“Colleges That Change Lives” List

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:E&H almost made it on my child’s list when I happened across it on this list. Had she gone to Randolph, she likely would have taken classes at Lynchburg (consortium). Several of these schools were on our radar anyway but weren’t the right fit for various reasons (Hope is a bit too religious and Goucher didn’t have the second major she wanted). To me, it’s another list of schools to consider - no more, no less. Some of them do have an extra CTCL scholarship, so could help.

Why didn’t she go to Randolph?

She got into another small school in New England that had great programs in everything she wanted. Randolph just didn’t have the same resources at their disposal. She liked Randolph very much, though-it was a strong contender. It was by far her cheapest option with merit, arts scholarship, visit scholarship, plus the VTAG money.

Can you elaborate on what resources were missing? At such a small school, you would think every resource would be at the disposal of essentially every student.

The school she chose is on a train line to Boston and has a partnership with the Kraft group (patriots organization + a MLS team). The school is also notable for its performing arts programs and has onsite athletic trainers specifically for those students. An internship is required there, and students can intern right on campus with the performing arts ATs. My child hopes to combine Dance with Exercise Science and work as a Dance Trainer (there is actually a field known as dance science, which this school has held symposiums on).

The other selling point is that this school is well known for its supports for students with LDs.

Randolph is a great little school and we loved the Take2 curriculum, but Lynchburg isn’t Boston area and their dance program is only a minor now. I also didn’t get great answers on their academic supports, although I am sure she could have received personalized attention there.

Dean College? There is a lot to like about this school.

Yes. It’s small, but the town is cute. The very first public library in America is basically right on campus-they have the books Ben Franklin donated to them on display.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My niece went to Cornell College and loved it. Just graduated from medical school.

Cornell College is one of the only schools in the country that uses a block plan -- one class at a time. The only other school I know that offers this is Colorado College, which has a very different vibe. Block plan is a potentially great option for a kid who can hyperfocus/go deep, but who struggles to juggle/transition. Our hyperfocus/adhd DC considered this model, but they an autoimmune condition that makes them more prone to illness than the average kid (and sicker when illness does strike), so ultimately decided it wasn't a good idea. But I remember Cornell's materials were really helpful at showing what the schedule looked like.

Congrats to your niece!

Randolph has Take2, so 2 classes at a time for 7 weeks.

[Anonymous]

My kid is in the honors program at Lynchburg and is excelling in classes. Not only that the small environment has been great in terms of getting to know profs and has opportunities based on that. Further, given the grades and merit, DC will grad with no debt. Not only that, we'll have enough to likely cover all grad school.

We've talked to lots of professionals in the major path and they all said: undergrad doesn't matter. Go where you can succeed. That's what DC chose (and DC was accepted to top 15, $90K+ year schools) and doesn't regret it for a minute.

We also explored other schools on this list and were impressed by many of them. Don't dismiss them while you're chasing pedigree.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:We looked at a few of them and DD goes to one (Juniata) There is definitely a big range of school experiences there but their commonalities are small schools with nurturing environments and easy admit for a B student.

I'm sure someone will pop up soon to denounce it as just a marketing thing. But what college list isn't a marketing thing. I found reading the book helpful early in DD's search to understand some of the benefits of a small college (I went to a big state U). Not all DD's list was from that but I'd say most of her list were similar to those.

As with any small college, you should do you due diligence re their sustainability. Lots of variation in this list on that. And there are lots of colleges that are similar to these that aren't on the list.

Is Juniata for 'B' students??

It has a 78% acceptance rate and median SAT is 1170. So, I'd think, yes, they would be happy to have a B student, although you might not get the merit $ to make it a contender. FWIW, DD had a mix of As and Bs, with a good number of APs but a lighter schedule that a lot of classmates at a very competitive NoVA HS. Ended up with just barely a weighted 4.0. Merit $ made it similar in cost to our in-state options.

Our oldest (A student) was accepted with an award that made it a strong contender. I was quite impressed with Juniata. Their museum and museum program and the environmental studies program both struck me as strong.

Kid wanted a bigger school in the end.

Even though I just wrote above why MY child didn’t choose Randolph (not a CTCL, but in a consortium with Lynchburg), they are pretty well known for their museum program. One of my sorority sisters has a neighbor from FL that has a child there for that program.

I think that CTCL and schools like them appeal to certain types of students. They aren’t for everyone, but they are definitely appealing as places for a more personalized education and c more engagement with faculty and staff.

Interesting. What is the city of Lynchburg like?

My child is there and the town is really great, actually. It's beautiful. The downtown area has great restaurants, bars, shops right on the river. Lots of the old mills and factories have been converted to lofts and condos overlooking the river. Lots of outdoorsy things to do (hiking, SUP, kayaking). The downtown has a liberal, quirky vibe and even had a No King's Protest. I was worried about it being too religious or MAGA with Liberty there but it really isn't. I'd say more conservative/religious overall, for sure, but Lynchburg also has a lot of international students and is expanding its reach outside central VA so that is being diluted.

There's an art scene, history scene, a minor league baseball team, and lots of other things to do, as well.

I was sort of nervous when my DC started looking there but after visiting I had no issues. I'm a believer. And when anyone scorns going there I kind of chuckle b/c they are missing out, imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in the honors program at Lynchburg and is excelling in classes. Not only that the small environment has been great in terms of getting to know profs and has opportunities based on that. Further, given the grades and merit, DC will grad with no debt. Not only that, we'll have enough to likely cover all grad school.

We've talked to lots of professionals in the major path and they all said: undergrad doesn't matter. Go where you can succeed. That's what DC chose (and DC was accepted to top 15, $90K+ year schools) and doesn't regret it for a minute.

We also explored other schools on this list and were impressed by many of them. Don't dismiss them while you're chasing pedigree.

Unless, of course, you want a good job after earning an undergraduate degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My niece went to Cornell College and loved it. Just graduated from medical school.

Cornell College is one of the only schools in the country that uses a block plan -- one class at a time. The only other school I know that offers this is Colorado College, which has a very different vibe. Block plan is a potentially great option for a kid who can hyperfocus/go deep, but who struggles to juggle/transition. Our hyperfocus/adhd DC considered this model, but they an autoimmune condition that makes them more prone to illness than the average kid (and sicker when illness does strike), so ultimately decided it wasn't a good idea. But I remember Cornell's materials were really helpful at showing what the schedule looked like.

Congrats to your niece!

Randolph has Take2, so 2 classes at a time for 7 weeks.

Oh, thank you. I didn't know that. That probably would have been perfect, actually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in the honors program at Lynchburg and is excelling in classes. Not only that the small environment has been great in terms of getting to know profs and has opportunities based on that. Further, given the grades and merit, DC will grad with no debt. Not only that, we'll have enough to likely cover all grad school.

We've talked to lots of professionals in the major path and they all said: undergrad doesn't matter. Go where you can succeed. That's what DC chose (and DC was accepted to top 15, $90K+ year schools) and doesn't regret it for a minute.

We also explored other schools on this list and were impressed by many of them. Don't dismiss them while you're chasing pedigree.

Unless, of course, you want a good job after earning an undergraduate degree.

With respect, this is the same BS bias all of these schools have. Lynchburg has excellent outcomes, actually, esp if you're a good student. Kids get into all sorts of grad schools, including medical, dental, PT, PA. It's a warm and supportive environment. If you want to spend twice as much somewhere else, that's your prerogative. But there is ZERO need for you to come on her and demean another institution and their students.

You obv know nothing about Lynchburg so just shut it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in the honors program at Lynchburg and is excelling in classes. Not only that the small environment has been great in terms of getting to know profs and has opportunities based on that. Further, given the grades and merit, DC will grad with no debt. Not only that, we'll have enough to likely cover all grad school.

We've talked to lots of professionals in the major path and they all said: undergrad doesn't matter. Go where you can succeed. That's what DC chose (and DC was accepted to top 15, $90K+ year schools) and doesn't regret it for a minute.

We also explored other schools on this list and were impressed by many of them. Don't dismiss them while you're chasing pedigree.

Unless, of course, you want a good job after earning an undergraduate degree.

STFU

DP

[Anonymous]

The thing that would concern me about these schools is that many of them will be at risk of closing if present trends continue.

[Anonymous]

some have better finances than others.

many large state schools are making cuts, too.

[Anonymous]

There's an interesting backstory on Birmingham-Southern in the new book Dream School about its inclusion on this list. I didn't realize how long it was in financial trouble but yet was included in CTCL. Now it's out of business. So I'm using the criteria that the chapter of Dream School laid out to see if other schools are in financial trouble.

[Anonymous]

We looked into financials of some of these — not all, but a handful. Of the ones DC was interested in Reed, St Olaf, Whitman, Oberlin, were in good shape. I think Agnes Scott too? Earlham has a strong endowment, which offers a bit of a buffer against tough headwinds. Can’t speak to all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My only beef with this list is that I don't think it gets updated. IMO, there are many, many colleges that fly under the radar but are outstanding for the right kid in the right circumstance.

I would love to hear. more about that. I think my kid will do well in a smaller school but is stem oriented....but not academic enough to be competitive. Got a 1200 on PSAT and has all As and Bs with a STEm focused list of classes. In terms of fit, he wants to go outside whenever he can. Hiking, off road biking, skiing, the beach. I don't think he specifically cares although he likes adventure more than just "beach".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In some cases, watch out for their low graduation rates! For all colleges, look up their Common Data Set document. So much information there. And if they don't publish it? It's a huge red flag imo

One fact that will be in there is how many students graduate in each major. Small schools may say they have a certain major and only graduate a small number in that major.

You get out what you put in. My college's 4 yr grad rate was horrible but I did it and got a free ride to grad school. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in the honors program at Lynchburg and is excelling in classes. Not only that the small environment has been great in terms of getting to know profs and has opportunities based on that. Further, given the grades and merit, DC will grad with no debt. Not only that, we'll have enough to likely cover all grad school.

We've talked to lots of professionals in the major path and they all said: undergrad doesn't matter. Go where you can succeed. That's what DC chose (and DC was accepted to top 15, $90K+ year schools) and doesn't regret it for a minute.

We also explored other schools on this list and were impressed by many of them. Don't dismiss them while you're chasing pedigree.

Unless, of course, you want a good job after earning an undergraduate degree.

STFU

DP

IKR. I went to a no name school and am doing very well.