Here’s my report on the Conn College visit:
We had visited before, but not explored the town, so this time S24 wanted to get a sense for New London. He had also set up two meetings with students in the museum studies program.
We took the train to get there, partly because the forecast was for tons of rain, which makes the traffic around NYC even worse, and partly so S24 could see what the trip would be like. It was so easy, and he was able to study, eat and sleep comfortably on the train. We walked from the New London station to our hotel, and Ubered back and forth from campus.
We took a second campus tour, because I figured why not meet another student? Our guide was a varsity runner majoring in music technology, who told the group that it’s common at Conn for students to be involved in what some people might think of as unrelated things. He said that many of his friends take art and/or music classes although they aren’t majors, and that participating in theater is also popular. He also gave the examples of his friends in MOBROC (Musicians Organized for Band Rights on Campus) who come from all majors, and the soccer team doing a walk for the homeless that weekend. When we toured with my D19, our guide was an architecture major who was in the school’s production of Rocky Horror, and also played volleyball. This appeals to S24 who is not a spiky kid, and wants a broad education in and out of the classroom.
As far as academics, we heard about Conn’s Connections and Pathways programs, which basically seem like ways to make your studies/major more interdisciplinary, or to help you create your own major. They have different centers, like Environment, Community Action, International Studies, and different pathways which involve study away or internships. S24 noticed the this tour guide mentioned two things our first one hadn’t: that the Career Center offers a one credit class for students who want to formally sit down each week and tackle career planning with advisors, and that every student gets four free Lyft rides a month. So, if you have three good friends on your freshman hall, between you, you have 16 rides a month to go to New London for dinner (less than 10 minutes, but not a nice walk), or a movie, or to go to Target or the grocery store. Or, you could go to the train station and then Providence in one hour, Boston in two, and NYC in three.
After the tour, S24 stayed to talk to a museum studies student, which he enjoyed.
He is especially interested in living history, house museums, and historic & historical sites, and he liked that the program is so broad, also including science museums, planetaria, aquaria, auction houses, etc. We knew that there was a track meet going on, so after S24 finished, we walked down to the field house and track. It was a NESCAC championship, so there was a big crowd with lots of friends, families and dogs. We had a great time figuring out and critiquing all the NESCAC mascots, which are unique to say the least! From the track, you have an expansive view of the waterfront and the river, and there was a sailing regatta going on. When we walked down to the docks to watch the sailing, I could tell S24 was itching to get out on the water with them. However, he has been consistent that he does not want to go the recruitment. It was fun to watch and it’s a beautiful spot. Even the workout machines in the gym have a great view of the river!
We had already wandered around in the Arboretum on the east side of campus, but this time we checked out the jogging trails on the west side between the athletic center and the Mamacoke Conservation area. Very nice. By then, it was getting late so we headed into New London and found a cozy Thai place called Noodles and Rice Bistro was perfect. The next day, we had breakfast at a coffee shop with a view of the river, and then walked along the Waterfront Park, which is a half mile boardwalk on the river with piers and historic info. S24 was psyched to find the spot where the Amistad was towed in in 1839. (There’s a replica of the ship at Mystic Seaport.) We also went to the tiny but amazing Customs House Maritime Museum (full of treasures and excellent volunteer docents).
Next, S24 met with another student on campus. I thought maybe it would be a half an hour or so, but they hung out for almost three hours! They really hit it off, and S24 got a great feel for the school. The student is a history major in museum studies who is also involved in the campus radio station and theater tech. He showed S24 his favorite places on campus, and told him about his favorite professors/classes. They talked about the student protest and occupation that resulted in the President stepping down, the dorm that has mold because they turned the air conditioning off during Covid, etc.
When we met to head down to the train station, S24 was extra relaxed, happy, and downright chatty about the school. It’s possible that he would have this good a time at many schools on a repeat visit if he got to talk to students and explore the campus in a leisurely way. But, so far, Conn is the only one he has taken the initiative to go back to, and he says he could definitely see himself there. He has mentioned ED several times, which would hopefully give him a really good shot.
So, it was a big success! A Wheaton visit is his next goal.
. Their museum studies program looks great, and there’s a fun video on YouTube about a Juniata student who worked on the ruby slippers exhibit at Museum of American History in DC. S24 loves that museum (and DC). Juniata’s location is a con for him, as he is not a fan of long car trips. He is tall and restless. When discussing Hobart & William Smith (5.5 hour drive), he said he’d rather travel to Elon as it’s two 45 minute car rides with a flight in the middle, so it’s broken up. But weather was also an issue with Hobart, and I assume Juniata’s weather is much milder.
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