<p>My daughter has been disappointed with the lack of diversity at some of the small liberal arts colleges she’s been accepted to. She comes from a very diverse (economically, racially, linguistically) public high school in the northeast, and we have attended accepted student days at schools where we were struck by how outwardly similar all the students seemed (and the accepted students, too). Once you get to know people as individuals it becomes somewhat less important, of course, but it is still an important factor in her decision-making process. We haven’t visited Goucher yet, but it sounds like her kind of school in every way except possibly for the diversity issue. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>You can get information on diversity, I believe, by looking at the Common Data Set, a document prepared by each college. You can find it most easily through google.</p>
<p>Wintriest: As is indicated in the post above, the diversity statistics are available on the internet, and while I do not know the exact numbers, I’m sure you can find them on Google. As you acknowledged, like a lot of small Liberal Arts schools, Goucher isn’t very racially or socioeconomically diverse. It’s high tuition cost and small endowment simply doesn’t allow for that. Somebody once told me that Goucher has a “different kind of diversity,” which I think is pretty apt. It is the most open, LGBT-friendly place imaginable, and the students here are mostly very “different” individuals (anybody who has applied to the school has probably heard the word “quirky” attached to it). But statistically, as I think I mentioned in an earlier post, yes, the student body is made up of mostly white, mostly Jewish, mostly upper-class kids, and that’s more or less the situation at the overwhelming majority of LAC’s right now. It’s something to consider.</p>
<p>Thanks Shulamit and ci0616. We have the stats from all my daughter’s schools and Goucher is somewhat in the middle in terms of diversity. Interestingly, the women’s colleges seem to be much more successful at recruiting students of all backgrounds (except for men, of course). We’re visiting Goucher later this month, so she’ll be able to see for herself whether or not she feel comfortable there. It sounds like a great fit so far.</p>
<p>My son will be visiting on April 5, admitted students day. We went for a tour last summer but things were pretty empty. He likes the male-female ratio. 
He’s half-hispanic.</p>
<p>We’re just back from a visit. The male-female ratio didn’t seem that noticeable–most LACs have lopsided ratios anyway. In terms of diversity, which as I mentioned above has been a concern at other schools, Goucher seemed to have a nice mix. Our tour guide was a Latina from CA. She said it was a bit of an adjustment to be in an environment with fewer Latino students than her public HS, but she didn’t feel uncomfortable at Goucher. The school’s still definitely on D’s list. She enjoyed the class she attended and thought the students in it were super friendly. Food was great. Freshman dorm not so much. The Atheneum, where H and I hung out during her class visit, was an amazing building–what all 21st century libraries should be like. It’s going to be hard to decide!</p>
<p>The subject of merit aid has come up, so just wanted to jump in and say my D applied EA and got a full scholarship. A friend also was accepted RD and got a full scholarship, so it is possible. We (the parents especially) are grateful because we would not be able to afford it otherwise. Good luck to everyone!</p>