Anonymous wrote:It is very similar to Hobart. Very respected by many in fhe NYC area. I had a few friends who went: one from public, two from boarding schools and it is somewhat in a time warp. All three have done very well for themselves, and are super well rounded.

Because Hobarts historic and recent athletic successes - they have a little different vibe - BUT there are a lot of similarities.
As a parent, I liked the intentional Freshmen and Sophomore programming that SLU has but together.

My child wound up somewhere else - but it was in the running

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, should've added - joining a frat is completely not necessary and, since it's a small school, frat/sorority and non-frat sorority kids hang out together all the time. It can lean a bit sporty and preppy but there are community living houses for a wide variety of groups: outdoors, environment, LGBTQ, minority/POC, etc...

I will add that back in the day when I was there, SLU had a very strong Greek scene with something like 9 frats and 5 sororities for 2000 students. In the early 2000s it started being dismantled and I think only two frats survived. So no it’s not a heavy Greek school right now though it is and has always been, a heavy drinking school.

"Endowment is healthy - unlike other NY schools."

This site placed St. Lawrence 12th in New York State by endowment per student:

Rankings | Largest college endowment per student - Highest endowment per student | State | New York (NY) https://www.collegeraptor.com/college-rankings/details/EndowmentPerStudent/State/NY/

For perspective, other ranked schools of general interest include Hamilton (#4), Vassar (#5), Columbia (#7), Colgate (#8), Cornell (#9), URochester (#10) Union (#11), Skidmore (#13) and Barnard (#14).

I’m an alum and all the above comments (for once) are dead on. The remoteness was part of the appeal, you really feel part of the SLU community. My DD applied and got in with a $40k per year scholarship but didn’t go, and still somewhat regrets it today even after graduating from a “more selective” school.

It is very similar to Hobart. Very respected by many in fhe NYC area. I had a few friends who went: one from public, two from boarding schools and it is somewhat in a time warp. All three have done very well for themselves, and are super well rounded.

Anonymous wrote:Way up north, but a friend of ours who used to be a private college counselor recommended it for my dc and he would like to visit. I'd never heard of this school before, and I don't know anything about it beyond their website. Can anyone share experience or insight? I'm concerned it might be a bit too fratty for my kid (who is not fratty at all), but it's hard to tell. What kind of students are there?

I understand why your "friend" used to be a private college counselor.

Why did this "friend" recommend this school for your child ? Specifics really matter in this case because the school is fairly small (just above 2,000 students), isolated despite the presence of other schools in the area as they do not intermingle, subjects one to unusually cold weather, cliquish, heavy usage of intoxicating substances (primarily alcohol), with a heavy emphasis on sports.

Good school for an athlete--especially those who want to play more than one sport during college (ice hockey is D-1). Good school for a solid, but not outstanding, student who seeks or needs a substantial tuition discount (merit scholarship). Beautiful campus. Lots of study abroad options.

Alumni group is & has always been strong as the isolation and the harsh winter weather lead to a form of incestuous camaraderie.

Hard to get to this school so one really needs a compelling reason to expend the time and energy to visit.

My DS went there and has a fabulous experience both academically and socially. SLU is a hidden gem with great kids and the right balance among sporty kids, appropriately active Greek life, and wonderful clubs for every interest, especially for outdoorsy and active kids. DS majored in finance and got a great job the summer of graduation. He has a tight group of friends who are all doing well because of the SLU network and internships. His HS friends who went to other schools are struggling to find good work and are living at home. We can’t say enough good things about SLU.

The remoteness is part of the appeal. The school community and campus create a tight social connection. The social scene is very active. Plus, the campus is beautiful and there is no need or desire to find off campus housing. Meanwhile my other child is dealing with the stresses of off campus housing.

Endowment is healthy - unlike other NY schools.

SLU is definitely worth a visit.

Anonymous wrote:Has historically had a good pipeline to finance jobs in NYC. Closest big city is Montreal, about 2 hours drive. Big hockey school. Has interesting outdoors programs, like the "study abroad" Adirondack semester, where students live off the grid in yurts for the Fall semester.

https://www.stlawu.edu/offices/adirondack-semester

In the town of Canton, in the "North Country" which is generally a rural area. However, there are 4 colleges within 20 minutes of each other: St. Lawrence, Clarkson, SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam, so plenty of undergrads to mix and mingle with.

Ottawa is closer.

For a sense of the company St. Lawrence keeps, its self-identified peer schools may be of interest:

Peer Groups | St. Lawrence University https://share.google/SNn8cW9cNOtzj8Hsy

Has historically had a good pipeline to finance jobs in NYC. Closest big city is Montreal, about 2 hours drive. Big hockey school. Has interesting outdoors programs, like the "study abroad" Adirondack semester, where students live off the grid in yurts for the Fall semester.

https://www.stlawu.edu/offices/adirondack-semester

In the town of Canton, in the "North Country" which is generally a rural area. However, there are 4 colleges within 20 minutes of each other: St. Lawrence, Clarkson, SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam, so plenty of undergrads to mix and mingle with.

"it’s in an economically depressed area"

St. Lawrence isn't in an industrialized area at all, and might better be thought of in terms of natural areas such as the Thousand Islands and the Adirondacks, along with the charming villages associated with these areas. Nearby Canada offers additional appeal.

Cold and not a lot going on up there. It’s challenging to get to campus from DC and it’s in an economically depressed area. But it can provide a great experience for the right kid. Also a lot schools we looked at are in areas that are at best struggling. So maybe investigate and see if it makes sense?

The rep from what we have learned — a pretty tight alumni network. Outdoorsy kids. Relaxed and not intense. Strong school spirit. Not selective but that doesn’t mean kids don’t work hard or care. The kids don’t seem fratty? You may find something to like in their podcast.

https://www.stlawu.edu/offices/alumni/learn-and-connect/scarlet-brown-stories

Sorry, should've added - joining a frat is completely not necessary and, since it's a small school, frat/sorority and non-frat sorority kids hang out together all the time. It can lean a bit sporty and preppy but there are community living houses for a wide variety of groups: outdoors, environment, LGBTQ, minority/POC, etc...

It's a wonderful, hidden gem of a school. Attracts a lot of prep school kids who don't have the numbers for ivy. Very close knit, good business and science program for a small SLAC. It is expensive but they do grant great merit aid for all 4 years.

My child graduated from there a couple of years ago and had the time of their life. Met their greatest friends, had internships freshman and sophomore summers, and is currently working and living in Boston.

Way up north, but a friend of ours who used to be a private college counselor recommended it for my dc and he would like to visit. I'd never heard of this school before, and I don't know anything about it beyond their website. Can anyone share experience or insight? I'm concerned it might be a bit too fratty for my kid (who is not fratty at all), but it's hard to tell. What kind of students are there?