<p>I am a parent in the Midwest, mother of a sophomore student--and just now starting "the list" of colleges. Can anyone tell me something about the student body at Connecticut College? A bit about my daughter: She's pretty Midwestern, in the sense that she is impatient with pretense (kind of annoyingly so, if I must say). She's quirky, but not self-consciously so. Very sweet. Smart, not a super brainiac but very intellectually curious. Likes to read but also loves her TV. Not style conscious, but not grungy either; wears jeans, combs her hair, puts her shoes on. Basically, she's a great kid with a good sense of humor. She could be more tolerant of people that she perceives as "preppy." Any thoughts how she would fit in at Connecticut College?</p>
<p>Conn’s student body has a little bit of every “type”. To very much overgeneralize for your sake, the student body can be broken down into two major large groups: the preps/athletes noted in your post, and the artsy type. Due to a New England location, a high price tag, and decent athletics (especially in preppy sports like sailing and squash) Conn attracts a large contingency of preppy students and students from New England private schools. Because of a very strong theater department, a great art building, MOBROC, free music lessons, and Conn’s history as a former women’s college, Conn attracts an artsy student body. The groups coexist harmoniously. </p>
<p>You described your daughter in a very generic fashion so I have no idea whether or not she would fit in. Someone who reads, watches tv, is smart but not a braniac, wears jeans, and has a good sense of humor, sounds like most American college-aged students. </p>
<p>I would say that if pretentious or intense is not her thing, than New England liberal arts colleges might not be for her as the average student at these institutions is fairly intense, stays in shape, is a member of multiple extracurricular clubs–lives by the hackneyed “work hard, play hard” mantra.</p>
<p>I have a question about something I read in the Princeton Review’s profile for Conn. They put in the student body section that students are “uncommonly good-looking” (quoted from a student). So I guess… are the hotties going to Connecticut College?</p>
<p>Anyways, Connecticut College faired pretty well in regards to the PR’s ratings.</p>
<p>DO NOT GO TO CONN COLLEGE!!!</p>
<p>i am a student here now an i HATE it.</p>
<p>conn is full of hypocrtes who don’t follow their own rules. everyone is extremly judgmental and harsh. if you don’t have money then you won’t find friends. basically there are 2 groups of people at conn - the preppy rich kids and the ethnic “underprivileged” kids. and both drink- A LOT. I live in substance free and i had to take my roommate to the hospital for excessive drinking. if you don’t want your dauhter to be extremly unhappy then dont let her go here. My house fellow spelled it out perfectly for me during orientation “everyone here is a rich alcoholic”</p>
<p>if you have ANY other questions please don’t hesitate to ask. i wish someone had told me the truth before i came here. no one should pay 50k and have to deal with this kind of stupidity. people walk around in $300 dollar rain boots! im a simple T-shirt and jeans kinda girl and i am the only one. i can not tell you enough not to go!</p>
<p>Evelyn, I am sorry you have had such a difficult experience. College is generally a challenging adjustment, nevertheless if you are uncomfortable where you are. However, I rarely drank at Conn and I had a very positive experience. There are certainly sheltered affluent students at Conn. This, however, is a population which one will find at any private, liberal arts, college. They are hardly the majority. </p>
<p>I implore you to forth the minimal effort necessary to meet individuals who do not fit the obvious and limited east coast LAC stereotype you put forth. I was a “t-shirt and jeans” kind of guy, I when I was a senior last year had no problem finding a wide array of people who shared my style, outlook, and limited income level. I would have figured blackstone would be an environment that would fit with you. Perhaps a larger university with a less visibly entitled general demographic would better fit your mentality. Best of luck.</p>
<p>I’m sorry that you are having a difficult experience, but I just want to note that my son is currently a sophomore at Conn College and just loves it. In fact, a friend of his just transferred to Conn from Cornell and is exhilarated at the close-knit, warm community at Conn, which seemed to be so lacking at Cornell. We are barely middle class and my son has a good financial aid package, but he has never felt any sort of discrimination. So many factors can influence one’s social experience or expectations at a college, but my husband and I continue to be thrilled and gratified by the academic excellence and many friends that our son has found at Conn College–we just look at each other and say: best decision he ever made.</p>
<p>Agree with Casaverde. Our son loves Conn. “best decision he ever made”. The close-knit, warm community at Conn he has made some tremendous friendships which along with the intellectual challenge of the school itself has made it a “home run”!</p>