<p>Thank you all so much for taking the time to post your comments here about Rhodes. I have poured over the CC site and must say that I have not come across any other college that incites the same level of enthusiasm by very (obviously) dedicated parents - even the parents of students who chose to attend college elsewhere. That speaks volumes about the place in and of itself.</p>
<p>And remember Epi ...doggone few people would admit to error, having spent up to $a quarter million or more over several years.</p>
<p>The marketers call this self-satisfying behavior and post-purchase justification. </p>
<p>"Best car I ever owned!"</p>
<p>"And I wouldn't buy just 'ANY' car for my baby!" ;)</p>
<p>Always good taking these observations with a grain, or maybe full-up shaker of salt.</p>
<p>Especially mine. :mad:</p>
<p>I know, Whistle Pig. My comment/thinking stems essentially from a gut reaction of sensing sound priorities (on behalf of parents and students) intersecting with a positive college experience at Rhodes. </p>
<p>On another note but same theme, Whistle Pig, could you speak to your belief regarding the correlation between alumni giving rates and overall alumni satisfaction with their college? US World Reports Top Colleges 2009 sets the numbers on the table (see Rankings subsections) and there is quite a gap among the LACs. My understanding is that the amount of the individual donations matters not - rather, they are simply looking at the % of alumns donating. No issues of parental or student bias based on fortune spent here, certainly. Just giving back?</p>
<p>I am currently a senior at Rhodes and have absolutely loved being here for four years! I think the responses you are receiving about Rhodes are representational of the students (and their parents) here. I knew this was the right school for me and applied early decision--I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Rhodes and am going to miss it so much when I graduate this spring. I think one of the most telling things about Rhodes is the enthusiasm of past and present students for their alma mater, despite the demanding curriculum, Rhodes provides a great fit for students who care about their intellectual development, as well as their social and charitable activities. Over 80% of Rhodes students volunteer, and many volunteer through several organizations. Many students are also involved in Rhodes student government or some student organization to help promote Rhodes, such as the Activites Board that organizes student events. This dedication to Rhodes shows what a great fit it is for the majority of students who choose to attend.</p>
<p>Whistle Pig: The problem with the grain of salt advice is that (as you tactfully point out) it applies to anyone with any motivation to make a comment. Motivation equals potential bias, at least that's what they taught me in law school. </p>
<p>Epinomis: So, having said all that let me share briefly my S experience @ Rhodes. He is currently a Fresh attending from So. Cal. We came to even consider Rhodes "kicking and screaming" over the insistent advice of a local college counselor. We went from "humoring the counselor" to rejecting a number of West coast schools including a number of UCs. Today, almost a semester into the experience, I asked my S if he had to do it all over again would he. He emphatically said yes. He loves the campus, friends and, for the most part, the academic environment (yes you will not love everything you do in this or any college - kinda like life). </p>
<p>Why has Rhodes met his expectations? Here comes the key (in my view) for you Epinomis ...... my S needed a small LAC to thrive. He needed a college that placed some significant value on personal integrity - e.g. my S will tell a cashier that he was undercharged (the Rhodes honor code). He needed to be around others that were (for the most part) self driven and not "cut throat competitive". He needed to find a pool of peers that he felt he could fit in with and comfortably make friends (stay overnight in the dorms). He needed a college that for graduate school purposes is both tier one in many areas as well as having a high rate of graduate school admissions to tier one graduate schools - S does not know what his major is let alone what he might "do" in life - except he is fairly certain it will require post-graduate work. </p>
<p>This is why this school has so far worked for him. Out of the schools he was looking at, this one filled to a high degree each of these needs. </p>
<p>So, Epinomis, your job is to think about what you need to get from a college/university in order to feel supported, comfortable & happy while your going there ... AND a school that maximizes your post graduate opportunities (career, grad school or whatever), and yes, stature of the school should also be part of that post graduate equation.</p>
<p>Whistle Pig: Perhaps the enthusiasm for Rhodes is Rhodes marketing, as I think (perhaps incorrectly) you have suggested in other posts. But let me posit that Rhodes marketing pitch is so enthusiastically embraced because it is a LAC that is better at showcasing those things that are most likely to resonate with Kids most likely to be happy at a southern LAC. The ones that get it wrong leave and the remaining ones, for the most part, find it a near perfect fit. Just a simple thought from a guy that is stupid enough to live where the the ground periodically & viloently shakes while he sways on the 15th floor of a 50 year old skyscraper.</p>
<p>Sounds good to me. </p>
<p>Just one pt. re: motivation and bias. Everyone has bias...it's called point of view. Gotta stand somewhere to look at anything. </p>
<p>Rhodes is a good place for sure. Lovely campus in a tough place. The up side ...there's nothing like it for literally hundreds of miles. and they must reward/entice students to attend a good place. And they do! So there's nothing wrong with that as far as I can see. I loved Memhis when there. Conversely, when was the last time you know anyone visiting there for a good time? MLK sadly learned it's not for sissies.</p>
<p>I guess all the shaken from my quaken got me Elvis vibrating and jirating and ready for a good ol time on Beale St .... cause that's what I get whenever my Kid lets me come visit! Crime Stats are horrible, but in my neck of the woods, I bet it ain't stopped even one Beemer driving preppy from attending USC ..... that other place that claims to call itself comparable to the only real true (dare I say "blue") school in LA.</p>
<p>... head to Memphis!</p>
<p>Ok, I'm deprived, having lived in mostly small cities (Ithaca, NY; South Bend, IN; Dayton, OH). And now southwest Missouri, hundreds of miles from anywhere.</p>
<p>But as a consultant I've racked up a couple of million ff miles in the past 10 years and have spent way too much time in some of the largest cities in the world.</p>
<p>And I can hang out in Memphis for a weekend or a week. The zoo is wonderful, Beale Street is cool, and there is that whole History of Blues thing (Sun Studios, etc.) And to top it off, some really great food.</p>
<p>My son, also a freshman at Rhodes this year, has not yet complained of "nothing to do" syndrome. In fact, quite the opposite: Rhodes keeps him so busy that he has only made it downtown once. </p>
<p>My sense is that Rhodes is very much a work hard, play hard environment. There appear to be numerous house/dorm parties, but they typically don't start until 10 or 11pm, so that everyone has time to get their homework done.</p>
<p>But they do cut loose on the weekends; my s. has reported trips to friends' lakehouses in Tennessee and Alabama, and he has made a couple of road trips to Ole Miss (fraternity pranks and whatnot). As an aside, as a northerner I never dreamed my son would spend his college weekends poking around in Mississippi... </p>
<p>Yes, the Memphis crime environment does give one pause. I'm thoughtful about where I drive, etc. But I think you have to appreciate the gestalt: the combination of a caring/committed adminstration, an intelligent/active/resourceful student body, a tough workload, and enough amenties in and around Memphis to keep a student reasonably interested all add up to a great college experience.</p>
<p>Paintball and Canyon Creek, thanks for the interesting perspectives. Here's why for me, as a parent, the positive comments from the students and other fellow parents like you all SO outweigh any Memphis crime stats. First off, we're from Chicago. Born, raised and lived here myself forever (except for college) and son's high school is in the middle of Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood. It would seem to me that just as his high school is adamantly focused on safety precautions, Rhodes appears to make its students' safety a #1 priority. There are many other schools, which I will not name here, that do not do this in my opinion. Would never consider them. The school's approach, combined with a knowingness on the part of the parent that their child will be careful, are the two key ingredients that almost negate safety concerns for me at many places, including Rhodes.</p>
<p>Canyon Creek - love the phrase you use - "appreciate the gestalt" - that's the vibe I get about Rhodes. And Paintball, it appeals to us for the same reasons that it appears to suit your son, namely, balance - academically, socially, and spiritually (emphasis on personal integrity/trust).</p>
<p>Whistle Pig, one thing I can tell for sure is that you have grit....don't you just love that about Memphis, too? :) I bet you even walk with a swagger.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone.....</p>
<p>Thanks! And let me say it one more time. I'm a fan of RC. But it is what it is. Great F/A, a less than desirable location on the map and among some 'hoods, beautiful campus (btw, I personally wooed the dude who built them their fantastic library ( he was one of the oddest of benefactors! people used to pooh-pooh my trips to Barretville...no more, I trust ;) ), great food, nice downtown dux, a downtown that chronically needs an infusion of cash, a most definite "gestalt" that makes it interesting for sure. And other personal observations have already been noted.</p>
<p>I say, have at it. It's a fine LAC and I know many great students and alums there. Don't anticipate going to the NCAA D III World Series or any other post season athletic contests, but 99% of the kids there might add "so what." And that says it. In the end game, they're right. But it's that very lack of caring about such things that makes it the campus it is.</p>
<p>too much enthusiasm, </p>
<p>no one's focusing on the negative aspects</p>
<p>yes, i said it, there are some</p>
<p>Keshav, I talked to my D (she knows you) about your posts here and your stated desire to transfer. She seemed willing to talk to you about any issues you were having. I know you were having second thoughts and third thoughts about coming to Rhodes almost immediately after committing. Maybe some of her experiences could be helpful to you. Maybe not, but it might be worth a try. P.M. me if you don't already know who she is.</p>
<p>I haven't responded to your posts before because I couldn't think of a way to help. Maybe she can. I wish you well.</p>
<p>The previous statements under my name are a false account of my beliefs. They were written as spam while I left my computer on. I have reported the post as a problem post and this comment is for those who read the aforementioned comment: curmudgeon and epinomis included. </p>
<p>I am enjoying my experience thus far and it is a pleasure to be at Rhodes, and I plan to graduate in 2012, as expected. </p>
<p>Thank you and sorry for any misunderstandings.</p>