Are you familiar with Muhlenberg College?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid was also accepted to Muhlenberg. I have heard it is good for kids with anxiety, which I interpret to mean it is small and supportive. It doesn’t mean every kid who goes there is quirky or has anxiety, but it makes sense that kids who value that would choose a small school. FWIW my son will probably go elsewhere as he has higher ranked and better fitting options. He does have an IEP in HS and takes meds—he also has higher SAT scores than your kid, which I say only because I find your tone a little belittling, even though I get your concerns. A school where theater is the biggest major is going to have a lot of quirky kids but to my mind that’s the theater thing, not SN.

Hi. OP here. I am sorry if you found my tone belittling. That wasn't my intent at all.. Congrats to your kid.

So you are only sorry if someone found it belittling? Perhaps own your bias. Your DC will be better for it.

Yeah, that was a “sorry you felt that way” non-apology. Gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Allentown is not “impoverished.” https://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/PA/Lehigh-Valley-Demographics.html And the school sits in a nice leafy suburb walking distance from downtown.

Thank you for this link. It tells us
blue-collar employees account for 25.35%.
over 77k people live below the poverty line
majority of population had "some high school" - 38.96% while 2.96% had "no high school"

It's hardly Bethesda.

Who said it was? Oh, right. No one.

[Anonymous]

I know two Muhlenberg students. One colleague. Would not describe as quirky at all. She loved it. Also know a good friend’s son. He’s great. Maybe quirky. Into theater + wants to be a math teacher. Really really smart kid. He loved it too.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused what/why you are asking OP?

Your daughter has many choices that are large schools and she has one choice that is totally different that she feels uncertain about after a virtual admitted student session (and that she felt was too small when you visited the first time).

My take-away from your scenario would be "GREAT! Let's strike that one off the list and move on to choosing among the others"

She doesn't seem to want to go - so what exactly are you asking here? For us to "talk YOU into" talking HER into wanting to go to Muhlenberg?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Muhlenberg (graduated 9 years ago). There are definitely some quirky people there, especially in theatre, but I would not describe the vast majority of students that way. Honestly, I think it’s a place where anyone can find their group; my friends and I were all extremely happy there. Don’t think the vibes/types of students have changed much since I left.

+10. Helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Allentown is not “impoverished.” https://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/PA/Lehigh-Valley-Demographics.html And the school sits in a nice leafy suburb walking distance from downtown.

Thank you for this link. It tells us
blue-collar employees account for 25.35%.
over 77k people live below the poverty line
majority of population had "some high school" - 38.96% while 2.96% had "no high school"

It's hardly Bethesda.

Yeah. Muhlenberg is a good school but Allentown is a bit of a bummer compared to a vibrant college town like Bloomington, IN or an Ann Arbor or Pitt or Chapel Hill....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know two Muhlenberg students. One colleague. Would not describe as quirky at all. She loved it. Also know a good friend’s son. He’s great. Maybe quirky. Into theater + wants to be a math teacher. Really really smart kid. He loved it too.

+10

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD accepted to Muhlenberg College and other schools including Indiana (Honors), Maryland, Florida, Pitt. She was actually waitlisted at William and Mary. Applied there because she enjoys liberal arts AND voice/musical theater and we were looking for options where the two could be

Background - She was recently waitlisted at Michigan STMD and rejected at Northwestern after auditioning in person at both places - beautiful voice! She didn't apply to music school at Indiana because she thought it might be too big of a music school. And who knows if she would have gotten in. This entire year has been tough on her.

AT any rate, everyone tells me what a 'great' and 'caring' school Muhlenberg is. And it seems that way. She did a zoom last week and the first question someone asked was how their kid's IEP would be handled.

DD has been in school with many kids with IEP plans, meds, problems. Yes, it is sad in this day and age that kids have this, but she doesn't. She came away from the zoom feeling like Muhlenberg might be a place where quirky kids go who cannot handle bigger places and need a lot of support. She does know several kids who go who are kinda quirky and odd. DD wants to be with different folks.. She loves the arts but doesn't want to be in a school with solely funky arts people.

She takes pride in herself and it made her feel she was accepted to a second rate place. I don't mean to insult Muhlenberg or those who have kids there. I guess I am a little worried too.

Should she target higher ranked places like Maryland, Indiana Honors, Pitt etc in lieu of a smaller school like Muhlenberg?

Does anyone know about Muhlenberg? Can she find academic challenge and peers there? Good outcomes?

SAT is 1400 GPA is 4.7 w/3.98 UW. Beautiful voice. Loves English, History. Just a great kid.

The whole process this year is so difficult.

Thank you!

Congrats to your daughter on her acceptances! I grew up in NJ and had several friends go to (and love their experience) at Muhlenberg.

I have two honor roll kids who both have learning issues -- one with Inattentive type ADHD and the other with mild dyslexia/dysgraphia. I'm grateful for their IEPs which allow them to have extra time on tests(my child with dyslexia also does not lost points for spelling errors on in-class writing or exams). Other than the learning issues, no one would consider ether qiuirky or different than the mainstream.

I love that less kids are slipping through the cracks -- no longer labeled as "Lazy" when they just have a learning difference. I'm assuming that this other parent on the zoom just wanted to make sure that their child was going to a place that would allow them to thrive too. Don't assume the worst.

Good luck to your daughter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD accepted to Muhlenberg College and other schools including Indiana (Honors), Maryland, Florida, Pitt. She was actually waitlisted at William and Mary. Applied there because she enjoys liberal arts AND voice/musical theater and we were looking for options where the two could be

Background - She was recently waitlisted at Michigan STMD and rejected at Northwestern after auditioning in person at both places - beautiful voice! She didn't apply to music school at Indiana because she thought it might be too big of a music school. And who knows if she would have gotten in. This entire year has been tough on her.

AT any rate, everyone tells me what a 'great' and 'caring' school Muhlenberg is. And it seems that way. She did a zoom last week and the first question someone asked was how their kid's IEP would be handled.

DD has been in school with many kids with IEP plans, meds, problems. Yes, it is sad in this day and age that kids have this, but she doesn't. She came away from the zoom feeling like Muhlenberg might be a place where quirky kids go who cannot handle bigger places and need a lot of support. She does know several kids who go who are kinda quirky and odd. DD wants to be with different folks.. She loves the arts but doesn't want to be in a school with solely funky arts people.

She takes pride in herself and it made her feel she was accepted to a second rate place. I don't mean to insult Muhlenberg or those who have kids there. I guess I am a little worried too.

Should she target higher ranked places like Maryland, Indiana Honors, Pitt etc in lieu of a smaller school like Muhlenberg?

Does anyone know about Muhlenberg? Can she find academic challenge and peers there? Good outcomes?

SAT is 1400 GPA is 4.7 w/3.98 UW. Beautiful voice. Loves English, History. Just a great kid.

The whole process this year is so difficult.

Thank you!

Congrats to your daughter on her acceptances! I grew up in NJ and had several friends go to (and love their experience) at Muhlenberg.

I have two honor roll kids who both have learning issues -- one with Inattentive type ADHD and the other with mild dyslexia/dysgraphia. I'm grateful for their IEPs which allow them to have extra time on tests(my child with dyslexia also does not lost points for spelling errors on in-class writing or exams). Other than the learning issues, no one would consider ether qiuirky or different than the mainstream.

I love that less kids are slipping through the cracks -- no longer labeled as "Lazy" when they just have a learning difference. I'm assuming that this other parent on the zoom just wanted to make sure that their child was going to a place that would allow them to thrive too. Don't assume the worst.

Good luck to your daughter.

+1 Thank you. This is a sweet post and helpful and encouraging. YOur kids sound wonderful. Good Luck to you and your children too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Allentown is not “impoverished.” https://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/PA/Lehigh-Valley-Demographics.html And the school sits in a nice leafy suburb walking distance from downtown.

Thank you for this link. It tells us
blue-collar employees account for 25.35%.
over 77k people live below the poverty line
majority of population had "some high school" - 38.96% while 2.96% had "no high school"

It's hardly Bethesda.

Yeah. Muhlenberg is a good school but Allentown is a bit of a bummer compared to a vibrant college town like Bloomington, IN or an Ann Arbor or Pitt or Chapel Hill....

This is the absolute reality of the situation...if you care at all about the location of the college and what the local community offers then it is an easy choice with some of the other alternatives. Muhlenberg is in a quiet, nice residential area of Allentown. I can't imagine being there without a car (or a roommate who has a car) as there is really nothing of much interest within walking distance. Downtown Allentown offers very little and to say you can walk there is technically true...but it is like a 1.5 - 2 mile walk, and the neighborhoods get sketchy as you walk. It is the classic PA town that was vibrant up until like the 1970s, but while now a bit revitalized...has seen many better days. There is a nice, large Farmers' Market within maybe a 1/2 mile walk, and the annual Fair is fun (same location as Farmers' Market)....but not sure either of those activities are appealing to college students.

[Anonymous]

Never heard of the school. Based on its name I thought it was an international German school. I personally would hard pass and go with something a bit more name recognizable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never heard of the school. Based on its name I thought it was an international German school. I personally would hard pass and go with something a bit more name recognizable.

Just skip threads then. This contributed nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never heard of the school. Based on its name I thought it was an international German school. I personally would hard pass and go with something a bit more name recognizable.

Just skip threads then. This contributed nothing.

dP but it did contribute something - public perception of the college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD accepted to Muhlenberg College and other schools including Indiana (Honors), Maryland, Florida, Pitt. She was actually waitlisted at William and Mary. Applied there because she enjoys liberal arts AND voice/musical theater and we were looking for options where the two could be

Background - She was recently waitlisted at Michigan STMD and rejected at Northwestern after auditioning in person at both places - beautiful voice! She didn't apply to music school at Indiana because she thought it might be too big of a music school. And who knows if she would have gotten in. This entire year has been tough on her.

AT any rate, everyone tells me what a 'great' and 'caring' school Muhlenberg is. And it seems that way. She did a zoom last week and the first question someone asked was how their kid's IEP would be handled.

DD has been in school with many kids with IEP plans, meds, problems. Yes, it is sad in this day and age that kids have this, but she doesn't. She came away from the zoom feeling like Muhlenberg might be a place where quirky kids go who cannot handle bigger places and need a lot of support. She does know several kids who go who are kinda quirky and odd. DD wants to be with different folks.. She loves the arts but doesn't want to be in a school with solely funky arts people.

She takes pride in herself and it made her feel she was accepted to a second rate place. I don't mean to insult Muhlenberg or those who have kids there. I guess I am a little worried too.

Should she target higher ranked places like Maryland, Indiana Honors, Pitt etc in lieu of a smaller school like Muhlenberg?

Does anyone know about Muhlenberg? Can she find academic challenge and peers there? Good outcomes?

SAT is 1400 GPA is 4.7 w/3.98 UW. Beautiful voice. Loves English, History. Just a great kid.

The whole process this year is so difficult.

Thank you!

UMD !! There is so much more offered and available to your DD than she may realize

YES!! YES!! YES!! Great place!

[Anonymous]

I went there and hated every minute of it. Transferred out after a year and a half. It’s good if you’re super quirky and into theater. Very provincial- not a lot of geographic diversity.