Selecting the right college...

Two very different schools. Single sex vs. co-ed. Small town vs. city. That’s the real decision.

Thank you everyone, for your inputs. Much appreciated.

@Reva66 I would opt for Mt. Holyoke. It is a warm, nurturing place and has a very high % of international students. It is very well regarded in the US, although it has less name recognition abroad than JHU. Living in Baltimore and attending JHU would be a bit more intense.

For a “type B” personality, a small town environment (with linkages to other campuses in nearby towns) might be better than an urban school with a somewhat more pre-professional vibe.

She would get an outstanding education at either. Congratulations on her acceptances!

So funny - my DD also has been accepted to Mount Holyoke - and we are visiting JHU today!

We loved out MH visit - beauiful campus, warm welcome, great programs. It is a little bit remote for our DD.

I think my daughter is leaning towards one of the LACs she was accepted to over the urban universities. She liked the community, the bonding, the support. At least for the next 4 years those are important considerations.

BTW - we are also sort of international (US expats) and are only now doing our college visits. They have been very helpful.

Ty mamaedefamilia!

CValle, D also has Barnard, Smith and Wesleyan acceptances among the LACs. If we start looking at those, will get even more confused. She is sure she doesn’t want to study at NYC. And our visit to Wesleyan wasn’t too great. So That leaves Smith…

Do let me know how JHU goes, we haven’t visited that campus. Would love to hear your thoughts.

D is very big on bonding and community spirit, so leaning towards MHC I think.

@cvalle: visit reports from the point of view of an expat family would help, I’m sure. Lots of parents who live abroad and therefore have a different frame of reference.
@reva66: smart thing if you were able to visit.

We visited many New England colleges, could not visit JHu. We are willing to do a quick trip but with IB exams coming up and some school submissions, D has no time. Has done the virtual tour and is speaking with current students.

I know it’s tough for expat families to visit (time, costs, logistics) so perhaps a special thread would be warranted as I’m sure lots of expat parents and kids would be interested.
MHC v. JHU is a difficult choice because JHU is very good for ER interested but a totally different vibe from MHC.

@MYOS1634 comparing apples and oranges makes it so difficult! :-))) hopefully she will get some clarity over the next week or so.

  • for her interests (not "ER"!!!)

Ok so still at JHU so this is a very fresh! First we did not love the campus. It is flat and has Federal style buildings (so flat straight lines of brick) as opposed to Collegiate Gothic (think Oxford.) We have visited so many gorgeous campuses this last week so this one is at the bottom of the list. The over all vibe this morning is serious and studious. I saw very few signs/posters or other indications of anything fun happening on campus. Tour guide didn’t mention anything other than academics. I’m sure it is an excellent university but I’m not feeling very excited about it.

BTW- my Dd also got into Smith and we visited last week. Loved the campus, loved Northampton.