Sarah Lawrence College - Any Insights?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Creepy middle aged men living in the dorms and recruiting young girls into sex cults.

That's hard to bounce back from.

[Anonymous]

A generation ago, Sarah Lawrence's ranking was quite a bit higher in USNWR, and its academics are still generally perceived as rigorous and innovative. But like some other colleges of its ilk (maybe also Bennington, and to a lesser extent Bard) its star has fallen in recent years due to various factors (not just the sex-cult thing, which at this point was like 13 years ago).

It's still a place with good name recognition and a good academic experience, and I know a few smart kids who've chosen it.

[Anonymous]

Maybe similar colleges- Pitzer, Bard, Oberlin, Bryn Maer, Reed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would your student be interested in Vassar, Skidmore, or Oberlin? I think those are all similar to SLC in certain respects but more reputable (and possibly stronger in science fields). How about a women’s college like Bryn Mawr or Mt. Holyoke?

Yes- Vassar and Oberlin are her #1 & #2 choices right now. She also liked Mt. Holyoke and Smith, and looking to visit some additional schools this spring. Just trying to help her build a list that's realistic, while she's a strong student (3.9 UW) with great ECs, she will be applying TO, so looking to cast the net widely. I really appreciate the suggestions! SLC's reputation is strong, people have heard of it (unlike some of the other SLACs in that 100-120 range) so I wondered if there was more to the picture. Same thing with Bennington in VT, seems like a great, funky little school but after digging around found that it wasn't a school we'd consider.

How about Hamilton, Wesleyan, Colby, Bates, Franklin & Marshall, Kenyon, Union, Trinity?

[Anonymous]

Also notable: Like Reed, Sarah Lawrence doesn't play nice with US News & World Report, so its ranking is probably a bit lower than it should be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would your student be interested in Vassar, Skidmore, or Oberlin? I think those are all similar to SLC in certain respects but more reputable (and possibly stronger in science fields). How about a women’s college like Bryn Mawr or Mt. Holyoke?

Yes- Vassar and Oberlin are her #1 & #2 choices right now. She also liked Mt. Holyoke and Smith, and looking to visit some additional schools this spring. Just trying to help her build a list that's realistic, while she's a strong student (3.9 UW) with great ECs, she will be applying TO, so looking to cast the net widely. I really appreciate the suggestions! SLC's reputation is strong, people have heard of it (unlike some of the other SLACs in that 100-120 range) so I wondered if there was more to the picture. Same thing with Bennington in VT, seems like a great, funky little school but after digging around found that it wasn't a school we'd consider.

How about Hamilton, Wesleyan, Colby, Bates, Franklin & Marshall, Kenyon, Union, Trinity?

Why are you suggesting such competitive schools? How ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would your student be interested in Vassar, Skidmore, or Oberlin? I think those are all similar to SLC in certain respects but more reputable (and possibly stronger in science fields). How about a women’s college like Bryn Mawr or Mt. Holyoke?

Yes- Vassar and Oberlin are her #1 & #2 choices right now. She also liked Mt. Holyoke and Smith, and looking to visit some additional schools this spring. Just trying to help her build a list that's realistic, while she's a strong student (3.9 UW) with great ECs, she will be applying TO, so looking to cast the net widely. I really appreciate the suggestions! SLC's reputation is strong, people have heard of it (unlike some of the other SLACs in that 100-120 range) so I wondered if there was more to the picture. Same thing with Bennington in VT, seems like a great, funky little school but after digging around found that it wasn't a school we'd consider.

How about Hamilton, Wesleyan, Colby, Bates, Franklin & Marshall, Kenyon, Union, Trinity?

Why are you suggesting such competitive schools? How ridiculous.

Colby and Trinity seem, to me, the very antithesis of SL. I mean, really....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD was focusing on women’s schools (and ended up at one). SLC was a safety. We thought the campus was nice and the approach was interesting. Ultimately, my DD just thought others were a better fit. She has 2 friends that went there and they seemed to enjoy it.

Just want to mention although SLC skews heavily female it is not a HWC.

I know (I’m the quoted PP). I meant my DD really wanted a women’s school and applied it a bunch and then had SLC as a safety even though it is co-ed. FWIW, SLC actually was a women’s college until the late 60’s.

Understood. Do you mind sharing where she ended up? My daughter is interested in SLC, several women’s colleges, and a couple of the other open curriculum and artsy schools mentioned in this thread.

She liked Bryn Mawr, which kind of felt like a more polished version of SLC when we toured.

She went to Smith. They also have a very open curriculum (only one required class other than major requirements). It was bigger and had more to offer academically, although the location is more remote.

[Anonymous]

How about Hamilton, Wesleyan, Colby, Bates, Franklin & Marshall, Kenyon, Union, Trinity?

Thanks for the suggestions- she did like Hamilton & Wesleyan, and we're going to visit Kenyon. I also feel like Bates could be an excellent fit (but it's pretty competitive!) I'm looking to add some additional schools in the likely/safety range for her. We went through the college admissions process with her older sibling and I know how unpredictable it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Creepy middle aged men living in the dorms and recruiting young girls into sex cults.

The fact that I never saw any explanation for why this was allowed to happen is such a huge red flag I couldn't look past it. The school knew this man had moved into his daughter's dorm room and did nothing.

[Anonymous]

I would not say SL is particularly strong in the sciences. My daughter thought she’d live it, but it came off her list after the tour. Felt very empty and run down - not much energy.

Maybe Wooster, Wheaton in Mass, Muhlenberg for safeties? Kalamazoo?

Funky SLACs are often stronger in the humanities. Oberlin is a really strong option. In-person tour, good demonstrated interest and a great essay will win the day here.

Mt Holyoke and Brandeis could be good targets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not say SL is particularly strong in the sciences. My daughter thought she’d live it, but it came off her list after the tour. Felt very empty and run down - not much energy.

Maybe Wooster, Wheaton in Mass, Muhlenberg for safeties? Kalamazoo?

Funky SLACs are often stronger in the humanities. Oberlin is a really strong option. In-person tour, good demonstrated interest and a great essay will win the day here.

Mt Holyoke and Brandeis could be good targets.

Honestly, Mt Holyoke would be a really good bet for the sciences. They have new, modern facilities, funding for internships, and a strong alumnae network.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not say SL is particularly strong in the sciences. My daughter thought she’d live it, but it came off her list after the tour. Felt very empty and run down - not much energy.

Maybe Wooster, Wheaton in Mass, Muhlenberg for safeties? Kalamazoo?

Funky SLACs are often stronger in the humanities. Oberlin is a really strong option. In-person tour, good demonstrated interest and a great essay will win the day here.

Mt Holyoke and Brandeis could be good targets.

OP here- thanks for the recs, you sure know your SLACs, as these are all great suggestions! MHC, Oberlin & Brandeis are all on her list, and I'd like her to check out Wheaton (MA) and Kalamazoo as safeties. She toured Brandies last fall and wow- I was so impressed, yet it's not a school you hear very much about. I'd be thrilled if she ended up there, my older son plays a club sport and goes to Brandeis for matches regularly and says the kids there are smart, kind and very down to earth.