Hi!
My son was accepted to Knox College and Allegheny College. We live in NYC.
We are going to visit both this month and attend accepted student events.
What are your thoughts if you either compared the two, visited both, or attended/have a child there?
Academics, Social Life (Greek vs. non-Green, friendliness), Diversity, Marketable Degree?
They both seem to be real treks to get to from NYC for breaks, etc.
Thanks,
Theoden
I don’t know Alleghany, but my kid – and I – were very impressed with Knox. After some lean years, Knox is raising money from alums, and has renovated several facilities, including Athletics and academic buildings, including one which was the site of a Lincoln/Douglas debate. New fine arts buidling was built after my kid visited, and we understand renovation of performing arts building was the next step after new fine arts building was completed. I happened to sit next to the President at an athletic event and had a wonderful conversation with her. My kid’s all-time, number 1 favorite class he sat in on during college visits, from Bates to Dickinson to Knox and Grinnell – was a Poli Sci class at Knox – he said the prof was riveting and the discussion great. Faculty were generally very responsive, Jazz Professor spent an hour with my kid, discussing performance options. We know a few grads who had taken advantage of all opportunities and really flourished in their post-grad life, including top 5 law school. Lovely library, renovated science facilities, non-traditional greek life. I was impressed that, when my kid was visiting for a weekend and I was meeting him at a central location on Sat night around 10-11pm – there were no drunk kids wandering around being stupid. Galesburg is not a metropolis but it has its charms, there are several blocks with student-related shopping, including pizza, coffee, pub etc.
THey are treks from NY. Both schools have gotten great feedback from parent whose kids have gone. My closest friend and her husband went to Allegheny. It was favorite school for those living in western PA and is well regarded there. Knox College comes up often as a very nice LAC where the kids get a lot of attention. A number of such schools out there, and they each have their special flavor. A matter of personal preference as to what is the best fit.
A major difference is that Knox runs on trimesters and Allegheny has semesters. Knox school year ends about 3 weeks later than Allegheny which may effect summer opportunities.
Allegheny is very, very nice. IMHO, they attract smart kids and have solid academics with a rich collegiate history. My son was given a wonderful scholarship to Allegheny but that year we had so much snow and bad weather we were unable to get to all the colleges we wanted to visit.
Haven’t been to Knox, but we toured a ton of LACs and loved Allegheny. It was on my dd’s list until the end. We visited three times and every interaction was great. Loved the students, faculty and administration. Academics were solid. Nice campus. Great merit! What major is your son considering? Drawback for us was the 8 hour trek (min) from CT. And dd ultimately decided she wanted a bigger school.
@Midwestmomofboys Thanks for the helpful insights. It seems like the school is amazing and pays attention to the students. I am a Bates grad and my son wasn’t accepted there. He also got into Bard and Muhlenberg, but the merit scholarships and Allegheny were quite generous. Is your son a Junior, Senior? Did he pick a school yet? Thanks for the insights.
@blue1516 Thanks…yup, I noticed the trimester calendar.
@Empireapple Yes, my son was also given a nice scholarship at Allegheny and Knox. We’re excited to see both schools.
@taverngirl He’s considering Biology, Environmental Science and History.
When we were exploring Allegheny I remember learning that their Environmental Science program was top notch! I have always regretted not getting there for a visit. Enjoy!
My S will also be visiting Allegheny in the next week or so too. Had a quick visit in the past and liked what he saw. Nice campus, nice people, great academics. He’s looking forward to the overnight to help him make a final decision. Also interested in history…
My D is a jr. at Allegheny and my H graduated in '89 It is the true liberal arts education—requiring students to write a senior comp (thesis) and also requiring cross disciplinary majors and minors. You have to major and minor in subjects that are in different schools. So and Enviro student couldn’t really minor in a science. I like this format b/c it really creates a broad minded student and gives kids a chance to meet students from other disciplines. Meadville is a really, REALLY tiny town but safe and close to P’burgh and Erie. Greek life is very prevalent but the fraternities and sororities are very involved in their service missions and hosting fun social events. The Greeks are friendly with each other, for example, my D is living with girls from her and another sorority senior year. There is a LOT of opportunity to get involved in all aspects of campus life. Allegheny has made a noticeable push to appeal to a diverse population by approaching HS’s as far away as FL, looking to engage students of multiple races and cultures who may not have thought about a small LAC in PA. The varsity sports teams are not fantastic, but students attend the games and the facilities are nice. My D has gotten close with her professors and was asked to be a TA in the film lab (for $) even though she doesn’t have an official work study grant, so that was nice! The new Wise center is a nice workout facility available for all students. Good luck w/your decision!
abbeany- thanks for your comment. If a student wasn’t into joining a frat/sorority…would that be a big disadvantage socially?
No. I don’t think so at all. Although it feels like a lot participate, I think the overall rate is less than 50%. I will tell you that my D went into college ADAMANT that she would NEVER join a sorority in 100,000,000 years. They were dumb. She hated them. Blah Blah Blah. She’s now a exec board member of her sorority and actively involved in recruiting new members and very involved in their cause of educating people on safe, healthy relationships and assisting in the local domestic violence shelter. So never say never!
Very funny! Thanks for sharing. My S isn’t much of a wild partier and I think he’s in your daughter’s previous camp right now…Greek life’s dumb, blah blah blah. Time will tell.
Maybe not an issue for most but health insurance for a student not covered by a family plan that has adequate coverage in the area.
Allegheny offers a plan to purchase. Knox does not and a family would have to figure out a plan by themselves.
@Acadia2023 I’m taking him for accepted student overnight and checking out the school myself.
@abbeany So you won’t be totally bored if you’re not in Greek life, is that true?
@Theoden We’ll be there in ~10 days too. S signed up for some classes to sit in on. I haven’t seen the campus yet, looking forward to it.