<p>I was scanning the Space Availablity Results and noticed that here in Ohio, today (Monday, May 19), Hiram College and the College of Wooster are listing space available (and housing available) for first year students. These two are both "Colleges That Change Lives" and there is good information available on them on the CTCL web site, Colleges</a> That Change Lives. Hiram has a unique calendar that many students love; there are two short sessions each year. The Hiram campus is lovely. It is in a small town but Cleveland is quite near by for when a student needs pro sports, museums, shopping, concerts (popular music and the Cleveland Orchestra), or, for example, the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>Click here for contact information and to check other states. Space</a> Availability</p>
<p>Goucher in MD is another CTCL school with space available. Really interesting school and lovely campus. According to MidwestMom's link, they still have housing and FA too.</p>
<p>I haven't read that book, and I decided to click on the links above. What makes a college that changes lives? I was surprised by the low ACT numbers at these two schools.</p>
<p>Pop over to your public library and read CTCL and Pope's other books. He has very interesting stuff to say about the true purposes of higher education.</p>
<p>One point made by the book is that a way to judge a great college is what it can do for any student, not just the top 10 % of students. Not too difficult to turn out super-achievers when that's what you start with. Pope's book highlights schools that accept lower achievers and produce stellar results.</p>
<p>My son seriously considered Goucher. Had they given him an award, he might have gone there, but was disappointed that he did not win any scholarship money. They were building extra dorms at the time we visited, and they were really lovely. This year, a good friend of my younger son is going to go there. He did get an excellent award.</p>
<p>Makes sense. I guess I was surprised because I know a little about one of the colleges and know that their stats are a lot higher. I assumed they'd all be that level of "academic caliber." But, yeah, non top-10%s, like my son, need a place that loves them, too. :)</p>
<p>cpt, I know of several people who were not happy with Goucher's financial package (this year as well as last year). Also, Wooster planned to cut back 5% on their financial aid this year.</p>
<p>Wooster is a great school too. The kids who have gone there and another "W" ohio college seem to really love their schools. Wooster was on our list this year but did not make the final cut. I do like that school.</p>
<p>"Colleges that change lives" is a manufactured marketing phrase for schools that dont get enough exposure. There are an inordinate amount of schools that can change lives. However, you cant force someone to enjoy their college experience - you have to have the right mindset going in.</p>
<p>I think the phrase came from those schools featured in Loren Pope's book by that name. I agree that there are a number of schools that fit that description, but these are the ones that someone who researched the matter and knew colleges well, listed as places that are well above what their reputations were.</p>
<p>My son is considering one of the CTCL, McDaniel in Maryland, as a likely school. He already has interviewed for a merit scholarship there. What he liked about the school is its reputation in the sciences. It routinely sends kids to big-time graduate programs. He really hit it off with the admissions people, and in fact, has sent them updates on what he has been doing in school so they know that he does still have an interest in them. Is it his first choice? No, but he definitely would go there for the right offer.</p>
<p>"Colleges that change lives" is a manufactured marketing phrase for schools that dont get enough exposure. There are an inordinate amount of schools that can change lives. However, you cant force someone to enjoy their college experience - you have to have the right mindset going in.</p>
<p>The more I learn about college and the whole admissions process, the more I realize that it's ALL about marketing. The whole 'Ivy' mystique is all about marketing. CTCL is just one more way for colleges to package themselves....of course colleges change lives, almost by definition.</p>
<p>Other schools are great too. This isn't to say that the CTCL schools are the only great schools. But these are great schools that sometimes get overlooked amidst the hype. And many of the schools are not too difficult to get into. They are worth considering, and, as I said, they sometimes get overlooked.</p>
<p>Yes, I have, and I agree that there are MANY schools that can change lives. I guess I'm teeing off on the title....I almost went to Goucher 'back in the day' when it was an all girls school. There are lots of undiscovered schools that do get lost in the hype, and I'd rather take my chances with one of them than the pressure cookers like HYP etc...</p>
<p>precisely that the ACT numbers are relatively low on most CTCL colleges. But then the output productivity of these colleges are disproportionate to the relatively open admissions.</p>
<p>For example, Lawrence U takes only 33 pct and 44 pct of the top 10 and 25 pct in HS class (if my memory serves), with ACT even optional, and yet is something like 27th in the nation (of 1000 schools) in ug source of PHd's. This is only one trace or indication of college productivity. But it is very impressive. CTCL colleges are supposed to do more with less, to turn a phrase. Maybe the term 'late bloomers' might be the kind of students that fit these colleges or perhaps students who are not grubbing/competing for grades/numbers.</p>
<p>Ditto for Knox, Kalamazoo, Wooster, Earlham in that PHd indicator. There are more, too, such as Olaf. But Olaf seems to be getting a bit selective.</p>
<p>Relative open admissions seems to be an earmark of CTCL colleges. In fact, Pope removed Depauw, his alma mater, since it tightened up its admissions (presumably to get a higher usnr ranking). It was in the original edition, from what I read. Incidently, I do not think you'll see a ctcl college lower than 50 in the LAC usnr (offhand).</p>
<p>I believe Pope wrote the book when, as education editor of the NY Times, he saw masses of people all vying for a small set of very elite schools (in the NE, especially), then seeing the inevitable dashed hopes; he was trying to point out that prestige of the school was not the all in higher education. </p>
<p>Yes, all colleges will changes lives. Even the beating of the wings of a butterfly is the 'sound of thunder' (see Ray Bradbury's story); I bet going to Tech U, State U, CTCL U, or Ivy U will also significantly change lives.</p>
<p>I was thrilled to read Popes book. If nothing else, it gave us hope- that a quirky kid could find a college that would fit him better than high school.</p>
<p>Son chose a CTCL and they demanded quality work along with small classes, ability to explore options, easy access to faculty, honor in studies. It has been a great ride for him to become educated in the liberal arts tradition. I am a complete fan of the liberal arts colleges now. The CTCL are just one section of that group. He will be going off to a large university for graduate school. All in good time for those interested in that LACs first.</p>