Are you familiar with Muhlenberg College?

[Anonymous]

I would imagine the location of the school would factor into your decision. Pittsburgh is like 1000x more interesting for a college student than Allentown.

I realize the city is maybe not a factor Freshman year because college is this great new experience. But, once your DD starts looking to branch out she will find little to nothing in Allentown.

[Anonymous]

OP Just as a side note, I attended one of the top music conservatories in the country in their pre-college program (weekly lessons over several years) and I have to tell you, "quirky" and unusual is what the best musicians mostly are - the prodigies, the stand outs, all weirdos. And I use those words with pride. Just something for your DD to consider if she is serious about pursuing music.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid was also accepted to Muhlenberg. I have heard it is good for kids with anxiety, which I interpret to mean it is small and supportive. It doesn’t mean every kid who goes there is quirky or has anxiety, but it makes sense that kids who value that would choose a small school. FWIW my son will probably go elsewhere as he has higher ranked and better fitting options. He does have an IEP in HS and takes meds—he also has higher SAT scores than your kid, which I say only because I find your tone a little belittling, even though I get your concerns. A school where theater is the biggest major is going to have a lot of quirky kids but to my mind that’s the theater thing, not SN.

PP, TY for your comments. For a parent of a student who appears fairly immersed in the arts, the OP seems fairly clueless on the culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid was also accepted to Muhlenberg. I have heard it is good for kids with anxiety, which I interpret to mean it is small and supportive. It doesn’t mean every kid who goes there is quirky or has anxiety, but it makes sense that kids who value that would choose a small school. FWIW my son will probably go elsewhere as he has higher ranked and better fitting options. He does have an IEP in HS and takes meds—he also has higher SAT scores than your kid, which I say only because I find your tone a little belittling, even though I get your concerns. A school where theater is the biggest major is going to have a lot of quirky kids but to my mind that’s the theater thing, not SN.

Hi. OP here. I am sorry if you found my tone belittling. That wasn't my intent at all.. Congrats to your kid.

So you are only sorry if someone found it belittling? Perhaps own your bias. Your DC will be better for it.

[Anonymous]

If you look on Niche.com in the section “What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?” the top answer for Muhlenberg is “Nice but weird.” Out of only 28 responses. This vibe would appeal to my kids but maybe it’s not for everyone. (Could also be a stereotype on the part of people who don’t actually go there.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid was also accepted to Muhlenberg. I have heard it is good for kids with anxiety, which I interpret to mean it is small and supportive. It doesn’t mean every kid who goes there is quirky or has anxiety, but it makes sense that kids who value that would choose a small school. FWIW my son will probably go elsewhere as he has higher ranked and better fitting options. He does have an IEP in HS and takes meds—he also has higher SAT scores than your kid, which I say only because I find your tone a little belittling, even though I get your concerns. A school where theater is the biggest major is going to have a lot of quirky kids but to my mind that’s the theater thing, not SN.

Hi. OP here. I am sorry if you found my tone belittling. That wasn't my intent at all.. Congrats to your kid.

NP, your non-apology apology suggests a real lack of self-awareness. You might want to re-read this part of your post to understand why your tone *was* belittling.

DD has been in school with many kids with IEP plans, meds, problems. Yes, it is sad in this day and age that kids have this, but she doesn't. She came away from the zoom feeling like Muhlenberg might be a place where quirky kids go who cannot handle bigger places and need a lot of support. She does know several kids who go who are kinda quirky and odd. DD wants to be with different folks.. She loves the arts but doesn't want to be in a school with solely funky arts people.

She takes pride in herself and it made her feel she was accepted to a second rate place. I don't mean to insult Muhlenberg or those who have kids there. I guess I am a little worried too.

You and your kid think it’s “sad” that kids have “IEP plans, meds, problems” and that “quirky” kids only go to “second-rate” schools. And all of this off of one question from one kid at an info session. Some self-reflection is in order, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would imagine the location of the school would factor into your decision. Pittsburgh is like 1000x more interesting for a college student than Allentown.

I realize the city is maybe not a factor Freshman year because college is this great new experience. But, once your DD starts looking to branch out she will find little to nothing in Allentown.

+1
Pitt looked like a great option to me too because of location. I personally would vote for Pitt (or W&M spring admit if you're considering that). Pitt is one of the smaller big universities on your list.

That said, being in music/theater will absorb a lot of free time where others would be "exploring" the town around their school--so it may be great for focus to be in a place like Allentown where there's not much outside of it.

Ultimately it's your daughter's choice though--I would just help her weigh the pros and cons of each of her options in a more systematic way rather than going with vague fears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you look on Niche.com in the section “What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?” the top answer for Muhlenberg is “Nice but weird.” Out of only 28 responses. This vibe would appeal to my kids but maybe it’s not for everyone. (Could also be a stereotype on the part of people who don’t actually go there.)

+1 Interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP Just as a side note, I attended one of the top music conservatories in the country in their pre-college program (weekly lessons over several years) and I have to tell you, "quirky" and unusual is what the best musicians mostly are - the prodigies, the stand outs, all weirdos. And I use those words with pride. Just something for your DD to consider if she is serious about pursuing music.

+1 And she knows that and loves that about musicians, theater types, etc. She went to music camp and loved it. Because those folks were most accepting. But she also tells me "I want to go to school with other types too".

[Anonymous]

My senior has an IEP for adhd and slow processing, and is extremely social and not at all quirky. She also is great student who just missed National Merit Semifinalist status. It seems both you and your daughter need to be more open minded on that front.

[Anonymous]

I know a girl who goes there. Top student, no learning issues. Her focus is vocal performance and Jewish studies. She loves it -- great community, demanding academically and artistically. The performing arts are strong and very competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My senior has an IEP for adhd and slow processing, and is extremely social and not at all quirky. She also is great student who just missed National Merit Semifinalist status. It seems both you and your daughter need to be more open minded on that front.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid was also accepted to Muhlenberg. I have heard it is good for kids with anxiety, which I interpret to mean it is small and supportive. It doesn’t mean every kid who goes there is quirky or has anxiety, but it makes sense that kids who value that would choose a small school. FWIW my son will probably go elsewhere as he has higher ranked and better fitting options. He does have an IEP in HS and takes meds—he also has higher SAT scores than your kid, which I say only because I find your tone a little belittling, even though I get your concerns. A school where theater is the biggest major is going to have a lot of quirky kids but to my mind that’s the theater thing, not SN.

Hi. OP here. I am sorry if you found my tone belittling. That wasn't my intent at all.. Congrats to your kid.

NP, your non-apology apology suggests a real lack of self-awareness. You might want to re-read this part of your post to understand why your tone *was* belittling.

DD has been in school with many kids with IEP plans, meds, problems. Yes, it is sad in this day and age that kids have this, but she doesn't. She came away from the zoom feeling like Muhlenberg might be a place where quirky kids go who cannot handle bigger places and need a lot of support. She does know several kids who go who are kinda quirky and odd. DD wants to be with different folks.. She loves the arts but doesn't want to be in a school with solely funky arts people.

She takes pride in herself and it made her feel she was accepted to a second rate place. I don't mean to insult Muhlenberg or those who have kids there. I guess I am a little worried too.

You and your kid think it’s “sad” that kids have “IEP plans, meds, problems” and that “quirky” kids only go to “second-rate” schools. And all of this off of one question from one kid at an info session. Some self-reflection is in order, OP.

+1 oooof . Too much caffeine...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard nothing but good feedback on Muhlenberg. I would agree the very few kids I've known who went are fairly quirky (lovely and smart, too)--but I don't know if they represent the norm at all. But they love their school and it seems like a place where people thrive.

Is she interested in W&M's spring admit program for waitlisted students? That might be a great option for her--go abroad for the fall with their partner program and then start at W&M in the spring. There are so many popular acapella groups at W&M, so that would be an easy social "in" for her if she were worried about missing fall (in addition to the supports for the spring admit cohort the school provides as well as friendships from study abroad).

Adding: I am recommending this because of the mid-size of W&M and the "very together" type of student seems aligned with what you mentioned about her. She might also love Pitt if she wants a more lively urban environment.

HI. OP here. YES! The size of W&M AND the robust music department were very intriguing, so she applied there. Bummer - got put on waitlist and her buddies got in. And yes, we are thinking of the fall semester options for that but DD has to be on board. For her, it is psychologically tough because her friends are going off to school in the fall and she would be going to community college or to study abroad (which wasn't really in the cards). It's an option though, and 3.5 months is nothing. And yes, PITT is in the mix. Thanks for your supportive post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would imagine the location of the school would factor into your decision. Pittsburgh is like 1000x more interesting for a college student than Allentown.

I realize the city is maybe not a factor Freshman year because college is this great new experience. But, once your DD starts looking to branch out she will find little to nothing in Allentown.

+1
Pitt looked like a great option to me too because of location. I personally would vote for Pitt (or W&M spring admit if you're considering that). Pitt is one of the smaller big universities on your list.

That said, being in music/theater will absorb a lot of free time where others would be "exploring" the town around their school--so it may be great for focus to be in a place like Allentown where there's not much outside of it.

Ultimately it's your daughter's choice though--I would just help her weigh the pros and cons of each of her options in a more systematic way rather than going with vague fears.

Although, Pittsburgh is going to have way more actual theatre (large touring productions and small fringe stuff) happening for DD to attend. Also, CMU's theatre program is like #1 in the country...I don't know, but suspect Pitt gets some halo effects from that in terms of agents and other industry professionals visiting Pittsburgh.