One-line descriptions of each LAC culture from enrolled student

Parents Forum
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<p>That's true. But, in the case of schools like Swarthmore and Chicago, the losers are kids who don't consider the schools as a result of the stereotypes. The kids who do choose those schools benefit from self-selection. So my view on the value of stereotypes is admittedly selfish. </p>

<p>Conversely, if a kid doesn't want a heavy drinking school, then he or she benefits from knowing which schools have that charicatured stereotype. I mean, it's highly unlikely that a school with lower drinking rates would develop a stereotype as a "party school" or a school with low frat membership would be characatured as a "frat-boy" school. In some ways, I think the charactures may be the most accurate "one-liners".</p>

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<p>idad - you have encompassed my initial reaction to the role of the stereotype in your little paragraph. Stereotypes may hold some of the given character of the school, but it lacks real substance. A stereotype is the outward, superficial perception that contains little depth - Swat's stereotype of kids who work hard and never play doesn't leave room for any of the depth or reasons that I choose Swat, i.e. the diversity, the intellectual quirkiness, or the community. Heck, what sane teenager would choose a school made of all work and no play?</p>

<p>I think the importance of this thread is to reveal pros and cons both and give some depth to stereotypes to many of the more popular CC LACs. So even if one-liners aren't perfect, I hold them in higher esteem than stereotypes.</p>

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<p>Sheesh parents, take off your rose-covered glasses!</p>

<p>One-liners where everything sounds perfect are not believable! :)</p>

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<p>anyone care to describe duke in one sentence?
i'll be going there in the fall...</p>

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<p>Same with Stanford?</p>

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<p>Same with Dartmouth?</p>

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<p>dartmouth: outdoorsy, intelligent, spirited community w/heavy drinking & frat. scene far from major cities; need access to wheels for sanity</p>

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<p>The University of Chicago: The life of the Mind</p>

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<p>I really, really like the sound of Swat (kids who truly love academics and not a big drinking scene) but I really don't stand a chance at getting in there. What are some schools that would have similar "one-line" descriptions but are less selective?</p>

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<p>anyone got barnard in a sentence? (one sentence is fine by me, plus if its not true, its a least one persons perspective)</p>

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<p>
[quote]
What are some schools that would have similar "one-line" descriptions but are less selective?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I don't know any of these schools as well, so take these as just a list to research further, both in terms of campus culture and admissions degree of difficulty:</p>

<p>Bryn Mawr: My sense is that this is probably the most similar campus culture to Swarthmore, but a woman's college.</p>

<p>Haverford: Again, similar. But, more preppy and more drinking, but not to extent of some of the New England schools.</p>

<p>Smith: Considerably larger, probably a bit more "flamboyant" student body (if that's the right word? Swarthmore's kind of laid-back). But, very academically oriented, terrific woman's college, and one of the best admissions values around.</p>

<p>Earlham: this is the Swarthmore of Indiana. Terrific admissions value and strong academics.</p>

<p>Grinnell: great school, somewhat off the beaten track in Iowa.</p>

<p>Vassar: I'd have to research this one a little more, but I suspect it is quite similar, but perhaps with a more of an artsy inclination.</p>

<p>Macalester: This one is a guess on my part. Nearby Carleton is a great school, but with drinking on par with the New England co-ed LACs. Don't know about Macalester.</p>

<p>St. Olaf's: another upper midwest school. Haven't looked into it, but it sure seems like it might be similar.</p>

<p>Oberlin: very academically oriented school in Ohio. Strong music culture with a prestigious conservatory as part of the undergrad offerings.</p>

<p>Reed: Very academically-oriented school in Oregon. Probably more tofu and granola than Swarthmore, but overall very similar. I think it is also a terrific admissions value. </p>

<p>The Claremont Colleges: Pomona, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer. Pomona and Harvey Mudd as as tough as Swarthmore admissions-wise. The only one I wouldn't include is Claremont-McKenna. I think it leans decided preppie, pre-professional, and more conservative so probably isn't much like Swarthmore.</p>

<p>There are a ton of great coed LACs in New England that are academically superb. But, they all draw heavily from the New England/New York prep school and weathy suburban market and seem to be struggling with overheated drinking scenes right now. The bloggers at my favorite New England LAC are abuzz about an alcohol-related racial slur event this week -- very disturbing to an idealistic, can't we all just get along, old geezer like me.</p>

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<p>also similar culture to Swat but less selective: St Johns</p>

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<p>To xgreenmachinex: try Wesleyan U in Connecticut. It's almost as selective as Swat but not quite. Its student body is somewhat similar except a bit artsier, more political (maybe the most activist/liberal school in the country), and bigger on partying (again, could be a good or a bad thing).</p>

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<p>Thanks for the great list interesteddad! I visited Vassar and so far it's one of my favorites so I'm glad to see it on the list. I also like everything I've heard about Reed, but it's very far away (I'm in NY) and I'm not sure I'm willing to go that far. I'm not interested in womens colleges, so that unfortunately knocks a few good schools off the list. I do want to look at Haverford and a few others.</p>

<p>bjrwh - I recently visited Wesleyan and I really didn't get good "vibes" from it at all. Maybe it was just a slow day (for me or Wes) but the campus didn't impress me and the information session was probably the worst I've ever seen. I do like the liberal/political activist scene that is popular there, so it's not totally off the list. </p>

<p>I also visited Skidmore recently. There was a little too much focus on arts for my taste there, but in general I thought it was a good school. Would that compare with some of the schools you listed?</p>

<p>I probably want to major in History, so any info on LACs with great History departments would be excellent. Thanks again!!</p>

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<p>x-- Did you look at Conncecticut College?</p>

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<p>Nope, maybe I'll check it out though!</p>

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<p>Can anyone tell me about the predominant social culture at UPenn? I was unable to stay overnight in the dorms, so I'm just curious if anyone is familiar with it. Also, I've heard conflicting reports of the level of "intellectualism" present (I'll be in the College, but plan to get a minor or dual major with Wharton); any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.</p>

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<p>UPenn is so large and so urban that it is probably the kind of school with many different "scenes". I suspect you can find whatever you are looking for in terms of like-minded friends. If I were going there, I think the key would be to get involved in a favorite EC activity early on and find a community through that organization.</p>

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<p>Does anyone know anything about Colby? (any point of view will be appreciated:)</p>

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<p>UPenn... everyone works reasonably hard, but not to the detriment of their social lives. It's definitely the social Ivy.</p>