<p>I tried a search, but think I did something wrong as I cannot find info on Sewanee.</p>
<p>How strict is the dress code?<br>
Printed info makes it appear very strict, while photos show students in more lax clothing. My HS 11th grader is very attracted to the beautiful campus and outdoor activities. </p>
<p>I like the new tuition freeze policy. What is FA like? </p>
<p>The school appears much more conservative than others he likes. My son is a live and let live type. He doesn't party, but simply wants a laid back atmosphere. His high school has a strong honor code. He does not find it "strict" but he doesn't understand why it is needed since his "bubble" has always included honesty and respect. His HS is an Episcopal, though son does not practice organized religion outside of the school required services. The general ed requirements seem to be quite a bit, but they all align with the Liberal Arts education son is seeking. </p>
<p>we visited during college apps… i fell in love with it…gothic buildings, people very nice,. i would say the students were dressed informally. The do have a tradition of the gown, that i thought was fun…honors students wear a robe (if they choose to). very very rural, most of the faculty lives on campus, mayor, fire chief at the time were actually faculty at the university. one very small restaurant at entrance to the campus, otherwise the nearest town (which is still quite small) is about 10-15 minutes by car. Unfortunately, S2 has very bad allergies, and he was sneezing like crazy within about 5 minutes… all those trees etc. and he isnt really an outside person because of it…so little to entice him.</p>
<p>My S has been to Sewanee several times, and he’s just been accepted there. For the outdoors type person, it’s perfect. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, it’s all there. And of course, there’s the usual tennis, swimming, golfing, horseback riding. There’s a small airfield nearby also for anyone who might be interested in flying.</p>
<p>S has mentioned that it’s a big frat school, but more of the inclusive kind. You don’t have to be a member to socialize with them. Academics are tough, but he feels that the faculty are approachable and friendly. Community service is a big deal there. There is no university imposed dress code from what I can see. I’ve been there once and the students look quite ‘normal’. I just didn’t seen any grungy (sp?) looking students.</p>
<p>Yes the town is in the middle of nowhere. No malls, no shopping centers, and I believe that the nearest Wal Mart/shopping strip might be about a 20 minute drive. There are a few nice enough restaurants nearby, but for real diversions, you do have to come down off the mountain.</p>
<p>Great school. Tuition reduction and tuition freeze. Financial/Merit aid I’ve heard isn’t bad. I’ll post here after ‘decisions’ to let you know how our personal experience with this pans out .Sewanee is worth taking a close look at. </p>
<p>There are some nice little stores and cafes. It is a wonderful school and gorgeous. Frat scene is very inclusive. All parties are open to all. Very well respected throughout the South. Episcopal influence, for sure. Seminary and beautiful chapel.</p>
<p>I had not heard of this school until I stated looking at this board. They have a nice video on their web page and I saw the kids wearing robes. I thought that was done for the video to promote the “Hogwartish” feel of the campus. I didn’t realize it was a tradition. I wouldn’t mind visiting that campus though. It looks beautiful. Our kids aren’t interested…too far away.</p>
<h2>The University established a dress code in 1869 for all students and professors. In more recent times, dress codes at different universities have been hard to enforce. At Sewanee, student dress is now a “student enforced” code - most students continue to wear sport coats and ties, or skirts and dresses for women. This is particularly noticable when visiting the campus, as students will “dress up” for most functions and “dress down” when studying in the library or visiting friends.</h2>
<p>I visit the campus often and know quite a few students. I see a great deal of variety in dress, and I have never heard anyone voice an objection to the dress code.
I went to Sewanee when the dress code was stricter, and it’s not a bad thing to feel comfortable in a blazer & tie!</p>
<p>My S also got in EA and it is one of his top choices. He hasn’t visited but everything we have researched about the school and heard from people is SO positive. I learn something even more amazing everyday about the school. I didn’t know that the beloved and renown President of Middlebury, left Midd and is now the Vice-Chancellor of Sewanee… John McCardell. That speaks volumes. Also, Sewanee has produced 26 Rhodes Scholars… one just this past year…incredible being it is a school with only 1400 UG’s.</p>
<p>In the early stages of my S’s college search, we happened upon Sewanee. It looks and sounds amazing, but their dress code or even the fact that students would want to “dress up” to study in the library was a turn-off to my sweatpant-clad son. :(</p>
<p>Sewanee has a huge reputation for being a huge drinking school. Apparently, there is little to do in the area, so lots of students turn to alcohol, and that sort of culture is incredibly pervasive. I think you should keep that in mind.</p>
<p>My daughter is not a partier, not a drinker, and had a very nice time during her overnight stay. She was accepted EA with a small scholarship and will probably attend - though waiting to hear offers from other schools - Earlham gave her a substantial merit scholarship. </p>
<p>Sewanee is remote, and has some quirky customs, but seems like a very good school academically and it has an amazing campus. My daughter cares more about the horses than having a city nearby. She leans left politically and socially, we are not religious, and we are from the west coast, but the kids struck her as “normal” when she visited. The visit allayed her concerns about the Southern, religious, conservative label sometimes put on Sewanee.</p>
<p>Episcopalians are apparently quite socially and politically liberal, so that aspect of the school goes against the conservative reputation, though the student body is supposed to be more conservative than at many LACs. I do not doubt that the reputation for the less savory aspects of Greek systems has a basis in truth, but it does not appear to rule the campus and others not interested in that lifestyle appear to have options.</p>
<p>If you can handle a gorgeous but remote location, Sewanee is definitely worth a look. Same goes for Whitman, where my son is a student. Alcohol is a large part of undergraduate life at many LACs. My son was very attracted to Bowdoin for both the academics, athletics, and the party scene which he experienced on a visit. If you are concerned about alcohol, there is always BYU.</p>
<p>On the little to do front, most colleges are what you make of them. There is no town supporting Sewanee. Walla Walla has a cute town for Whitman, but there is no city life anywhere nearby. However, being an athlete, having lots of friends, and a heavy academic work load, my son has not been at a loss for things to do at Whitman. His main complaint is not having enough time to do what he both wants and needs to do. I strongly suspect that the same thing is true at Sewanee. Maybe having a sport or strong nonacademic interest helps with the “little to do” issue, and without that boredom might set in. At Whitman, and I presume Sewanee, in addition to varsity athletics, kids throw themselves into theater, art, music, club sports, and various parties open to anyone, even if located at a frat or sorority house. Outdoors activities are very big at both schools to compensate for the lack of a city life. </p>
<p>However, if one needs a city and its attractions, then small LACs in rural locations are not the right answer for such a student.</p>
<p>In my experience, the small, rural LAC’s tend to have more to do on campus than those in larger towns. They expect students to stay on campus during the week and on weekends and provide various avenues for students. What you really need to determine is if a campus is a “suitcase” campus or not. If it is, there will not be things to do on campus on the weekends and if that is a rural location, all the worse.</p>
<p>congrats to your D bogney!! great school, wish it had been able to stay on my S’s list, he could have handled the rural aspect as we live in a rural area…just the allergies</p>