<p>I tried posting on both the transfer and college search boards, but there was little action. I should have know to ask parents first. So here goes...</p>
<p>Some of my friend's younger siblings are asking questions about a few colleges that I'm not too familiar with except for some specific programs, so I'd like to hear what people have to say about the following colleges:</p>
<p>Illinois College
Berry College
Millikin University
Otterbein College
Wittenberg University
Mount Union College
Morehouse College
Mercer University
McDaniel College
Washington College
Hiram College
Goshen College</p>
<p>I've visited the websites (as well as counseled those who asked to do the same), but it's difficult to get a feel for the colleges and then discuss/transmit that information to someone else--no matter how bright a teenager/young adult can be. Sometime the nuance is lost. ;) </p>
<p>Again, thank you in advance parents. Your help is, as always, greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Your advice to your friend's younger siblings that they should visit the websites of these colleges was the correct advice and your involvement should end there. Your lack of knowledge about these schools makes you a poor source of information and attempts by you to serve as some sort of conduit for information gleaned from "what other people have to say about these colleges" will only result in passing along what could very well be biased opinions, half-truths, and obsolete information. </p>
<p>Expand your recommendation to include checking out books/websites such as Princeton Review, CollegeBoard, Fiske, Colleges that Change Lives, etc. A book my daughter just got is Harvard Schmarvard: Getting Beyond the Ivy League to the College that is Best for You.</p>
<p>OP - You're right, CC isn't a resource that would ordinarily focus on these schools. I agree with K9Leader -- you're probably stuck researching these schools through books and institutional web sites.</p>
<p>However, I would not discourage you from choosing any of these schools. These and many other "lesser" schools exist for a reason, and if that reason is a match for your requirements then the school might be excellent for YOU. (For example, my D looked at Otterbein due to it's equestrian program.) Good luck!</p>
<p>I am fairly familiar with Otterbein. My D applied to Otterbein for vocal performance and was admitted. She didn't end up choosing it - partly because she wanted to be a little closer to home, but she found it to be an incredibly nurturing and supportive environment. They handled admissions better than any other college she dealt with - partially because they are small and can I'm sure, but the personal touch - phone calls, emails, letters made her feel very special. The campus is lovely and the location - near Columbus - is nice. Otterbein gives nice merit aid.</p>
<p>Some of the colleges you listed are discussed in Colleges that Change Lives, so you might want to refer some of your friends' younger siblings to that resource as well.</p>
<p>I suggest we just keep bumping this thread up because someone has probably visited all of these colleges at one time or another. Just because none of you that posted so far haven't does not mean that they are completely unknown. </p>
<p>Washington College in Maryland has been mentioned on this forum a few times. Washington</a> College | Your Revolution Starts Here We visited it when my son was a rising Junior in HS. It's a nice small college on the Eastern shore area of Maryland, not too far from Baltimore. We looked at Washington because they offered an automatic $10,000 a year scholarship to any student that was in NHS. " However, members of either the National Honor Society or Cum Laude Society who are admitted to the College are guaranteed a merit-based academic tuition scholarship of at least $10,000 per year"</p>
<p>McDaniel College is about 30 minutes west of Baltimore, used to be named Western Maryland College. I know two guys that visited there but decided not to go because it just didn't appeal. Looks like a pleasant enough school. I'm sure I've read about that one on here too.</p>
<p>I live in Illinois, and I'm not sure what you're referring to as Illinois College (have not heard of it). I am somewhat familiar with Millikin and Goshen. What kinds of things do they want to know?</p>
<p>I live in Ohio and have known people who have gone to both Otterbein and Wittenberg.</p>
<p>I know Otterbein is known for their music program and recently expanded an Equine Studies program. My SIL has taken some classes their while working on her Ed.D.</p>
<p>Wittenberg is very small in Springfield, Ohio but the people who I have known are very loyal alumnus. The city of Springfield does not have a college town atmosphere to it, at all (used to live outside of it when ex-H was stationed at Wright Patt AFB).</p>
<p>D got a recruitment flyer from Hiram last week and I browsed their website but that's about it.</p>
<p>Illinois College is known among central Illinois residents, but those up near Chicago have probably never heard of it. I've known a couple of graduates, but don't really know much about it.</p>
<p>Millikin is discussed some under majors in the musical theatre or music section. It is in Decatur, IL, which is not the best of locations.</p>
<p>Thank you to all. I've run into the same problem with the dearth of information, besides the colleges websites and the CTCL site. I have to admit that I was stumped, but as usual, the parents on this board came through with great tidbits. Thank you to all. :)</p>
<p>Now, I know how frustrating the search can be for those who march to their own drummer, rather than the usnews top schools. Too bad we don't have regional boards or at least one for CTCL schools here on CC.</p>
<p>I have been pleasantly surprised by colleges on the list, and I hope that you all will continue to share those insights. HS applicants really do appreciate the hard work and dedication--even when they sometimes don't express it.</p>
<p>The want to know about political climate, social service opportunities, special programs, diversity, and merit aid. Also, how town-college perceive each other and if the students utilize the immediate area.</p>
<p>The majority of the questions usually involve intangibles that require familiarity or insight, as well as information.</p>
<p>My neighbors' daughter went to Otterbein and I know she had a great experience. She is now in the textbook publishing business working for McGraw Hill or Addison-Wesley or Prentice Hall. Unfortunately, they've moved away so I can't ask for details.</p>
<p>regarding Millikin - it's a tough spot to be in regards to the town/college relationship. Decatur is a pretty depressed area with not much going on, other than lots of unemployment. The campus is very nice, and the students I know that go there are very, very happy, but somewhat isolated. Another poster is right in that it is known for its music program (which is what the students I know going there are studying), both performing and education. My guess is that Millikin is a pretty homogenous student body, and somewhere in the middle politically (the students I know are on both ends of the spectrum).</p>
<p>Goshen is affiliated with the Mennonite church, and the kids I know that go there absolutely love it (they are Mennonite, too, except for one of them, but she loves it). I think Goshen's merit aid is reasonable if you're a solid student. Goshen is basically all there is in Goshen, and I think the college/town relationship is pretty solid. On whole, those who attend Goshen are usually a pretty solid bunch, but welcome diversity. They have decent study abroad opportunities, too, and being Mennonite school, there are a ton of opportunities to get involved in social justice issues.</p>
<p>I would say that both schools probably provide more entertainment for the town, than the town does for the students, due to their isolated locations. Millikin is about 3 hours from Chicago, but I don't believe there is any kind of train, etc. From Goshen, you are not too far from South Bend, where students can pick up the South Shore Line that takes them directly into Chicago's downtown. That seems to be a popular option. </p>
<p>I've done both of these--Both very similar-seeming LAC's, but very different feels.</p>
<p>Washington College. In a small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Pretty isolated. "Preppy" reputation, lots of Baltimore kids, some from Jersey and Delaware. Known for creative writing and enviro/biology stuff. Also attracts some bohemian types. Lacrosse is the big sport there.</p>
<p>McDaniel College. In a formerly small town/now part of the remote suburbs of Baltimore. More accessible to "stuff"--Baltimore/Washington, shopping, etc. More of a public-school crowd than Washington College. Good education department, other general Liberal Arts stuff. Has a football team.</p>
<p>I can expand a bit on what jaybee said about McDaniel. It is a very regional student body ( about 70% Maryland) the majority of the rest hailing from NY, NJ, PA and some Delaware. Very good programs in Education, Deaf Studies and Biology/ Premed. About 30% of the students are involved in varsity sports. Significant Greek Life. The town is very tiny, and you really need a car to get around. Not much going on, very very cute coffee shop though, about a 2 mile walk from campus. Most students come from less than 2 1/2 hours away. The teachers I had, for the most part, were great though. Even though the whole 30 min from Baltimore and 60 from DC is really touted, I only went into Baltimore once the entire year and never got to DC.</p>
<p>Berry College - beautiful 26,000 acre campus! Christian LAC. I don't have any personal experience with it, but it seems very interesting. </p>
<p>Wittenberg University - Great LAC. Students are friendly, and the environment is nurturing. Some of the facilities are showing their age, but an overall good experience. Good athletics. </p>
<p>Mount Union College - D III football powerhouse! Otherwise sort of middle of the road IMO. A good education can be had, and I hear the administration is pretty good. Not a haven for the wealthy preppy types or fake intellectualism. A good option for those students who did not cure cancer or walk on water in high school - a place where B students are routinely accepted. </p>
<p>Morehouse College - One of the premier HBCUs. Great tradition and history in a great college town. </p>
<p>Mercer University - D has a couple of friends who will be attending. They were attracted by Mercer's emphasis on study abroad and service programs.</p>
<p>Washington College - D visited this school and felt it was too isolated. She also said she didn't feel the staff was friendly or welcoming during her visit, which also contributed to her negative opinion. </p>
<p>Hiram College - Great little LAC. A father of a friend was a professor there, and if he is representative of the others, Hiram must be a great place to learn. The students I knew there were happy, friendly, and down to earth types -very social. This is a necessity since the surounding area has little to offer in the way of entertainment. It's a good environment for those seeking a small residential LAC experience.</p>