<p>Just to throw a wrench in your thinking – is Clark University completed out of your consideration?</p>
<p>Clark has a better academic reputation than either of these schools, and it sounds like it would not be more expensive overall.</p>
<p>I do feel it would have exactly the kind of feel you want (New Yorkers, liberal, no football team…)</p>
<p>I’ve visited this school myself, and I think it is a real hidden gem.</p>
<p>Clark was always one of my top choices, but when I visited campus something didn’t click. I never got that cozy feel. I guess I didn’t like the urban campus. The students looked a little out there. I really never got to speak to that many students though. Clark never reached out to me as an applicant. I never felt like they wanted me. Clark probably would be my third choice. It does have the holocaust studies program I’m interested in and the free master degree program. But when I was sitting in on a Shakespeare class at Clark, I kept on thinking about Knox for some reason (this was before I saw Wheaton). I really don’t know why I was.</p>
<p>Knox, on the other hand, has done a great job reaching out. Wheaton hasn’t done that much. The admission officer did give me a hand written note on my acceptance letter though. I never thought it would be this hard. It has been so easy picking for my friends, lol. </p>
<p>I keep going back and forth. If Knox was in the northeast, I would pick it no question. The rural area and the old dusty campus are the two huge cons. Wheaton has a beautiful campus, but is it worth the extra $$$? I seriously keep on going back and forth day after day. I want to make a decision this week. I think it will go to my head if I wait until May 1st.</p>
<p>I were you, I’d go to Earlham, which is a) probably better academically than either Wheaton or Knox, and b) cheaper for you. But since you “know” that everyone at Earlham is a “hippie” based on your brief visit, I suggest that you follow the “sign from God” that your grandmother detected and go to Knox. Why? It sounds like it has a very good theater department. Your family supports it. You won’t lose your FA if you get less than a 3.0.</p>
<p>early_college, do keep in mind that the admissions office is not the college itself.</p>
<p>Whether or not the admissions office reaches out to you is no reflection on what it will actually be like to be a student on campus.</p>
<p>You will enjoy the handwritten note now, for example, but you may be unable to use a dusty library at all if you have allergies.</p>
<p>I also agree, given how heavily you are weighing the extra costs, that it would be better to go with the school which doesn’t require that you maintain a certain GPA in order to retain your scholarship. You are putting substantially more at risk than $14,000 over four years if you could lose a merit scholarship.</p>
<p>As Clark’s aid is not dependent on a specific GPA (which Wheaton is), but is in the Northeast (which you prefer over the Midwest), and has the atmosphere you prefer (no Greeks or football – and a new student center adjacent to the library, as I recall), I do think you should reconsider it – especially as you do not love, love, love Wheaton.</p>
<p>Any chance you could visit Clark again?</p>
<p>I just reread this thread. Struggling past all of the negative stereotyping and insults from people who ought to know better I found this:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Are you saying that Clark is actually CHEAPER than any of the other schools? Are you saying that the 3.0 requirement at Wheaton only applies to the additional stipend? I find this very confusing.</p>
<p>If Clark–arguably the best school you have gotten in to–is also the cheapest, with no restrictions on their FA, I STRONGLY agree that you ought to reconsider. Especially if your allergy issue at Knox is a real one.</p>
<p>BTW, “If I would have went”? Seriously?? Oh, but “no offense.” :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Just to throw out an additional consideration since money it tight–junior and senior year, where do most kids live–on or off campus? If off-campus, how much does that cost in each area. I am assuming that apartments around Knox are going to be significantly less than anything in the MA area–but maybe not. Can you do some research on Craigslist or maybe on the college websites about off campus choices and costs?</p>
<p>For what it is worth, Knox spends a LOT on advertising/recruiting material and their name it out there. From clear across the country, I’ve heard of Knox, never heard of Wheaton. We have actually looked into Knox and it seems like a place our kids would enjoy attending but they didn’t have the programs our kids wanted.</p>
<p>Early College, what concerns me is that your family’s income bounces a bit and you could lose Pell in some years. This means that the cost difference would be greater. </p>
<p>Also, as a parent in Metro Atlanta, we have, at least at some high schools, a fair problem with grade inflation. I think As aren’t as inflated but Bs are. A 3.0 at some colleges is a big achievement, at others not quite as much. Only you can assess how much of a challenge this will be for you.</p>
<p>I am very confused about the cost of Clark. </p>
<p>Which school, out of all that you visited is the most affordable for your family? (And how are they planning to pay their contribution, loans, savings?)</p>
<p>It wasn’t just the student body I didn’t like at Earlham. I didn’t like the campus and the town looked like a tornado just came. I would never even consider going to Earlham. </p>
<p>I would be paying 8k per year at Knox and 10k per year at Clark. I would be taking out 22k in loans at Clark VS 29k in loans at Knox. So, my parents would be saving 8k if I went to Knox, but I personally would be saving 7k in loans at Clark. HOWEVER, Clark never gave me a new financial aid package. The lady said it wouldn’t change too much, but at all the other colleges it did (more loans mostly). Earlham was 5k cheaper after they re-did the package. It didn’t sound like Clark was going to give me a new package even after our estimate was 18k too high then what my dad actually made. </p>
<p>I just really didn’t like the urban vibe at Clark. It wasn’t in the best area of Worcester. On paper though it did look the best. I would have to keep a 2.0 GPA to keep Clark’s scholarship, so not a problem lol. </p>
<p>My dad is getting 20k from his next placement and is putting about 10k aside for college. He will be paying it in full instead of monthly placements. My school doesn’t have grade inflation. I’ve honestly worked very hard for my 3.4. Actually, I have a 96% average for this semester right now and should get my GPA to a 3.5 by graduation (I had a 3.389 when senior year started). I’ve taken the hardest classes this year, but I’ve done the best academically. </p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t think I would have a problem keeping a 3.0. It just worries me with all the horror stories. </p>
<p>I guess at this point I’m leaning towards Knox. My mom actually rather me go there as well.</p>
<p>BTW, every college or geographic location may have some sort of stereotype. Yes, a lot of the times it isn’t true. But it’s just the way one may look at it.</p>
<p>Knox is the school where the package doesn’t include Pell, right? I think that is the one that you can count on not changing financially as much as the others that do include Pell. How will you borrow 8K? The maximum stafford is 5500, I think. Will your parents co-sign for the small additional amount?</p>
<p>Friendly advice, early_college: A bit of tact goes a long way when you are sharing your reactions to colleges and college towns. To say that you were not charmed by the town of Richmond or Earlham’s campus is one thing. To say that Richmond looks “like a tornado just came” is disrespectful. Also, from my experience, it doesn’t make any sense. Beyond that, your statement is rather insensitive, given that there are towns around this country that suffered the ravages of tornadoes just THIS WEEKEND.</p>
<p>Yes, Knox’s package does not include the Pell. </p>
<p>Here is the loan breakdown for Knox:
Federal Perkins Loan: $2,000
Direct Loan-sub: $3,465
Direct Loan-unsub: $1,980
Total: $7,445 per year or $29,780 overall</p>
<p>Knox never mentioned anywhere on the paper work that my parents would have to co-sign. The only mention of co-signing I’ve seen is for private loans.</p>
<p>Again, I think the Knox package will be the most stable. You don’t need parents signature to get a Perkins loan. No issue there.</p>
<p>Also, are you pretty abrupt in person – I know you describe yourself as New Yorkish. I do wonder which student body you would fit in better. I think midwesterners are more like Southerners than northeasterners.</p>
<p>Jeez, early college, I feel for you. Tough choices. But you have certainly done your research!</p>
<p>I have friends whose children attend both Knox and Wheaton. The Knox child is a freshman, the Wheaton child a junior, also interested in drama. For some reason, he wasn’t allowed to take a drama class as a freshman because he hadn’t in highschool. He had to fight to get into the class as a sophomore. </p>
<p>I don’t know about transportation to Knox, but my Whaton friend spent approximately 7 hours taking a bus and two trains to Wheaton each time he came to NY for a visit. Coordinating the schedule was tricky. I remember thinking that when selecting a school, the ease transportation in and out should be a consideration.</p>
<p>My daughter, when she was looking, disliked Clark, too. It’s not in the nicest MA town.</p>
<p>I have just returned from a college tour with my son, a high school junior. We didn’t see Knox, but we did see Earlham, Juniata, McDaniel and Goucher. Of those, Earlham was by far, my favorite and IMHO, the best school. Richmond leaves a bit to be desired, but other posters have informed me that the town is growing and improving. A student at Earlham said that he liked the fact that most activities take place on campus-it makes the campus more exciting to have everything going on right there. But, if you hated it, than it is out of the question for you. Too bad you didn’t stay for the tour. It might have made a big difference.</p>
<p>I don’t think you’ll have any problems keeping a 3.0 at Wheaton if you go to class and study. My Wheaton friend isn’t the strongest student and he does fine.</p>
<p>Knox is a CTCL school, isn’t it? That’s something.</p>
<p>I think the best thing for you to do is to try to speak to students at each school to learn more about their experiences.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Ugh! So this is the third time I’ve written this because my laptop is freezing. </p>
<p>But basically I think Knox’s package will be the most stable as well. If you don’t include financial aid, Wheaton actually costs 55k a year VS 44k at Knox (including room and board), so the most my family could ever pay at Knox would be 34k VS 42.5 at Wheaton. Wheaton costs 11k more to begin with. Also, if Wheaton takes away my pell grants then it will cost 14k a year and my parents couldn’t afford it. I would feel much more comfortable going to Knox because I know it wouldn’t change for the first year. It’s also better to start with lower financial aid because it may go up during the years. </p>
<p>If you ask any of my friends they’ll tell you that I would fit in better up north. I am somewhat high strung, and very frank and opinionated. I also really have high standards, so that’s part of the reason why it’s so hard for me. My biggest fear is that I’ll pick the wrong college and I’ll hate it. I really like how Knox seems intellectual. At Juniata, some students thought Republicans were Liberals. That was a turn off for me. It’s hard to judge a college based off a couple students. At Clark, a girl told me that Worcester had nothing to do when it’s the 2nd biggest city in Mass. She thought Wheaton was in the middle of no where when it’s only 20 minutes away from Providence. I guess it’s because she is from NYC. I’ve seen rural Wyoming from a small village of 99 people in France and Norton is def not rural. Huntington, PA was the most rural out of all the schools. The nearest mall was 30 minutes away. Juniata had the most beautiful campus by far though. It was also the only place where my Ghetto PCS (aka Metro PCS) phone didn’t work. </p>
<p>NPRMom- Thanks for the great advice! I know that if I went to Wheaton that I would have to take either one or two trains and a bus just to get there and that’s after the flight. You would that being so close to the city would make traveling easier. I have also learned that just because you’re close to the city, doesn’t mean you’ll go there that often. I talked to a nice Wheaton girl and she told me she doesn’t go to Providence or Boston often because she is a poor college student. A coach at Juniata who use to work at Ursinus said it was rare students would go into Philadelphia when it was so close. </p>
<p>I’m glad your son loved Earlham. It really is a great school, just not for me. Knox is a CTCL. I’m really leaning towards Knox now. I just don’t think Wheaton is worth the extra 14.5k my parents would have to lay out. I’ll get the same education at either place. Fit has been my biggest factor this whole time, so I hope I fit in at Knox. I loved my Knox tour guide though and we had so much in common!</p>
<p>I’ve researched since 8th grade, so I applied to each college for a certain reason. I applied to 16 because of finance reasons. If I would have only applied to the other 7 schools which gave me a crappy financial aid offer then I would have ended up no where. NYU actually use to be my dream school, but after not liking urban Worcester, I doubt I would have liked NYU. NYC isn’t exactly “cozy.” Although, I would love to live in NY one day! :)</p>
<p>Wheaton and Knox are both regional LACs…largely not known outside of the area (or here on CC). </p>
<p>Both places have their appeal for different reasons. Make a choice based on what you like better and call it a day.</p>
<p>It actually sounds like Knox is the more secure school with regard to finances.</p>
<p>early-college-you sound like the kind of kid that will make the most of where ever you land. It is a hard decision but you are WAY ahead of the game in your analysis of any school and have put in a great amount of thought into the process. I have a feeling that if you attend Wheaton you would have that added worry all along of “what happens if I can’t afford this next year” and you wouldn’t have that with Knox. If it helps any, my roommate in college was high strung and opinionated and we attended a pretty small, fairly conservative school. She graduated #1 in our class and did just fine. Once you make your mind up to go, you will be amazed at how much lighter your heart feels and how you will start to see even more positives about your choice. Give yourself a deadline, like 5:00 PM tomorrow and unless any further compelling information shows up about one school or another, pick then one you are leaning toward the most (Knox from your last post) and be done. :D.</p>
<p>It is important to stay focused on the positives, NOT the negatives. Look at what you like, now what you don’t. There will always be things you dont like, but if you focus on that aspect you will be unhappy no matter what and obsess over the “what if’s”. Knox sounds the safest for a variety of reasons. Make your choice and buy a tshirt! And know thet there will always be expenses you or your family hadn’t anticipated, so don’t pick a school that will stretch the dollar.</p>
<p>I would go to Knox. I know a lot of smart people who have gone to Knox, and I have run into some at very good grad schools. For instance, Berkeley’s chem department (#1), medical schools, top 5 business schools. I am a MIT grad, so I am not prone to exaggerating when talking about intelligence. </p>
<p>If someone has notified you that you have made a mistake on your FAFSA forms, you had better figure out what they are talking about. You can’t just let it go for your other schools. I’m not knowlegeable in the law, but couldn’t they take your degree away and prosecute you for fraud if you know that there’s a mistake in your FAFSA forms and you leave it in? </p>
<p>I don’t know anything about Wheaton, though the region is obviously one reason why it may be a good fit for you.</p>
<p>Concerning cultural differences, Northeasterners often come off abrasive to Midwesterners. There is a way to articulate differences of opinion without being abrupt or disrespectful (not saying you are doing this here,) and if you go to the Midwest you might want to at least consider how you express your opinions.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>First of all, I think you are generalizing too much. I would hardly consider Wheaton very liberal. It sounds like you are mainly leaning toward Wheaton because of its being in the Northeast, and its proximity to major cities, and not because you have much love for the school itself. I live in Massachusetts and doubt that students from that school spend too much time in either Providence or Boston. It is located in a suburban neighborhood, with little in the way of the college-town atmosphere you would find in more urban campuses.</p>