For some students, Amherst is not a slam dunk. This varies so much by student.
But back to the thread…I think this student has good choices…and Wheaton in MA isn’t a bad addition.
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Fordham has a good history of placing students in jobs on Wall Street.
About 150 kids out of 1,400 graduates are hired by corporate/investment banks and most are from Gabelli that graduates 500 a year. So…approx 25%+ of the B School winding up on Wall Street.
This means…Gabelli really is strong in this area…and is well worth considering.
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After reading about your academic interests, it seems that you might make a good match for Richmond.
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My S22 applied to HC and Kenyon and I had never heard of Lafayette until last week. For what that is worth. I think these schools have different vibes. We made 3 trips to see HC so I know the place pretty well, and its a much more city feel than Kenyon - although it is a gated campus with nothing around it that is walkable. Absolutely beautiful campus but Worcester is not.
Lafayette also places a lot of students on Wall Street based on its close proximity to NYC and its alumni connections. Lots of NYC companies recruit both summer interns and graduating students.
As a Lafayette graduate I can say the back in the olden days ( when I went ) it was not very well known. However it has definitely raised its profile in the last decade or two as it moved away from a Fraternity party school.
At least in my mind I would not consider Kenyon as a more know entity that the other 3.
I think all those schools are very solid and it really is a matter a fit. Rural, Urban or kind of in between
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I assume you would have to apply ED to Wheaton in order to get the D3 lacrosse team. So that’s the first question to answer - do you want to play on a school team? And, if so, would you still be happy at Wheaton if you were injured week one and couldn’t play any more?
If the answer to either of those questions is no, then take Wheaton off the table. Based on your lukewarm feelings about football at fit at Kenyon, I think that’s off the list, too.
I suggest you apply to Lafayette, Holy Cross, Bucknell, and Fordham assuming they all have club teams. Then visit again and spend extra time touring and learning about the business departments.
This assumes all of the schools on the list are affordable for your family and in the same cost range.
If that is not true and/or one school is a particular bargain, my analysis might be different.
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I completely agree with this reasoning. Yes, they’re all within the right price range for my family.
I have to pick one of the 4 to ED at…and they’re all similarly ranked academically, however some are “better” than others. 1-Holy Cross, 2-Bucknell, 3-Lafayette, 4- Fordham.
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IMO these schools are all in the same general ballpark academically. I’d focus on fit (academic offerings, location, interest in Greek Life, interest in a Jesuit education, availability of club lacrosse etc.). All are great choices and I know students who have been happy and successful at all four of these colleges. Pick the one that is best for YOU.
Have you visited these schools? When I looked at LACs with D we felt each one had a particular “vibe” – some she immediately gravitated towards and others she quickly dismissed from her list.
Also keep in mind that you don’t “have to” apply anywhere ED. I believe Fordham has non-binding EA which you should consider even if you do apply to another school ED.
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Define better?
I’m not sure how you make that assessment.
Why do you have to ED?
No one has to ED.
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To answer your first question, I think of Kenyon as a school that is at least a peer of, and probably even a bit a stronger than the other 3. But of course, it depends on what you’re studying – Kenyon is tippy top in writing but a poor choice for someone who wants to study engineering. Better in terms of schools always breaks down into “better at what” and better for whom".
You should first figure out how you feel about all these schools simply as a student. Do you like the location, the academics, the overall social vibe? How do they stack up for you if you do it that way? Forget sports for a second and just think about whether you’d like to live there.
Next, how do you feel about playing football next year? It’s a big commitment and it also serves as a ready-built social network. While the coach undoubtedly wants to develop you over 4 years, you are definitely committed to giving it your all for a year. Plenty of players will not continue beyond that. But many will.
Could you be a walk-on for lax at Kenyon? Two sport athletes are more common at D3 schools. How does that compare with being a walk-on or playing club at the other schools? Lax teams generally have large rosters even though the number who play is smaller.
If Kenyon and football aren’t what you want, you shouldn’t attend just because you can get in. If, otoh, you like Kenyon and are just worried about whether it has name recognition, that should not be a concern. There are a lot of people who would love to have a coach moving them to the front of the admissions line at such a selective school.
These are your 4 years - make them what you want them to be!
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My Take -
Selecting a college should mean… what do you want?
It sounds like having a business program matters to you (eliminate Lafayette and Kenyon). It also sounds like prestige/name brand matters to you (eliminate Wheaton).
Do you want to play D3 football or not? Do you want to play D3 lax or not? My gut is you will not let either sport drive your college choice, so no.
It is now about location/distance, size and setting. Fordham, Holy Cross, Bucknell - all fine, but you pick.
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This student is a recruited athlete…and is being asked to apply ED because if that. This is very common with athletic recruits. @TonyGrace can explain.
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It looks like OP is a recruited athlete only for Wheaton Ma lacrosse and Kenyon FB, but not for the 4 D1 schools that he’s mentioned where he would play club Lax (Bucknell, Fordham, holy cross, Lafayette).
Lax is the preference, he has said varsity Lax at Kenyon is not an option.
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But as he’s said he’s not necessarily. He has an opportunity in a sport he doesn’t appear to want to take.
Edit - as @Mwfan1921 noted
OP is only being recruited to Wheaton for lacrosse (Kenyon football recruitment seems to no longer be an option). So unless OP wants Wheaton lacrosse there is no need to apply ED.
OP may be looking at ED for a boost in the admissions process. Not sure.
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That’s what it sounded like to me. Based on our HS historical data, these are all schools where chances improve quite a bit with ED. I am assuming OP is reasonably competitive for all.
I’m on camp Kenyon. I don’t think one should choose schools solely on reputation but if OP is truly undecided, I view Kenyon a notch above the rest. Again, this is just a personal opinion based on the types of students our school sends to these schools. FWIW, I am and have always been on the East Coast.
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OP seems interested in business per posts above but may not be 100% sure. Hopefully OP can clarify.
ETA: IMO the OP should value fit (academic, social, anynother attributes thebOP deems important) above all else when considering this group of excellent schools.
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I’d be applying early decision to help boost my chances for admission.
Upon submitting a pre-read to Kenyon, I was ranked “A-Band” which is the highest possible ranking for admission. So I’m fairly confident I’d be admitted even if I didn’t play sports.
However, Kenyon is much further away and considerably smaller. I don’t feel I’d fit in with the typical student there(without being an athlete), described as quirky and liberal.
Holy Cross is also ranked higher than Kenyon, by a considerable amount US NEWS
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Interested in business, but not 100% certain. If I went to school for business, I’d still like to minor in poly sci or pre-law. Not sure if that’s possible at business programs, I suppose that would be a good question for the admissions counselors at the respective schools.
The ability to double major or minor is school dependent. You need to factor in the number of required general ed courses (typically high at Jesuit colleges), any AP credit the school accepts, credits needed for your major etc. Much of this information should be online.
And anyone with any major can apply to law school.
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