Academic reputations aside, football fans might be familiar with the Seven Blocks of Granite, and many people generally would know of the nationally famous alumnus from this group.
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Just to come at this from a different angle, you haven’t said why you are undecided about football, but if you do want to play, the conference that Kenyon plays in is a good one, comprising mostly somewhat similar LACs that are not located too far apart. Although some of the conference schools are very serious about D3 athletics, there is a general emphasis on putting academics ahead of athletics. So it might be a relatively comfortable way to continue playing your sport, if that is important to you. (My son ran track at Denison, which is about a half hour away from Kenyon and also an NCAC school, and he had a number of friends who played football and also ran track.) As you know, the Kenyon campus is beautiful, and the athletic facilities are terrific. On the other hand, Kenyon may be more isolated than the other schools you mentioned, although still just an hour from Columbus, which is a very active and interesting city. I agree with others that there would be no disadvantage to attending Kenyon from a future employment perspective. I’m from the East Coast and have always been aware of Kenyon - the school has a bit of an aura for me. I wouldn’t put too much weight on the “typical” Kenyon student profile, most schools have all kinds of students and a lot of the stereotypes are old and out of date. See if there are ways you can talk to more actual students and see how you feel.
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I’m from the west coast originally. I had heard of Kenyon by the time I moved east, but I hadn’t heard of the others. So yet another frame of reference.
Kenyon has considerably fewer students than the other schools mentioned so it will probably have smaller classes overall. These are all good schools, but I would actually say Kenyon is the outlier of the four you’ve listed here in terms of campus vibe. Fordham is far bigger than all the others. If you aren’t sure of the football component, where can you see yourself?
I feel there are 2 groups: HC and Fordham, and Lafayette and Kenyon. Lafayette is possibly the best compromise between them all.
I won’t be participating in Division 1 football at any of those schools, just at Kenyon(D3). Ideally, I’d like to join a Division 1 school’s club lacrosse team, as I have a stronger passion for lacrosse over football. Additionally, club sports typically require less time commitment, allowing me to prioritize my academics in college.
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I agree with your observation regarding the grouping of schools, particularly in the case of Holy Cross and Fordham, as they are both Jesuit Institutions and share other similarities. Lafayette appears to strike a balance between them; however, it’s worth noting that Lafayette has made significant investments in its sciences and engineering departments, although it lacks a business program. I’d be interested in studying either Business, Poly Sci, or Pre Law, but leaning Business at the moment. I think it’s worth adding Bucknell into the mix here considering they have an amazing business program.
If you are not passionate about playing football in college then (unless you may get a sizeable scholarship or love the camaraderie) it may not be worth doing. But this has to be your call. You would have to see if any schools offer club lacrosse.
As an aside, FWIW while Fordham is larger in terms of number of undergrads it does not feel huge. Only about 3,500 students reside on the RH campus (students are at the LC campus and there are more who commute). My S had very few classes over 35 students in his four years. Fordham is not a LAC but it could appeal to a person who wants a smaller college experience.
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I’m apprehensive about football since it’s not really where my passion lays. Ideally I’d like to be playing lacrosse, and did in fact get recruited at Kenyon but long story, that option is out. I should also add I have an offer from Wheaton College(ma) to play lacrosse. I suppose the new question to ask is, should I play d3 sports or club at a high academic/more reputable institution?
Personally, I’d prioritize academics (and perhaps finding an outlet to play club sports). But again, it has to be your call.
If you love Wheaton that is a factor to consider.
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We can’t answer this question for you. Right now, you don’t have this set of choices either, as you have to get accepted to Holy Cross, Fordham, and/or Lafayette. I will say it doesn’t sound like you are all that much into football and Kenyon. And that’s ok. If you like Wheaton Mass and the lacrosse team, I wouldn’t hesitate to consider that school.
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I note the Kenyon Review is one of the most famous 10-15 or so literary publications in the world. Meanwhile, I think these days less than 15% of Kenyon students are from Ohio. About 25% are from New York or California, and then it is your usual big states with big cities like Illinois, PA, Virginia, Massachusetts, and so on.
So I’d say Kenyon is really not so much best-known among people from Ohio, but probably best-known among people who subscribe to The New Yorker, wherever they might be.
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I would consider all these schools on the same level. That said, if you’re considering business I would probably put Fordham Gabelli at the top. I wouldn’t pick it over the other schools if you have a strong preference though.
Bucknell might be more to your liking.
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Everyone is different. My DD21 could have played D3 soccer at smaller schools in NC. But, she chose UNC because it is the best school she got into and has zero regrets. She plays in recreational leagues and pickup, and is very happy to not have to worry about consequences of missing a practice, or losing, or being injured. I can say that the institution has opened numerous doors for her so far. And she is a pretty average kid academically.
Another thing to consider is affordability. Sometimes, playing a sport makes sense if it pays for college.
You speak nothing of affordability. What is your budget?
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This doesn’t apply because all of the schools you’ve named so far are high academic institutions, including Wheaton (but Wheaton is very very religious) if that’s a factor for you, moreso than the others mentioned.
Wrong Wheaton College. OP is referring to the very liberal one in Massachusetts.
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You are correct - I see ma next to it. My bad.
Still OP is over stressing name.
If it was Amherst it’d be a slam dunk. But it’s not. These are all solid but he should like where he goes. They are not all similar.
Thoughts on Fordham’s Gabelli school of Business vs Bucknell’s Freeman college of management?
Both great outcomes for business, I’m sure the outcomes reports are on their websites.
Very different vibes and locations. Fordham urban, Bucknell rural. Bucknell greek focused…plus or minus depending on what you are looking for.
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Go to page 33 on Bucknell and read page 34.
Gabelli not as detailed but if you call and ask, they might have something similar.
I’d assume but don’t know that Gabelli is more NYC/investment focused. That said, they don’t show up on feeder lists - so maybe not.
What is your interest in business? It’s easier to match that up with the Bucknell report.
I do think there’s more to it though - i.e. there’s a difference being in NYC vs. the middle of nowhere PA. And do both have club lacrosse? You have to be there four years, day after day…there’s more to it than - which program is better, etc. Likely both, as most, are solid.
Good luck.
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That would be a fit question IMO. Both are very strong. Do you like urban/rural, no Greek life/heavily Greek, Catholic/secular etc. And you should see if club lacrosse is an option at either or both schools.
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@tsbna44 Wheaton on Massachusetts has no religious affiliation.
Wheaton in Illinois does.
This student is talking about Wheaton in MA.