Recent/current experience at Muhlenberg college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you say it's woke?

If you are asking this question your kid is too dumb and will fail out.

Get a god damned dictionary moron

How will a dictionary tell me if a particular school is woke?

Moron.

DP. With a few exceptions (like High Point, Liberty, VMI) most colleges at least lean left. If you can’t be more creative than “is it woke” on every thread, even a lean to the left is probably too liberal for you. If what you really want to know is how politically active/outspoken the students typically are (so you can avoid it, presumably), ask that.

[Anonymous]

OP here: to clarify, the "woke" question wasn't from me! Someone else highjacked the thread. I am just asking about academics and sense of community among students. Thank you to posters who actually responded to the question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure for the extreme hate of the area. Yes, it isn't the most exciting place on earth. But being near Allentown also means that there is a major hospital nearby (Lehigh Valley Health is excellent), at least some basic shopping nearby, and it isn't an awful drive from Philly, NYC or even DC. So if someone wants a SLAC, it is actually in a more densely populated area closer to civilization than a lot of the alternatives.

Unfortunately, it seems that some people here just can't wrap their arms around why a kid would choose a SLAC. If you are dumb enough to go in expecting to live in a city and/or go to a big school, it will be awful. But not everyone wants NYU or Ann Arbor. Different strokes for different folks. Don't yuck my yum.

NP. This isn't an anti SLAC or anti rural or anti small town view. My kid was looking for a SLAC in a rural area close to nature. He hated
Allentown as did we. It was the worst of all worlds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure for the extreme hate of the area. Yes, it isn't the most exciting place on earth. But being near Allentown also means that there is a major hospital nearby (Lehigh Valley Health is excellent), at least some basic shopping nearby, and it isn't an awful drive from Philly, NYC or even DC. So if someone wants a SLAC, it is actually in a more densely populated area closer to civilization than a lot of the alternatives.

Unfortunately, it seems that some people here just can't wrap their arms around why a kid would choose a SLAC. If you are dumb enough to go in expecting to live in a city and/or go to a big school, it will be awful. But not everyone wants NYU or Ann Arbor. Different strokes for different folks. Don't yuck my yum.

NP. This isn't an anti SLAC or anti rural or anti small town view. My kid was looking for a SLAC in a rural area close to nature. He hated
Allentown as did we. It was the worst of all worlds.

Well said.

It’s niche is a SLAC in a semi-depressed small city. If that’s your thing…it’s the school for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure for the extreme hate of the area. Yes, it isn't the most exciting place on earth. But being near Allentown also means that there is a major hospital nearby (Lehigh Valley Health is excellent), at least some basic shopping nearby, and it isn't an awful drive from Philly, NYC or even DC. So if someone wants a SLAC, it is actually in a more densely populated area closer to civilization than a lot of the alternatives.

Unfortunately, it seems that some people here just can't wrap their arms around why a kid would choose a SLAC. If you are dumb enough to go in expecting to live in a city and/or go to a big school, it will be awful. But not everyone wants NYU or Ann Arbor. Different strokes for different folks. Don't yuck my yum.

NP. This isn't an anti SLAC or anti rural or anti small town view. My kid was looking for a SLAC in a rural area close to nature. He hated
Allentown as did we. It was the worst of all worlds.

Well said.

It’s niche is a SLAC in a semi-depressed small city. If that’s your thing…it’s the school for you.

And for many kids the isolation of a rural SLAC is a huge turnoff so being away from a city but in an area where there are some signs of civilization is a big positive. To each his own. It's one thing to be realistic, which is great. It is another thing to be a hater. Not cool. Just because it isn't for you doesn't mean it isn't for others. And it is closer to home for a lot of kids, which could be appealing. And is unappealing to others.

[Anonymous]

We toured Muhlenberg and my student decided not to apply. It seems like a very nurturing and supportive school but a bit quiet and boring too. We asked our student tour guide for suggestions of where to go for a bite to eat and she said she didn’t go off campus and couldn’t direct us anywhere.

We then drove around looking and Allentown was really dead. I wish it was in a more appealing area because I think it’s a nice solid school. Woull lm d recommend visiting if possible to see if it’s the right fit.

[Anonymous]

Poster above that toured with one detail I wanted to add. Muhlenberg had a nice lunch for families and also included tables with info about various departments and majors. My student was able to have meaningful conversations with several students and professors. Again, it seems like a really nice place and that they care a lot about students. This was the only school where I felt there was this much opportunity for personal connections and individualized attention during a tour or open house. When one person learned my student was interested in theater and music (one of their areas of strength) they offered an additional tour of their performing arts facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Poster above that toured with one detail I wanted to add. Muhlenberg had a nice lunch for families and also included tables with info about various departments and majors. My student was able to have meaningful conversations with several students and professors. Again, it seems like a really nice place and that they care a lot about students. This was the only school where I felt there was this much opportunity for personal connections and individualized attention during a tour or open house. When one person learned my student was interested in theater and music (one of their areas of strength) they offered an additional tour of their performing arts facilities.

We toured over the fall break but the athletes were required to be on campus so we saw a lot of them around. We noticed that the dining halls were closed and locked. There didn't appear to be places to walk to, so we wondered what the athletes were doing for food. We saw one poor girl walk up to the dining hall at lunch, try the door, and she looked confused and disappointed to find it locked.

We wondered why a school that people say is caring wouldn't care enough to feed its students over a break? I have a kid in college and the dorms and dining halls are open over breaks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure for the extreme hate of the area. Yes, it isn't the most exciting place on earth. But being near Allentown also means that there is a major hospital nearby (Lehigh Valley Health is excellent), at least some basic shopping nearby, and it isn't an awful drive from Philly, NYC or even DC. So if someone wants a SLAC, it is actually in a more densely populated area closer to civilization than a lot of the alternatives.

Unfortunately, it seems that some people here just can't wrap their arms around why a kid would choose a SLAC. If you are dumb enough to go in expecting to live in a city and/or go to a big school, it will be awful. But not everyone wants NYU or Ann Arbor. Different strokes for different folks. Don't yuck my yum.

NP. This isn't an anti SLAC or anti rural or anti small town view. My kid was looking for a SLAC in a rural area close to nature. He hated
Allentown as did we. It was the worst of all worlds.

Well said.

It’s niche is a SLAC in a semi-depressed small city. If that’s your thing…it’s the school for you.

And for many kids the isolation of a rural SLAC is a huge turnoff so being away from a city but in an area where there are some signs of civilization is a big positive. To each his own. It's one thing to be realistic, which is great. It is another thing to be a hater. Not cool. Just because it isn't for you doesn't mean it isn't for others. And it is closer to home for a lot of kids, which could be appealing. And is unappealing to others.

Right but OP asked for experiences so people are posting their experiences with the area. Some are not positive. That's not being a hater. Why are you so against people posting their candid experiences? Are only cheerleaders for the school allowed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure for the extreme hate of the area. Yes, it isn't the most exciting place on earth. But being near Allentown also means that there is a major hospital nearby (Lehigh Valley Health is excellent), at least some basic shopping nearby, and it isn't an awful drive from Philly, NYC or even DC. So if someone wants a SLAC, it is actually in a more densely populated area closer to civilization than a lot of the alternatives.

Unfortunately, it seems that some people here just can't wrap their arms around why a kid would choose a SLAC. If you are dumb enough to go in expecting to live in a city and/or go to a big school, it will be awful. But not everyone wants NYU or Ann Arbor. Different strokes for different folks. Don't yuck my yum.

NP. This isn't an anti SLAC or anti rural or anti small town view. My kid was looking for a SLAC in a rural area close to nature. He hated
Allentown as did we. It was the worst of all worlds.

Well said.

It’s niche is a SLAC in a semi-depressed small city. If that’s your thing…it’s the school for you.

And for many kids the isolation of a rural SLAC is a huge turnoff so being away from a city but in an area where there are some signs of civilization is a big positive. To each his own. It's one thing to be realistic, which is great. It is another thing to be a hater. Not cool. Just because it isn't for you doesn't mean it isn't for others. And it is closer to home for a lot of kids, which could be appealing. And is unappealing to others.

Right but OP asked for experiences so people are posting their experiences with the area. Some are not positive. That's not being a hater. Why are you so against people posting their candid experiences? Are only cheerleaders for the school allowed?

I think honest appraisals are helpful - describing the area in an honest but relatively neutral way is what DCUM should be all about. But the tone presented was "why would anyone want to go here" which is not OK. Some people like Bates. Some people like NYU. That is the great thing about higher ed in America - lots of options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure for the extreme hate of the area. Yes, it isn't the most exciting place on earth. But being near Allentown also means that there is a major hospital nearby (Lehigh Valley Health is excellent), at least some basic shopping nearby, and it isn't an awful drive from Philly, NYC or even DC. So if someone wants a SLAC, it is actually in a more densely populated area closer to civilization than a lot of the alternatives.

Unfortunately, it seems that some people here just can't wrap their arms around why a kid would choose a SLAC. If you are dumb enough to go in expecting to live in a city and/or go to a big school, it will be awful. But not everyone wants NYU or Ann Arbor. Different strokes for different folks. Don't yuck my yum.

NP. This isn't an anti SLAC or anti rural or anti small town view. My kid was looking for a SLAC in a rural area close to nature. He hated
Allentown as did we. It was the worst of all worlds.

Well said.

It’s niche is a SLAC in a semi-depressed small city. If that’s your thing…it’s the school for you.

And for many kids the isolation of a rural SLAC is a huge turnoff so being away from a city but in an area where there are some signs of civilization is a big positive. To each his own. It's one thing to be realistic, which is great. It is another thing to be a hater. Not cool. Just because it isn't for you doesn't mean it isn't for others. And it is closer to home for a lot of kids, which could be appealing. And is unappealing to others.

Right but OP asked for experiences so people are posting their experiences with the area. Some are not positive. That's not being a hater. Why are you so against people posting their candid experiences? Are only cheerleaders for the school allowed?

I think honest appraisals are helpful - describing the area in an honest but relatively neutral way is what DCUM should be all about. But the tone presented was "why would anyone want to go here" which is not OK. Some people like Bates. Some people like NYU. That is the great thing about higher ed in America - lots of options.

Correct…so folks are being honest that this school is located in a downtrodden 100,000 person city. If that’s what you want, then great.

Nobody can claim Allentown is not that. Worcester, MA is also similar and someone on another thread literally said that was good for their college experience because local restaurants and other things to do were cheap as a result (and college students like cheap).

I don’t know much about the area where Bates is located, but of course NYC is a completely different experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure for the extreme hate of the area. Yes, it isn't the most exciting place on earth. But being near Allentown also means that there is a major hospital nearby (Lehigh Valley Health is excellent), at least some basic shopping nearby, and it isn't an awful drive from Philly, NYC or even DC. So if someone wants a SLAC, it is actually in a more densely populated area closer to civilization than a lot of the alternatives.

Unfortunately, it seems that some people here just can't wrap their arms around why a kid would choose a SLAC. If you are dumb enough to go in expecting to live in a city and/or go to a big school, it will be awful. But not everyone wants NYU or Ann Arbor. Different strokes for different folks. Don't yuck my yum.

NP. This isn't an anti SLAC or anti rural or anti small town view. My kid was looking for a SLAC in a rural area close to nature. He hated
Allentown as did we. It was the worst of all worlds.

Well said.

It’s niche is a SLAC in a semi-depressed small city. If that’s your thing…it’s the school for you.

And for many kids the isolation of a rural SLAC is a huge turnoff so being away from a city but in an area where there are some signs of civilization is a big positive. To each his own. It's one thing to be realistic, which is great. It is another thing to be a hater. Not cool. Just because it isn't for you doesn't mean it isn't for others. And it is closer to home for a lot of kids, which could be appealing. And is unappealing to others.

Right but OP asked for experiences so people are posting their experiences with the area. Some are not positive. That's not being a hater. Why are you so against people posting their candid experiences? Are only cheerleaders for the school allowed?

I think honest appraisals are helpful - describing the area in an honest but relatively neutral way is what DCUM should be all about. But the tone presented was "why would anyone want to go here" which is not OK. Some people like Bates. Some people like NYU. That is the great thing about higher ed in America - lots of options.

Correct…so folks are being honest that this school is located in a downtrodden 100,000 person city. If that’s what you want, then great.

Nobody can claim Allentown is not that. Worcester, MA is also similar and someone on another thread literally said that was good for their college experience because local restaurants and other things to do were cheap as a result (and college students like cheap).

I don’t know much about the area where Bates is located, but of course NYC is a completely different experience.

But does that need to be the constant focus? Every time Allentown is mentioned we must call it semi-depressed or downtrodden?

There are more places to eat than I care to count a short walk from campus, and a bunch of them look really good. There's a performing arts theater, a movie theater, fairgrounds, market, Cedar Creek Park and gardens... And that's just a short walk. There's stuff to do for those that care. The city's defining quality isn't its economy.

[Anonymous]

My friends son is at Muhlenburg. He is an athlete and a STEM major. He loves the community and the supportive faculty. He’s planning on graduate school and the counselors are apparently very helpful, in a way that sounds amazing. He is having a great experience. He wanted a smaller school that was not a pressure cooker and is happy with his choice.

[Anonymous]

Colleges do not lean left they lean educated that is their job!

If you don’t want a college education go to any of the idiot schools like Liberty or university of Alabama or Idaho or Oklahoma

[Anonymous]

Worcester is not down and out. To the contrary it is thriving with much redevelopment, minor league baseball team, nationally known art museum, growing UMass Med School and a top 25 SLAC school, Holy Cross.