<p>We're doing the college search for my Junior son. He's interested in a gaming design major and we've come across Champlain College in Burlington, VT. All we know is what we've read about on paper and what we saw on a dvd. Most schools that have this major are going to be reach schools and are more expensive. The LAC's that I like for him don't have a gaming major. The one school that really interests him is Digipen in Seattle, Washington but I'm a little worried about the lack of diversity in people - not race or anything, just that they're all gamers! So Champlain is an LAC, well priced and nice location. Do you, or anyone else, know anything about it?</p>
<p>Kathiep,
I certainly do know Champlain College in Burlington, VT. A number of years ago, I was an adjunct there for a semester, but in the field of education. As you read, they do have that major. This is a great place, particularly for those who are career minded as they really do have some specific programs in certain fields. </p>
<p>I have no idea your son's qualifications and so forth, but I doubt it is a reach school for him. Champlain prefers students in the top 50%tile of their class. They admit 68% of applicants. It is not that selective and my feeling is that an average student can get in there. The SAT range from the 25th to the 75th percentile of accepted students is 910-1310. As you say, it is also a more reasonably priced college. </p>
<p>The location is pretty perfect, well of course depending on what a kid likes. The school is adjacent pretty much to University of Vermont, located RIGHT in Burlington, a small "city" that has a feeling of a large college town. From campus, the downtown is in walking distance and there is lots to do for young people. While it is not a big city, it is a happenin' place. As well, the school is in proximity to Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, for lots of outdoor type experiences. It is a pretty small school. Whiie the school has his major, it obviously has a range of majors so is more diverse than Digipen in that regard. So, if you are looking for a match or safety school (all that is relative to each kid's qualifications and I don't know your son), this is a very good choice to explore further. I don't know what other criteria your son has in terms of size or location and other things. I don't know the finer details of Champlain but if you have more questions, I can try to help. I know a student applying there (from out of state) with an interest in mulitmedia design, video production, animation, etc. and think it is a good choice for him. I just do not know your son enough to say. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Thanks for your comments, Sue. I made the mistake of looking it up at studentreviews.com and there was talk of it being a real slacker school. My son's a good student, member NHS, etc. and I think his SAT range will be around 1200. He's really looking at colleges for their programs. His kind of party is a LAN party when every one brings their computers and stays up all night playing games. Not a frat kind of guy. He does like outdoorsy stuff sometimes, he's planning on getting his Eagle in BS next year. He liked the look of Drexel and RIT sounds interesting, I just think Champlain may be a better fit. Since you say it's right next to the University of Vermont I'm suprised they don't have (or at least I didn't read) a reciprocal agreement with them. Anyway, thanks for your comments. I knew you were the right person to ask!</p>
<p>Kathie,
Champlain is definitely a less selective school and "easier" than say RIT. Your son sounds like he would be above the average Champlain student but still in the ballpark for this school and could fit in. I don't know enough about your son's "stats" but it could put this school into the safety category or borderline with safety/match. I would be remiss if I said the entire student population at Champlain were all good students so to speak. I found a range of students in my classes. Some were very motivated and did excellent work. Some did not seem as devoted to their schoolwork and then a small handful actually had substandard academic skills. I had more failing students in my classes there than elsewhere but they were still a minority. So, there will be a range of types of academic students at Champlain. Your son might likely be in the upper half academically speaking on this campus but then again, that is true of most kid's safety schools. </p>
<p>What he will find is areas of study that interest him. I do not think frats are big at Champlain. My guess is there were be kids very into computers there for him to befriend. I think you should look into Champlain College but also more in terms of finding a school your son would like that might be easier to be admitted to than others he might be considering. </p>
<p>The value of UVM being down the street is that it makes for a "college town" atmosphere, and while Champlain College is smallish, there is the greater college kid community and the small city of Burlington at his doorstep. </p>
<p>Susan</p>