<p>“I’ve never been to Williams so I can’t compare towns or student cultures, but I’d like to point out that drinking is not the prevailing campus culture at Whitman. Yes, students do drink (especially newly minted freshman), but there are many who don’t or don’t much. There is plenty to do on campus every night and every weekend besides partying. The school is a active and engaged community.”</p>
<p>You can call it what you like. You do know what the past-two-week binge drinking rate at your school is, don’t you? (I’m glad they have an excellent health center - I’ve actually visited it, and had meetings there when I worked for the state board of health - they need one.) And yes, they do have a vibrant small town (I actually quite like it), especially given that it houses the largest prison in the state, and employment is dependent on it. Don’t take this amiss - I LIKE Whitman, and Williams of the PNW is a compliment.</p>
<p>if she is looking farther afield… then consider adding Grinnell to the list. Great financial aid, and fits the culture she’s looking for (although travel expenses are an issue, as you noted). Here’s a link to the creative writing at the school:</p>
<p>I just came back from Family Weekend, and saw that, in addition to what’s noted on the English department website linked above, the school has a college press that is funded by the student publications committee, and several students had their work bound in a paperback format. </p>
<p>For schools such as Oberlin and Bard, note the word “competitive” of a poster on this thread. Not all students are accepted into the creative writing programs. If it were me, I would check out the reality of opportunities for all students at any school your D might be interested in.</p>
<p>also, Bard’s curriculum is not unstructured! The students have to “moderate” into the major of their choice – essentially justifying why they want to major in that field, and what they’ve learned that they will build on; for most majors it’s a formality, but for the more popular majors it’s not…Bard also has distribution requirements I believe.</p>
<p>Mini, now that’s really intriguing and I’m ready for the nitty gritty. No, I don’t know the binge drinking rate at Whitman for the last two weeks, but I assume you do. What is it and how does it stack up with some comparable schools?</p>
<p>Very good point SDonCC. I believe Skidmore has that problem as well, too many creative writing students and not enough classes. It is VERY important to check availability of classes that your child might be interested in taking either as a major, minor, or just for fun. Doesn’t matter how great the class is if your child can’t take it!</p>
<p>Bard had fairly extensive distribution requirements (9 courses or so?), but fairly flexible also. I think the whole way Bard’s majors is set up is one of its strengths. I love the idea of thinking about and justifying your choice and the requirement of a senior project.</p>