Beware of Small Liberal Arts Colleges if you're not on a sport
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Anonymous
| We are at a NESCAC and don't want to get specific because I think it's the same everywhere.But a warning to those of you looking at colleges that if you're not on a team or in a singing group or theatre group, your social life will be trying to find those few others on campus who aren't affiliated with a big team or club. The club activities are not steady enough to create any kind of real bond. And the teams are so exclusionary -- they eat together and party together. It sucks. We were attracted to these schools because of their size, but they wind up feeling like high school, only less mingling. |
Anonymous
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You really ought to name the school because there are so many threads around these issues which clearly establish that it's NOT THE SAME everywhere. I'm also a little confused by the fact that you say "we are at a NESCAC" - are you a parent or college student trolling DCUM.
In any case several of us have posted the various NARP threads that seem to pop up regularly that this is not an issue at a number of SLACS including at least some NESCAC schools. |
Anonymous
| NP - what's a NARP? |
Anonymous
I hate perpetuate this annoying acronym but nonathlete regular person |
Anonymous
| This is why Greek life existed in the past. It faded or was banned at many schools for good reason (binge drinking, hazing, misogyny) but it filled the social void for those not on sports teams, outing club, acapela groups, etc. At SLACs, nothing has really worked to replace it. I think a lot of kids would enjoy the UK “college” concept, where you apply and are assigned to a residential community. Another alternative would be co-ed res communities that self-select after freshman year. But, whatever exists isn’t working. Kid is having same experience at another SLAC; the only bar that served underage kids shut down permanently, and now kids are trying to hang out outside in lawn chairs at 20 degrees. This one has some Greek life left, so that will eventually be an option… but it feels very broken. |
Anonymous
| New poster but neighbor just complained about this with her child who is in a selective Liberal Arts college who doesn't play sports, isn't into theater or music. She said it is even harder to make friends if your child is not religious. There were fraternities for jewish students, several Christian clubs, Catholic group, etc. Her child is looking to transfer to a flagship state school. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Will look for those other threads. Didn't realize there were so many. |
Anonymous
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Child is a non-athlete at a NESCAC school and is having the time of their life. They have made friends during Freshman orientation trips, Outing Club trips, club sports, music and several academic clubs. They are also hoping to live in a College House next year (this college's answer to no Greek Life).
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Anonymous
| It’s a bigger problem for guys ime |
Anonymous
We discussed this at length here https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1170657.page like last week. If you actually want to be helpful you could name the school and describe your kid’s experience in there. |
Anonymous
There’s another one here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1154719.page |
Anonymous
| I know a kid at Bowdoin who had this issue and is trying to transfer out. |
Anonymous
They didn’t do their homework before attending. Parents are ridiculous sending kids to these schools. |
Anonymous
SLACs are like prep schools (even if you’re talking Oberlin, Grinnel, etc) in that they are for JOINERS. Not that? Go to a large school. |
Anonymous
| My DH, myself and DS all went to/currently attend highly selective liberal arts colleges and none of us were or are athletes. It was not an issue for any of us. My DS is having a great experience and would not have enjoyed a larger school nearly as much. To him, the sports are a non-issue. |