Tell us about Kenyon...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My honest opinion:

If your kid did not go to a private prep school, then Kenyon might be of interest;

If your kid went to a private prep school and targets Kenyon, your kid is an a-hole.

Why? Would this comment relate to all LACs?

Okay. so my comment is a bit extreme. I apologize, but I do not retract my statement that you read.

Elite LACs like Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Wellesley, Pomona, CMC, Middlebury, W&L, Davidson, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Colby, Vassar, and many others offer great academics and an opportunity to grow. Kenyon is improving because it has expanded from 1,600 students to almost 1,900 students. Unfortunately, Kenyon had an immature attitude of superiority and privilege that was fostered by the admissions dept. Not sure if the admissions head is still the same. It was a woman who displayed little to no respect for Kenyon alumni & thought that she was special because someone at the New ork Times liked her. That attitude permeated the entire campus for at least a decade--and may still be prevalent.

Kenyon has a beautiful campus & decent to strong academics, but it is not in the league of a top National University or of a top 20 LAC.

I know Kenyon well. And I know a few of Kenyon's top supporters. Kenyon does not appreciate these folks--even though all are alums and long-term diehard supporters. I have never experienced anything like the arrogance of Kenyon's head of admissions (maybe former head of admissions). I have not kept up since they dissed a well respected alum who is a lifetime prep school teacher, coach, and administrator. Regardless, the school is still small, isolated, full of preppy type privileged students, and revolves around alcohol & pot, etc.

Hmm. Size wise Kenyon is really no different from these other schools. Maybe a few are a little larger. You can argue the academics are weaker I guess, but most of what you write here seems to be soaked in very specific personal grievances which you are projecting onto a community of thousands of people over many years. It’s hard for me to imagine how an admissions department can foster “an immature attitude of superiority and privilege” even if it tried.

your response is a prime example of the Kenyon attitude.

Honestly if had to choose two words to characterize your commentary, they would be superiority and privilege, like a wealthy alumna or someone connected to a wealthy alumnus who was slighted somehow, which led to some sort of conflict where everyone got all huffy and puffy. That is my read.

Back to the substance of your comments, all of these LACs are loaded with preppy type privileged students- but Kenyon seems to deviate from the mold with an overabundance of aspiring writers and creative types.

Academically I don’t see a huge difference between Kenyon and the other LACs you mentioned in terms of test score data, and the professors are always praised. These other schools do have larger endowments so perhaps Kenyon cannot be quite as aggressive with financial aid. Being in rural Ohio will always define the school, for better and worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they yet have a new president?

Tons of valuable info in this document

https://www.kenyon.edu/files/resources/presidential-search-prospectus-2023.pdf

Yes, I knew of Paul Newman and Allison Janney, but OMG, the lead singer from Walk the Moon went to Kenyon!

Josh Radnor - "How I Met Your Mother"!

Yeah, but what has he done lately?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My honest opinion:

If your kid did not go to a private prep school, then Kenyon might be of interest;

If your kid went to a private prep school and targets Kenyon, your kid is an a-hole.

Why? Would this comment relate to all LACs?

Okay. so my comment is a bit extreme. I apologize, but I do not retract my statement that you read.

Elite LACs like Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Wellesley, Pomona, CMC, Middlebury, W&L, Davidson, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Colby, Vassar, and many others offer great academics and an opportunity to grow. Kenyon is improving because it has expanded from 1,600 students to almost 1,900 students. Unfortunately, Kenyon had an immature attitude of superiority and privilege that was fostered by the admissions dept. Not sure if the admissions head is still the same. It was a woman who displayed little to no respect for Kenyon alumni & thought that she was special because someone at the New ork Times liked her. That attitude permeated the entire campus for at least a decade--and may still be prevalent.

Kenyon has a beautiful campus & decent to strong academics, but it is not in the league of a top National University or of a top 20 LAC.

I know Kenyon well. And I know a few of Kenyon's top supporters. Kenyon does not appreciate these folks--even though all are alums and long-term diehard supporters. I have never experienced anything like the arrogance of Kenyon's head of admissions (maybe former head of admissions). I have not kept up since they dissed a well respected alum who is a lifetime prep school teacher, coach, and administrator. Regardless, the school is still small, isolated, full of preppy type privileged students, and revolves around alcohol & pot, etc.

I have no opinion about Kenyon, but just reading this response you come off as petty to me--like you feel that Kenyon should be kowtowing to its alums whims and now have an axe to grind about it. Also, sort of odd to be sharing this level of personalized detail about a small school.

[Anonymous]

Kenyon has finally displaced Oberlin as the pre-eminent SLAC in Ohio. As much to do with Oberlin's self-inflicted wounds as improvements by Kenyon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kenyon has finally displaced Oberlin as the pre-eminent SLAC in Ohio. As much to do with Oberlin's self-inflicted wounds as improvements by Kenyon.

Eh, you can still get a good and somewhat discounted education at either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My honest opinion:

If your kid did not go to a private prep school, then Kenyon might be of interest;

If your kid went to a private prep school and targets Kenyon, your kid is an a-hole.

Why? Would this comment relate to all LACs?

Okay. so my comment is a bit extreme. I apologize, but I do not retract my statement that you read.

Elite LACs like Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Wellesley, Pomona, CMC, Middlebury, W&L, Davidson, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Colby, Vassar, and many others offer great academics and an opportunity to grow. Kenyon is improving because it has expanded from 1,600 students to almost 1,900 students. Unfortunately, Kenyon had an immature attitude of superiority and privilege that was fostered by the admissions dept. Not sure if the admissions head is still the same. It was a woman who displayed little to no respect for Kenyon alumni & thought that she was special because someone at the New ork Times liked her. That attitude permeated the entire campus for at least a decade--and may still be prevalent.

Kenyon has a beautiful campus & decent to strong academics, but it is not in the league of a top National University or of a top 20 LAC.

I know Kenyon well. And I know a few of Kenyon's top supporters. Kenyon does not appreciate these folks--even though all are alums and long-term diehard supporters. I have never experienced anything like the arrogance of Kenyon's head of admissions (maybe former head of admissions). I have not kept up since they dissed a well respected alum who is a lifetime prep school teacher, coach, and administrator. Regardless, the school is still small, isolated, full of preppy type privileged students, and revolves around alcohol & pot, etc.

I have no opinion about Kenyon, but just reading this response you come off as petty to me--like you feel that Kenyon should be kowtowing to its alums whims and now have an axe to grind about it. Also, sort of odd to be sharing this level of personalized detail about a small school.

Fair enough. I understand how you arrived at your impression. The problem with offering one's thoughts is that rather than think about the content some posters seem to prefer to attack the poster in order to avoid issues raised.

Kenyon College is small, but growing. In the past, many felt that the environment was too small and isolated, and drinking was out-of-control. The drinking problem has been addressed in a somewhat aggressive manner by the school--and that is good. Enrollment has been expanded from over 1,600 to over 1,900--which is also a positive move.

[Anonymous]

Slight correction: Kenyon College's website states that the undergrad enrollment is 1,877, not 1,900+.

[Anonymous]

Kenyon College would be an outstanding two year college affiliated with a major National University as Emory's Oxford (Oxford, Georgia) campus is to Emory University's main campus in Decatur/Atlanta.

If Kenyon College was a feeder into an elite National University such as Dartmouth College, Washington University in St. Louis, or another Top 15 National University, I suspect that it would attract many more highly qualified applicants as a first choice school that would ease the transition from high school / prep school to a university.

[Anonymous]

Oberlin is still the epicenter of Woke SLACs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they yet have a new president?

He announced he was leaving this fall in December 2022. Maybe a search firm can pull that off to have someone in place for August, but that's not necessarily easy.

Was he ushered out? Seemed very awkward and aloof when we met him.

Not exactly. He got the top job at the Museum of Natural History after raising hundreds of millions for Kenyon and leaving it as strong as it has ever been. Guy was considered a rock star.

These guys interact with thousands of people, like politicians, so tend to be a little stiff.

The best college president I've met are the opposite of stiff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My honest opinion:

If your kid did not go to a private prep school, then Kenyon might be of interest;

If your kid went to a private prep school and targets Kenyon, your kid is an a-hole.

Why? Would this comment relate to all LACs?

Okay. so my comment is a bit extreme. I apologize, but I do not retract my statement that you read.

Elite LACs like Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Wellesley, Pomona, CMC, Middlebury, W&L, Davidson, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Colby, Vassar, and many others offer great academics and an opportunity to grow. Kenyon is improving because it has expanded from 1,600 students to almost 1,900 students. Unfortunately, Kenyon had an immature attitude of superiority and privilege that was fostered by the admissions dept. Not sure if the admissions head is still the same. It was a woman who displayed little to no respect for Kenyon alumni & thought that she was special because someone at the New ork Times liked her. That attitude permeated the entire campus for at least a decade--and may still be prevalent.

Kenyon has a beautiful campus & decent to strong academics, but it is not in the league of a top National University or of a top 20 LAC.

I know Kenyon well. And I know a few of Kenyon's top supporters. Kenyon does not appreciate these folks--even though all are alums and long-term diehard supporters. I have never experienced anything like the arrogance of Kenyon's head of admissions (maybe former head of admissions). I have not kept up since they dissed a well respected alum who is a lifetime prep school teacher, coach, and administrator. Regardless, the school is still small, isolated, full of preppy type privileged students, and revolves around alcohol & pot, etc.

I have no opinion about Kenyon, but just reading this response you come off as petty to me--like you feel that Kenyon should be kowtowing to its alums whims and now have an axe to grind about it. Also, sort of odd to be sharing this level of personalized detail about a small school.

Fair enough. I understand how you arrived at your impression. The problem with offering one's thoughts is that rather than think about the content some posters seem to prefer to attack the poster in order to avoid issues raised.

Kenyon College is small, but growing. In the past, many felt that the environment was too small and isolated, and drinking was out-of-control. The drinking problem has been addressed in a somewhat aggressive manner by the school--and that is good. Enrollment has been expanded from over 1,600 to over 1,900--which is also a positive move.

Well, on an anonymous board with a lot of misinformation, assessing the motives of the poster is one of the steps of thinking about the content. I can't possibly know if your opinions on the admissions office are well-founded or not. I just have been in many situations where rich donors think they know best and are resentful when they don't get their way-- when in fact they are out of touch with the present day needs of an institution-- and your post gave me those vibes. I tend to admire institutions that listen and value supporters but don't give them too much sway.
As for content, in general I agree with the idea that expanding enrollment for small LACS up to the 2000 range is a smart move both financially and socially for students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kenyon College would be an outstanding two year college affiliated with a major National University as Emory's Oxford (Oxford, Georgia) campus is to Emory University's main campus in Decatur/Atlanta.

If Kenyon College was a feeder into an elite National University such as Dartmouth College, Washington University in St. Louis, or another Top 15 National University, I suspect that it would attract many more highly qualified applicants as a first choice school that would ease the transition from high school / prep school to a university.

That is a bit condescending towards Kenyon and sort of an antiquated unrealistic idea. The Dartmouths or Wash U’s get a slightly stronger average academic profile in terms of their average student and have broader offerings by virtue of their size but the quality of education one receives is unlikely all that different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kenyon College would be an outstanding two year college affiliated with a major National University as Emory's Oxford (Oxford, Georgia) campus is to Emory University's main campus in Decatur/Atlanta.

If Kenyon College was a feeder into an elite National University such as Dartmouth College, Washington University in St. Louis, or another Top 15 National University, I suspect that it would attract many more highly qualified applicants as a first choice school that would ease the transition from high school / prep school to a university.

That is a bit condescending towards Kenyon and sort of an antiquated unrealistic idea. The Dartmouths or Wash U’s get a slightly stronger average academic profile in terms of their average student and have broader offerings by virtue of their size but the quality of education one receives is unlikely all that different.

The quoted poster wrote: "This is a bit condescending towards Kenyon and sort of an antiquated unrealistic idea."

This is precisely the type of attitude that I experienced. A condescending and conclusory remark without any substance. You represent Kenyon well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kenyon College would be an outstanding two year college affiliated with a major National University as Emory's Oxford (Oxford, Georgia) campus is to Emory University's main campus in Decatur/Atlanta.

If Kenyon College was a feeder into an elite National University such as Dartmouth College, Washington University in St. Louis, or another Top 15 National University, I suspect that it would attract many more highly qualified applicants as a first choice school that would ease the transition from high school / prep school to a university.

That is a bit condescending towards Kenyon and sort of an antiquated unrealistic idea. The Dartmouths or Wash U’s get a slightly stronger average academic profile in terms of their average student and have broader offerings by virtue of their size but the quality of education one receives is unlikely all that different.

The quoted poster wrote: "This is a bit condescending towards Kenyon and sort of an antiquated unrealistic idea."

This is precisely the type of attitude that I experienced. A condescending and conclusory remark without any substance. You represent Kenyon well.

I don’t represent Kenyon at all but I also don’t see it as some kind of a junior college. It’s a 200 year old 4 year institution that has produced many successful graduates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kenyon College would be an outstanding two year college affiliated with a major National University as Emory's Oxford (Oxford, Georgia) campus is to Emory University's main campus in Decatur/Atlanta.

If Kenyon College was a feeder into an elite National University such as Dartmouth College, Washington University in St. Louis, or another Top 15 National University, I suspect that it would attract many more highly qualified applicants as a first choice school that would ease the transition from high school / prep school to a university.

This is delusional, national US will not save LACs. And Oxford is different as its always been apart of Emory.