Sewanee . . . thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I met some students from there who were visiting my school. I got the impression that it's a "walled garden". It has a dress code of sorts for going to class, and is big on its honor code. Someone who would need focused attention to succeed in college would do well there.

I think the "The" part of "The University of the South" is because it was the main Episcopal University & Seminary for the Southern Dioceses at one time.

[Anonymous]

Where do most Sewanne grads find jobs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent and a professor, I have a slightly different take on choosing schools for my kids. I tend to look at specific programs, things like whether the faculty are active scholars and researchers in their areas of expertise, how often faculty publish with students, where the faculty got their doctorates, how much room there is for the development of innovative curricula and programs and whether the endowment is big enough to support occasionally taking a gamble to put together a program that may or may not work, whether there's enough money to support things like study abroad, and I do also look at things like student diversity and how recruitment takes place. The faculty at Sewanee are every bit as impressive as those at any East Coast LAC. Most top scholars today would consider this as a terrific job to get out of graduate school -- provided they weren't looking to teach at a research university.

I find it so funny that people on these fora are obsessed with finding a school so prestigious that their neighbors will keel over when they hear the name and that they use questionable metrics like 'how many Asians attend this school' as the best way to make their choices. Or the particular name of the particular school -- though if you check College Confidential, you'll also hear parents lamenting the fact that a kid doesn't want to go to a school called "Harvey Mudd" and the like.

I'd urge you to establish your own private metric of what matters to you when choosing a school and then to do the research that you need to do to see which school fits you, your family and your finances.

You are far too sane, reasonable and knowledgeable to be allowed to post anything further on this topic. You are hereby ordered to cease and desist from posting anything other than the following comments:

1) the only "good schools" are "Top Ivies";
2) no private school is worth the money -- everyone must attend a state school;
3) all SLACs are preppy, elitist and a waste of money
4) any school located outside of New England and the Mid-Atlantic is strictly for losers
5) all state schools are strictly for losers
5) selectivity in admissions is the only criterion important in evaluating a college

If you post anything deviating from the above sanctioned views, you will be banished from DCUM!

We are looking for a university that meets all of these criteria - even the two 5s. Any suggestions other than homeschooling? We would consider the latter but for the fact that we've had to homeschool for the last 13 years because we were told to avoid any schools that either had ESOL, FARMS or minority students or, conversely, were "lily white."

[Anonymous]

An excellent SLAC with some of the features of a larger University. Very old-school, Episcopal, socially conservative environment. Before even considering it, you need to bear in mind just how geographically remote it is. It is not in an incorporated town; the nearest one is Tullahoma, TN. If you are used literally any even exurban conveniences or proximities, this might not be the perfect place.

[Anonymous]

Many reports indicate that the drinking at this school is completely out-of-control. Yes, even more so than the typical college campus. Likely due to the remote location. Not much else to do but get drunk.

[Anonymous]

Why so conservative if Episcopalian?

[Anonymous]

It's not that conservative. It's just more comservative than schools in the ne. It's the students from the south that skew right, not the professors or the admin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do most Sewanne grads find jobs?

I met a graduate who worked for the Red Cross.

[Anonymous]

"Many reports indicate that the drinking at this school is completely out-of-control. Yes, even more so than the typical college campus. Likely due to the remote location. Not much else to do but get drunk."
[Report Post]

I have a child at Sewanee. I do not think that drinking is "out of control" there, but I do find it irresponsible to post something without attribution. By the way, "many reports" is not a supported statement.

The students have fun on campus and it is not unusual for the students to have big parties at the fraternity/sorority houses. This is just like most colleges in my experience. The Vice-Chancellor (the Sewanee equivalent of the President of the college) is a leading voice on lowering the drinking age. His logic is quite sound, but it is contrary to the MADD point of view.

Sewanee is not unlike some NESCAC schools, but it is in the South and grits are served more frequently. Very happy with the education my kid has received.

[Anonymous]

Sewanee participates in the Posse program. It funds a full rise.

[Anonymous]

Would a Jewish kid feel comfortable there?

[Anonymous]

I think for any student who isn't white/preppy/fratty/southern/Christian, their experience is going to depend on their personality. A kid who can get along with anyone and isn't bother by insensitive remarks (accidental or purposeful) or who was successful in a similar high school environment will probably do fine. I work with low-income, first-generation students, and I would not rec Sewanee to them.

[Anonymous]

More and more kids I know are treating this as a first choice ED than a safety, which is what I saw it as 15 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Is the drinking at this school excessive?

[Anonymous]

No offense, but if you leave the south and the DC bubble you'll find that virtually nobody has even heard of Sewanee. That's fine if you're planning on seeking employment in those areas but you'll get more than a few blank stares elsewhere. And to compare Sewanee to the NESCACs or other highly competitive LACs is simply ignorant.