<p>Please help! DD has been accepted to both schools and has received equal scholarships to both. She has visited both and likes both. Which school has a better reputation? name recognition? study abroad opportunities? etc....Any opinions about these 2 schools would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>They are both great schools! My daughter preferred Wooster for the diversity of its students and nicer town. I think the academics are similar as is the size. If you are an environmental science major I think Allegheny would be stronger. I went to Allegheny and it was great for me. If your daughter can’t decide, she may want to attend the accepted students weekend at both schools and she where she feels more comfortable. Good luck!</p>
<p>I’m a prospective student who will likely be attending Allegheny. I did overnights at both Allegheny and Wooster and had completely different experiences. </p>
<p>Wooster, first off, seems really remote. Coming from a city, I felt stranded. Wooster didn’t seem very organized when I was there. The students I talked to seemed really indifferent about their school. There wasn’t much school spirit I encountered. It seemed to be full of kids who didn’t get into their top-choice schools. They seemed to be stuck with Wooster. The campus was pretty dead. I thought there would be activities going on but all they had planned for the prospective students was a movie. I watched my host go on Facebook all evening. It was horrible. There was no one walking around even though it was nice out. I attended two classes in the morning and while the professors were good, the students weren’t paying much attention. They were browsing the internet. The academics at Wooster seemed kind of limited, too. They put too much stress on the senior project which isn’t really unique at all. Wooster just seemed to be a safety school for everyone there. It was my least favorite school I attended and though they are giving me a huge scholarship, I definitely will not be attending there. It’s full of dispassionate students who just sit in their dorm rooms on their laptops all the time. </p>
<p>My experience at Allegheny was amazing. I attended the Trustee Scholar weekend a few weeks ago and it was a terrific experience. Allegheny was very efficient in organizing the weekend and provided lots of activities. I saw a band play and a famous comedian and there were still plenty of things I had to miss out on. My host and the other Allegheny students I hung out with were very friendly and passionate about their “usual combinations”. There seemed to be a lot of great areas of academics and the professors I met were really friendly and helpful. The students all are extremely involved in campus. Lots of Type-A personalities who seek positions of leadership and take advantage of opportunities. The types of people at Allegheny also seemed more diverse: lots of artsy kids, but lots of athletes, too. And everyone seemed to be really friendly and accepting. Definitely an open-minded campus. I just really loved my experience at Allegheny overall. The worst part of Meadville has to be the weather, but I can get over that. All of these factors and the huge scholarship I received are the reasons I will probably be a part of the 2016 Class of Allegheny. </p>
<p>I will answer any questions I can.</p>
<p>Wow Anniefab. I am sorry to hear that you had a bad visit at Wooster. My daughter is a freshman at Wooster and she has had an amazing experience. She loves the social, academic and athletic life. We could not be happier. I have been to several sports events and there is a lot of school spirit. I wonder if you had a bad host. </p>
<p>As an Allegheny alumni, I am happy that you had a good visit. It sounds like Allegheny is the school for you. I am surprised that you prefer Meadville. As much as I love Allegheny, the town is not a selling point. Wooster has a lot more going on both in the old section and the newer section. It is also closer to an airport which makes is easier for my daughter to commute home over breaks.</p>
<p>My S is a junior at Allegheny. We looked at both and got scholarships from both. Although Wooster certainly had a larger town nearby than Meadville/Allegheny, Wooster as a school was in not impressive. It just did not gel with any of us. Allegheny, sitting in the middle of no where in sixteen inches of snow was warm, inviting and felt at home for my son. And it has remained that way. I will say, allegheny. Is a challenging school, like nothing I have ever seen. I am confident that he has received an excellent education and wonderful opportunities. I would highly recommend.</p>
<p>Thanks All for the comments. We did recently attend the trustee scholars weekend at Allegheny and I can agree wholeheartedly with what Anniefab wrote regarding her Allegheny weekend. It was excellent and our D really loved it there. They didn’t miss a thing and we walked away with a great feeling about Allegheny. Although our D has been accepted with a scholarship, we are a little concerned about the academic workload there. However, it sounds like all the kids manage it pretty well. </p>
<p>We are planning to fly out to Wooster for their upcoming accepted students weekend to see how D feels on their campus. I believe the weekends and the overnites definitely help make the decision. </p>
<p>Can anyone speak to the Allegheny workload? How difficult is it, etc? Also, is it still a great option for someone who does not plan to major in any of the pre-professional programs?</p>
<p>I think both colleges are know for their academic rigor. I found Allegheny’s workload challenging but manageable. I was a double math/economics major with an art history minor. That was some time ago but I have been back at least five times recently for reunions and college trips and the workload seems to be about the same.</p>
<p>Wooster is know for their mentored undergraduate research and senior year Independent Study. My daughter is finding the work challenging and she is coming out of a very challenging high school. </p>
<p>I think your daughter will know after she does a revisit what fells best to her. My daughter applied ED to Wooster after her fall overnight. Wooster felt like home to her. </p>
<p>We have three kids in college now. One at an Ivy League, One at a well known Catholic University and One at Wooster. All three love their schools for different reasons. In the end, if cost is not in the equation, let them choose the place that is the best fit for them! Good luck!</p>
<p>Interesting comments. My daughter has been accepted to Wooster and they have made a very aggressive offer. We are going to be attending the Accepted Students visit April 15-16 (we already visited once…it did seem quiet). I don’t think my D is sold on Wooster because she wanted something bigger. She has also been accepted to Elon and Loyola MD and she loved those schools, but Wooster is our lowest net cost (I have 3 more daughters after this one!). I am impressed with the IS and the school and Wooster is closer to us than Elon. However my D has to be happy and I do worry if there will be enough to entertain her. I feel like I am the one pushing Wooster, I guess we will have to see how the experience is on the overnight.</p>
<p>Did you enroll at Allegheny? If so, how has your experience been so far? Would you please describe the average female student there in just a couple of words? (Thanks! My daughter is looking at the school more closely.)</p>
<p>Sorry, forgot to address the person. I am new at this! I responded to anniefab.</p>
<p>I cannot speak for Allegheny but my daughter went to Wooster and graduated in May 12. It was the best years of her life and she is transformed into a confident, smart young lady. It was the best decision of her life. She enjoyed the independent study and has landed a job but wants to attend graduate school eventually. I can’t say enough good things about Wooster!</p>
<p>Interesting. Allegheny & Wooster were both on expatSon’s 12-school tour. They had similarities and differences. He applied (and was accepted) to CoW, but chose not to even apply to Allegheny. I didn’t delve.</p>