<p>For those considering a visit, this is a must.</p>
<p>The Mountain is pretty removed from civilization. That's not necessarily good or bad, just a fact. Sprint doesn't work there (ha).</p>
<p>What a campus! Lots of fieldstone, much gothic architecture. For those equestrian oriented, facilities excellent. golf course. Huge amount of acreage. Dorms excellent although some aren't air conditioned (fans recommended)--bad for kids with asthma so make sure to let them know if accepted. Very country club feeling.</p>
<p>Kids are pretty prep. That's not bad especially if your kid is a prep. Appears to offer a tremendous opportunity for the kid who likes the outdoors, isn't afraid of/opposed to the greek system, can function in a smaller enviroment. Cars lining the streets indicate pretty upper middle class school, many from virginia. My only question remaining involves substance abuse, not that it isn't abused elsewhere.</p>
<p>Surrounding towns look pretty down in the dumps. Not too many restaurants to eat at unless you like Subway. About 30 to 45 minutes away from major retail outlet stores like Polo and Brooks Brothers. Jack Daniels distillery about the same distance (ha--mom wanted her tipsycakes).</p>
<p>Overall, very favorable impression for the right kind of kid. A gothic or less prep kid, urban oriented might not like at all.</p>
<p>I enjoyed visiting Sewanee - great professors, interesting traditions, beautiful campus (loved the architecture). But very, very isolated. I'd been expecting rural, but this did surprise me.</p>
<p>Actually, there are two great restaurants in Monteagle, about 5 minutes from campus - Pearl's and Highpoint. There is also a decent Italian restaurant in Cowan, about 10 minutes away - Sernicola's.</p>
<p>As a family, we love Sewanee -- but if you only see student cars and whale pants, you aren't looking with open eyes. Not all students have cars, and many use bicycles throughout the day. The commitment to class dress skews the perception that this is an entirely prep campus. There is an equally large segment of students who are concerned with social issues, who recycle, camp, and disdain commercialism. Although the school has a lively Greek system, most of the houses (especially the sororities) are not nationally affiliated. About 70 percent of the students were high school varsity athletes. </p>
<p>The surrounding communities do not in any way resemble the campus oriented business district of Chapel Hill or Charlottesville, for example, but a liberal arts education is not about restaurants and bars. The social scene on campus is lively. Big arena rock concerts are about the only thing missing, and those would not be available at many small liberal arts colleges. </p>
<p>Pearl and Highpoint are excellent restaurants. There is a sweet lunch spot in the Dutch Maid bakery in nearby Tracy City. Panchos in Cowan is a nice little Mex spot.</p>
<p>Sewanee endeavors to provide a social whirl for the students that exists independently of a commercial strip. The same effort goes into "events" for parents during freshman family orientation, parents' weekend, homecoming, graduation, etc.</p>
<p>The round of events is somewhat exhausting.</p>
<p>That said, it is not the right school for everyone. If a mall is the key to your or your student's dreams or if bars and restaurants are on your must have list, you probably should look elsewhere. But you would be missing a gem.</p>
<p>Just visited, this is an amazingly beautiful campus. If you like the outdoors, it’s a place you need to consider. Kids seemed down to earth and nice. Great facilities. Only downside is that the U is the only thing around. If you don’t mind being away from a city, no big deal. </p>
<p>Seemed like they create a great community as well.</p>
<p>I think my son would fit in great with the “outdoors” theme. He’s an Eagle Scout and likes to camp, backpack, etc. Not too sure the 80%+ Greek issue would be a good fit though.</p>
<p>We dropped off our daughter two weeks ago at Sewanee for her freshman year. Like the poster above she has professed a desire not to join the Greek system and is very much into outdoor activities. So far, she loves everything about the school. She has hiked a portion of the 18 mile perimeter trail and spent an afternoon at a lake on the campus with friends. We were also very impressed with the orientation program targeted for parents of freshman at the drop-off weekend. It compared very favorably to our older son’s program at a similar LAC. There is a real sense of community among students, faculty and administrators.</p>
<p>I am interested in sewanee and I was wondering since it is a D3 school do they have walk on tryouts for their sports? also If i decide not to play a sport freshmen year can i try out sophomore year??</p>
<p>I will be on a varsity team if I am accepted in 4 weeks as I was recruited and made an official visit, etc. Most D3 programs have a tryout prior to the season, that being said, you would have to be pretty special to make the team. I would suggest emailing the coach for the sport you are interested in. The coaches I have talked to are all very approachable and glad to help. YSR!</p>