Have a list of schools that we are considering, but I don't know much about them. Insight, please.

[Anonymous]

I would like to know what the strength for each school is and the weakness. TIA!


Georgetown (DC)

American (DC)

Richmond (VA)

UVA (VA)

Dickinson (PA)

William and Mary (VA)

Swarthmore (PA)

Bryn Mawr (PA)

Muhlenberg (PA)

Lafayette (PA)

Allegheny (PA)

Davidson (NC)

Union (NY)

Mount Holyoke (MA)

St. Lawrence (NY)

[Anonymous]

What is your child's interests, GPA (weighted and not), test scores and where do you live?

[Anonymous]

You’re probably better off over at College Confidential.

[Anonymous]

That’s a long list. Of these the most selective are probably georgetown, William and Mary, swarthmore, uva, followed closely by Bryn Mawr, mt holyoke and Richmond.

You have a variety of selectivity on there, if there a particular program you’d child is interested in? How’d you make this list?

[Anonymous]

Can you describe your child's interest and personality, as well as what they are looking for in college socially? That might help.

[Anonymous]

Strange list. Wide variety of sizes, locations, and acceptance rates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your child's interests, GPA (weighted and not), test scores and where do you live?

When posters ask your impression of , or experience with, a school...why do DCUM members always start making them describe your kid, as if you are the judge of whether their list is "appropriate."

That is NOT what they asked of other posters. They asked what you think of the school. They can decide in their own household if they value those qualities.

[Anonymous]

I would like to know what the strength for each school is and the weakness. TIA!


Georgetown (DC)

American (DC)

Richmond (VA)

UVA (VA)

Dickinson (PA)

William and Mary (VA)

Swarthmore (PA)

Bryn Mawr (PA)

Muhlenberg (PA)

Lafayette (PA)

Allegheny (PA)

Davidson (NC)

Union (NY)

Mount Holyoke (MA)

St. Lawrence (NY)

That's a long list! Have you done any research of your own? Maybe that's where you should start....

[Anonymous]

Odd list, especially the part where you told us where these schools are (!) Are you from outside the Mid-Atlantic region?

[Anonymous]

For those we considered, here are some random impressions:

Davidson--hard to get in, grade deflation, lovely campus, strong honor code, charming town
Allegheny--we felt the town was SO depressed economically, that it was a deal breaker
My Holyoke--great school academically, pretty campus, tiny/calm town (like a block long) but easy access to great college towns nearby and expanded class options through the 5 college consortium,
approaching fringe with regard to gender issues, many of the students are workaholics, amazing mix of international students
Dickinson-nice campus, within walking distance of a decent college town, very strong study abroad program, and career services, loyal students, cliquey though
Swarthmore--very driven/competitive student body, and I don't mean that in a good way

Obviously, these schools have many selling points that you can read about. I was just sharing our impressions after campus visits and considerable research.

[Anonymous]

This is what I know based on impressions and visits:

Georgetown (DC) - Catholic, well-regarded, expensive

American (DC) - overpriced for what it is, not that well-regarded

Richmond (VA) - not familiar

UVA (VA) - nice college town, well-regarded, the price is right in-state

Dickinson (PA) -not familiar, but for the profile, ranking and price, look at Denison

William and Mary (VA) - nice college town, well-regarded, the price is right in-state

Swarthmore (PA) - not familiar

Bryn Mawr (PA) - not familiar

Muhlenberg (PA) - nice school, friendly feel, beautiful campus, nice location, great food, very artsy/theater crowd, good merit aid

Lafayette (PA) - frat bro feel, D1 sports at a D3 size school, my kid hated the feel

Allegheny (PA) - great school, nice campus, great merit aid, run-down town

Davidson (NC) - not familiar

Union (NY) - not familiar

Mount Holyoke (MA) - great school, wonderful academics, beautiful campus campus

St. Lawrence (NY) - not familiar, great rep, remote and hard to get to no matter how you travel

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those we considered, here are some random impressions:

Davidson--hard to get in, grade deflation, lovely campus, strong honor code, charming town
Allegheny--we felt the town was SO depressed economically, that it was a deal breaker
My Holyoke--great school academically, pretty campus, tiny/calm town (like a block long) but easy access to great college towns nearby and expanded class options through the 5 college consortium,
approaching fringe with regard to gender issues, many of the students are workaholics, amazing mix of international students
Dickinson-nice campus, within walking distance of a decent college town, very strong study abroad program, and career services, loyal students, cliquey though
Swarthmore--very driven/competitive student body, and I don't mean that in a good way

Obviously, these schools have many selling points that you can read about. I was just sharing our impressions after campus visits and considerable research.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is what I know based on impressions and visits:

Georgetown (DC) - Catholic, well-regarded, expensive

American (DC) - overpriced for what it is, not that well-regarded

Richmond (VA) - not familiar

UVA (VA) - nice college town, well-regarded, the price is right in-state

Dickinson (PA) -not familiar, but for the profile, ranking and price, look at Denison

William and Mary (VA) - nice college town, well-regarded, the price is right in-state

Swarthmore (PA) - not familiar

Bryn Mawr (PA) - not familiar

Muhlenberg (PA) - nice school, friendly feel, beautiful campus, nice location, great food, very artsy/theater crowd, good merit aid

Lafayette (PA) - frat bro feel, D1 sports at a D3 size school, my kid hated the feel

Allegheny (PA) - great school, nice campus, great merit aid, run-down town

Davidson (NC) - not familiar

Union (NY) - not familiar

Mount Holyoke (MA) - great school, wonderful academics, beautiful campus campus

St. Lawrence (NY) - not familiar, great rep, remote and hard to get to no matter how you travel

Thank you. Not looking for Frat bro life whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

About DD.

4.25 GPA; APs - score all 4 and 5 on exams; A junior who is interested in writing, journalism, international relations, gender equality and humanitarian fields of study.

I know a wide array, which is why I think a LAC is the best fit. No interest in STEM even though scores very well in all STEM classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those we considered, here are some random impressions:

Davidson--hard to get in, grade deflation, lovely campus, strong honor code, charming town
Allegheny--we felt the town was SO depressed economically, that it was a deal breaker
My Holyoke--great school academically, pretty campus, tiny/calm town (like a block long) but easy access to great college towns nearby and expanded class options through the 5 college consortium,
approaching fringe with regard to gender issues, many of the students are workaholics, amazing mix of international students
Dickinson-nice campus, within walking distance of a decent college town, very strong study abroad program, and career services, loyal students, cliquey though
Swarthmore--very driven/competitive student body, and I don't mean that in a good way

Obviously, these schools have many selling points that you can read about. I was just sharing our impressions after campus visits and considerable research.

PP, if you don't mind sharing, what school did you DD end up choosing?