Anonymous wrote:High Point is the Cheesecake Factory of higher education: they make you think it's all fancy and customized, when in reality it's Applebees with tablecloths.

They have been very successful at carving out a very specific niche, targeting families who are:

- Wealthy
- Conservative
- Not setting the academic world on fire
- In need of a lot of hand-holding
- Willing to pay whatever it takes to ensure their child a) gets a 4-year degree and b) does so in an environment that prioritizes their comfort and desires.

They deliver a very specific, customer-friendly product. If that product differs significantly (in rigor, tone, breadth, depth, etc.) from that of most other schools, most of those families neither know nor care.

Data point: This is the only school I toured with my kid where our guide didn't point out, much less take us into, the library. But we did see the steakhouse and the concierge desk.

Anonymous wrote:High Point is the Cheesecake Factory of higher education: they make you think it's all fancy and customized, when in reality it's Applebees with tablecloths.

They have been very successful at carving out a very specific niche, targeting families who are:

- Wealthy
- Conservative
- Not setting the academic world on fire
- In need of a lot of hand-holding
- Willing to pay whatever it takes to ensure their child a) gets a 4-year degree and b) does so in an environment that prioritizes their comfort and desires.

They deliver a very specific, customer-friendly product. If that product differs significantly (in rigor, tone, breadth, depth, etc.) from that of most other schools, most of those families neither know nor care.

Data point: This is the only school I toured with my kid where our guide didn't point out, much less take us into, the library. But we did see the steakhouse and the concierge desk.

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Anonymous wrote:It is bizarre. Has the feel of one of those mega-churches but for college. Way too shiny on the outside, and probably a house of cards underneath the facade.

https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/nido-qubein-high-point-university/

Agree. The president gives off a snake oil vibe. Maybe another Hillsdale?

Hillsdale has a 20% acceptance rate, a near 90% graduation rate, and a 32 ACT median. It's a top LAC whether or not you agree with what you perceive as its politics.

DP Yes, but it also has a creepy cult vibe.

Cults don't accept only one out of five who want to join.

You’re so defensive. I said cult “vibe.” I did not call either school a cult.

It’s not a top LAC. It is selective though, yes.

By every quantifiable metric, including the ones posted earlier, it's a top LAC.

Anonymous wrote:High Point is the Cheesecake Factory of higher education: they make you think it's all fancy and customized, when in reality it's Applebees with tablecloths.

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Anonymous wrote:It is bizarre. Has the feel of one of those mega-churches but for college. Way too shiny on the outside, and probably a house of cards underneath the facade.

https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/nido-qubein-high-point-university/

Agree. The president gives off a snake oil vibe. Maybe another Hillsdale?

Hillsdale has a 20% acceptance rate, a near 90% graduation rate, and a 32 ACT median. It's a top LAC whether or not you agree with what you perceive as its politics.

DP Yes, but it also has a creepy cult vibe.

Cults don't accept only one out of five who want to join.

You’re so defensive. I said cult “vibe.” I did not call either school a cult.

It’s not a top LAC. It is selective though, yes.

Anonymous wrote:It’s very nice. Physically and emotionally… super warm, friendly, supportive, positive vibes. It’s on DD24’s list but her most expensive option. Other options are more highly ranked and more likely to meet with DCUM approval. But if she chose High Point I would be fine with it and understand why. We are going down for the Presidential Scholars weekend on Friday. You should visit and see what you think.

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Anonymous wrote:It is bizarre. Has the feel of one of those mega-churches but for college. Way too shiny on the outside, and probably a house of cards underneath the facade.

https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/nido-qubein-high-point-university/

Agree. The president gives off a snake oil vibe. Maybe another Hillsdale?

Hillsdale has a 20% acceptance rate, a near 90% graduation rate, and a 32 ACT median. It's a top LAC whether or not you agree with what you perceive as its politics.

DP Yes, but it also has a creepy cult vibe.

Cults don't accept only one out of five who want to join.

You’re so defensive. I said cult “vibe.” I did not call either school a cult.

It’s not a top LAC. It is selective though, yes.

Anonymous wrote:Based on the above posts and the linked articles, it would not surprise me one bit if the HPU president turns out to have a #MeToo problem. Or a second wife. Or a sketchy history with undergrad students.

The whole “Cult of Personality” thing feels like a red flag to me. That larger-than-life thing often travels with massive hubris and god-complex type decisions.

Hopefully, I’m wrong. But based on pattern recognition, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if I’m right ….

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Anonymous wrote:It is bizarre. Has the feel of one of those mega-churches but for college. Way too shiny on the outside, and probably a house of cards underneath the facade.

https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/nido-qubein-high-point-university/

Agree. The president gives off a snake oil vibe. Maybe another Hillsdale?

Hillsdale has a 20% acceptance rate, a near 90% graduation rate, and a 32 ACT median. It's a top LAC whether or not you agree with what you perceive as its politics.

DP Yes, but it also has a creepy cult vibe.

Cults don't accept only one out of five who want to join.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter brought up High Point (she likes the dorms and the student center) and I started briefly reading about it. Wow sounds a little like a place to park the rich kid so they get the “paper” and can inherit the family money with a college degree. Anyone have any good stories to share or should I tell my daughter to forget about it?