<p>Has Oberlin been mentioned? I'm too lazy to flip back a page and look. :) ... rhsmom--My daughter is a junior at Wooster and also loves it. She did her study abroad last term in Florence, Italy, and is now happily back at her home-away-from-home, preparing for her Jr. IS project.</p>
<p>I agree with northeastmom--Those are all good schools. Kenyon is drop-dead gorgeous. Earlham is wonderful and as nem said, unique.</p>
<p>Hindoo, Glad you mentioned Oberlin. I did live it out. Oops.</p>
<p>What is University of Toledo like?</p>
<p>Gee, did I really appear so naive? Did I give the impression that I don't think many schools have parties?
Yes, imo most schools have parties. Yes, Denison is "pretty Greek' at nearly 20% of men participate in frats, about 25% of women in sorority. Why do you mention Greeks and parties, NEMom? Are you implying only Greeks have parties? My S experiences, talking about the parties, and the third thing he mentioned was that they have classes, is very telling. He did not come away with a similar opinion of other schools he visited.
I don't doubt that any student that seeks hard enough at any school can probably find a party going on at any time of any day of the week. However, since my S found so many so easily, and knowing he now sometimes drives an hour and a half or so from his school to attend Witt parties is, well, as I said before, very telling.
Students must party? Heck no. But I believe for any student who does, or who is tempted to, the parties at Witt are so numerous, so popular, so easy to find, that it would take a special student not to get caught up in it.</p>
<p>Oberlin is wonderful, but if OP thinks Kenyon is too much of a reach for her son, the same is probably true for Oberlin. (Though I would highly rec both schools; D especially loved Kenyon - - great facilities, more jock than prep, a bit "straigher" than Obi.)</p>
<p>We found Wooster a little to cloistered and lacking in academ variety for D1, though if D2, who's academic profile is not quite as strong but who wants warm weather, will consider the mid-west, Wooster would be a good choice for her. The IS didn't sound too bad (FLVADAD's description is spot on).</p>
<p>We haven't really considered Denison b/c it is a bit too Greek for either D (not that only frat/sor members party, but b/c of the potential for in-group/out-group issues). Also, I wouldn't say that Denison is "pretty close to Kenyon with respect to getting in." Both are moving up in the rankings (Kenyon more so than Denison), but the numbers posted for Kenyon are stronger than those posted for Denison. </p>
<p>We haven't looked at Earlham (it didn't offer much in D1's area of interest and we've just started touring w/ D2), but again, if D2 will consider the mid-west, Earlham is a "must see."</p>
<p>
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Why do you mention Greeks and parties, NEMom? Are you implying only Greeks have parties?
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<p>No, not at all. It is just my opinion that most Greeks have lots of partying. They aren't the only students on a campus with parties though. You probably can find a decent party at any residential campus, at least Thursday through Sunday, if that is what you are looking for.</p>
<p>Thanks for so many responses. i guess I look at the price of COW and think why should my son go there his senior year if he'll be doing independent study and not being taught anything. Also isn't it isolating to just be working on IS and not being in classes. He'll probably go to law school so I know the writing experience would be good for him. Maybe I'm misunderstanding how this works!!</p>
<p>Not be taught anything? Why would you think that? I believe they have classes as well.</p>
<p>I just assumed they didn't have classes while working on IS-my mistake.</p>
<p>I don't recall whether students at Wooster take courses in addition to IS, but some form of IS or senior capstone project is common at LACs (though students usually take at a couple of addit courses each semester). Also, I wouldn't call directed study under the supervision of a faculty advisor "not being taught anything."</p>
<p>The IS students meet weekly in one-hour sessions with their advisors. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Through it all, you’ll be learning not just about a specific topic, but about how to break down any complex project into manageable pieces, develop a plan of action, and follow it through. You’ll learn how to analyze a problem, gather and evaluate information, propose a solution, test its validity, and communicate your results clearly and persuasively.
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<p>Wooster</a> Independent Study | Senior Capstone | Senior Thesis | Undergraduate Research</p>
<p>Here are some examples of recent IS projects:</p>
<p>What makes Earlham so unique?</p>
<p>I am not a student there, so students or parents with students at Earlham will definitely know more. I only toured their campus. I found the emphasis is on global learning. They seem to have a lot international students, and encourage studying abroad. There is no Greek life. They also have a dry campus. This is a Quaker school, and you can read up on Quaker beliefs such as doing things by consensus, and everyone being equal, simple ways of life, community service etc. I noticed large kitchen areas in the dorms with cabinets/lockers to store staples. It seems as though students cook meals together often and this seems the kitchen seems to be a social gathering place. There is a grocery store within walking distance. Their campus is very large, but most of it is undeveloped woods and fields. I think that 200 acres are developed out of 800, but my numbers might be off.</p>
<p>I can just tell you, that the feel of the school was clearly palpable. Many schools, we have found, can quickly blend together in our experience, and buildings are buildings. Within minutes on this campus we felt the distinct culture of this campus, its students, professors, and administrators. It was just different than anything we experienced on other campuses, and that is why I say it is just unique. I think that prospective students can quickly get an idea on whether this is a school for them, or if it is not a match.</p>
<p>Thanks, northeastmom. I know with one kid just starting college I shouldn't be thinking about the next one, but I am. The younger kid is a sophomore, and it sounds like Earlham is a place that could work well for him. I try not to talk to him about college yet - I'm collecting ideas and keeping quiet.</p>
<p>Your welcome, Calreader. I just sent a PM to you.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Thanks for so many responses. i guess I look at the price of COW and think why should my son go there his senior year if he'll be doing independent study and not being taught anything. Also isn't it isolating to just be working on IS and not being in classes. He'll probably go to law school so I know the writing experience would be good for him. Maybe I'm misunderstanding how this works!!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The IS is registered for just as any other class, and the other classes run concurrently just as in any other semster. There's no isolation involved, but it is a class with only one student and the professor(s).</p>
<p>Oreo45 - "What is University of Toledo like?" - do you have specific questions about U of Toledo?</p>
<p>I can also answer questions about Univ. of Toledo....am actually an employee on the Health Science Campus (medical school)....</p>
<p>Is Univ of Toledo considered to be in the same tier as Ohio State U? What type of students choose UToledo? What is the instate rep? What is the Univ known for? Strengths?</p>
<p>UT has a very good engineering, pharmacy and law school. In the last couple of years the University merged with the Medical University of Ohio (medical school) so that is now a big plus for medical careers (nursing, PT, as well).</p>
<p>I think there are a good amount of students who are local, but also a decent amount of students from Mich-Ohio since Toledo is close to the Mich border.</p>
<p>The campus is known to be pretty, but it's one of those things, that when you live here, you maybe don't appreciate it....</p>
<p>There was just an article in our local newspaper today about rising enrollment at UT for the 2nd (?) year in a row....while some other area schools are declining - so that is a positive sign....</p>
<p>My D opted to go out of town and to a smaller private school in Ohio rather than in town at UT. My jr. son will likely do the same. So I can't speak from personal experience that way....</p>
<p>What is your child's major interests????</p>