<p>Guilford is one of the "Colleges that Change Lives". It appears to be a liberal LAC in the south, which many of us seem to be looking for. We plan a visit soon, but are concerned that it might not have the mix of students that our failry high stats kid will be looking for. It's tricky to find that 'not too academically stressful, but too academically relaxed" school. Has anyone attended, visited or researched Guilford? Please share!</p>
<p>Also, since they are both quaker and CTCL schools, could people also comment on how Guilford and Earlham compare, esp in regard to high stat kids and relaxed atmosphere. </p>
<p>My kids went to Quaker high schools that sent fairly high numbers of graduates to Guilford and Earlham. Earlham in particular seemed to be a popular safety school option for kids with fairly high stats looking for a solid liberal arts college. Earlham has a slightly lower admission rate, higher average test scores, and higher 4 year graduation rates than Guilford. One of my kids visited Earlham but did not care for the Richmond, Indiana setting. He did not seriously consider Guilford.</p>
<p>Earlham is much stronger, and comparatively a great success at turning not-superstars into students admitted into funded PHDs and graduate schools. I’d say a school for the B+/A- student. Friendly, cooperative.
Guilford is more for the B student, especially the hippie/laid back student with good writing skills and/or artistic leanings but balking at some specific tasks/subjects that s/he decided s/he didn’t like, thus lowering his/her grades in some subjects. </p>
<p>Both schools are fairly generous with merit aid. My sons attended a Quaker school that sends a number of students to both colleges. I think that Earlham has higher academic standards, but Greensboro, NC (where Guilford is located) has more to offer as a city.</p>
<p>My son was accepted to Guilford and Earlham. He spent 13 years in Quaker school, with a high school program that almost flattened him, it was so tough. Mediocre grades, high SAT scores, no sports or extra curriculars. We went for the admitted student event at Guilford. My first response was yuck. The event was not well organized and none of the academic deans presented the freshman curriculum. The student leading my tour was less than impressive and clueless about the meaning of a Quaker education. But, after talking to the faculty they had available to talk, I felt a lot better. The campus is very nice, 18th century red brick buildings. The students I talked to were 100% enthusiastic.The financial aid package combined with their low (for a private college) tuition make it a strong competitor for us. I think there is a lot of individual attention and that freshmen don’t get lost, if that’s a worry. Still have to visit Earlham, (pretty good award/more realistic tuition), Bard (way too expensive/lousy award) and SUNY Geneseo (great tuition/$5000 merit aid).Denied at Kenyon and Hamilton. Also accepted to Sarah Lawrence and Hampshire, both way too expensive for what you get IMO.</p>