<p>Anybody out there intimate with Sewanee College in Tenn. I've seen the DVD. I've read the literature. I know that it adheres to many old traditions. I know that it is in the middle of nowhere (a plus, in my mind). What is it like re: rigour, community, partying? Will a left-libertarian PA guy fit in? Does anyone know anything about its Theatre major?</p>
<p>There is a big party scene, but all the parties are open to everyone- i.e. a fraternity party is not just for members of the fraternity. The campus is gorgeous. The academics are excellent. I don't know a lot about the theater program, so I can't help you there.</p>
<p>brian-- closest I've been to Sewanee is on the Tenn interstate outside of Sewanee while traveling from Nashville to Atlanta, so I can't say I have any 1st hand experience on campus. It is beautiful in them thar hills, at least blowing thru on the interstate.</p>
<p>Sewanee has become a very popular destination for my son's HS in Baltimore.....see this thread talking about a recent article in the Baltimore Sun:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=248067%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=248067</a></p>
<p>I know several kids who are going there now. Most are more conservative, and seem to appreciate the traditions that Sewanee holds, like bow ties, dressing for classes, etc. Its a very small place...1300 or so. But every last person I know or have heard about loves the place.</p>
<p>Sorry, can't help you with any other specifics. Hit the road & check it out.</p>
<p>Visited there in the fall. It truly is in the middle of nowhere. Great looking campus. You have to visit and make sure it is the right school for you as it is insular. About an hour and half from Nashville. If you are an equestrian they have dynamite facilities. if you are drawn to the outdoors you'll have lots to do. you have the internet to do your shopping or go to the outlet stores about 60 miles away.
you may need a car.
no shopping malls nearby.
restaurants few and far between.
hotels few and far between.
if coming from a big city, you'll need to adjust.
cellphones may not work unless you have the local brand.</p>
<p>It's a good choice but you really need to see it firsthand, walk/drive around it and visit with the kids. </p>
<p>I believe the school was given the rights to all of Tennessee Williams' plays. For the right kid it could be an outstanding four years.</p>
<p>Bedtter known as University of the South and among those who know quite prestigious. Fine to apply without visiting but certainly should visit if you are accepted and considering attending.</p>
<p>You have to wear bow ties to class???</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I am encouraging my son to go to an insular, out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere college that is small. Also, given that he is a smart though not a readily 'schooled' (big difference) kid, we are looking at those gems that students do not apply to because of size, location, and tradition. We plan to visit this Fall.</p>
<p>Sewanee has an unofficial dress code - shirts and ties for men, dresses/skirts for women. From what the tourguide said, half the students are in code on any given day. Students meeting certain GPAs become members of the Order of the Gownsmen and wear academic gowns. The professors also wear gowns, some rather tattered. It is a gorgeous campus, but definitely the remotest college we visited. If you love the outdoors - hiking, caving, etc - then you will probably love Sewanee.</p>
<p>Also, if you maintain a 3.0 and are on aid, they replace the loans with a grant the following year...</p>
<p>I went to college in the late 60's, early seventies; if you think about it, the dress code here, though peer-based, was rather severe. I dressed according to that code; pony tail, jeans that drug on the ground, old military coat, and so on. Now I rebel against those of that era that I work with by wearing a nice Hickey-Freeman or Brioni suit (purchased on ebay) to faculty meetings. There are many dress codes, though on some campuses there are more codes than at others. Again, thanks for the input. I am encouraging my son to look at colleges with strong traditions. That is why we are looking at Hampden-Sydney, Sewanee, and, on the other side of the political spectrum, Beloit. This is one of the up-sides (for others a down-side) of small LAC's. They are more likely to have identifiable eccentricities than the large public research universities. This is what makes some of them real gems. I am not knocking the large universities; I have been associated with two SEC and two Big Ten universities. They each were unique and obviously they are large enough that any type of student can find their niche with its own code, but some of the most innovative institutions out there (teaching methods, residential life) are the small LAC's.</p>
<p>You might want your son to look at Wabash and Davidson as well.</p>
<p>We have considered Wabash, but I have heard that, unlike Hampden-Sydney (all men), the dating scene is rough - no women's colleges nearby. Davidson (boy, this would be one of my top picks) is out reach. Until a few weeks ago, he had a shot at the top LAC colleges for football. However, he had a second severe concussion. He's done, which is a blessing, given that he can now pursue acting all year. He is a junior. We are confining ourselves to tuition exchange colleges. We plan to visit Syracuse, Fordham, and Catholic just in case he wants to go to a more comprehensive theatre program(I am keeping my fingers crossed that he will not). The LAC's we hope to visit are Sewanee, Centre, Hampden Sydney, Muhlenberg (good theatre LAC), Beloit, and Franklin & Marshall (pretty much an automatic acceptance because this is my home). He is an ADHD kid, and though he may get straight A's this year, he is likely to do only so-so on the SAT. He had a rough Freshman year because this was the first year we stopped the meds. He was only a 'B' student in his Sophmore year. We plan to audition, though most LAC's do not require them, assuming that, if he has a good audition, he may have the same advantage that athletes get.</p>
<p>i've heard drinking is key at Sewanee which is why it's off my list (plus i love my cell phone)</p>
<p>i would really suggest centre, i've heard a really great review (from an alum of my HS)</p>
<p>I heard tyhe same thing about the drinking. I heard that they are trying to change things by changing the rules re: open frat parties.</p>
<p>It is really smart to visit all of these schools because you will (sometimes with even 15 minutes) notice small but significant differences among them.</p>
<p>We recently visited Davidson and while we recognize it's a great school, something was missing. Still can't put my finger on it. Beautiful campus about 20 minutes from downtown Charlotte. Seems like a sleepy suburb with a very big need for a car in order to do things (altho they do offer a shuttle) imho.</p>
<p>Due to time constraints we missed Hampden sydney--the all guys thing was just a huge factor despite the proximity of the girls' schools. southern virginia from North Carolina on the backroads was beautiful but a bit scary--it does become very remote as if you are in a different country</p>
<p>I have a friend who is in the process, currently, who is applying to Centre, F&M, and Sewanee. If your son's scores are like his (CR + M = 1130), you might want to mention Knox, Wheaton (MA), College of the Holy Cross, Pitzer, Hampshire, Lewis & Clark, Dickinson, Bates, and Hobart & William Smith. None of them require scores, although they are in different geographical regions and vary with their traditions. </p>
<p>You might want to look at Oxford College of Emory University as well, even if they require scores (they have "normal" SAT averages and are good for the "average" kid). It's set up so that for the first two years a student is in the town of Oxford (38 miles outside Atlanta) and then can either walk away with an AA or start attending Emory University (without any paperwork). Oxford College is smaller (600 students) and focuses on helping students develop so that when they do make the move to Emory, they usually become leaders and do well academically. So after four years, they get an Emory University degree, as well as an Oxford College of Emory AA if they choose to do so.</p>
<p>As for Wabash, a friend that went there said it was no problem getting dates, although they did road trip often to other school to do that.</p>
<p>PS--Hendrix, Millsaps, Guiford, & Elon are also good bets.</p>
<p>What is the intended major? I am in my 18th year at F&M. If you have any questions, I will give you a frank response. My son will likely end up at F&M so that I can keep an eye on him. I, however, have heard great things about Centre's theatre program. Also, I used to teach at U. Kentucky and I really liked the state and the people.
F&M pros: heck of an education; its intense; heavy work load; high expectations; if you do well, many doors will open (med, law, bus., etc.). New President is incredible, so its ranking 10 years from now will be much higher; most sincere place I've been at; many students say that law, med, etc. school was not that big of a leap, given the load and expectations; a class act.
F&M cons: northeast neurotic; too many upperclass-persons live off campus, though this will not be the case 1-2 years from now; college tries too hard; it should relax; perhaps then the students will be less tense</p>
<p>Botton line - if your child is not working hard, you will see it in the GPA. To me that is a good thing.</p>
<p>I think my friend is interested in Religious studies, philosophy and history....</p>
<p>He needs aid, so needs to apply RD, even though it's his first choice. </p>
<p>I think his gpa is lower than it would have been because he had to work about 30-40 a week (at night/weekends) to support his mom (pay rent, etc...) while going to HS, carrying a full load at the local community college, and tutoring kids that are hearing impaired.</p>
<p>It's a little crazy for him. So in his case, his B+ average may not be an accurate reflection of his abilities.</p>
<p>Philosophy Dept. is excellent. Some have gone on to the top PhD programs. History is rigorous and excellent. I do not know as much about Religion, other than that the faculty are on my hallway and are neat people. I do not know much about financial aid. Sounds like he is a hard worker. I know of two students who in their MBA program served as tutors;often for the ivy-type kids. Colleges like F&M, Centre etc. suffer from a lack of brand-identity, so they make it up by producing a better product than many of the top schools. There is little grade inflation. Grad programs know this.</p>