Denison’s rise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

some people probably expect Denison to be located in a flat, treeless prairie-type setting, and are pleased to find its campus is lush & not flat. It feels more like a New England college than a typical Midwestern school.

And, while we still joke around about Ohio, Granville is an adorable village with a New England vibe

You sort of have to admire how unabashed DCUM's self-styled coastal sophisticates are about advertising ... uh ... the gaps in their historical awareness. Ohio was originally settled as Connecticut's Western Reserve (name ring a bell?), extending from Pennsylvania's western border theoretically as far as the Pacific. And while the Western Reserve didn't cover all of Ohio, and the territorial claims were soon ceded by Connecticut in the early 19th century, a lot of the development of the northern half of Ohio prior to the Industrial Revolution followed New England cultural patterns. That explains why a lot of small Ohio villages look a lot like New England ones, and why Ohio has a lot of rural SLACs on the New England model, relative to other Great Lakes states (and also why Cleveland was build around a 'public square" like cities in New England, and also why abolitionist sentiment was so strong in Ohio, like in New England, making Ohio the 'northern trunk line' of the Underground Railroad). That Granville (founded 1802) and Denison (founded 1831) have a New England feel is hardly surprising.

As for expecting Ohio to be flat and treeless like Kansas or Illinois ... can't help you there.

Thanks... this actually explains a lot. Nice to have historical perspective as you tour these parts. Ohio's story is much different versus say upper midwest.

[Anonymous]

Denison is to Tulane is to Northeastern. Fall back schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Denison is to Tulane is to Northeastern. Fall back schools.

That is not necessarily true. Denison was the dream school and first choice for one of DC's friends, who was recruited as an athlete. The kid was delighted to be accepted. She's never been happier and is excelling in every way. Her high grades bode well for her professional/graduate school prospects, and she's been able to take piano lessons and further her musical education. Her parents are enthused about the school and wish they'd looked at Denison more closely for their older child, who was disappointed with her elite LAC. The kid was stressed out, unhappy, and earned mediocre grades that ruined her medical school hopes. I wonder why people would be disdainful of schools that are an excellent fit for some kids. It's a privilege to attend a school like Denison, and I wish my parents could have afforded a school like that for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

some people probably expect Denison to be located in a flat, treeless prairie-type setting, and are pleased to find its campus is lush & not flat. It feels more like a New England college than a typical Midwestern school.

And, while we still joke around about Ohio, Granville is an adorable village with a New England vibe

You sort of have to admire how unabashed DCUM's self-styled coastal sophisticates are about advertising ... uh ... the gaps in their historical awareness. Ohio was originally settled as Connecticut's Western Reserve (name ring a bell?), extending from Pennsylvania's western border theoretically as far as the Pacific. And while the Western Reserve didn't cover all of Ohio, and the territorial claims were soon ceded by Connecticut in the early 19th century, a lot of the development of the northern half of Ohio prior to the Industrial Revolution followed New England cultural patterns. That explains why a lot of small Ohio villages look a lot like New England ones, and why Ohio has a lot of rural SLACs on the New England model, relative to other Great Lakes states (and also why Cleveland was build around a 'public square" like cities in New England, and also why abolitionist sentiment was so strong in Ohio, like in New England, making Ohio the 'northern trunk line' of the Underground Railroad). That Granville (founded 1802) and Denison (founded 1831) have a New England feel is hardly surprising.

As for expecting Ohio to be flat and treeless like Kansas or Illinois ... can't help you there.

Thanks... this actually explains a lot. Nice to have historical perspective as you tour these parts. Ohio's story is much different versus say upper midwest.

George H.W. Bush's grandfather also moved from Connecticut (? One of those New England states) to Columbus to be a railroad superintendent. It sounds like he was a very prominent figure in Columbus. Columbus is definitely a white-collar city. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2009/07/17/s-p-bush-columbus-link/23758077007/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Denison is to Tulane is to Northeastern. Fall back schools.

That is not necessarily true. Denison was the dream school and first choice for one of DC's friends, who was recruited as an athlete. The kid was delighted to be accepted. She's never been happier and is excelling in every way. Her high grades bode well for her professional/graduate school prospects, and she's been able to take piano lessons and further her musical education. Her parents are enthused about the school and wish they'd looked at Denison more closely for their older child, who was disappointed with her elite LAC. The kid was stressed out, unhappy, and earned mediocre grades that ruined her medical school hopes. I wonder why people would be disdainful of schools that are an excellent fit for some kids. It's a privilege to attend a school like Denison, and I wish my parents could have afforded a school like that for me.

My DC also excelled at Denison and had so many opportunities, in part because of the huge endowment. We loved it so much as parents that we still donate to the annual fund.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Denison is to Tulane is to Northeastern. Fall back schools.

That is not necessarily true. Denison was the dream school and first choice for one of DC's friends, who was recruited as an athlete. The kid was delighted to be accepted. She's never been happier and is excelling in every way. Her high grades bode well for her professional/graduate school prospects, and she's been able to take piano lessons and further her musical education. Her parents are enthused about the school and wish they'd looked at Denison more closely for their older child, who was disappointed with her elite LAC. The kid was stressed out, unhappy, and earned mediocre grades that ruined her medical school hopes. I wonder why people would be disdainful of schools that are an excellent fit for some kids. It's a privilege to attend a school like Denison, and I wish my parents could have afforded a school like that for me.

My DC also excelled at Denison and had so many opportunities, in part because of the huge endowment. We loved it so much as parents that we still donate to the annual fund.

Second tier. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Denison has hit a sweet spot.

Not impossible to get into like the Williams and Swats of the world.

Liberal, but of the sane/middle of the road flavor.

It's no surprise that Denison has, and continues to, rise.

[Anonymous]

It’s a good enough slac with enough merit to be affordable for donut hole families

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Denison has hit a sweet spot.

Not impossible to get into like the Williams and Swats of the world.

Liberal, but of the sane/middle of the road flavor.

It's no surprise that Denison has, and continues to, rise.

Yeah, not impossible to get into like the schools that you mentioned because it is nowhere near their quality or reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Denison has hit a sweet spot.

Not impossible to get into like the Williams and Swats of the world.

Liberal, but of the sane/middle of the road flavor.

It's no surprise that Denison has, and continues to, rise.

Yeah, not impossible to get into like the schools that you mentioned because it is nowhere near their quality or reputation.

So should PP's DC simply not have gone to college as they couldn't get into Williams or Swat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Denison has hit a sweet spot.

Not impossible to get into like the Williams and Swats of the world.

Liberal, but of the sane/middle of the road flavor.

It's no surprise that Denison has, and continues to, rise.

Yeah, not impossible to get into like the schools that you mentioned because it is nowhere near their quality or reputation.

Another advantage of Denison is that one could get away from people who think like this. I would be very disappointed if my kids learned to sneer and condescend in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Denison has hit a sweet spot.

Not impossible to get into like the Williams and Swats of the world.

Liberal, but of the sane/middle of the road flavor.

It's no surprise that Denison has, and continues to, rise.

Yeah, not impossible to get into like the schools that you mentioned because it is nowhere near their quality or reputation.

So should PP's DC simply not have gone to college as they couldn't get into Williams or Swat?

It’s Yale or jail folks. If your kids don’t get into an elite New England school they might as well enlist in the military with the rest of the dumb cannon fodder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Kenyon is the top Ohio LAC and remains highest ranked by USNWR. CDS data convincingly shows highest quality student body academically. Faculty compares well with any LAC in the country.

As has been chronicled here, Denison plays a game where they waitlist kids while simultaneously offering them merit scholarships. This likely explains the low acceptance rate. They accept you once you accept them.

That being said, Denison is solid. Very nice campus in nice town. Somewhat larger than most LACs. Has the vibe of U of Richmond and physically resembles it. The endowment is around $1 billion which allows the school to compete on merit. They are definitely giving Kenyon a run for their money, but Kenyon has the historical prestige, intellectual culture and a certain magic to it. And Kenyon has improved financially itself in recent years.

Both schools are strong athletically in certain areas and have strong school spirit.

Kenyon and Denison tied for #39 in the current US News ranking for National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Denison's Endowment of $1.1 billion is more than twice Kenyon's And it's endowment per student is 50% higher.




Oberlin is drowning in its own self-inflicted woke wounds, sadly.

Wooster is a great place to get an education for smart students who may not have knocked the ball out of the park in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Denison has hit a sweet spot.

Not impossible to get into like the Williams and Swats of the world.

Liberal, but of the sane/middle of the road flavor.

It's no surprise that Denison has, and continues to, rise.

Yeah, not impossible to get into like the schools that you mentioned because it is nowhere near their quality or reputation.

So should PP's DC simply not have gone to college as they couldn't get into Williams or Swat?

It’s Yale or jail folks. If your kids don’t get into an elite New England school they might as well enlist in the military with the rest of the dumb cannon fodder.

A few years of cannon fodder may give a kid the the best odds of getting into an ivy. Harvard, and especially their professional schools, love the army. I come from a family with a 'tradition' of mediocre grades, multiple tours, and then Harvard. Six of us have done it now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Denison has hit a sweet spot.

Not impossible to get into like the Williams and Swats of the world.

Liberal, but of the sane/middle of the road flavor.

It's no surprise that Denison has, and continues to, rise.

Yeah, not impossible to get into like the schools that you mentioned because it is nowhere near their quality or reputation.

So should PP's DC simply not have gone to college as they couldn't get into Williams or Swat?

It’s Yale or jail folks. If your kids don’t get into an elite New England school they might as well enlist in the military with the rest of the dumb cannon fodder.

Or if you are like Stewart Rhodes (the PP sounds like a close cousin), it's Yale to Jail!