Anonymous wrote:dc, a boy who likes sports, is interested in Tufts (reach), Wesleyan (reach), Trinity (target) and Conn College (target).

Are the cultures mostly the same? FWIW we are fine with Hartford so no need to mention the city/crime issue.

For a boy who likes sports, the two reaches on your list are the worst schools for that type of kid. Replace Tufts with BC and replace Wes with Holy Cross and you are good to go!

Tufts is not a SLAC. Why all the NESCAC? Athletic recruiting? Like the area (Conn and Mass?)

If it’s the area: Conn College gives merit. Consider Clark as a safety, also with merit.

Check out Holy Cross…

Anonymous wrote:My kid was looking at NESCAC and from what I can tell through research and campus visit is that they all attract the same kind of applicants within varying degrees. It was almost like culture/student population was not a consideration in picking the school because it was same type of kids at each one.

+1. Don't think these institutions are wildly different from one another.in terms of "culture".

One thing to keep in mind is housing. I believe Tufts only guarantees housing for the first two years. Wesleyan is big on their model of increasing student independence through housing (first in dorms, then gradually more independent with their wood frame houses for seniors).

Anonymous wrote:Pair Wesleyan with Conn College for their socially liberal atmospheres, perhaps along the lines of that of Brown or Skidmore. The arts, from film to dance, are popular at these schools.

Trinity students, as a generality, may be relatively career oriented, with some hoping for futures in New York City. Trinity squash teams have been nationally renowned.

Tufts lacks a discernible culture.

To distinguish the atmospheres of Wesleyan and Conn, particularly for a student who likes sports, perhaps consider that Conn is the only NESCAC to not field a variety football team.

And, sometimes, we see what we want to see.

Anonymous wrote:My kid was looking at NESCAC and from what I can tell through research and campus visit is that they all attract the same kind of applicants within varying degrees. It was almost like culture/student population was not a consideration in picking the school because it was same type of kids at each one.

Have to disagree with the post above as there are discernable differences among the NESCAC schools just as Ivy League schools differ.

Wes is woke to a higher degree than Trinity or Conn College or Tufts.

Tufts proximity to Boston activities gives Tufts a different vibe. Not much school spirit as the lack of isolation allows students to go their own ways as opposed to being forced into a small community due to a remote, isolated location.

Trinity College still has the preppy set & concerns for safety beyond the campus boundaries.

Conn College seems to be more feminine than the others. (I'm sure that this will not evoke any responses.)

Size & location influence each campus culture. More important to visit small schools than large universities due lack of significant options.

My kid was looking at NESCAC and from what I can tell through research and campus visit is that they all attract the same kind of applicants within varying degrees. It was almost like culture/student population was not a consideration in picking the school because it was same type of kids at each one.

They’re very much alike. The settings are different. (Done visits at all except Tufts and Trinity.)

Visit

LOL about Tufts vibe. Definitely not mainstream rather very liberal and woke. Multiple threads on here about drap campus and minimal school spirit.

Anonymous wrote:Pair Wesleyan with Conn College for their socially liberal atmospheres, perhaps along the lines of that of Brown or Skidmore. The arts, from film to dance, are popular at these schools.

Trinity students, as a generality, may be relatively career oriented, with some hoping for futures in New York City. Trinity squash teams have been nationally renowned.

Tufts lacks a discernible culture.

Tufts kids are very bright, generally pretty mainstream. Used to be a lot of kids who just missed Ivies and have a bit of a chip on their shoulder about it - not sure if this is still the case. Excited to be in Boston-area and a clear notch ahead of BU.

Pair Wesleyan with Conn College for their socially liberal atmospheres, perhaps along the lines of that of Brown or Skidmore. The arts, from film to dance, are popular at these schools.

Trinity students, as a generality, may be relatively career oriented, with some hoping for futures in New York City. Trinity squash teams have been nationally renowned.

Tufts lacks a discernible culture.

Wesleyan has a bit of an artsy/hippie bent to it, though I know plenty of kids who don't fit that mold who are very happy there.

dc, a boy who likes sports, is interested in Tufts (reach), Wesleyan (reach), Trinity (target) and Conn College (target).

Are the cultures mostly the same? FWIW we are fine with Hartford so no need to mention the city/crime issue.