Are you familiar with Muhlenberg College?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t blame OP for wondering if Muhlenberg is second rate considering where else her daughter applied and where else she got into. It IS second rate compared to those schools. I certainly don’t think it’s worth the money. Is it even a top 50 LAC?

Having said that, I wouldn’t make much of the parent asking a question about IEPs. That’s a helicopter parent talking, not an accepted student. The student was probably horrified by the question.

So you are basically saying OP is engaging in a VBA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would imagine the location of the school would factor into your decision. Pittsburgh is like 1000x more interesting for a college student than Allentown.

I realize the city is maybe not a factor Freshman year because college is this great new experience. But, once your DD starts looking to branch out she will find little to nothing in Allentown.

+1
Pitt looked like a great option to me too because of location. I personally would vote for Pitt (or W&M spring admit if you're considering that). Pitt is one of the smaller big universities on your list.

That said, being in music/theater will absorb a lot of free time where others would be "exploring" the town around their school--so it may be great for focus to be in a place like Allentown where there's not much outside of it.

Ultimately it's your daughter's choice though--I would just help her weigh the pros and cons of each of her options in a more systematic way rather than going with vague fears.

Although, Pittsburgh is going to have way more actual theatre (large touring productions and small fringe stuff) happening for DD to attend. Also, CMU's theatre program is like #1 in the country...I don't know, but suspect Pitt gets some halo effects from that in terms of agents and other industry professionals visiting Pittsburgh.

I think you are underestimating Allentown and Muhlenberg here. There is a ton of college and local theater in the Lehigh Valley, enhanced by the large supply of NYC-based theatre professionals and faculty. Muhlenberg does incredible productions with Actors Equity members and the area is close enough to NYC for day trips. There is a serious theater community and students who go on to professional careers in theater and dance.

Underestimating is kind - basically the PP is demonstrating they know nothing about that area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know one kid there- has anxiety issues and had to leave his first university. He likes it there but its tiny - smaller than our local high school and also, from what I am reading here, they must cater to high need/support kids because he is one.

I agree with the poster who said these schools are universes apart. I would do spring admit at W&M with your kids profile (spend fall in semester abroad) or go to a bigger college.

So cater is now a synonym for accommodations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I missing something? Isn’t William and Mary known as being a great spot for kids who pride themselves for being quirky? I find it kind of funny that quirkiness is discounted by op at William and Mary but a concern at Muhlenberg, which may not even be particularly quirky. I also don’t understand how a kid who wants a small environment applied mostly to large schools including one with an undergrad enrollment exceeding 34,000. In any case, op and her dd seem unlikely to be comfortable not going to the most prestigious school available so should probably chose spring start William and Mary.

I have a kid at W&M and I don't really think W&M students as a whole are that quirky. I think they are very into academics, earnest, and generally not too artsy (though a lot of singers). I think when they call themselves a "Twamp" it's acknowledging that the students care about their studies a lot and can be super into some aspect of them. W&M students don't usually have an artsy quirkiness. When Jen Psaki was press secretary I at first didn't know she was a W&M alum, but she instantly seemed very much to me like many of the W&M alum I work with--I don't know exactly how to describe the vibe, but smart, earnest, really attentive and intense without seeming to make themselves the center of attention. I have no idea of kids at Muhlenberg are quirky or not, but I would expect there to be more of the artsy quirkiness given the size of its theater/music dept compared to the size of the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would imagine the location of the school would factor into your decision. Pittsburgh is like 1000x more interesting for a college student than Allentown.

I realize the city is maybe not a factor Freshman year because college is this great new experience. But, once your DD starts looking to branch out she will find little to nothing in Allentown.

+1
Pitt looked like a great option to me too because of location. I personally would vote for Pitt (or W&M spring admit if you're considering that). Pitt is one of the smaller big universities on your list.

That said, being in music/theater will absorb a lot of free time where others would be "exploring" the town around their school--so it may be great for focus to be in a place like Allentown where there's not much outside of it.

Ultimately it's your daughter's choice though--I would just help her weigh the pros and cons of each of her options in a more systematic way rather than going with vague fears.

Although, Pittsburgh is going to have way more actual theatre (large touring productions and small fringe stuff) happening for DD to attend. Also, CMU's theatre program is like #1 in the country...I don't know, but suspect Pitt gets some halo effects from that in terms of agents and other industry professionals visiting Pittsburgh.

I think you are underestimating Allentown and Muhlenberg here. There is a ton of college and local theater in the Lehigh Valley, enhanced by the large supply of NYC-based theatre professionals and faculty. Muhlenberg does incredible productions with Actors Equity members and the area is close enough to NYC for day trips. There is a serious theater community and students who go on to professional careers in theater and dance.

Underestimating is kind - basically the PP is demonstrating they know nothing about that area.

Please, elaborate about the area...tell us all the exciting things to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would imagine the location of the school would factor into your decision. Pittsburgh is like 1000x more interesting for a college student than Allentown.

I realize the city is maybe not a factor Freshman year because college is this great new experience. But, once your DD starts looking to branch out she will find little to nothing in Allentown.

+1
Pitt looked like a great option to me too because of location. I personally would vote for Pitt (or W&M spring admit if you're considering that). Pitt is one of the smaller big universities on your list.

That said, being in music/theater will absorb a lot of free time where others would be "exploring" the town around their school--so it may be great for focus to be in a place like Allentown where there's not much outside of it.

Ultimately it's your daughter's choice though--I would just help her weigh the pros and cons of each of her options in a more systematic way rather than going with vague fears.

Although, Pittsburgh is going to have way more actual theatre (large touring productions and small fringe stuff) happening for DD to attend. Also, CMU's theatre program is like #1 in the country...I don't know, but suspect Pitt gets some halo effects from that in terms of agents and other industry professionals visiting Pittsburgh.

I think you are underestimating Allentown and Muhlenberg here. There is a ton of college and local theater in the Lehigh Valley, enhanced by the large supply of NYC-based theatre professionals and faculty. Muhlenberg does incredible productions with Actors Equity members and the area is close enough to NYC for day trips. There is a serious theater community and students who go on to professional careers in theater and dance.

Underestimating is kind - basically the PP is demonstrating they know nothing about that area.

Please, elaborate about the area...tell us all the exciting things to do.

The point wasn't all the exciting things to do, but the robust theatre/performance scene in the Lehigh Valley, partially due to its proximity to NYC.

It's not a Pittsburgh or nothing in PA, but two different theatre scenes. And FWIW, OP's DC is not in at CMU while they are at Muhlenberg.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would imagine the location of the school would factor into your decision. Pittsburgh is like 1000x more interesting for a college student than Allentown.

I realize the city is maybe not a factor Freshman year because college is this great new experience. But, once your DD starts looking to branch out she will find little to nothing in Allentown.

+1
Pitt looked like a great option to me too because of location. I personally would vote for Pitt (or W&M spring admit if you're considering that). Pitt is one of the smaller big universities on your list.

That said, being in music/theater will absorb a lot of free time where others would be "exploring" the town around their school--so it may be great for focus to be in a place like Allentown where there's not much outside of it.

Ultimately it's your daughter's choice though--I would just help her weigh the pros and cons of each of her options in a more systematic way rather than going with vague fears.

Although, Pittsburgh is going to have way more actual theatre (large touring productions and small fringe stuff) happening for DD to attend. Also, CMU's theatre program is like #1 in the country...I don't know, but suspect Pitt gets some halo effects from that in terms of agents and other industry professionals visiting Pittsburgh.

I think you are underestimating Allentown and Muhlenberg here. There is a ton of college and local theater in the Lehigh Valley, enhanced by the large supply of NYC-based theatre professionals and faculty. Muhlenberg does incredible productions with Actors Equity members and the area is close enough to NYC for day trips. There is a serious theater community and students who go on to professional careers in theater and dance.

Underestimating is kind - basically the PP is demonstrating they know nothing about that area.

Please, elaborate about the area...tell us all the exciting things to do.

The point wasn't all the exciting things to do, but the robust theatre/performance scene in the Lehigh Valley, partially due to its proximity to NYC.

It's not a Pittsburgh or nothing in PA, but two different theatre scenes. And FWIW, OP's DC is not in at CMU while they are at Muhlenberg.

OK...elaborate on the robust theatre/performance scene in the Lehigh Valley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I supervise several early-career professionals from schools ranging from Ivies (Brown, Princeton) to large flagships (Michigan) to SLACs (Wesleyan)...the most impressive individual I have supervised went to Muhlenberg--best writer, most pro-active, most personable. Not at all quirky.

Means nothing.

Why does it mean nothing?

It’s an anecdote. It means nothing. The poster is making sweeping generalizations on the basis of one outlier. It means nothing.

99 percent of what is written on this board is about people's personal experiences or perceptions based on other people's experiences. It's all anecdote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would imagine the location of the school would factor into your decision. Pittsburgh is like 1000x more interesting for a college student than Allentown.

I realize the city is maybe not a factor Freshman year because college is this great new experience. But, once your DD starts looking to branch out she will find little to nothing in Allentown.

+1
Pitt looked like a great option to me too because of location. I personally would vote for Pitt (or W&M spring admit if you're considering that). Pitt is one of the smaller big universities on your list.

That said, being in music/theater will absorb a lot of free time where others would be "exploring" the town around their school--so it may be great for focus to be in a place like Allentown where there's not much outside of it.

Ultimately it's your daughter's choice though--I would just help her weigh the pros and cons of each of her options in a more systematic way rather than going with vague fears.

Although, Pittsburgh is going to have way more actual theatre (large touring productions and small fringe stuff) happening for DD to attend. Also, CMU's theatre program is like #1 in the country...I don't know, but suspect Pitt gets some halo effects from that in terms of agents and other industry professionals visiting Pittsburgh.

I think you are underestimating Allentown and Muhlenberg here. There is a ton of college and local theater in the Lehigh Valley, enhanced by the large supply of NYC-based theatre professionals and faculty. Muhlenberg does incredible productions with Actors Equity members and the area is close enough to NYC for day trips. There is a serious theater community and students who go on to professional careers in theater and dance.

Underestimating is kind - basically the PP is demonstrating they know nothing about that area.

Please, elaborate about the area...tell us all the exciting things to do.

The point wasn't all the exciting things to do, but the robust theatre/performance scene in the Lehigh Valley, partially due to its proximity to NYC.

It's not a Pittsburgh or nothing in PA, but two different theatre scenes. And FWIW, OP's DC is not in at CMU while they are at Muhlenberg.

OK...elaborate on the robust theatre/performance scene in the Lehigh Valley.

you are able to post here, so am assuming that your server works, so knock yourself out if you are so eager to learn more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your daughter want a small college or larger one? Does she want the personalized attention a LAC could provide? If so, unfortunatlely she doesn't have many options. Mhulenberg it is.

If she isn't 100% sold on the small college experience, Pitt is a great choice. Such a variety of students at that school

This post is helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I missing something? Isn’t William and Mary known as being a great spot for kids who pride themselves for being quirky? I find it kind of funny that quirkiness is discounted by op at William and Mary but a concern at Muhlenberg, which may not even be particularly quirky. I also don’t understand how a kid who wants a small environment applied mostly to large schools including one with an undergrad enrollment exceeding 34,000. In any case, op and her dd seem unlikely to be comfortable not going to the most prestigious school available so should probably chose spring start William and Mary.

I have a kid at W&M and I don't really think W&M students as a whole are that quirky. I think they are very into academics, earnest, and generally not too artsy (though a lot of singers). I think when they call themselves a "Twamp" it's acknowledging that the students care about their studies a lot and can be super into some aspect of them. W&M students don't usually have an artsy quirkiness. When Jen Psaki was press secretary I at first didn't know she was a W&M alum, but she instantly seemed very much to me like many of the W&M alum I work with--I don't know exactly how to describe the vibe, but smart, earnest, really attentive and intense without seeming to make themselves the center of attention. I have no idea of kids at Muhlenberg are quirky or not, but I would expect there to be more of the artsy quirkiness given the size of its theater/music dept compared to the size of the school.

Quirky is a DCUM adjective and often meant as a pejorative. W&M students just think they are being themselves and typically have some passion for learning, being involved, and making a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I supervise several early-career professionals from schools ranging from Ivies (Brown, Princeton) to large flagships (Michigan) to SLACs (Wesleyan)...the most impressive individual I have supervised went to Muhlenberg--best writer, most pro-active, most personable. Not at all quirky.

Means nothing.

Why does it mean nothing?

It’s an anecdote. It means nothing. The poster is making sweeping generalizations on the basis of one outlier. It means nothing.

99 percent of what is written on this board is about people's personal experiences or perceptions based on other people's experiences. It's all anecdote.

Agreed. Even the stats that people report, sometimes I think those posters don't even have kids...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think she’s reading way too much into the IEP question. One person asks this and she thinks the whole school is full of weirdos?

I think it is a lovely SLAC. Well known for their arts department. Not an easy admit - you have to have good stats. It is part of a consortium with a few other local LACs.

+1 We visited Muhlenberg and the first question at the information session was about financial aid. I did not come away from that thinking everyone there was poor.

My kid really liked it, applied and got in but chose to attend another similarly sized/ranked mid-Atlantic LAC. I loved Muhlenberg but I can’t imagine being interested in it if your other choices are giant state schools.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think your daughter should focus more on the academic opportunities, and head for one of the better schools. She can engage in theater and voice extracurriculars anywhere and over her entire life. If she is that good, she’ll find better competition and resources at these larger schools as well.

[Anonymous]

The acceptance rate is high at 67.8% so it's not a competitive school, its more a safety for high achieving students and a reach only for those who are struggling.

It's also in Allentown Pennsylvania, which is impoverished.