I was a physics instructor and taught at both Dickinson and Bucknell, and the students at Dickinson were much more with-it and focused.

Their admissions office is doing something right. The org I work for just sent a group of students on a tour of Dickinson and some other Pennsylvania colleges, and Dickinson was the clear winner among the schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can never remember the difference between Dickinson, Davidson and Kenyon.

But I bet that right hand -left hand thing is coming along great for you!

Eh, you are probably right. They are all great schools, I just can't remember which is which.

Dickinson is in PA and does not attract quite the caliber of students who attend Kenyon in Ohio or Davidson in North Carolina. But certainly a good school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can never remember the difference between Dickinson, Davidson and Kenyon.

But I bet that right hand -left hand thing is coming along great for you!

Eh, you are probably right. They are all great schools, I just can't remember which is which.

Coworker went there and she is whip smart.

Anonymous wrote:It's a nice school. Very green, pretty campus, nice facilities, lots of money. It gives merit aid, but not a whole lot. It's a bit less intense than F&M, has Greek life, which DD was not interested in. She was accepted but went in-state because of cost. She got a nice merit package, but not enough to equal in-state tuition. I know someone who graduated from Dickinson a few years ago. She's smart and nice, not a super high achiever, but a very accomplished person. I'd call it a second tier school, but I'm sure there's a range of kids who go there. DD was very disappointed not to go there, but it just cost too much for us.

I'm a recent alum. It was high second tier until about a decade ago. Now I'd call it solidly 1st tier. The intellectual climate on campus is much better than Gettysburg or even some of the more "prestigious" schools, big and small, where Greek life dominates for everyone who isn't a total recluse (see Bucknell, Washington and Lee). It's also a campus where student government is active and vocal and most students enjoy talking about issues and ideas outside of class. The student body is solidly privileged and upper middle class but we called it a "diverse bunch of white kids" and just under 1/10 of the campus is international. Bill Durden, the last President, did wonders for campus and alumni morale: more fundraising, dramatic improvements to campus facilities, better relations with the town for campus expansion.

It's ranked in the 30s in US News, for what it's worth. We won't be Pomona or Amherst but some of my brighter classmates graduated in the top 10 of the high school class and were easily Ivy or Little Ivy caliber. Now they're finishing up at T14 law schools and working in finance and NGOs. They also turn out at least 5-6 Fulbright scholars a year which is super for a graduating class ~600.

I was just there with my husband for alum weekend and got to meet a ton of kids at career meet and greets. Most of my social circle is graduated from there.

First of all, those kids. I mean my god, if those kids are the future then we are FINE. Smart, eager, kind, not cynical at all. Some of the kids love it there so much they started tearing up talking about it.

As 30somethings the graduates I know are all across the board, but they are FUNNY and bright, omg. But mostly teachers, lobbyists, a few SAHM ex lawyers, 9-5 dc jobs.

Anonymous wrote:I can never remember the difference between Dickinson, Davidson and Kenyon.

But I bet that right hand -left hand thing is coming along great for you!

I can never remember the difference between Dickinson, Davidson and Kenyon.

It's a nice school. Very green, pretty campus, nice facilities, lots of money. It gives merit aid, but not a whole lot. It's a bit less intense than F&M, has Greek life, which DD was not interested in. She was accepted but went in-state because of cost. She got a nice merit package, but not enough to equal in-state tuition. I know someone who graduated from Dickinson a few years ago. She's smart and nice, not a super high achiever, but a very accomplished person. I'd call it a second tier school, but I'm sure there's a range of kids who go there. DD was very disappointed not to go there, but it just cost too much for us.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Any alum anecdotes or thoughts on social life, Greek life? Strength of academics? The town?

My DC went there and liked it. Academics are strong and students seem pretty motivated. Lots of good study abroad opportunities that many students do. The school has its own center in Bologna.

Social life is typical for a SLAC - a little insular and it gets old by senior year. Greek life exists, and my DC was in a sorority, but it isn't a huge deal. The current president doesn't like Greek life and seems to be putting them all on probation for various infractions. My DC never lived in the house - I think only a very small group ever does and usually only for one year. Not sure the frats even have houses. All the old frat houses have been turned into dorms.

The town is nice - it's less remote than many SLACs. The restaurant choices aren't great though. Fine for students but not so much for parent visits. We found the distance about right - close enough for a day trip or to pick up/drop off easily but far enough away that it was a different experience. DC really didn't come home other than on school breaks.

OP here. Any alum anecdotes or thoughts on social life, Greek life? Strength of academics? The town?

They have a high percentage of graduates who go to med school and law school.

My cousin went to Dickinson. She graduated in 2007 and got a job on Wall St, but she is also exceptionally motivated and super hot. I had never even heard of the school until she went there. She's done really well for herself but beyond that I know nothing about the school.

Your thoughts? Any alums? Perhaps compared to Franklin and Marshall, Bucknell, Gettysburg??