If money was no object, what would you do?

[Anonymous]

child has applied to a number of small liberal art colleges. They have got into safeties like goucher, ursinus and Allegheny and awaiting Haverford, Kenyon, Denison, w&m (fingers crossed)

If money was no object, would you advise them to pick a Haverford over a Kenyon or ursinus?

They are smart with a lot of potential and I want them surrounded by other students who challenge them and also opportunities in terms of internships etc, whereas the spouse thinks 'any school is fine'.
I am having a hard time articulating why I think it's important for them to go to a place that challenges them more. In terms of stats, 1460 sat and top 10% of high school class.
What do you honestly think and why?

[Anonymous]

Of course I’d choose Haverford over lesser schools….how’s this even a question.

[Anonymous]

What school does your child want?

Mine loved Haverford, but it is unique (very small, tight community, Quaker philosophy, honor code, faculty live on campus, etc).

Instead of you and your husband deciding what you what...where does your child think he/she would be happy?

[Anonymous]

Culturally these schools are pretty different. My (possibly incorrect) impression of Haverford is a lot of preppy kids who sail in the summer vs Kenyon is more leftist and hippie. What does your kid think? I think you really need to do more campus touring, these schools are similar in ranking but not very similar otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course I’d choose Haverford over lesser schools….how’s this even a question.

+1

[Anonymous]

OP here. Child is absolutely ambivalent and says would be happy anywhere and didn't want to tour any place till they got in. We might see Ursinus this winter (except omicron now ugh)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course I’d choose Haverford over lesser schools….how’s this even a question.

Can you sat why? Is it just a better school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course I’d choose Haverford over lesser schools….how’s this even a question.

Can you sat why? Is it just a better school?

*Say

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Culturally these schools are pretty different. My (possibly incorrect) impression of Haverford is a lot of preppy kids who sail in the summer vs Kenyon is more leftist and hippie. What does your kid think? I think you really need to do more campus touring, these schools are similar in ranking but not very similar otherwise.

I have not heard it is preppy? If anything, more academic and nerdy? Am I wrong?

[Anonymous]

Money is no object for us and I'd let the kid pick where he wants to go. Presumably, you vetted the list. The differential between the life outcomes of a Kenyon grad and a Haverford grad have got to be minuscule. My DD is at Haverford, BTW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Money is no object for us and I'd let the kid pick where he wants to go. Presumably, you vetted the list. The differential between the life outcomes of a Kenyon grad and a Haverford grad have got to be minuscule. My DD is at Haverford, BTW.

Thanks. We looked at the list but they and counselor made the list together based on their interests (writing, comp sci, small school etc).

What about a ursinus. They gave a substantial scholarship and that makes the kid feel they are really valued at that school. This is all so confusing.

[Anonymous]

I would take them to visit and then let them decide. The name of the school is far less important than where they will be happy and successful. Haven't even heard of some of those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would take them to visit and then let them decide. The name of the school is far less important than where they will be happy and successful. Haven't even heard of some of those schools.

🙌 Great advice. Also hadn't heard of almost all of these before this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Money is no object for us and I'd let the kid pick where he wants to go. Presumably, you vetted the list. The differential between the life outcomes of a Kenyon grad and a Haverford grad have got to be minuscule. My DD is at Haverford, BTW.

Thanks. We looked at the list but they and counselor made the list together based on their interests (writing, comp sci, small school etc).

What about a ursinus. They gave a substantial scholarship and that makes the kid feel they are really valued at that school. This is all so confusing.

I have two in college now so am a recent veteran of the application process. My honest advice is to table the decision-making until all of the results are in. Then sit down and have a conversation weighing the pros and cons of each. Usually, the right college reveals itself.

[Anonymous]

Those are some great schools. I don't know that I'd put Haverford ahead of the rest - it's a very small school and it has had a tumultuous couple of years. W&M, Kenyon, and Denison are all really strong too. I'd start talking pros/cons with him - does he care about weather? Proximity to home? Some Greek life or none? Which one might be stronger for whatever he wants to study?