<p>Hope is a wonderful school. You don't say what your daughter is interested in as a major, but Hope is known for the overall strength of the the Liberal Arts and the music and dance programs. I don't know how fundamentalist a school she is looking for, but Hillsdale might also be a consideration.</p>
<p>If after these visits you would describe her as a practicing Christian looking for a school with a variety of views and debates, but with active Christian groups for socializing, etc, she should look at some Southern LACs. Often at Southern schools the profs as a group, are more liberal than the student body, and that can lead to lively debates. Even the smaller schools will have a variety of Christian groups, and most will have a number of different churches within walking distance, or sending buses to transport students on Sun.</p>
<p>Great concise description cangel.</p>
<p>Because of CC we have become aware of Davidson and my D is interested. We are thinking a midwest now, a California/west coast trip in spring, and then perhaps a trip combining some southern and east coast schools next fall.</p>
<p>Is there a short list of LACs you had in mind cangel?</p>
<p>If you want to look in southern California, you might check out Azusa Pacific. A couple of my son's friends are there, and love it.</p>
<p>I just got back from a few days in Chicago. I put the Art Institute at the top of my list, too. And the “Bean” sculpture right outside in Millennium Park is lots more fun than it looks in the pix. They have a good cafe in the museum, if you want to save time. Russian Tea Room is right down the street, but when I looked at the menu it seemed pricey. Always seems to have good reviews, and they do a special afternoon tea, though. Less expensive restaurants we enjoyed were Wow Boa (Asian) and Lou Maltani’s for deep dish pizza (go early, it gets crowded). There are many museums, and many offer free admission one day or evening a week, or are free always. Definitely something for everybody in Chicago. Lots of interesting architecture. Lots of shopping. Lots of ethnic neighborhoods/food. Chicago Greeter is one tour program that is free, but requires pre-registration of about two weeks (I wasn’t organized enough to do it this time). Lincoln Park Zoo is free. Small but cute. Right next to it is a conservatory, also free.
For any student that winds up going to school in Chicago, you can get a student membership to the Art Institute for $40 that allows the student to bring a friend in for free at each visit (nice for a date or bringing a parent in). Compared to the hefty admission price, it’s a bargain.
If you like to cook, The Spice House is a terrific spice shop that is run by people who really know their spices and are committed to selling quality products. Tricky part is getting the stuff through security at the airport. Dried herbs look like pot. Ha ha ha. (Not at all funny when you’re trying to get to your plane but you have to play along and hope they don’t open it.)
Great city to visit.</p>
<p>I think the town surrounding Wheaton is a perfect little college town - but then again, I"m not a 18 year old to-be college student! We visit friends and often go to Wheaton to eat at a great little Mexican restaurant in the town.</p>
<p>Hope sends out LOTS of mail - I swear that both of my kids during their junior/senior years received multiple pieces of mail from them - like once a month!</p>
<p>Hope has, in the past, been more socially liberal than Calvin. Calvin, for instance, requires that its profs belong to a Christian Reformed Church. The gap is closing, as Hope is taking on more of the image of a Christian College (as distinct from an institution with a Christian affiliation.)</p>
<p>Hope has one of the best programs for undergrad research anywhere, and is known for its pre professional programs in addition to the depts mentioned above.</p>
<p>The original poster’s daughter must be a college senior now-- but which college did she end up choosing?</p>
<p>Haha! Look at those dates! I hadn’t noticed. oh well :)</p>
<p>OMG, that’s funny!</p>
<p>Did you look at Carthage College in Kenosha Wisc?
Wheaton is a short walk into the old downtown. Nice window shopping walk. There is a walking path called the prairie path nearby in Wheaton.
Right now 90 is pretty clear of construction a little bit around 47 i think just last week. Commute can tie you up till you are past Schaumburg, but clear sailing past Rockford. </p>
<p>I have stayed in LaCrosse WI , nothing to write home about, better than Tomah and Sparta is a camping stop. Lots of bike trails up there.</p>
<p>For Chicago day trip if weather is good go to Millennium park (free) and if weather is bad go to Navy Pier. Shuttle buses from train station for both destinations. Oh and if you wait 15 minutes the weather will change in Chicago.</p>
<p>One of the best tour guides we ever had was at St. Olaf. I believe she was one of their two Rhodes scholars. One thing to note about St. Olaf is that they have students do an interview while on campus. My D wasn’t expecting that and it took her by surprise. Campus is really pretty although my D didn’t notice. It was her BF’s birthday that day and she could hardly wait to get home to see him. He dumped her a couple of months later. Sigh.</p>
<p>If you are at the Art Institute, stop by the free gallery across the street. There is a Hot Tix booth in there for half price, same day theater tickets. There is a fun restaurant in Macy’s (Field’s) called the Walnut Room, reasonable and fast.</p>
<p>I was a bit surprised to see this! My D is now a junior at Hope. It was the right choice for her. She has become pretty active on campus. The school is a plce where you can express your views no matter where they fall on the spectrum…and she is definetly pushing things to the left.</p>
<p>Funny, I have been coming back here as my S is a HS Soph and we are starting the process for him.</p>
<p>so glad she found her spot, rhumbob! (and Hope has room for some ballast on the port side these days!)</p>
<p>Hi, rhumbob, from another mom with a kid in western Michigan. Fang Jr is at K College, loving the Midwest (except the bland food) and wondering when he’ll get to see snow.</p>