lot to do, either in Indy or on campus. </p>
<p>I would agree Butler has a pre-professional tone, although I do not think that is a bad thing, especially for kids who know what they want to do. Lots of school spirit. It does have a significant Greek presence, but many of the activities are campus-inclusive and I never felt it was over-bearing. We were told 33% Greek, 33% independent and 33% commuter. </p>
<p>They are quite big on internships and experience, which I think is very helpful in today’s market. They have many established, long-time relationships with various industries in Indy. Their financial aid is not as good as some other LACs–I don’t know how it compares to Wooster. Classes are small and professors are approachable and easily accessible.</p>
<p>Re: hospital. You can practically see Wooster hospital from the north end of campus. An easy walk up the sidewalk and cross a small residential street. It is a good hospital. Also have a regional Cleveland clinic specialty center in town.</p>
<p>The mom should check their medical insurance coverage to see if their plan works both places. If not, that might be a deciding factor.</p>
<p>D1 is at Butler and loves it. She had no interest in Greek life at all, and has never found the Greek system to be overwhelming. She and her friends always seem to find something to do in Indy. She’s about 3 hours from home and that’s a good distance-not too far that she can’t come home for the occasional weekend. We looked at a college that would have been twice as far, and in hindsight she is very happy she chose the closer school. Her two sisters go to a different university and are jealous of the school spirit that Butler has-it definitely adds to the college experience.</p>
<p>I like the neighborhood around Wooster a lot more than the neighborhood around Butler.</p>
<p>Wooster is wonderful.</p>
<p>Just wanted to add that Wooster has a communication sciences and disorders major where they spend 4 semesters at a supervised practicum at a local speech and hearing clinic. Along with Wooster’s senior I.S. I would think grad schools would look very favorably upon candidates like this. And from what I hear, Wooster grads do great.</p>
<p>*niece is a speech language pathology major at a local university and has been denied or waitlisted at every single grad school she applied to - even the one she will be graduating from. And, she is in the honors college with mostly A’s. Very competitive field right now. I would feel secure sending my daughter to Wooster if this was her intended major. And I know I am biased but I truly feel academically Wooster is better. As far as medical issues, northeast Ohio is surrounded by amazing medical facilities like the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, etc… And I wouldn’t call Wooster isolated at all.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all your replies. I’m meeting with her tomorrow and will share all your insights. I’ll make sure to post her decision.</p>
<p>Lassie, your friend can’t lose with those choices. Both good.</p>
<p>I tried to get my kids to look at Wooster, but they wanted something bigger. For as small as it is, Wooster has some great, non-chain restaurants!</p>