<p>We have had to cancel our Ohio College Tour this summer, but are still interested in learning more about several of the colleges. Can anyone get a good short description of these colleges? Specifically the things I can't easily find from reading books - typical student, social life, how academically rigorous it is, more pre-professional versus graduate school, friendliness of students, financial aid, overall impressions. Prestige can be mentioned, but that isn't all that important to him.
Denison
Kenyon
College of Wooster
Wittenberg
Ohio Wesleyan
Ohio Northern</p>
<p>Kenyon: GORGEOUS!!! Seemed like a good mix of artsy, nerdy & preppy (as in actual prep schools). Plenty of partying, which is what ultimately turned me off; 3 days every week “everyone” parties. Lots of talk of hooking up and how gossip travels fast b/c of small student body. Seemed plenty academically rigorous - because it’s small, there are small classes and you have to keep up with work or professors will notice. Not pre-professional, but good prep for grad school (lots of writing). Students were quite friendly, but it seemed like it could be cliquey. I got a good financial aid package from them, a little better than my average package. </p>
<p>Although I mentioned plenty of negatives (for me), Kenyon was still very high on my list up until May 1, and it’s the only college I sort of regret not being able to go to. Students were happy and open to talking about anything. The campus is insanely gorgeous and I loved all the buildings. The tours were among the best I’ve been on. Peirce, the dining hall, could use some organizational work though. </p>
<p>Denison: Many, many well-dressed people. I saw only two Denison students wearing old t-shirts, jeans & sneakers (my “uniform”), and they didn’t interact with anyone else and didn’t seem super happy. But everyone was very nice, and when I asked for directions to a building a girl was eager to help. The sidewalks were covered with chalk messages about club meetings and class elections, and the student center was bustling. My mom and I only stayed half the day because I knew I would never go there, so I don’t know much beyond my first impression. I did visit a class though. It was a freshman class to fulfill gen ed requirements, and I personally thought it was crazy easy (lecture + movie, class of 20). I know this would be a perfect college for many of my friends, just not me, and I would sum my impression of it up in two words: preppy activisim. Oh, and they give great financial aid if you’re NMF.</p>
<p>Kenyon - isolated (in the middle of corn fields). Very good academically. Beautiful architecture if you like English cathedrals. They definitely teach the student to think. Good prep for graduate school. OK financial aid.</p>
<p>Denison - picturesque town right at the base of the college (on a hill - you get a good work out walking to and from class). Beautiful new buildings. Good academically (a short notch lower than Kenyon). Emphasis on writing and thinking. Much better FA and merit aid.</p>
<p>Ohio Northern - nestled in a small Ohio town. Cold winds in the winter (the teams are known as the Polar Bears). Dorms are showing wear. Pretty good academically. Very good Pharmacy program (1/3 of all pharmacists in OH come out of there). Pretty good guaranteed merit aid.</p>