Recommendations for a Midsized (6,000 - 8,000) School within Three Hours

[Anonymous]

For some reason, that size is uncommon.

If he would consider a LAC that is also strong in Science...check out SMCM. Everyone who goes there seems to love it, and the community is known for being supportive. (Plus the setting is on the water, which can be so relaxing...)

Other options along the same line (sorry, but we only looked at LAC) include Juniata College in PA.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for UMBC. We went for a visit and my DD loved the vibe, nice friendly kids and a diverse environment!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:William & Mary fits the size and as a boy should be a good chance there. Does he think it would not fit the "low-stress" requirement?

W&M is widely known as one of the most high stress and no fun universities in the nation

I hear this cliche a lot, but never from students who attend. I guess kids sort themselves into appropriate buckets. Yes, if you’re looking for a “Roll Tide” experience, W&M isn’t your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duquesne
Richmond
Villanova
American
McDaniel
Bucknell

Duquesne (over 3 hours away)
Richmond (only 3200 students)
Villanova
American
McDaniel (only 1500 students)
Bucknell (only 3500 students)

We really like Duquesne. My brother went to law school there. It is less than 3 hours from us in Montgomery County. It’s a top choice for my daughter. Interested in the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) for major. Pittsburgh is a great city. Visit for sports games several times a year-pre covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:William & Mary fits the size and as a boy should be a good chance there. Does he think it would not fit the "low-stress" requirement?

W&M is widely known as one of the most high stress and no fun universities in the nation

I hear this cliche a lot, but never from students who attend. I guess kids sort themselves into appropriate buckets. Yes, if you’re looking for a “Roll Tide” experience, W&M isn’t your school.

I hear it from my daughter’s two best friends who are rising juniors at WM. They weren’t looking for a party school, but they complain that all there is to do is see the old town and eat and everyone is in bed by 11.

[Anonymous]

Your kid honestly sounds like a great fit for Northwestern if it weren’t for the distance prereq. It’s less than 3 hours away... but by plane, not by car!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kid honestly sounds like a great fit for Northwestern if it weren’t for the distance prereq. It’s less than 3 hours away... but by plane, not by car!

"he is looking for a solid, down-to-earth education in a low stress environment." Would that description fit Northwestern's journalism program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kid honestly sounds like a great fit for Northwestern if it weren’t for the distance prereq. It’s less than 3 hours away... but by plane, not by car!

"he is looking for a solid, down-to-earth education in a low stress environment." Would that description fit Northwestern's journalism program?

I would consider Northwestern significantly more "down-to-earth" compared to many, if not most, of its peer institutions, and I would characterize its journalism and comms programs (which OP's kid seems interested in majoring in) to be relatively low-stress, yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kid honestly sounds like a great fit for Northwestern if it weren’t for the distance prereq. It’s less than 3 hours away... but by plane, not by car!

"he is looking for a solid, down-to-earth education in a low stress environment." Would that description fit Northwestern's journalism program?

I was a Medill student for a while about a thousand years ago. The highest stress aspect for me was probably the quarter system. It’s a faster pace and you have to keep up right from the start as there is little time to make up growing. Amazing education, though. I loved it there.

[Anonymous]

^^^. That should say “make up ground.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:William & Mary fits the size and as a boy should be a good chance there. Does he think it would not fit the "low-stress" requirement?

W&M is widely known as one of the most high stress and no fun universities in the nation

I hear this cliche a lot, but never from students who attend. I guess kids sort themselves into appropriate buckets. Yes, if you’re looking for a “Roll Tide” experience, W&M isn’t your school.

I hear it from my daughter’s two best friends who are rising juniors at WM. They weren’t looking for a party school, but they complain that all there is to do is see the old town and eat and everyone is in bed by 11.

Poor babies. My DD and her friends had a great time at WM, and WM's rate of alumni giving reflects that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for UMBC. We went for a visit and my DD loved the vibe, nice friendly kids and a diverse environment!

Can anyone speak to the UMBC commuter aspext? Do enough students live on campus (website says 80% of first years do, I believe). Would love to hear someone with recent experiences there, since I know it’s changed quite a bit over the years. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kid honestly sounds like a great fit for Northwestern if it weren’t for the distance prereq. It’s less than 3 hours away... but by plane, not by car!

"he is looking for a solid, down-to-earth education in a low stress environment." Would that description fit Northwestern's journalism program?

I was a Medill student for a while about a thousand years ago. The highest stress aspect for me was probably the quarter system. It’s a faster pace and you have to keep up right from the start as there is little time to make up growing. Amazing education, though. I loved it there.

Medill is top class!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mary Washington, I know kids with anxiety that have done well there

+1

I do, too. Wonder is that is one fo the draws?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:William & Mary fits the size and as a boy should be a good chance there. Does he think it would not fit the "low-stress" requirement?

W&M is widely known as one of the most high stress and no fun universities in the nation

I hear this cliche a lot, but never from students who attend. I guess kids sort themselves into appropriate buckets. Yes, if you’re looking for a “Roll Tide” experience, W&M isn’t your school.

I hear it from my daughter’s two best friends who are rising juniors at WM. They weren’t looking for a party school, but they complain that all there is to do is see the old town and eat and everyone is in bed by 11.

Poor babies. My DD and her friends had a great time at WM, and WM's rate of alumni giving reflects that.

What you need to understand is that *is* fun for a lot of students. Plenty of young adults are thrilled to hang out in the dorm, watch movies with their friends, explore historic Williamsburg, dine out at cute little restaurants...it’s only the kids that are looking to party or tailgate that think that a school like that would be boring.