Connecticut College
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Anonymous
| Any alums or parents of recent students? DD just added this school to her list. She’s interested in double majoring in biology and dance. This is the only SLAC on her list and she’ll need lots of merit aid to make it work. WGPA 4.7 from MCPS. Strong virtual audition. Test optional. What’s the culture like? She’s nervous about a small school feeling cliquey and isolated. |
Anonymous
| One big plus: ED provides a MASSIVE advantage to a domestic applicanr. I encourage you to listen to Conn's admissions director's multiple podcasts. Provides a lot of insight on the type of student attracted to it. |
Anonymous
| My son is a first-year there and loves it. I think top students can get $34K per year in merit aid, but I don’t think anyone gets more than that. It’s a really friendly place, with a very intentional advising program. A lot of kids aren’t thrilled with the dorms or food, but he ate dinner at Bowdoin (which is reputed to have good food) last month and said he thought Conn had more variety. It’s not too small for him, but I think that is going to be kid-dependent. |
Anonymous
| Didn’t YCBK podcast cover this school recently |
Anonymous
| Yes, they definitely do give out 34K merit scholarships. I’ve heard it’s a supportive and kind community in spite (or maybe because of) of its small size and we felt that as we toured a few years ago. Main complaints were college town lacking, and food options were not great. DC almost went there,and someimes wishes they had. |
Anonymous
|
There are much better options out there, for kids with OKish grades and ECs looking for a small college experience.
Conn has long been the academic and athletic doormat of the NESCAC, and the school has unfortunately integrated that loser status into its programs and overall vibe. Doesn't help that its physical plant is dated. Or that drinking remains the main weekend activity (with the weekend starting on Tuesday for some). Great place for New England boarding school students who were rejected everywhere else, but can't imagine going there from DC. |
Anonymous
This is really an uninformed post with a clear agenda, who apparently hasn’t even visited the beautiful campus. It’s not Williams and doesn’t claim to be, but it has all the hallmarks of the NESCAC and is more suited for students with an artistic vibe, especially in music or dance. As pointed out above, it is one of only two NESCACs that give merit aid, and they give it freely. Student life is much better since they replaced the president a few years ago. It’s better academically than 80-90% of the LACs in the US. No college is right for everyone. Good choice for aspirational students and merit aid makes it an excellent low match/safety for strong applicants. Visit and decide for yourself. If you are going to other nescacs and ivies you’ll be nearby. |
Anonymous
Do you really think it's a beautiful campus? You need to get out more. And it's giving merit because no one thinks it's worth the full price. |
Anonymous
What hallmarks of an NESCAC school does it have? It's a small college and it's in New England. Anything else? |
Anonymous
I mean, I don't agree with most of what you wrote, but I'll comment just to contest your allegation that Conn is the athletic doormat of the NESCAC. For example, Conn's men's soccer team won the NESCAC championship this year and is currently in the D3 final four. It won the national championship three years ago. And the women's cross country team was one of only 36 teams that qualified for nationals. One of its swimmers won two national championships last year. Williams, Amherst, Tufts and Middlebury tend to pretty consistently be at the top of the athletic barrel, but beyond that you can't really distinguish between the NESCAC schools w/r/t athletic success. |
Anonymous
Did you not see the arboretum? It is gorgeous. |
Anonymous
| I'm an alum and DD, who wants a northeastern SLAC, is applying. I have fond memories of my experience. When I was there in the 90s, most of the social life took place on campus. I always found there was plenty to do, and did not run out of new people to meet over 4 years, but I think that probably depends on the individual. The Dance department is excellent, so it's certainly a good choice for that. DD especially likes how easy it is for non-majors to be involved in music. Private music lessons are included in tuition regardless of major. There are also a lot of campus bands, and of course, acapella. Going off campus, it's nice to have a car. When I visited recently, our tour guide told us that students get a certain number of free Lyft rides each semester. I often went to Mystic, which is a 10-15 minute drive. New London is kind of gritty, but there are some good restaurants and in the warmer weather months Ocean Beach. There is a train station in New London served by Amtrak and commuter line, so it's possible to take the train to Boston, Providence or New York. It would be easy enough to Lyft or Uber to train station. Campus itself is beautiful and buildings seem in good repair (we've definitely seem some schools that have infrastructure issues and this is not one of them). My impression of current students is that they are engaged but less intense than students at some of the more selective northeastern SLACs, so maybe a friendlier, more relaxed school. |
Anonymous
| There's a Connecticut College? Never heard of it. |
Anonymous
You can also take a train to Washington, D.C. without having to transfer. Amtrak Northeast Regional trains running from D.C. to Boston usually stop in New London. |
Anonymous
Yes it is a beautiful campus, notably so, with architecture copied from Princeton and sweeping views of long island sound. Are you sure you are talking about the right Connecticut college? |