Why does Clark not get the love?

I’m curious why Clark University is not on the radar for more students. I see American, Fordham and especially Northeastern on many student’s lists, but rarely Clark. It has the small class size, the Liberal Arts education, study abroad, undergrad research options, even a 3-2 Engineering program with Columbia. Although USNWR ranks the other schools higher (which I realize is an unreliable source), Clark’s rankings in Forbes is very competitive and they are a best buy in multiple lists. And, of course, they are one of the “Colleges that Change Lives.” Their acceptance rate dropped to around 50% this year, so they are getting a bit more selective. Their Traina Scholars program seems similar to an Honors program. What am I missing other than location?

They still have a large portion of students who might be in the bottom half of their high school class??? It’s just a guess.

I don’t think that’s true. 34% of last year’s freshman class were top 10%.

Clark offers only arts and sciences and business. Worcester is a sleepy mid sized city. No, you cannot easily go to Boston for the nightlife! The student profile at Clark is middling based on the common data set compared to the other schools mentioned.

^I agree this is the reason… education and other qualities are good…

We visited, and my daughters were really put off by the area. You just never get away from feeling as if you’re in a bad part of the city.

We loved Clark! The students were so nice and interesting. The faculty were attentive- the class he sat in on was great. The town was actually a plus for the son- particularly for volunteer opportunities. The campus itself had some gorgeous buildings. Lots of opportunities.

Clark is not located in the best neighborhood of Worcester, and I am sure that turns off visiting students and families. Students have been mugged off campus.

I agree with the OP. My daughter has a 4.32 average and was accepted to some fine institutions. She was awarded the Traina Scholarship.

Worcester is not as bad as people make it out to be. The university has taken many steps to insure the safety of it’s students.

There is nothing “middling” about a college that ranks somewhere in the 70s among US Colleges and Universities. There are over 3000 colleges and universities in the US. How is that “the middle”? Average students do not apply to Clark.

Students can be mugged on any campus. In any city.

I would never put Fordham and Clark in the same category on any level. One is a Catholic commutator school that serves largely first generation students. Rose Hill in the Bronx is a truly scary area.

Who shows Clark love? Academics and students who are and have attended there. Excellent professors, generous finacial aid, open, accepting, slightly quirky with out being a Bard or a Bennington. There’s lots to love.
Worcester has some fine architecture and Clark’s campus is compact with some beautiful buildings. The North side of campus abuts the Worcester historic district, which is safe pleasant and walkable.

Clark had the largest and most competitive application pool that it has had in years. Clark has a beautiful campus and an unparallelled faculty. We love that it is near Boston, but not in it. Worcester offers amazing volunteer opportunities. My wife had a life changing experience as a Big Sister to an underprivileged child. She has life long friends and connections.

We are proud that our daughter will be entering Clark this fall.

Great school with empowered kids. That part of town shouldn’t be a show stopper and isn’t, for so many. I know grads and a prof there, plus a few who formerly worked in admin. No complaints from them.