Connecticut College

[Anonymous]

We took a tour. It was a dreary day and campus was clearing out for break, so we are giving it the benefit of the doubt. But it fell to the bottom of the list, to be most likely crossed off as we look at more schools.

I really wanted to like it, so I have no agenda. Things we liked:
1) we went to the Arts Building first and then the auditorium which showed its commitment to the arts and hasn’t happened on other tours

2) Our tour guide was a good representation of the school. Not warm and fuzzy or cool, but responsible and informative and a good, smart kid.

3) curriculum and some unique options not seen at other schools

Didn’t like:
1) soccer fields in the middle of the school grounds
2) surrounding town
3) campus felt really small compared to peers
4) some buildings seemed run down. My husband and I immediately started googling their endowment because of wat we saw. A rotting window sill and pillar on a building. A water stain on ceiling leading to the basement cafeteria.

Bottom line - visit, preferably on a nice sunny day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a Connecticut College? Never heard of it.

Super small. Very little name recognition

[Anonymous]

You have a better chance if you are a pre-med hoping to go to medical school by going to Connecticut College than if you go to UVA.

Otherwise, might be better options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We took a tour. It was a dreary day and campus was clearing out for break, so we are giving it the benefit of the doubt. But it fell to the bottom of the list, to be most likely crossed off as we look at more schools.

I really wanted to like it, so I have no agenda. Things we liked:
1) we went to the Arts Building first and then the auditorium which showed its commitment to the arts and hasn’t happened on other tours

2) Our tour guide was a good representation of the school. Not warm and fuzzy or cool, but responsible and informative and a good, smart kid.

3) curriculum and some unique options not seen at other schools

Didn’t like:
1) soccer fields in the middle of the school grounds
2) surrounding town
3) campus felt really small compared to peers
4) some buildings seemed run down. My husband and I immediately started googling their endowment because of wat we saw. A rotting window sill and pillar on a building. A water stain on ceiling leading to the basement cafeteria.

Bottom line - visit, preferably on a nice sunny day

I can assure you it isn't the endowment. The buildings are run down, because colleges have continued to try hoarding as much money as possible without spending it on campus improvements, so their financial scores don't diminish. They could have a much better campus if they weren't encouraged to be stingy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have a better chance if you are a pre-med hoping to go to medical school by going to Connecticut College than if you go to UVA.

Otherwise, might be better options.

My niece is a Connecticut College grad and in dental school now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

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.

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.

I have no dog in this fight but we went to a wedding in the chapel on campus last summer and, yes, it’s absolutely gorgeous. That architecture and water views? I can’t imagine anyone not finding it beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have a better chance if you are a pre-med hoping to go to medical school by going to Connecticut College than if you go to UVA.

Otherwise, might be better options.

My niece is a Connecticut College grad and in dental school now.

Numerically, because there are so few pre-medical professional majors at Conn, those who aspire to med school, dental school, and vet school are at a big advantage. No weed out classes. Small lectures. Professors who really get to know the students. A pre-med (pre-health) advisors that really go to bat for the students, and of course the reputation of Conn College graduates when they apply.

If money was the same or no object, I would MUCH rather have my child attend Conn than UVA for pre-med. Objectively, a much higher chance of getting a good GPA and better LOR's due to the dynamics, culture and size of the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

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.

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.

NP here. My kid is at school across the street, so we've spent a lot of the time in the area, and I can say with zero agenda that Connecticut College is gorgeous.

[Anonymous]

It is one of the prettiest campuses I’ve ever seen. I’m an alum, and I loved the campus. The Arboretum is amazing, the views of the Long Island Sound were so pretty, and it’s a very safe campus. The buildings are pretty, too, with a lot of stone/granite. Harkness Chapel is also pretty. It is very small, though. You have the opportunity to get to know your professors, do research, etc. I think overall it is a good school. Very liberal if that matters to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is one of the prettiest campuses I’ve ever seen. I’m an alum, and I loved the campus. The Arboretum is amazing, the views of the Long Island Sound were so pretty, and it’s a very safe campus. The buildings are pretty, too, with a lot of stone/granite. Harkness Chapel is also pretty. It is very small, though. You have the opportunity to get to know your professors, do research, etc. I think overall it is a good school. Very liberal if that matters to you.

When were you last there? Maybe it's just gone downhill.

Easily the least impressive of the NESCAC colleges both academically and in physical plant. And not even close to its former peers when it was a women's college (Vassar, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Skidmore, Bryn Mawr, and Wellesley all blow it away).

And with student body overwhelmingly from New England and NY, it's going to have a big problem as the enrollment cliff his.

[Anonymous]

OP here with an update: DD was accepted with a Founders Scholarship, which makes the cost competitive with other schools she’s considering. It’s a very strong contender. Our only reservations are the size and distance from DC, where she ultimately wants to be.

[Anonymous]

Congratulations to your daughter! 🎉🎉

[Anonymous]

That’s GREAT news OP! Congrats! I hope she got lots of money. CC is pricey!

[Anonymous]

We visited last summer and I agree the campus facilities look tired and dated. New London is... not great... but it's not the worst location either (see: Trinity in Hartford). You can see the river but so what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We visited last summer and I agree the campus facilities look tired and dated. New London is... not great... but it's not the worst location either (see: Trinity in Hartford). You can see the river but so what?

Maybe I’m just an easy crowd to please- I thought it was very nice and well maintained. I like being next to water- it’s a good place to reflect and spend your time with friends at. Seems like it’s just not your kind of institution.