<p>We are looking into Susquehanna since we've heard some good things about it. Susquehanna and Clark are both frequently mentioned as schools that are potentially good for B students, but it seems as though Susquehanna might not be as difficult to get into (at least based on the numbers). </p>
<p>Some similarities I know of between the two schools: size of student body, class sizes, both described as places where students get to know the professors, students described as "friendly"</p>
<p>Some differences I know of: setting (Clark is urban), Greek presence at Susquehanna (I read somewhere that it's about 25% at Susquehanna)</p>
<p>I know Clark is known for its Psych department. I've heard good things about Susquehanna's Creative Writing, Graphic Design, Business, and Music Departments. </p>
<p>I've also read somewhere that most of Susquehanna's student body participates in athletics --is that really true?</p>
<p>We visited Clark on a Sat morning but didn't get to see many students so my son couldn't tell whether he felt like he would fit in. (our tour ended at noon, we ate lunch in cafeteria and then left--we were told most kids were probably still sleeping). Any information about the Susquehanna student body would also help, although I know it can be hard to generalize. </p>
<p>NJmom, congratulations on your fine research, as I think you have an accurate take on both of these fine schools. I know more about Susquehanna than Clark, so I can only add:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If most SU participate in athletics, it would have to include intramurals, rather than intercollegiate athletics. There is a very extensive intramural athletics program, with excellent facilities, including coed intramural teams in every sport for kids who are looking more for fun than competition. However, when visiting the school, I found it easy to recognize that the school attracts both a large number of kids interested in the arts and many who enjoy sports. There did not seem to be social barriers between the kids of different interests. My guess is that SU has more intercollegiate athletes than Clark (although neither gives athletic scholarships), if only because it has football, which I do not recall Clark having.</p></li>
<li><p>Both schools strongly believe in social service and taking a wide range of courses.</p></li>
<li><p>Clark students struck me as more likely than SU to be politically very liberal and from NYC and other big city suburbs. SU’s student body is diversifying, but still has a significant number of PA kids, many from small cities and towns (which may account for why I found them on average noticeably friendlier and less fashionably dressed than my NJ suburb’s kids).</p></li>
<li><p>Both schools are significantly easier to get into than to get out of–although both have many incoming B students and high 4 year graduation rates, neither has light coursework. You are correct that Clark is more selective.</p></li>
<li><p>SU places a strong emphasis on helping kids enter the job market if they wish after graduation, as well as grad or professional school. </p></li>
<li><p>In addition to the popular programs at SU you mentioned, there are many education and communications majors, with the new science building opening this year aimed at encouraging more science-oriented applicants. Clark’s strong reputation in psychology dates back to its hosting Freud’s only visit to the U.S.; I am sure it has other strong departments as well.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Yabeyabe2, Thanks for your response…I remember reading your posts under some of the B student threads and they were always helpful. My son has expressed interest in some of the benefits of a smaller school but we’re concerned that he may get bored in a school that’s as small as Susquehanna and also doesn’t have access to a city. Has that been a problem that you’ve heard about from your son? Even though many view Worcester as an undesirable location, my son liked that he’d have some options there, as well as being an hour away from Boston. </p>
<p>In terms of the political leanings of the student body, do you know whether Susquehanna leans more conservative? or is it just that it’s less liberal than Clark?</p>
<p>My son has not been bored, but what are your son’s interests? It is probably helpful to look on the schools’ websites and match their clubs with his interests. I wish my son took more advantage of some of what SU offers, such as bus trips to major cities; skiing and rock climbing excursions; and the use of kayaks in the river. He has enjoyed the intramural sports program and trips to nearby movie theaters, a corn maze and a trampoline complex. He fortunately (and unexpectedly to him) made a lot of good friends quickly and they tend to enjoy such things as watching DVDs, playing video games, etc. There are regular concerts, comedians and dances, as there are at most schools. Rural schools certainly know they have to provide enough to do to keep students busy.</p>
<p>He also does not provide a lot of details about his weekends and he is asserting his independence, which is largely good. He is not much of a city person, which is why such schools as Goucher and American University were not that attractive to him. I certainly understand the attraction of Boston.</p>
<p>I do not think SU students tend to be politically conservative; my sense was that Clark kids tended to be very liberal,as has long been the case at many schools. In my college days, during the Vietnam and Watergate era, I knew more kids who identified themselves as Socialists than Republicans.</p>
<p>He’d definitely like the trips to movie theaters, a corn maze and trampoline complex. Also comedians and and concerts. I think he’d take a trip to a major city if friends were going, but not to see a play. What city does Susquehanna take the kids to? My son isn’t particularly politically active but grew up in a very liberal home so I think it might feel strange for him to be in a conservative environment. He’s also unsure what he wants to study at this point–it keeps changing. But it won’t be business. </p>
<p>I also sent you a PM. Thanks again for your help!</p>
<p>I believe the bus trips vary among Washington, New York and Philadelphia. I am not sure of their frequency. </p>
<p>I think the kids are more moderate/liberal than conservative, but generally kids from Central PA are–I am guessing–less liberal than those attracted to a urban MA school.</p>