<p>Also, I think it depends on your background and area. If you live in Philly, you probably know UPenn and its status. In some areas people don't even know it is an ivy. In my immediate neighborhood, people are a bit more aware of the smaller schools like Amherst and Mount Holyoke. That is just because this area is filled with many doctors and businessmen and lawyers who want to send their kids to top schools. They know because they care a lot about academics. Some parents may value the idea of an education, but may not have the past experiences to involve them in that world. Also, they may not care to go out and do research because they "know" that the best schools are within the ivy league and decide that that is that before giving LACs a chance.</p>
<p>I live in Arizona too, and everyone recognizes names from the Seven Sisters (exception I find is Barnard rather than Bryn Mawr, but that might be my particular demographic). Most people definitely do think that Vassar is still women's, though.</p>
<p>At least in the Southwest, the Claremont colleges are all well-known too--arguably better known than Amherst-Williams-Swarthmore. Almost half the top 10% of my school's class goes to Claremont every year (which typically means about three people...my school usually has 50-60 per class).</p>
<p>Wesleyan is still the most popular LAC (if you don't count Dartmouth) among CC junkies:</p>
<p>
[quote]
and everyone recognizes names from the Seven Sisters
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</p>
<p>The</a> Electric Tao: Seven Sisters
[quote]
For those who missed it, the Simpsons this past Sunday made a nice little jab at the Seven Sisters colleges.</p>
<p>Lisa, tempted by George Plimpton's offer to "guarantee you a scholarship to the Seven Sisters college of your choice" (plus a George Plimpton - endorsed hot plate) if she takes a dive in the Spelllympics finals, dreams of meeting the colleges personified a la the Muses of Greek mythology.</p>
<p>BARNARD (wearing glasses): We are the Seven Sisters. And you can attend any one of us! Like Barnard, Columbia's "girl next door."</p>
<p>RADCLIFFE: Come to Radcliffe and meet Harvard men.</p>
<p>WELLESLEY: Or come to Wellesley and marry them.</p>
<p>MOUNT HOLYOKE (slurring, champagne glass in hand): No. Party with me! (Falls face first.)</p>
<p>VASSAR: Or nonconform with me! (Raises arms, reveals hairy armpits.)</p>
<p>LISA: Uh . . .</p>
<p>SMITH (muscular, carries lacrosse stick, husky voice): Play lacrosse with me!</p>
<p>BRYN MAWR: Or explore with me! (She and SMITH kiss with passion.)</p>
<p>LISA: No, I don't want to pay for college by throwing a spelling bee!</p>
<p>SISTERS (in unison): Give in, Lisa! Get a free ride!</p>
<p>PLIMPTON: And a hot plate!</p>
<p>SISTERS (holding hands and dancing in a circle around Lisa): Free ride! Free ride! Free ride!</p>
<p>PLIMPTON: And a hot plate!</p>
<p>(LISA wakes up screaming.)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Too bad I couldn't find the clip...Youtube has gotten very aggressive with copyright enforcement.</p>