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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My honest opinion:

If your kid did not go to a private prep school, then Kenyon might be of interest;

If your kid went to a private prep school and targets Kenyon, your kid is an a-hole.[/quote]

Why? Would this comment relate to all LACs? [/quote]

Okay. so my comment is a bit extreme. I apologize, but I do not retract my statement that you read.

Elite LACs like Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Wellesley, Pomona, CMC, Middlebury, W&L, Davidson, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Colby, Vassar, and many others offer great academics and an opportunity to grow. Kenyon is improving because it has expanded from 1,600 students to almost 1,900 students. Unfortunately, Kenyon had an immature attitude of superiority and privilege that was fostered by the admissions dept. Not sure if the admissions head is still the same. It was a woman who displayed little to no respect for Kenyon alumni & thought that she was special because someone at the New ork Times liked her. That attitude permeated the entire campus for at least a decade--and may still be prevalent.

Kenyon has a beautiful campus & decent to strong academics, but it is not in the league of a top National University or of a top 20 LAC.

I know Kenyon well. And I know a few of Kenyon's top supporters. Kenyon does not appreciate these folks--even though all are alums and long-term diehard supporters. I have never experienced anything like the arrogance of Kenyon's head of admissions (maybe former head of admissions). I have not kept up since they dissed a well respected alum who is a lifetime prep school teacher, coach, and administrator. Regardless, the school is still small, isolated, full of preppy type privileged students, and revolves around alcohol & pot, etc. [/quote]

I have no opinion about Kenyon, but just reading this response you come off as petty to me--like you feel that Kenyon should be kowtowing to its alums whims and now have an axe to grind about it.  Also, sort of odd to be sharing this level of personalized detail about a small school.[/quote]

Fair enough. I understand how you arrived at your impression. The problem with offering one's thoughts is that rather than think about the content some posters seem to [b]prefer to attack the poster in order to avoid issues raised[/b].

Kenyon College is small, but growing. In the past, many felt that the environment was too small and isolated, and drinking was out-of-control. The drinking problem has been addressed in a somewhat aggressive manner by the school--and that is good. Enrollment has been expanded from over 1,600 to over 1,900--which is also a positive move.[/quote]

Well, on an anonymous board with a lot of misinformation, assessing the motives of the poster is one of the steps of thinking about the content.  I can't possibly know if your opinions on the admissions office are well-founded or not.  I just have been in many situations where rich donors think they know best and are resentful when they don't get their way-- when in fact they are out of touch with the present day needs of an institution-- and your post gave me those vibes.  I tend to admire institutions that listen and value supporters but don't give them too much sway. 
As for content, in general I agree with the idea that expanding enrollment for small LACS up to the 2000 range is a smart move both financially and socially for students. [/quote]

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