Little Ivies?

[Anonymous]

11:33 True, but I would argue that the sub-culture's growing and I'm not just talking about Ivy versus SLAC -- it's also Ivy versus other top tier, single-digit schools like Washington U. in St. Louis, U Chicago and Northwestern. It's a generalized phenomenon. And yes I'm well aware of the "I went to school in Connecticut" response to avoid having to identify yourself as a Yale graduate. This fades as Ivy grads get older and less self-conscious.

[Anonymous]

You're chasing prestige and going after the name only...probably not a good idea. Amherst, Williams, etc. while great schools, have very little in common with the Ivies in terms of location and been vibe in a lot of cases, so a student who really likes the Ivies, save for maybe Dartmouth and Cornell, likely is not going to be in love with SLACs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11:33 True, but I would argue that the sub-culture's growing and I'm not just talking about Ivy versus SLAC -- it's also Ivy versus other top tier, single-digit schools like Washington U. in St. Louis, U Chicago and Northwestern. It's a generalized phenomenon. And yes I'm well aware of the "I went to school in Connecticut" response to avoid having to identify yourself as a Yale graduate. This fades as Ivy grads get older and less self-conscious.

We live in a Zagat Guide world. There is very little about how some Ivy grads/aspirants refer to Wash. U or Northwestern that isn't replicated in how some U.Va. or W&M grads/aspirants refer to JMU or VCU.

If your real beef is that Wash U. isn't considered an Ivy, there's really nothing you can or should do about that, as it merely feeds the same beast you purport to want to slay.

[Anonymous]

Connecticut College is not as prestigious as the other small schools you mentioned.

[Anonymous]

The NESCAC or New England Small College Athletic Conference is a NCAA Division 3 athletic conference of 11 highly selective liberal arts colleges: Amherst, Williams, Wesleyan, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut, Hamilton, Middlebury, Trinity, and Tufts. There are rules regarding season length, number of contests and post-season competition. There are no athletic scholarships; financial aid is solely based on need.

The “Little Ivies” is not an official term or group. It refers to a small group of highly selective liberal arts colleges. The list includes all the colleges in the NESCAC , along with Colgate, Haverford, Swarthmore, and Vassar. Also note that Tufts is no longer a small, Liberal Arts College, but has become a larger research university.

As you can see, all of the colleges listed above are highly selective, very difficult to get into, and are highly regarded.

[Anonymous]

There are schools most of you have not heard of that are excellent. What really makes an excellent school? EVERY school is pretty much known for specific programs and some have more tenured professors teaching courses than others. Some are prettier and have nicer dorms, some have amazing student unions while others are known for their posh surroundings and city life. It goes on...a school is what you make of it...we as a culture are way to wrapped up in the name brands. I went to Harvey Mudd most people look at me like I have 2 heads when I say it. Yet it took my 1420 SAT score and waitlisted me! I got in eventually had a fantastic experience and landed a fantastic job that jumpstarted my career. I never got too hung up on the name brands, if I did I would have attended either Yale or Penn both which I got into.

All the "Little Ivy" schools mentioned above are great schools. Look into what YOU want to study to see if that school is a good fit and dont' be afraid to think outside the box...most don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're chasing prestige and going after the name only...probably not a good idea. Amherst, Williams, etc. while great schools, have very little in common with the Ivies in terms of location and been vibe in a lot of cases, so a student who really likes the Ivies, save for maybe Dartmouth and Cornell, likely is not going to be in love with SLACs.

I would question this. It may be true in some cases, but many students would be very happy at either an Ivy or a top SLAC where there are top academics, a sense of history and tradition, and a lot of bright peers. I know the OP phrased the inquiry in a way that suggested that the "prestige" of the school was all that mattered, and that sets people's teeth on edge, but awarding and recognizing the ambition of those students who aim high isn't really such a bad thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are schools most of you have not heard of that are excellent. What really makes an excellent school? EVERY school is pretty much known for specific programs and some have more tenured professors teaching courses than others. Some are prettier and have nicer dorms, some have amazing student unions while others are known for their posh surroundings and city life. It goes on...a school is what you make of it...we as a culture are way to wrapped up in the name brands. I went to Harvey Mudd most people look at me like I have 2 heads when I say it. Yet it took my 1420 SAT score and waitlisted me! I got in eventually had a fantastic experience and landed a fantastic job that jumpstarted my career. I never got too hung up on the name brands, if I did I would have attended either Yale or Penn both which I got into.

All the "Little Ivy" schools mentioned above are great schools. Look into what YOU want to study to see if that school is a good fit and dont' be afraid to think outside the box...most don't.

Harvey Mudd is very much a "name school" for math/science/engineering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thought Wesleyan , Williams & Amherst have been known as the Little Three for decades. What's the point of arguing which school incrementally better, when all offer slightly different experiences, which will be better for different people for different reasons.

Whether Wesleyan is on a par with Wms and Amherst can be debated, but what is not debatable is that Wesleyan over the past 10 years has become a very popular "it" school. Some actually attribute it to the frequent Wesleyan references on the show "How I Met Your Mother"! Oh, brother!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thought Wesleyan , Williams & Amherst have been known as the Little Three for decades. What's the point of arguing which school incrementally better, when all offer slightly different experiences, which will be better for different people for different reasons.

Exactly. I visited and was admitted to all three, but went to an Ivy that I didn't think I could pass up attending.

Williams is the most rural. Loved that place and thought it was the quintessential New England liberal arts college. Perfect little college town. Might make some people stir crazy in the winter, though.

Wesleyan is the most liberal/artsy of the three. At the time it clearly seemed the most diverse. Also has a great campus but the town, at least at that time, was a bit depressed.

Amherst has the best location and enjoys being part of a college consortium where students can take classes at other area schools, including Mount Holyoke, U. Mass, Hampshire and Smith. For whatever reason, though, I liked it the least. People there were less outgoing and friendly than at Williams and Wesleyan.

Downtown Middletown (where Wesleyan is located) is still pretty depressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The NESCAC or New England Small College Athletic Conference is a NCAA Division 3 athletic conference of 11 highly selective liberal arts colleges: Amherst, Williams, Wesleyan, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut, Hamilton, Middlebury, Trinity, and Tufts. There are rules regarding season length, number of contests and post-season competition. There are no athletic scholarships; financial aid is solely based on need.

The “Little Ivies” is not an official term or group. It refers to a small group of highly selective liberal arts colleges. The list includes all the colleges in the NESCAC , along with Colgate, Haverford, Swarthmore, and Vassar. Also note that Tufts is no longer a small, Liberal Arts College, but has become a larger research university.

As you can see, all of the colleges listed above are highly selective, very difficult to get into, and are highly regarded.

Remember, as well, that the Ivy League itself is not the Good Housekeeping Seal of the Pinnacle of Academic Excellence. It is, just like NESCAC, an athletic organization of universities which are as dissimilar as they are similar. And the experience at Trinity or Connecticut College will be different from Amherst or Williams. Find schools that work for your student and capture his/her heart.

[Anonymous]

OP - I'm going thru this process with DS right now. Does your DS have any gut feelings about where HE wants to go? You are relying too much on your advisor. For example:

- is your son a college or university man (my DS is the latter)
- does your son want to explore engineering, math or hard science? Then you want a tech. college
- does your son want city life or rural (Williams)
- does your son want the Greek scene (hopefully no)
- is your son a party animal?
- is your son an athlete?
- does your son want to explore any unusual majors, like taking Portuguese?
- does your son want an extremely liberal college (Swarthmore) or something more conservative?

I'm sure others here can add. Our older child ended up somewhere we would have never expected but it was definitely the right choice for her and she knew it when we toured. It had everything she wanted.

[Anonymous]

A 2000 SAT will be a stretch for little ivies without athletic or other recruiting. My DC only applied to one of them because DC preferred larger schools. 2200 SAT, high GPA, good resume. Was denied. Several friends who got into very selective schools with similar profiles were also denied. I think you need to be more realistic unless scores go up (or you look at score optional schools). ED is also a huge factor for the SLACs

[Anonymous]

12:13 I have no idea what you're talking about vis-a-vis Wash U. You have misconstrued my post.

[Anonymous]

OP,

13:17's advice is sound.