<p>My son was accepted to both of these wonderful schools with scholarship $$ to Hendrix, waiting on Earlham to hear about scholarships/aid.These two schools are the top two contenders at this point. Any thoughts on either?</p>
<p>Here's son's data:a b average student who has, to date, worked in fits and starts at school. He wants to play in the orchestra and jazz groups, hand drumming groups, interested in environmental issues and community service. Considering teaching or social work as a career. Son is shy and not quick to seek out help when he needs it in academic areas. Has lived away from home every summer at music festivals so adjusting to dorm life most likely will not be an issue (adjusting to college level work and dorm life will). He has a small circle of friends that he is close to but building this kind of network takes time. He is the kind of kid that never gets teased but is easily overlooked.</p>
<p>Other academic interests-psychology, world religions, history.</p>
<p>Any input on how responsive Earlham is if a student starts to struggle academically? Do they have a writing center?</p>
<p>I cannot speak to Hendrix, but my D is a first-year student at Earlham.</p>
<p>There are alot of performing arts opportunities at Earlham; here is some info on the music program [Earlham</a> College Music Department Homepage](<a href=“http://www.earlham.edu/~mus/]Earlham”>http://www.earlham.edu/~mus/) . In addition to academic performing arts, there are student clubs which are purely recreational. My D is a dancer so I’m not familiar with the music clubs, but your son should feel free to email.</p>
<p>His interest in environmental issues and community service will fit right in – both are part of the Quaker values. </p>
<p>My D has struggled socially, although I think that would have been the case at any college. She too misses her buddies back home, and has had a hard time figuring out how to build a new network from scratch. The opportunities are there, though. Earlham has a really wonderful Orientation where new students begin to get acquainted. And of course, the more extracurriculars your son gets involved in, the more exposure he’ll have to like-minded students and potential friends. </p>
<p>I’ve been very impressed with the academic advising system. It’s personal and hands-on; my D meets with her advisor every 2 weeks, so there’s no chance that academic problems would go unaddressed for very long. When we went to Admitted Students Weekend, the Dean of Admissions told us, “No one falls through the cracks at Earlham” and we have found that to be the case. </p>
<p>My son is a sophomore at Earlham and absolutely loves it. He is very quiet and had few friends in hs, but now has a large group of friends all pretty much with the same interests. He was a B student in hs and actually failed 2 semesters of different maths yet wants to be a math minor (he finally is being accepted for who he is, a bit on the quirky side). He has some issues and the Dean of something had a talk with him. His professors will work with him like on how to study for tests. He has accommodations (he’s gt/ld), but it’s true that you have to advocate for yourself. They do have a writing center and a great disabilities department. Matter of fact when he applied for accommodations he got the ones he always had plus some extra they thought would help. It’s a great community, very accepting, everyone seems to be very caring to from fellow students to faculty. It’s academically very strong too. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments LasMa and utzybuzzy. Your perspectives support what I have hoped for. We are looking forward to visiting next month.</p>
<p>Any other thoughts or comments would be appreciated.</p>