Tell us about Kenyon...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always assume kids going to Kenyon likely got into the “1st tier” SLACs but needed the merit aid that Kenyon offers - like kids going to Case or Grinnell or Oberlin. Bright kids whose families can afford $50-$60k tuition but not $80k. Is this no longer true?

It may be partially true. Merit packages are as high as $25k and something like 1/4 get merit. I think in some cases the merit money makes the difference; I personally don’t think a Bates or Colby have a stronger student body or offer a better education in any way, so why not take the discount? But obviously a lot of kids are full pay or getting smaller merit discounts. Not that many kids are getting the large merit award (maybe 10 pct?)

I get your point re: Bates but I think the point of comparison is similar-level schools offering merit: Kenyon does not compare favorably any longer to Oberlin, Conn College, and Macalester in that regard, in part because of its higher tuition (so why not take the discount and avoid Kenyon?). I even wonder if Kenyon has the highest tuition in the country; certainly it would be top 5.

I should say, though, that way more than 1/4 of kids with no financial need at any of these schools are getting merit. As an applicant, I would only pay attention to schools offering merit to a minimum of 50% of non-need kids. Sometimes school names are bandied about as “offering merit” when it is only to around 15% of non-need kids. For selecting which schools to apply to, these schools should be treated as no merit.

Numbers are obviously not for this admissions cycle but here they are for each school: https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/merit-aid

The Kenyon website says 43 pct get some need based aid, 65 pct get financial aid in general, and 1/4 get merit aid. I might deduce from that the 22 pct of students get merit aid only. So about 22/(100-43) or 38 pct of those who don’t qualify for need based aid receive merit aid.

It’s possible some of the other schools are more aggressive with merit scholarships. Kenyon’s endowment has grown significantly in the past few years so perhaps it will become more competitive with merit in the future. Very few northeastern SLACs do merit (Conn is an exception among NESCACs) so it’s a good way to draw top students out to Ohio.

You don’t have to deduce anything: you have the link, derived from the CDS. Look at the CDS itself if you feel sleuth-like, instead of wasting time with your numbers gobbledygook. It is not “possible” that these peer schools are more aggressive with merit (way more if you take into account Kenyon’s tuition is 5k more); it is the reality. I won’t tell you Kenyon’s real number because I am confident you can read. Suffice to say, it is significantly higher than 38%.

Ok I checked the CDS. 160/270 freshman who didn’t receive need based aid got merit awards averaging $17k.

Which means my DC is one of 110 or kids paying full freight out of 500. I guess a sucker is born every minute! Oh well good thing I’m rich!

[Anonymous]

What’s the word on the new president?

[Anonymous]

I was just wondering when this thread would pop up again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kenyon? Never heard of it.

I'm not sure what exactly he wants to do in finance, but if he wants to work in investment banking, they are obsessed with IVY schools. It's a very narrow minded view, but this is what you are dealing with. If you attend a school that isn't top 10, the odds aren't on your side.

Bucknell has a good reputation for preparing students for investment banking. About 3200 kids, I think. I have heard lots of Greek life and parties though.

[Anonymous]

What is this school? I have never heard of it.

[Anonymous]

As I was researching colleges when I came across this thread. I had no idea that a slac in Ohio had the cachet to engender so much passion on a regional DC blog - positive and negative. Usually this level of vitriol is reserved for the fancy high schools you like to fight over. No dog in that fight.

DS is from an unknown public. He was admitted at Kenyon, Denison, Bates, Haverford, Hamilton, Colgate, Lafayette and Lehigh. Good grades, terrific writer, solid SAT. Denied at Swarthmore, Colby and couldn't make one of the acadmies work.

Leaning heavy to Kenyon, as he swims, writes and because the place is simply beautiful. Lots of merit aid at all schools. I have a much older son who went to Georgia Tech and is very happy and doing very well in his field.

Aside from the disposable vitriol on this thread, is there a reason I should dissuade the son of small business owner from rural Virgina from attending Kenyon? I understand the Lehigh or Lafayette would be a better fit for my family but my family will not be attending. My son will. I would very much appreciate hearing from folks and family of those who attended or alumni. If you have an opinion about me, my son, politics or grandiose pronouncements about the state of education, you can considered your self ignored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As I was researching colleges when I came across this thread. I had no idea that a slac in Ohio had the cachet to engender so much passion on a regional DC blog - positive and negative. Usually this level of vitriol is reserved for the fancy high schools you like to fight over. No dog in that fight.

DS is from an unknown public. He was admitted at Kenyon, Denison, Bates, Haverford, Hamilton, Colgate, Lafayette and Lehigh. Good grades, terrific writer, solid SAT. Denied at Swarthmore, Colby and couldn't make one of the acadmies work.

Leaning heavy to Kenyon, as he swims, writes and because the place is simply beautiful. Lots of merit aid at all schools. I have a much older son who went to Georgia Tech and is very happy and doing very well in his field.

Aside from the disposable vitriol on this thread, is there a reason I should dissuade the son of small business owner from rural Virgina from attending Kenyon? I understand the Lehigh or Lafayette would be a better fit for my family but my family will not be attending. My son will. I would very much appreciate hearing from folks and family of those who attended or alumni. If you have an opinion about me, my son, politics or grandiose pronouncements about the state of education, you can considered your self ignored.

I have a son with a similar profile (but not a swimmer) an he loved visiting Kenyon. He wanted something urban - and all of the + of the school trumped the urban requirement. If I was searching for the negative (and it wound up making it a deal breaker for my DS) - it was the fact that the closest ice rink was 45 minutes away.
I have a niece who graduated 2019 and can not say enough + things about her experience.
I am sad that my current 10th grader wants a larger school and refuses to even visit anything smaller than 3K because I loved Kenyon so much and I thought it would be a great match for her interests.

[Anonymous]

Kenyon's a special place. My older kid fell in love with it. Ultimately chose a different/higher ranked SLAC, which has generally worked out well. They also chose their school over several other DCUM favorites, including Williams.

They never, ever get wistful/have "what if" thoughts about Williams or others. They do get that way about Kenyon, though.

I think if you're a kid who clicks with Kenyon, you really, really love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kenyon is in OhIo

You are a sucky parent if you send a kid OOS now to ohio

What a bonehead move

okay

[Anonymous]

I have family, friends, and colleagues who attended Kenyon and found it a special place, notwithstanding, or perhaps due to, its remote location. Gorgeous campus but not everyone would want the tiny town and Ohio location. But seems like those who can work around that love it.

[Anonymous]

My daughter graduated from Kenyon recently. She loved it and had a great experience. Friendly and interesting students, not the big party scene others have mentioned. Sounds corny but it is a special place. See how your child feels about it on a visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kenyon is in OhIo

You are a sucky parent if you send a kid OOS now to ohio

What a bonehead move

okay

Just ignore the Dobbs dork. They pop up on every Ohio school thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:David Foster Wallace commencement speech "This is Water". Google it.

I've listened to this speech in its entirety and thought it was the single best commencement speech I have ever heard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:David Foster Wallace commencement speech "This is Water". Google it.

I've listened to this speech in its entirety and thought it was the single best commencement speech I have ever heard.

My DD was accepted to Kenyon this cycle. They sent her a book of that speech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:David Foster Wallace commencement speech "This is Water". Google it.

I've listened to this speech in its entirety and thought it was the single best commencement speech I have ever heard.

My DD was accepted to Kenyon this cycle. They sent her a book of that speech.

Wow, almost 20 years after the speech. It must have been so impactful