<p>S and I just visited Kzoo. Gorgeous campus, excellent academics-- but I didn't see what students do for fun. Granted, Monday is not the best time to see that, but I didn't detect the kind of impish energy we've seen at some other schools.</p>
<p>I will observe that there don't seem to be a lot of Republicans on campus, judging by the Obama posters on dorm doors, Obama stencils on walls and walkways, and Obama supporters I talked to among students and faculty. This is not a problem for my son, who phoned swing states for the Obama campaign, but it could be an issue for students of a more conservative nature, not that there are many of those nationwide.</p>
<p>My S is a freshman there this year. He loves it. I know there are lots of clubs and activities that he is involved with but honestly, they have quite a bit of homework. I know they have movies on campus every weekend. They are also within walking distance to downtown Kalamazoo and there is a movie theater with $5 movies. He has only been home once since school started, and that was just for a day because his little sister was having her birthday party. We only live an hour away.</p>
<p>On Election night, there were students streaking through the quad, there were fireworks and people singing almost all night. I think S said there are maybe five Republicans on campus. It is not a conservative campus.</p>
<p>I heard about the fireworks election night and the streakers. I felt a warm glow; I still have the blisters from precinct walking for Obama. But clearly, a Republican might have a difficult time there.</p>
<p>What is your S studying, bbkitty? How/why did he choose Kalamazoo?</p>
<p>They have a strong German program. One of his main draws was the emphasis on study abroad. He wanted a small school. The admissions officer hand delivered his acceptance letter and generous scholarship to him at school. His favorite teacher in high school is an alumnus and encouraged him to check it out. </p>
<p>He also never got off the wait list at his first choice, UChicago. He was not thrilled at first about living in Kalamazoo, but he has been pleasantly surprised at what it has had to offer. He also realizes now that it is a better fit for him than Chicago would've been.</p>
<p>We have been very involved with things they've had for parents (regarding LandSea, move-in day, Family Weekend) and are thoroughly impressed.</p>
<p>I am a freshman at K. As I have always been a bit reclusive, take my account of the situation with more than a grain of salt. There are a lot of clubs here along with required PE activities and music ensembles, which are great ways to meet people. However, and this is from someone who does zero partying, etc. so be wary, Kzoo does seem to be lacking the energy present at places like MSU (i lived in EL for a few years) and UofM (my father lives near A^2 so I've been on that campus a bit too). Part of it is because there is no de facto college town, though Kzoo is not a horrible city; it's just no East Lansing or Ann Arbor. Another problem is that Freshman can't have cars. Third would be the small size. It is peculiar though. The only time I witnessed that "impish" energy was when Obama won.</p>
<p>So, I'm not saying that there is nothing to do, just that there seems to be a lack of energy somehow. It's probably just me though.</p>
<p>And bbkitty, what dorm is your son in? I'm just curious as to whether or not I have met him yet. My condolences with the whole Chicago thing, they rejected me (outright) as well.</p>
<p>Machinegungeek, I was comparing Kalamazoo to other small liberal arts colleges that S and I have looked at: Carleton, Macalester, Beloit. I thought I detected more random silliness at those other schools. Just for one example, at Carleton they have a Tofu Fest, including a Tofu Toss and what appears from the postcard we got to be Tofu Sculpture (someone took the pieces from Mr. Potato Head and made a Mr. Tofu Head). I guess I was referring to impish intellectual energy, not physical energy.</p>
<p>Kalamazoo is clearly not a party school. That's OK by me. My son has zero interest in attending a party school.</p>
<p>Actually my S found there is more "partying" than he expected. Quite a bit of alcohol is consumed, but from my experience, that's pretty typical of most colleges. He is a little put off that many people drink so much. </p>
<p>Streakers on election night, eh? Somehow my son neglected to mention that to us. :)</p>
<p>As others have said the workload keeps kids busy, but my son seems to be very content in terms of social life. He's not a drinker (might sip a beer to be companionable) but he goes to parties every weekend, plays cards with a group of guys every Saturday, is one of the instigators of the new film club, is involved with the campus radio station and hangs with his Ultimate teammates all the time. And while he's a naturally friendly kid he doesn't have a "big" personality. He has simply found the campus very friendly and has not lacked for fun things to do.</p>
<p>Carlton and K are both great schools! I went to K, a good friend to Carlton. We bickered endlessly (and still do 30 years later) about which is "better." I have enough friends who have children at K to know that it is still academically rigorous which can lend a more "serious" tone to the campus especially if you are there in the middle of the week when classes are on. Organic Chem in 10 weeks is very sobering concept. Back in my day, it lit up about 10:30 at night when everyone put the books away and started hanging out. There are always many things to do and the kids tend to gravitate toward those activities whether it is a social event, a film, a play, a lecture, whatever. K is a tight knit community and once the kids find "their group" they click in on the activities that appeal to them. It was true back then, and from what I gather it's true now. One friend had a quirky - serious, non drinker son and it took him most of his freshman year to 'find his friends' but several years later he's rolling quickly to the end of his college years. 30 years ago we K kids held our own against the best of the best in grad schools and in the real world and I hazard I guess that it's still true. Be sure to pick up a Lux Esto and read the class notes. I do this for every single college my kids look at (look at the class notes to see where people are and what they are doing.)</p>
<p>Isn't Orgo two terms long though? As in you twenty weeks to learn it?</p>
<p>Oh, and it bugs me that they seem averse to Freshman taking Orgo, but whatever. Chem 120 will be a free A then (Not overconfidence. If you already know the material and still cannot get an A in the class SWITCH MAJORS NOW!).</p>
<p>Thanks, momof3boys. The more you describe K, the more it seems to be a perfect fit for Fang Jr. Which is a good thing, because I think (hope?) K will accept him, and I'm afraid the admissions fairy won't be bringing good news from Carleton.</p>
<p>Machinegun - you might be correct, maybe it was 20 weeks...you know after 50 the brain starts to go and memories dim....regardless it was crazy hard. Cardinal, I'll be watching with interest where your son lands - every school he is looking at is a very good school. I wonder if they still have the Great Lakes exchange program? When I was there I lived in a house with a girl from Earlham and one from Beloit who were on exchange programs? I'll have to check on the website. I'm also an advocate of the K Plan. The career development directly led to my first job and came right when you need a breather to figure out your "major" and you won't find many people who complain about the foreign study program. My oldest son is rapidly approaching the point in his college that I was at when I left for my career service and I'm really pressing him to find an internship just to take a breather and to get some perspective on whether or not the field he's thinking of is right for him. I am one who liked the dynamics of people coming and going from the campus. I never felt that it disrupted friendships or relationships, rather the time "separated" from people and the growth that occured on the "off campus" experiences added a richness and texture to all our lives. In fact I saw my "now husband" in a federal repository library at another college the winter I was living at home and writing my SIP....the only complaint I hear from my friends kids regarding the system is that the timing of the "freshman break" made it hard for them to pick up a job because the other colleges were breaking earlier.</p>