Anonymous
11/04/2025 15:37
Subject: “Colleges That Change Lives” List
Seriously who is so fragile about these schools that they report any post that dares challenges the legitimacy of the list? It’s a head scratcher. A similar criticism of any other grouping of schools would never be stricken
Anonymous
11/04/2025 15:34
Subject: “Colleges That Change Lives” List
Anonymous wrote:One of my kids is at one of the west coast CTCLs, and we love it. Outstanding education, in a warm and friendly atmosphere, just terrific all around. More than we hoped for, actually.
OP, it is absolutely worth going to one of the CTCL fairs -- you can visit with a lot of really great little schools in a very short amount of time. This was one of the first things we did for DC's search, and it was such a nice way to kick the process off. Know which schools you want to know more about -- the fairs are too busy to visit with all, so you'll want a plan.
PPs are correct that there are VERY different schools on the list -- in terms of ethos, academics, applicant strength, and financials. Definitely do your homework.
Re: financials. The small liberal arts college model is tougher than it used to be, and some CTCL schools have fared better than others, and in ways that could materially affect student experiences. Some of these schools have large endowments and get strong financial ratings from Forbes, while others are struggling.
So do your homework, but FYI our family found CTCL to be a very helpful resource.
Between multiple kids, and multiple college road trips, we have visited a good number of schools on the list, so if you have questions about any specific ones, feel free to ask questions.
Can you please share the school and what the travel is like? Concerned some of the west coast schools are difficult to get to....
Anonymous
11/04/2025 15:32
Subject: “Colleges That Change Lives” List
Just want to agree with a couple of comments above:
1) we went to one of their fairs with my older kid. It was at a hotel in DC and it helped us consider some schools that were not on our radar and that I had never heard of. In the end, he only wanted a big school though.
2) it is a good idea to check the financials at these schools. I really like the Forbes financials grades for this. They consider not just the endowment but also operating costs and other metrics.
I will be taking the next kid to these CTCL fair. He can definitely benefit from a smaller school if we can afford it.
1) we went to one of their fairs with my older kid. It was at a hotel in DC and it helped us consider some schools that were not on our radar and that I had never heard of. In the end, he only wanted a big school though.
2) it is a good idea to check the financials at these schools. I really like the Forbes financials grades for this. They consider not just the endowment but also operating costs and other metrics.
I will be taking the next kid to these CTCL fair. He can definitely benefit from a smaller school if we can afford it.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 15:12
Subject: “Colleges That Change Lives” List
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:E&H almost made it on my child’s list when I happened across it on this list. Had she gone to Randolph, she likely would have taken classes at Lynchburg (consortium). Several of these schools were on our radar anyway but weren’t the right fit for various reasons (Hope is a bit too religious and Goucher didn’t have the second major she wanted). To me, it’s another list of schools to consider - no more, no less. Some of them do have an extra CTCL scholarship, so could help.
Why didn’t she go to Randolph?
She got into another small school in New England that had great programs in everything she wanted. Randolph just didn’t have the same resources at their disposal. She liked Randolph very much, though-it was a strong contender. It was by far her cheapest option with merit, arts scholarship, visit scholarship, plus the VTAG money.
Can you elaborate on what resources were missing? At such a small school, you would think every resource would be at the disposal of essentially every student.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 15:09
Subject: “Colleges That Change Lives” List
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We looked at a few of them and DD goes to one (Juniata) There is definitely a big range of school experiences there but their commonalities are small schools with nurturing environments and easy admit for a B student.
I'm sure someone will pop up soon to denounce it as just a marketing thing. But what college list isn't a marketing thing. I found reading the book helpful early in DD's search to understand some of the benefits of a small college (I went to a big state U). Not all DD's list was from that but I'd say most of her list were similar to those.
As with any small college, you should do you due diligence re their sustainability. Lots of variation in this list on that. And there are lots of colleges that are similar to these that aren't on the list.
Is Juniata for 'B' students??
It has a 78% acceptance rate and median SAT is 1170. So, I'd think, yes, they would be happy to have a B student, although you might not get the merit $ to make it a contender. FWIW, DD had a mix of As and Bs, with a good number of APs but a lighter schedule that a lot of classmates at a very competitive NoVA HS. Ended up with just barely a weighted 4.0. Merit $ made it similar in cost to our in-state options.
Our oldest (A student) was accepted with an award that made it a strong contender. I was quite impressed with Juniata. Their museum and museum program and the environmental studies program both struck me as strong.
Kid wanted a bigger school in the end.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 15:04
Subject: Re:“Colleges That Change Lives” List
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My only beef with this list is that I don't think it gets updated. IMO, there are many, many colleges that fly under the radar but are outstanding for the right kid in the right circumstance.
+1 I like that the list/marketing organization helps introduce students to this kind of college generally.
Agree, and I like this, too.
I also agree with PP's comment that the list doesn't get updated. They have brought new schools into the organization, but to my knowledge never set any standards for staying on the list. So one needs to research graduation rates, retention, financial situation at a minimum.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 14:55
Subject: Re:“Colleges That Change Lives” List
Anonymous wrote:Based on reading a 2012 or so edition of the book, I think these schools generally have faculty whose job is to teach, not do research while having TAs do the teaching. They have close contact with, care about and nurture students. Which is not to be misunderstood as coddling students or having low expectations. Many of these students go on to do great things.
I think some students who are finding themselves at college or who might get lost in a large anonymous public university environment would do well at these places. Some underachievers in high school might blossom. Hence, Colleges That Change Lives.
Looking back, I think I could have used such an environment.
But like others say, situations can change fast in a small school, so doing due diligence and looking at financials, etc. is important.
We have one of those kids. Just needed a little more time and a warmer environment.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 14:48
Subject: Re:“Colleges That Change Lives” List
Based on reading a 2012 or so edition of the book, I think these schools generally have faculty whose job is to teach, not do research while having TAs do the teaching. They have close contact with, care about and nurture students. Which is not to be misunderstood as coddling students or having low expectations. Many of these students go on to do great things.
I think some students who are finding themselves at college or who might get lost in a large anonymous public university environment would do well at these places. Some underachievers in high school might blossom. Hence, Colleges That Change Lives.
Looking back, I think I could have used such an environment.
But like others say, situations can change fast in a small school, so doing due diligence and looking at financials, etc. is important.
I think some students who are finding themselves at college or who might get lost in a large anonymous public university environment would do well at these places. Some underachievers in high school might blossom. Hence, Colleges That Change Lives.
Looking back, I think I could have used such an environment.
But like others say, situations can change fast in a small school, so doing due diligence and looking at financials, etc. is important.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 14:42
Subject: “Colleges That Change Lives” List
One of my kids is at one of the west coast CTCLs, and we love it. Outstanding education, in a warm and friendly atmosphere, just terrific all around. More than we hoped for, actually.
OP, it is absolutely worth going to one of the CTCL fairs -- you can visit with a lot of really great little schools in a very short amount of time. This was one of the first things we did for DC's search, and it was such a nice way to kick the process off. Know which schools you want to know more about -- the fairs are too busy to visit with all, so you'll want a plan.
PPs are correct that there are VERY different schools on the list -- in terms of ethos, academics, applicant strength, and financials. Definitely do your homework.
Re: financials. The small liberal arts college model is tougher than it used to be, and some CTCL schools have fared better than others, and in ways that could materially affect student experiences. Some of these schools have large endowments and get strong financial ratings from Forbes, while others are struggling.
So do your homework, but FYI our family found CTCL to be a very helpful resource.
Between multiple kids, and multiple college road trips, we have visited a good number of schools on the list, so if you have questions about any specific ones, feel free to ask questions.
OP, it is absolutely worth going to one of the CTCL fairs -- you can visit with a lot of really great little schools in a very short amount of time. This was one of the first things we did for DC's search, and it was such a nice way to kick the process off. Know which schools you want to know more about -- the fairs are too busy to visit with all, so you'll want a plan.
PPs are correct that there are VERY different schools on the list -- in terms of ethos, academics, applicant strength, and financials. Definitely do your homework.
Re: financials. The small liberal arts college model is tougher than it used to be, and some CTCL schools have fared better than others, and in ways that could materially affect student experiences. Some of these schools have large endowments and get strong financial ratings from Forbes, while others are struggling.
So do your homework, but FYI our family found CTCL to be a very helpful resource.
Between multiple kids, and multiple college road trips, we have visited a good number of schools on the list, so if you have questions about any specific ones, feel free to ask questions.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 14:18
Subject: “Colleges That Change Lives” List
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:E&H almost made it on my child’s list when I happened across it on this list. Had she gone to Randolph, she likely would have taken classes at Lynchburg (consortium). Several of these schools were on our radar anyway but weren’t the right fit for various reasons (Hope is a bit too religious and Goucher didn’t have the second major she wanted). To me, it’s another list of schools to consider - no more, no less. Some of them do have an extra CTCL scholarship, so could help.
Why didn’t she go to Randolph?
She got into another small school in New England that had great programs in everything she wanted. Randolph just didn’t have the same resources at their disposal. She liked Randolph very much, though-it was a strong contender. It was by far her cheapest option with merit, arts scholarship, visit scholarship, plus the VTAG money.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 13:46
Subject: “Colleges That Change Lives” List
Anonymous wrote:E&H almost made it on my child’s list when I happened across it on this list. Had she gone to Randolph, she likely would have taken classes at Lynchburg (consortium). Several of these schools were on our radar anyway but weren’t the right fit for various reasons (Hope is a bit too religious and Goucher didn’t have the second major she wanted). To me, it’s another list of schools to consider - no more, no less. Some of them do have an extra CTCL scholarship, so could help.
Why didn’t she go to Randolph?
Anonymous
11/04/2025 13:42
Subject: “Colleges That Change Lives” List
E&H almost made it on my child’s list when I happened across it on this list. Had she gone to Randolph, she likely would have taken classes at Lynchburg (consortium). Several of these schools were on our radar anyway but weren’t the right fit for various reasons (Hope is a bit too religious and Goucher didn’t have the second major she wanted). To me, it’s another list of schools to consider - no more, no less. Some of them do have an extra CTCL scholarship, so could help.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 13:23
Subject: Re:“Colleges That Change Lives” List
Anonymous wrote:My only beef with this list is that I don't think it gets updated. IMO, there are many, many colleges that fly under the radar but are outstanding for the right kid in the right circumstance.
+1 I like that the list/marketing organization helps introduce students to this kind of college generally.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 13:11
Subject: “Colleges That Change Lives” List
McDaniel in Westminster MD lived up to the CTCL expectations. Had several friends and neighbors whose children really enjoyed their time there. Took my niece for a visit - she was initially uncertain about the small campus, but they ended up giving her a merit scholarship. She changed her mind a few times about her major because it took a bit to find her strengths. But she had several professors that were great mentors. She has since graduated, worked for several years, and gone to grad school.
I think the CTCL schools are great for students who are solid academically, but not necessarily awesome at any particular thing.
I think the CTCL schools are great for students who are solid academically, but not necessarily awesome at any particular thing.
Anonymous
11/04/2025 13:01
Subject: Re:“Colleges That Change Lives” List
My only beef with this list is that I don't think it gets updated. IMO, there are many, many colleges that fly under the radar but are outstanding for the right kid in the right circumstance.