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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Totally different list from most here (DC wanted a LAC or SLAC and was interested in going outside this region). Visits made a huge difference and I'm sorry that so many students last year and this year probably won't get to visit campuses before applying or even after applying in some cases, depending on the virus.

DC was very interested in Sarah Lawrence College on paper and because a friend was already there and loved it. The visit was well coordinated (we went on a prospective students' day when they had full-day panels, specialized tours, meals, etc., and were very impressed with how it was all put together), yet DC came away immediately saying, "I like it...until I don't. I can't say exactly why but it doesn't feel right for me." DH and I felt the same way and we think it was a gut reaction to the tiny campus that feels like a prep school. Not dissing the college's academics at all here, and DC's friend is still very happy there, but DC didn't have that strong a gut reaction against anywhere else. Didn't apply.

A visit to Vassar, which was not even on DC's list, ended up with DC applying to and now attending there. Vassar was located near a couple of other colleges DC wanted to visit in NY, so we added in a casual stop with a walking tour and the usual admissions talk. I think it made a big difference that DC also visited two of the departments solo, after e-mailing them in advance and asking if she could stop in briefly. Both departments were very welcoming and treated her, a random HS senior, fantastically. Those were supposed to be short visits and she ended up being taken around both departments and attending a class as well, so we were there the whole day. DC came away with the college at the top of the list. And we hadn't even originally planned to stop there. It's why I think visits can make a big difference IF the student can do them.[/quote]

Interesting. We’re doing both schools spring break, which is more wandering around campus.  DD did the virtual info sessions and tours. SL seemed like a great safety... until it was off.  I really looked at number with DD. There small and then there under 400 kids. Endowment is $100M.  My older kid’s SLAC drew down theirs $32M to get kids in campus and in person classes for COVID.  Singles without jacking housing prices. All the plexiglass, COVID testing, reserved quarantined and infection suites, increased need based aid  etc., etc. But, they have a $1B endowment and can. Not every year.  But if you are going to draw down on the endowment, COVID is when you should be doing it.  SL’s campus still has no kids in residence, even for full remote.  Only 80% first year retention pre-COVID.  And we talked about how with declining enrollment and why retention was important  and what having no real cash reserves they can’t.  College is a business decision as well as a hear decision and this helped get us talking about the financial piece.

Vasser looks like a much stronger contender, and checks all the boxes, so we’ll see. I would be a nice fit— on paper.  Well look at SL to compare. But, unless I’m missing something, it’s hard to see how they stay afloat without a merger or some such. It’s sad to watch great schools like Earlham and SL falter.  I guess it’s been predicted for a while it would happen. It makes we angry we can’t find a better way to finance higher education. [/quote]

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