Let me be the first

<p>Hi. I will attend Centre in the Fall. My counselor says that decision is risky since I confirm my spot without visiting the college first. You reviews assure me that I have made the right choice. By the way, I am from DC and people here don't know much about schools in the South.</p>

<p>khoadov,
Congratulations on your acceptance and choice! I think you will be happy with Centre. I hope you understand that you are now an adopted student on the Centre board, so you will have to provide regular reports about your experiences and impressions! (Sheesh! And I wonder why my kids think I'm demanding ) :o</p>

<p>Splashmom,
I agree that horse races are a lot of fun. I also agree that it is an activity that should be experienced in....extreme moderation. (I hope the KY horse racing industry doesn't read this!) </p>

<p>Curmudgeon will have to verify this for me because I haven't experienced it personally. I've heard somewhere that a goat-roping contest is where you want to go if you really want to have a good time! :D</p>

<p>Just checking if you're out there Curmudgeon! ;)</p>

<p>Congratulations on your acceptance to Centre! I can't imagine that anyone would be unhappy there. We really enjoyed our visit to the campus and surrounding area. I believe you'll find the south to be lovely, inviting and hospitable. </p>

<p>Doddsdad is right ... we'll be expecting regular reports from you about your experiences at Centre. I hope you love it! GOOD LUCK!</p>

<p>I've heard of cow-tipping, but I've never heard of goat-roping. I lived in the country for 2-3 years, too. Okay, Curmudgeon, you must enlighten me.</p>

<p>That's why a certain style of cowboy boots are called "goat ropers".</p>

<p>Goat ropers are a well defined insular minority provided with special protection under the constitution of the Republic of Texas and unceremoniously dumped when we were made part of the New Nited States in about ...oh....1964. Nothing has made goat ropers more famous than the classic reference to them by Jerry Jeff Walker in the Texas anthem sung every Friday night after the ball game at pasture parties all over Texas, by rednecks and hippies alike- <a href="http://www.lyrics007.com/Walker%20Jerry%20Jeff%20Lyrics/Up%20Against%20The%20Wall%20Redneck%20Mother%20Lyrics.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.lyrics007.com/Walker%20Jerry%20Jeff%20Lyrics/Up%20Against%20The%20Wall%20Redneck%20Mother%20Lyrics.html&lt;/a>. Now of course, if you are really from Texas you know Jerry Jeff stole the darn song from Ray Wylie Hubbard.</p>

<p>I'm not from Texas, so I guess that explains why I didn't know Jerry Jeff stole the song from Ray Wylie. Do I get any honorary points for knowing that Sammie Davis stole Mr. Bojangles from Jerry Jeff?</p>

<p>Edit: I might have that wrong, but I always thought Jerry Jeff had written the song. Maybe not....</p>

<p>My daughter just finished her first year at Centre. I would be happy to answer any questions (if I can). She has been VERY happy there. Classes are very challenging but for the first time ever she feels like she fits in. HS was hard in that way--you know the drill--smart kids, a bit more mature than others, put in a "box". She has really come into her own this year! She feels very safe on campus. As far as study abroad, even the atheletes do an entire semester. She was initially recruited to play volleyball (but decided not to) and was told by the coach that they encourage a semester in the offseason or during Centre term.</p>

<p>I'm very glad to find a place to discuss this wonderful school.</p>

<p>The greek life at Centre is big -- but for everyone -- not just members. My daughter did not join (and will not join for a variety of reasons) but has a large social circle including all the parties on Greek Row. The greek social scene is not nearly as large as the numbers make it seem. She enjoys friends from all the sororities and fraternities as the houses are not big enough for members (other than officers) to reside in. The biggest "social" events seem to take place during spring rush but otherwise you don't seem to see a big presence...everyone is generally welcome to participate in events (read: parties).</p>

<p>Centremom,
I'm very happy that you joined us! As you can see from the posts on this board, CC has several parents (and hopefully students) interested in Centre. </p>

<p>I'll ask a few questions to start: Did your daughter consider other schools? If so, which schools and why did she decide on Centre? (During the tours the student guides said this was the question they were always being asked. Sorry for being predictable.) </p>

<p>Does your daughter have any information/opinions about the different departments and professors at Centre? You said her classes were challenging. How much time did she spend on homework/studying? </p>

<p>Are there many social activities other than Greek parties? If you do go to parties and you don't drink, is that a problem? Or are you more likely to become extremely popular because you always qualify as a designated driver? </p>

<p>Again, Welcome!</p>

<p><<i'll ask="" a="" few="" questions="" to="" start:="" did="" your="" daughter="" consider="" other="" schools?="" if="" so,="" which="" schools="" and="" why="" she="" decide="" on="" centre?="">></i'll></p>

<p>We visited many schools starting in her sophomore year but she ultimately applied to 4: Centre, Hendrix, Christian Brothers, and Univ of TN-Chattanooga (they have a kickin' Honors program). After visiting Centre a couple of times, it quickly became her first choice. Money was definitely an issue and they made it affordable for us.</p>

<p><<does your="" daughter="" have="" any="" information="" opinions="" about="" the="" different="" departments="" and="" professors="" at="" centre?="" you="" said="" her="" classes="" were="" challenging.="" how="" much="" time="" did="" she="" spend="" on="" homework="" studying?="">></does></p>

<p>She loves the religion department and the professors. So much so that she is now minoring in religion. Her major is Psychology. She has been happy (for the most part) with her professors. I think she had issues with a spanish professor but there will always be a couple you would rather not have. Studying? I'm not sure really but I do know that she devoted most evenings (2-3 hours) to studying except Friday night and Saturday. Most Sunday afternoons was spent with her books. There is alot of emphasis on writing -- if you don't do that well you will probably struggle greatly.</p>

<p><<are there="" many="" social="" activities="" other="" than="" greek="" parties?="" if="" you="" do="" go="" to="" parties="" and="" don't="" drink,="" is="" that="" a="" problem?="" or="" are="" more="" likely="" become="" extremely="" popular="" because="" always="" qualify="" as="" designated="" driver?="">></are></p>

<p>There are lots of non-drinkers and usually the parties are big enough that no one cares either way. There are lots of other activities though. They are heavily into community service and there is usually something going on arts-wise each weekend. I know my daughter doesn't worry about the designated driver thing as campus is so small they just walk to the parties (and stagger back I'm sure). BTW, for parents who don't believe that alcohol is prevalent on ALL campuses (or that's what the school tells you) don't believe it (unless it helps you sleep better at night)...</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

<p>Thanks Centremom! Your information does help and is greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks, Centremom. That was good information to have. When my D returns from her summer programs, I know she would love to speak with your D about Centre. Thanks so much for sharing!</p>

<p>Wow! I am overwhelmed by the welcome I have received here. Judging by the number of PMs I have received, Centre is certainly garnering its share of interest!</p>

<p>We can continue this thread or move individual topics into individual threads. Your choice. I am happy to do a "brain dump" :)</p>

<p>Lisa</p>

<p>We're glad to have you aboard! It helps having contact with someone whose child is already at the school in which one is interested. We were so impressed with Centre when we visited there for junior days. Everyone we've met who has anything to do with Centre has been so very nice. It feels like such a nice fit for D. I know she is still very interested in Rhodes, too. As of now, they are definitely the front runners on her shopping list of colleges. Again, welcome to the board, Centremom!</p>

<p>Yep,Centremom08, we are a might sprightly group!! If you would comment a little more on the writing aspect. The part about struggling caught my eye (students who didn't write well would struggle). D's weakest area, and it's not weak-690 writing, is writing. Especially creative writing. She is a "just the facts,ma'am" kind of writer. I have no idea where I went wrong.;) D is so right brain , it's a little scary. </p>

<p>She also has on her "solid" list 3 schools that have a reputation for being writing intensive or at least stressing writing. Can you tell us what that might entail? I don't think my kid would avoid a school for that reason, in fact she doesn't perceive a problem with her prose.:eek: You commented in a PM that A's were elusive. Does that ,in your opinion, have any connection to this writing element of Centre's?</p>

<p>You said cost was a concern, and it would be to us ,too. If you are comfortable elaborating on how they "helped" , it might help some of us get a grip on how we might be able to afford Centre. We all know it is a private school bargain at full-price, and we are certainly gratetful for that , but even with the Centre Scholars $ it is still a little "up" for us.</p>

<p>It's interesting to me that y'all would have considered Hendrix,also. I really like the school. D feels something amiss, probably just because it is too close to home. Can you compare and contrast, as we have visited Conway twice also. My very hastily formed impression is that Hendrix is quite a bit different than Centre politically, and socially. My D might be more Hendrix politically and she'd like the residential college aspect and the zero frats, but she's more Centre in temperament and style. What about financially? Was Hendrix competitive?</p>

<p>Lisa,
Separate threads might be fun! I've been thinking about creating one with reviews of Centre since not many people know about it. Splashmom has already posted hers on the Centre board, but Curmudgeon and I have also posted about our visits. Fireflyscout gets the credit for getting the Centre board revived!</p>

<p>OTOH, maybe we should keep Centre a secret until after next April....</p>

<p>Geez, C-Mudge. Let her get to know us a little first!! :)</p>

<p>CentreMom08, come on in, take a load off. Care for some sweet tea? Okay, NOW give us all the goods. Centre is still not on S' radar -- the Greek participation rate continues to be a major stumbling block, despite all of the "yes, but" info that I've put in front of him. But I'm still trying! H*ll, his list is still 21-schools long, one more won't hurt at this point!</p>

<p><<can you="" tell="" us="" what="" that="" might="" entail?="">> </can></p>

<p>Incoming freshman come to Centre in June for testing (math, foreign language, writing, I think). Anyway, there are 2 freshman english classes, one is a writing intensive for those who need the extra work, the other is not although it IS a humanities class on greek philosophy and there is a great deal of writing involved. All of her classes place a heavy emphasis on writing and in one religion class getting a B on her paper was cause for celebration. </p>

<p><<you commented="" in="" a="" pm="" that="" a's="" were="" elusive.="" does="" ,in="" your="" opinion,="" have="" any="" connection="" to="" this="" writing="" element="" of="" centre's?="">> </you></p>

<p>To a certain extent. In some cases it's because the professors expect them to take responsibility for their own learning and many incoming have no idea that studying includes stuff that wasn't covered in class. In one spanish class the teacher made the assignments and expected them to learn on their own in a sense. Hard to do with a foreign language but it took listening to tapes in the library and practicing. The spanish classes were both 4 credits (included a lab) and were very difficult. DD doesn't like languages and took Spanish I & II back to back semesters to get them out of the way. Many incoming do not "pass" their foreign language placement tests unless they've had 4 years or more of the language. Our school only offers I & II so it wasn't really an option for her. She really did need to take the first level class.</p>

<p><<if you="" are="" comfortable="" elaborating="" on="" how="" they="" "helped"="" ,="" it="" might="" help="" some="" of="" us="" get="" a="" grip="" we="" be="" able="" to="" afford="" centre.="">> </if></p>

<p>Centre awarded her a Fellowship worth $10k per year, matched the $4000 Tennessee Hope scholarship and arranged for student loans for $2600 more. I ended up being on the hook for $12k a year but used AMS (a tuition payment service) so it broke my payments into monthly installments (12). I figured that is what a public university would have cost (on the high end) in Tennessee. We're sweating the payments with the attitude that it's only 4 years (3 years now--yay!). Federal loans (unsubsidized) only allow a student to borrow $2600 each of the first 2 years, then it's raised to $5500 for the last 2 years. DD will increase her loan for the last 2 years to cover any tuition increases. If we can swing this then she will only have about $12k in loans for undergrad and we'll have NONE. She is already prepared for the reality that grad school is HER problem not ours as our youngest will graduate HS in 2010. This was a real stretch for our family but everyone has a different story. <strong>Here's a hint, if the school comes back at less than you'd hoped, go back to the recruiter and ask for more</strong>. When DD got her FA package it was about $2k less than we'd hoped for. We called admissions, talked to the recruiter for our area and ended up with an extra thousand. Not a big deal but every little bit helps.</p>

<p><<it's interesting="" to="" me="" that="" y'all="" would="" have="" considered="" hendrix,also.="" what="" about="" financially?="" was="" hendrix="" competitive?="">></it's></p>

<p>Hendrix was less expensive (full price) than Centre and gave her a scholarship that would have brought our cost in at about $8k I think. CBU gave her 1/2 tuition ($8k) also and was being considered for the other half in athletics.</p>