<p>I am considering applying to Goucher, but I don’t really have a good feel for what it is like. What type of student would “fit in” at Goucher? Does it have a good reputation in the area? How high are the academic standards? Any information would be appreciated. :) </p>
<p>My son is a sophomore and he loves it. It is a small liberal arts college with good academics. There are no frats and it is a very friendly school. It has a good reputation in the area, but I think the strongest school in the area, academically is Johns Hopkins. My son is on the strong side, academically, there, but he still finds the classes engaging and rigorous without being overwhelming, The vibe is relaxed, the teachers are often called by their 1st names, and there is a real sense of community and warmth. The classes tend to be small, as is the case in many small LACs. I don’t think there is much of a party scene and it doesn’t have the big sports aspect either, if you are looking for that. If you have any specific questions, I would be glad to try to help you. </p>
<p>@Shulamit Thanks so much for the reply! I think I would enjoy small class sizes, and I don’t really mind the lack of the big sports aspect. I just had one more question though. 
I’ve heard that a stereotypical student at Goucher is “hippyish and liberal.” Would you say this accurate? Thanks again! </p>
<p>@jellers29 I think that the student body, in general, is liberal politically and pro civil rights for the LGBT population. I am not sure about hippyish, though there is definitely a vibe that it is ok to be different, be an individual. Honestly, they just seemed to me like the students we saw at every other college we visited, which is 20 somethings.
To get a better sense, you might want to check the college’s newspaper (The Quindecim) which has an online presence and also check the various social media. That is always a good way to get an idea of what is going on in a college. You could also read over the website to find out about clubs and events. My son is involved in an improv club, and has also done stuff with Hillel (the Jewish students organization) and I think with an anime group and a writers group. </p>
<p>@Shulamit Okay, Thanks for the suggestions and help! </p>
<p>I’m a junior at Goucher, and basically, here’s what I can tell you:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Goucher is a small school, but the types of people who go here are pretty diverse. On the one hand, to give you some idea, we have both a pretty sizable Magic club as well as a Dungeons and Dragons club. On the other, a lot of athletes or “jock” types are around, and there’s a lot of partying that goes on. We have lots of creative types, lots of writers and artists and such… I think it’s pretty easy to find a social niche at Goucher.</p></li>
<li><p>As far as I know, people within Maryland have heard of Goucher, but given our proximity to Hopkins, it’s not exactly the most prestigious place in town. I know lots of people who have graduated and have been very successful, if that’s what you mean.</p></li>
<li><p>I have essentially only taken courses in the humanities, but based on my experience, I can tell you that the academics are pretty rigorous. Given our small class sizes, professors will take attendance, and your grade will be lowered if you miss class. You are accountable for handing in your homework assignments, and it’s not uncommon to have, say, 3-4 long papers assigned per class during a semester (again, this might be different if you major in the sciences or mathematics). </p></li>
</ul>
<p>To answer your question about our politics hippyish image, again, our campus is pretty diverse. We have people who walk to class barefoot, and we have people who dress like they belong in a J. Crew catalogue. We have people who do both, for that matter It’s true that Goucher has a reputation for being pretty liberal, and indeed, you are bound to meet a few Peace Studies majors while you’re here, but I think we’re not nearly as politically conscious or involved as some might have you believe. And it’s worth mentioning that I know quite a few conservatives on campus.</p>
<p>@ci0616 Thanks for the information! It really helped a lot. </p>