I am an international student (Italy, educated in England) and was wondering what the reputations of the above mentioned colleges are? I’m planning of majoring in History or English Literature.
I have heard Union is in a rather sketchy area; is that true? Also, I’ve got a skype interview with them today, so any advice on interviews? I’ve only ever had one university in interview and that was at Oxford in England. It was enough for me to be shortlisted there, and I found it a very challenging experience!
I’d call Union’s neighborhood gritty (as in authentic) not sketchy. I actually don’t know of any areas in Schenectady that I’d be uncomfortable walking through during most times of day, which is what sketchy ordinarily implies. Nonetheless, I’m sure the area could stand to benefit from some improvements.
Good luck in your interview. Treat it as a conversation that you have a particularly sincere interest in, and you will be fine.
My son went to Connecticut College and enjoyed his time there very much. The city of New London is not rocking with activities, however. If that’s what you’re looking for, of the three you mentioned, Trinity would be best.
I recognise they are all selective colleges; should I have safe options? if so, any advice on that? I know Bennington is test-optional and has 70% admission rate. Any other college with a decent reputation? @VeryHappy@ScaredNJDad
Gettysburg, Dickinson, Muhlenberg and St. Lawrence (not religious) Franklin & Marshall would be better options than Bennington. Bennington is very small and attracts a very unique student.
We visited Union a couple of times and liked it. The campus itself is beautiful and the city is not bad – from what I gather the students quickly figure out where to go and where to avoid in Schenectady. Union is particularly good for science/engineering IMO. I runs on the trimester system.
We actually through the area around Trinity was less desirable than that of Union. My D felt Trinity was “too preppy” for her, although we all thought one could get a great education there. We did not visit Conn College.
Some other schools my D liked were Lafayette (she is there now and loves it), Franklin and Marshall, and Dickinson.
I was on the Union campus about 20 years ago. I don’t remember the area being all that bad. The campus seemed a bit strange to me, probably because the big memorial in the middle reminded me of a mausoleum, but the school has a pretty good reputation. I worked with a couple of people who graduated from there, and they were both pretty smart.
@simba9 I just had an interview with a senior student there and I really enjoyed it. He talked about it very well and I like the minerva house system! It’s definitely high on my list now!
@simba9 I just had an interview with a senior student there and I really enjoyed it. He talked about it very well and I like the minerva house system! It’s definitely high on my list now!
Check the crime stats at Trinity; if they haven’t improved in the last two years, it is not the safest campus. It was my daughter’s first choice but I nixed it due to the crime stats. Connecticut College is in a nice, albeit pretty mellow, area, and seemed a bit remote when we looked. I don’t know what schools are good for your majors but my daughter is at Skidmore which is in a nice little town, acceptance rate around 35%. For safety schools, Clark U and Gettysburg are worth looking at.
@NEPatsGirl Thank you very much for the information about Trinity, I will definitely take it off my list now. I want to have a safe college experience!