Hood College

Parents Forum
1

<p>I only know about this school from what I have read on the internet, as well as remembering that they had desperate financial problems about 4-5 years ago. To attract more students it went coed. So, my Qs are:</p>

<p>How are the facilities, are they still struggling financially, how is the faculty?</p>

<p>I read that they have housing shortages (for such a small school) so they place students in an apartment complex across the street (considered off campus??) and the school furnishes it. So is this arrangement, if it exists, off campus or on campus housing? How does that effect financial aid?</p>

<p>How is the food? How are the dorms? What I have read is that both are bad?</p>

<p>Instruction? What are their strongest departments? I have read that overall the professors are really excellent!</p>

<p>How are clubs, sports? </p>

<p>Is this school affiliated? Are most religions represented and is the school ethnically diverse?</p>

<p>Anyone know about job placement, and the career center?</p>

<p>How is the health center?</p>

<p>Anything you know about this school would be of interest!</p>

2

<p>Need to bump this thead. I have a feeling I will be bumping it for a while. It is a small school.</p>

3

<p>Bumping this back up!</p>

4

<p>I have called a few friends closer to Frederick than I am, and will let you know if I hear anything. I am only 25 minutes away and know no one who goes there.</p>

5

<p>cmbmom, thank you very much. It is so kind of you to go out of your way to that. I appreciate it very much. I know someone who lives within an hour of the school, but she never heard of Hood and does not have college age children.</p>

6

<p>A very close friend from HS went there 30 years ago. That is not much help for the condition of things today, but I do remember well that her initial interest was that it was a women’s college, that they offered a special ed major, and that she could get an early decision. In the end she did not major in special ed, but in ply sci or government. They had a lot of dances with Annapolis in those days. She married and stayed in that area, and sorry to say, I lost touch with her.</p>

7

<p>I knew a woman who graduated from there. While a senior, she won a regional competition in her field (communications) which caught the attention of DC-based company. It gave her her first job out of school as a webwriter. She stayed there for a few years then went back to school for a Master’s in teaching through one of those alternative programs where the student works as a teacher while pursuing a degree paid for by the school system. She was bright and always had a good head on her shoulder.</p>

8

<p>A lot of the smaller women’s college are having enrollment, financial issues. Some have an infrastructure and tradition in place so that they are excellent admissions values, particularly those who are trying to even out their M/F ratios. </p>

<p>These days, I think that anyone considering a private college should eyeball the endowment figures and financials along with academic features. You don’t want a school to go broke on you.</p>

9

<p>cpt, this absolutely a fear of mine!</p>

10

<p>Got some info for you. Please note this is 2nd or 3rd hand info and only these parents’ opinions.</p>

<p>The students in the apts pay the college the room fee, the college pays the apt. company so it is on the student’s bill, and therefore part of COA. They did not think there were freshmen or sophs in the apts.</p>

<p>Dorms - one was remodeled recently - the rest old and okay</p>

<p>Food - I looked at their website and they use the same company my daughter’s college does. My daughter hates it but she is very picky and does not eat red meat at all. I will say that the food at her orientation (where parents attend) bears little resemblence to what she see daily)</p>

<p>Education dept is excellent, no other opinions given</p>

<p>Sports - if your student is male and wants to play, he probably will be able to. The mens’ teams are not very good at all but men have only been on the campus a few years. The womens’ teams are better but not great. They do not have an indoor gym arena and use the local highschool one. They are putting in a new turf field this summer and are raising funds for a new indoor gym but it may be a few years. If your child just wants to watch, he or she may be lonely in the stands.</p>

<p>A great many of the students seem to be fairly local, I looked at the sports’ teams’ rosters and this appears true.</p>

<p>Health center is staffed by a nurse during the week and closed on weekends, doctor is there on a fairly regular basis. A hospital is very close, within a few blocks and I know there is an urgent care center in the area.</p>

<p>I can tell you about Frederick - small town with a downtown area that is about 2 blocks long with many restaurants, bars and music. but you have to be 21 at night. There is another area a few blocks away with antiques and unusual craft shops. Two small malls, the biggest store would be a one level Macy’s. Several movie theaters. Minor league ball team affiliated with the Orioles. Not sure if they shuttle to the malls, moveis, etc as they are not within walking distance.</p>

<p>The college did almost go broke several years ago and were sued for late payments for some construction. They had to go into their endowment fund to pay the bill. But I checked USNWR and it says their endowment was just below $60 million last year.</p>

11

<p>cmbmom, thank you so much for looking into this school for me. </p>

<p>Are the parents and the students happy overall with Hood College?</p>

12

<p>We are seriously consdiering Hood and visited it a few days ago. Students did seem to be happy there. The campus is quite nice although some of the buildings do need work inside, and I was impressed by the teachers and administrators we met. Frederick is fairly vibrant town with some excellent restaurants and well situated to get to DC and Baltimore if you want to visit a larger city. I’d say Hood is well worth looking at. If you have questions PM me.</p>

13

<p>I’m a Hood grad from many years ago and think it was an excellent experience. I’m still friends with a couple of my professors and know several people in the career center. If you still have questions I’d me more than happy to answer them or put you in touch with someone who has the answers. </p>

<p>Students are happy at hood–it’s the best of a vibrant small town, a walkable campus and an easy to commute to DC or Baltimore for internship possibilities. Your child won’t be lost at Hood-the faculty and administration go out of their way to communicate with both you and your child and to provide some very interesting hands on classes. PM me if you are still in a quandry.</p>

14

<p>I understand that the Life Sciences Department is pretty strong. I believe there’s some sort of agreement that allows Hood College Biology students to spend a semester at Duke University.</p>