Seeking tie-breaker input: Gettysburg, Muhlenberg, Dickinson

Colleges and Universities A-Z Gettysburg College
1

<p>My D is caught up in analysis paralysis and can’t choose her college. </p>

<p>One minute she’s convinced she wants to go to grad school and get her DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy). The next she wants other options, not to be nailed down…maybe Business. She definitely wants to forego a 3 + 3 DPT program in order to keep herself flexible. </p>

<p>Her choices and current opinions are (in no particular order):</p>

<p>Muhlenberg ($31,000): Known for pre-health, nice campus, far enough from home, but would Muhlenberg Scholar obligations interfere with study abroad?, less snobby than the other two, accidentally bumped into the track coach and he wants her</p>

<p>Dickinson ($38,000): “Greenest” of the 3, best library, beautiful campus but rundown fitness/athletics facility, building a new fitness center “soon,” track coach keeps calling, but no real suitable health major. (In fact, H and I wonder why this is still in the running.)</p>

<p>Gettysburg ($28,900): Offers BA and BS in Health Sciences, offers a robust business program, great athletics facility, a little too close to home (60 mins), not “northern enough” in the eyes of this 17 yo, (Wha? And the other 2 are???), track coach is interested in her, Greek dominance (this is good and bad to her), someone else from her HS class is going there (can’t tell if this is good or bad)</p>

<p>In other important factors such as freshman dorms, surrounding neighborhoods, dining halls, study abroad, etc., the schools are tied. With thanks to her great merit packages, all of these schools would be debt-free. </p>

<p>H and I like Gettysburg best…and not just for price. We actually think it would meet her academic aspirations best. D asked us which we like best, so we told her, and why, since she asked. She’s really trying to make a practical, not emotional decision. But, something is tormenting her here and preventing her from pulling the trigger. </p>

<p>Does anyone have any info that would help her decide? Even if it’s not in favor of G’burg, that’s fine. Just “unknowns” that would ease the decision. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Update: She just ruled out Dickinson. It’s now down to the other 2.</p>

3

<p>Just tried to send you a PM, but it says you have too many stored messages, will try again later.</p>

4

<p>Sorry 'bout that, cricket. I have PM space now. :)</p>

5

<p>Greek life here is what you make of it. It is very true that Greek life is important on campus. There really is no denying that. But there is so much more to do if your not into that scene. A program known as RISE sponsors substance free events and the Campus Activities Board plans lots of cool things throughout the year. For instance, this fall CAB got Chiddy Bang to come and play for our Fall concert. It was really cool! </p>

<p>Also,
Gburg is great for study abroad.
[Gettysburg</a> College - Off-Campus Studies](<a href=“http://www.gettysburg.edu/about/offices/provost/off_campus/]Gettysburg”>http://www.gettysburg.edu/about/offices/provost/off_campus/)
Study abroad is huge here and is really promoted by the College</p>

<p>I recommend watching this video, it highlights some of Gettysburg’s strong points in a humerus way.
<a href=“Gettysburg Students Respond to The Daily Show - YouTube”>Gettysburg Students Respond to The Daily Show - YouTube;

6

<p>Hi-</p>

<p>I am the parent of an accepted student. My son had considered Muhlenberg but after two visits decided to not apply. Overall, between the two visits, he was turned off by the school because the visits (arranged well in advance) were unorganized which made us feel very un-welcome. He also came away feeling that it was a place that was a continuation of high school. In one of the info sessions the admissions counselor made a comment that turned my son completely off - something along the lines of - by your senior year we would like to see that you have challenged yourself by taking at least one AP class during high school. This made my son feel that the student body might not be that engaged, strong, nor a match for him because by the end of his senior year he will have 6 AP classes completed and already has several scores of 4 &5.</p>

<p>In contrast to Muhlenberg the Gettysburg visit was well organized. Everyone was enthusiastic and friendly. We felt very welcomed by everyone. To us, the school had a vibrant energy. We came away feeling very happy and positive about the school. We felt that at every point folks at Gettysburg were proud of their school, wanted to put their best foot forward, and appreciated our visit. This was the complete opposite from Muhlenberg. </p>

<p>Based upon numbers it seems that the Gettysburg student body is stronger than Muhlenberg. Muhlenberg accepts about 48% of applicants. Gettysburg about 40%. The SAT ranges for Gettysburg’s 25-75% are stronger: CR = 610 - 690 / M =620-680. For Muhlenberg they are CR = 560 -680 / M = 560 - 680. In my humble opinion I would prefer to be among the strongest students possible.</p>

<p>If you are into rankings (I will include Dickinson as well):</p>

<p>Gettysburg - #47 on USNWR for LAC’s
Dickinson - #47 on USNWR for LAC’s
Muhlenberg - #81 on USNWR for LAC’s</p>

<p>Dickinson - #53 on USNWR for HS Guidance Counselor Opinion
Gettysburg - #70 on USNWR for HS Guidance Counselor Opinion
Muhlenberg - #120 on USNWR for HS Guidance Conselor Opinion</p>

<p>Additional:</p>

<p>The Best Colleges.org has Gettysburg listed at #23 on their list of The 50 Most Beautiful Campuses</p>

<p>Best of luck in the decision making process! We are visiting Gettysburg again in a few weeks. It is a top contender for my son. He was accepted to a bunch of schools with great merit awards (Tulane, Fordham, Northeastern, Rollins, University of Vermont). He was also accepted to University of Florida and Macalester. To him Gettysburg is the total package and they made a very generous financial offer. Thus far we are highly impressed with Gettysburg!</p>

7

<p>“Vibrant energy”… that is what we too felt on Gettysburg’s campus. Impressive. This was a last-minute school (too conservative?.. hmmm, the CC comments seem to indicate very happy students there) added to the February college visit list for daughter who is a junior.</p>

8

<p>Parent of a junior at G’Burg. He loves, loves it. Currently abroad for the spring term and having a life changing experience. Because of the strong ties to friends, faculty and the incredible campus it was hard for him to envision missing even one semester. He’s so glad he stepped out of his comfort zone but still can’t wait to come back in the fall.
I would characterize a “typical” Gettysburg student as social, friendly, athletic and smart.
Never got a conservative vibe but certainly more mainstream than, say, Brown.
PM me if you want any additional info.</p>

9

<p>Perspective from a parent who lives in Allentown:</p>

<p>1) Muhlenberg students seem friendly and unpretentious - I see them in the local Wegmans and they’re always polite and upbeat.</p>

<p>2) There is a bus station (Beiber) less than 5 minutes from campus that offers hourly trips to Manhattan (about 90 min with no traffic) and less frequent access to Philadelphia. Don’t know if this is an interest.</p>

<p>3) FWIW, many years ago my fellow med students from Muhlenberg were smart and well-prepared!</p>

<p>Good luck, my son is also facing a college decision dilemna</p>

10

<p>“I would characterize a “typical” Gettysburg student as social, friendly, athletic and smart”</p>

<p>This is exactly how I would describe our Gettysburg tour guide!</p>

<p>We started looking at schools during my son’s sophmore year. We visited a TON of schools. There are some so called top schools, highly ranked schools out there where the admission people were unfriendly & arrogant and the student ambassadors were the same. I was very surprised that they were resting on their rankings and reputations. </p>

<p>There were three schools that, to this day, stood out to my family as places where everyone we encountered was genuine, friendly, interested, engaged, well spoken and well ---- just plain nice. The three that stood out are Gettysburg College, Northeastern University, and University of Florida.</p>

11

<p>Well, we have a decision. It’s Gettysburg. </p>

<p>She made a scorecard of 14 weighted factors and Gettysburg won 107 v 103. </p>

<p>Thank you all for your perspective.</p>

12

<p>Congrats DB and family!!!..that was fast…!</p>

13

<p>Wow, that was a close vote! Glad Gettysburg won. Will you be attending GAD? </p>

<p>Move-in day is a hoot, too. You won’t have to carry a single thing to the room. My daughter had random bottles of shampoo and conditioner stuck in any little cranny she could find in the car—they even carried those up.</p>

<p>I have forgotten to mention in previous replies to other posters that one of the things that impressed us about Gettysburg was the number of families we ran into that had multiple children attend Gettysburg, either currently or in the past. We even talked to one family who had 4 (or was it 5?) kids who graduated or were currently attending the school. I think that is a wonderful testament to the college.</p>

14

<p>"I have forgotten to mention in previous replies to other posters that one of the things that impressed us about Gettysburg was the number of families we ran into that had multiple children attend Gettysburg, either currently or in the past. We even talked to one family who had 4 (or was it 5?) kids who graduated or were currently attending the school. I think that is a wonderful testament to the college. "</p>

<p>Thanks for mentioning this - great information! Gettysburg is a top choice for my son. We are going for another visit this month. My fingers are crossed that he picks Gettysburg!</p>

15

<p>D probably won’t attend Get Acquainted Day because it conflicts with a track meet. </p>

<p>However, we think she’ll be going to the Abe Lincoln Scholars Day (I think that’s what it’s called) on the 20th.<br>
.
.
.
.
.
Actually, on second thought, I might recommend that she attend both. They could help her feel good about her choice.</p>

16

<p>As a current first year student I highly recommend GAD</p>

17

<p>DougBetsy, </p>

<p>We went to Lincoln Scholars Day and GAD last year. You’ll be fine with just Lincoln day. It is much more intimate. There was a presentation for everyone in the morning, and later the kids went and met with a professor from the dept. they are most interested in. I think while the kids did that, we parents were in a meeting with two current parents. Lots of ooportunities for questions. Afterwards, there was a reception at the President’s house. If you think you’d like another tour, I’d arrange that ahead of time, as I don’t recall us doing a tour that day.</p>

<p>On GAD, everyone DOES get another tour. The advantage to GAD is just the pure energy and excitement. However, because the group was huge (We overfilled the ballroom) there was not a lot of time for questions. As I recall, there was also an activities fair, and we got to eat in Servo.</p>

<p>Have fun!!!</p>

<p>Oh, and if you’d like to try out SERVO on Lincoln scholars Day, you can just pay for it. Dinners and lunch run about $10, and breakfast $6 or $7.</p>

18

<p>My son has chosen G’burg as well over Muhlenberg. He feels its a better fit although it is about 2 hours further away! FA at both schools were comparable. Looking forward to the 20th and 21st!</p>