St. Lawrence University and Hobart William Smith

[Anonymous]

As a bit of cultural history, St. Lawrence was featured in the Preppy Handbook as a Top Ten college.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1268464.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck recruiting kids to pay $90-100k to go tothise schools. Very tough sell.

SLU is listed as a "buyer" school in Selingo's list, so I think they do lower the cost via merit aid for kids with profiles that they want to balance out the class. Also, I think this school's current deficit could mean that the school will have a higher acceptance rate and possibly lower costs via merit to bring in a larger class in order to help offset costs? I know nothing, this is pure speculation. We've been receiving literature from them the last 8 months, as an UMC Virginia based family, I'm guessing got on their list from either College Board or some mystery database that shows income matched with student? I think it might be a good fit for DC, but DC a bit confused about preferences at the moment.

[Anonymous]

Location really is an issue for these schools, SLU in particular. If it were less remote and easier to get to, it might be toward the top of my kid's list, as it does look like a fantastic school. But it's far and so inaccessible that it's hard to even arrange a visit, let alone think about getting back and forth for four years. The school can't do anything about that, but it's the cold reality (ha--like my pun?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Location really is an issue for these schools, SLU in particular. If it were less remote and easier to get to, it might be toward the top of my kid's list, as it does look like a fantastic school. But it's far and so inaccessible that it's hard to even arrange a visit, let alone think about getting back and forth for four years. The school can't do anything about that, but it's the cold reality (ha--like my pun?).

We are in New England and its remote even for us. But I've encouraged my child to consider as I think it would be a good fit and I have heard merit makes the cost more reasonable for donut hole families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck recruiting kids to pay $90-100k to go tothise schools. Very tough sell.

Almost no one pays that much
They give tons of merit to match most in state.

[Anonymous]

With respect to distance, St. Lawrence can be reached in fewer miles from DMV than, for comparison, Middlebury.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Location really is an issue for these schools, SLU in particular. If it were less remote and easier to get to, it might be toward the top of my kid's list, as it does look like a fantastic school. But it's far and so inaccessible that it's hard to even arrange a visit, let alone think about getting back and forth for four years. The school can't do anything about that, but it's the cold reality (ha--like my pun?).

Back in the 1900s I went to look at HWS from the DMV and halfway through the drive there my mom said, no way are you going here, it's way too far. I ended up getting in, but not attending. I have several friends that have over the years, including the son of a friend now, who have all had great outcomes and positives experiences despite the remote location.

[Anonymous]

These are SLAC that are on par, maybe even a tier below, conn college, trinity, skidmore etc. I think they have nice kids who aren't grinders and a pleasant on-campus experience. Think lots of prep school kids who were in the 25th - 50th percentile of their class.

[Anonymous]

My impression is that SLU is a bit more artsy and HWS leans more preppy. Accurate?

[Anonymous]

These were on my list back in the 1980's. Loved Hobart. Didn't go there but it was the one other school that I thought was awesome. I would have been happy to go there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With respect to distance, St. Lawrence can be reached in fewer miles from DMV than, for comparison, Middlebury.

Middlebury was certainly a hike to get to and, tbh, we found the remoteness, stark campus a bit depressing and that was summer....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Location really is an issue for these schools, SLU in particular. If it were less remote and easier to get to, it might be toward the top of my kid's list, as it does look like a fantastic school. But it's far and so inaccessible that it's hard to even arrange a visit, let alone think about getting back and forth for four years. The school can't do anything about that, but it's the cold reality (ha--like my pun?).

Back in the 1900s I went to look at HWS from the DMV and halfway through the drive there my mom said, no way are you going here, it's way too far. I ended up getting in, but not attending. I have several friends that have over the years, including the son of a friend now, who have all had great outcomes and positives experiences despite the remote location.

SLU has a ton of kids from New York state so it's really common for kids to crash with a friend in Syracuse, Albany, etc en route to or from school to break up the drive. Most kids have cars so they drive themselves, or some carpool.

My parents came to campus only for a college visit during HS and then for graduation. I made every other drive to campus solo or with a college friend. My parents didn't even come for freshman move in day. I just drove myself to school. They had upper classmen helping move stuff for those arriving without help.

[Anonymous]

I know of HWS because of lacrosse. It seems like both schools are trying to target kids in the DC area. I have known two kids from this area going to HWS. Not academic superstars, but nice kids who wanted smaller environment. Parents have cash, but both got some form of merit.

Don’t know as much about SLU, but seems like a similar type school.

[Anonymous]

I will say neither is on the NACAC list, but have been in the past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With respect to distance, St. Lawrence can be reached in fewer miles from DMV than, for comparison, Middlebury.

Middlebury was certainly a hike to get to and, tbh, we found the remoteness, stark campus a bit depressing and that was summer....

The campus is stunning. Your stark comment outs you as never having been there. Same with your remoteness comment given that big box shopping is 30 minutes away in two directions and Burlington only 15 minutes further.