College_suceess

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone can help me choose between Centre College and Kalamazoo College. Am worried Centre College's location -- Danville might not have much to offer. I want to take challenging courses, but at the same time am a shopping freak, so I need to shop on weekends.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance...

GoBlueAlumMom

So, shopping as one of your college requirements? Funny stuff... I know nothing about Centre, but my S is a sophomore at K College. Here are a couple of links regarding shopping in the greater Kalamazoo area, both downtown and suburban malls. There's plenty in the area so it should satisfy a "shopping freak" such as yourself...haha.

Kalamazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau - Shopping
Kalamazoo Shopping

Centremom08

That is pretty funny, but to speak the truth, my daughter is a "shop a holic" also and a student at Centre. They go to Lexington (about 40 min) on the weekends to shop. Danville doesn't have a shopping mall but Lexington is close by and shoppers paradise

College_suceess

Hi GoBlueAlumMom, thanks for the locations in Kalamazoo. I already knew about Kalamazoo, but wanted shopping info in Danville.
Shopping is definitely not a college requirement but choosing a college not only involves academics, extracurriculars, social setup, but also choosing the best fit. Some people are happy in a rural, while some in a suburban, and some in an urban setting. So it might be hard for a person to adjust unless one's sure what's one getting into. I'm more used to a big city life, so I don't know what to expect in small towns. My friends at Centre tell me the same thing that they don't have much to do around town but the school's great! Hands down!! Thanks a lot again. Hope you have a good day!

College_suceess

Hi Centremom08,

I have seen many posts by you and your daughter and found them really helpful. Thanks a lot for the info!

Apart from the the above questions, how actually is the state of Kentucky? I don't why but most of the people I met said they wouldn't want to go to Kentucky.

I personally like Centre College so much but don't know why people say that. Do you know how it's different from the other states, especially midwestern (except for the weather part)? And Kentucky's world-famous for chicken! Way to go!

College_suceess

And education-wise, which one offers more challenging programs?

Centre or Kalamazoo?

College_suceess

Anyone's got a clue as to which between Centre and Kalamazoo:

• Has a lot of scope for activism,
• Is very liberal-minded and accepts different views,
• Where classes are challenging,
• Technology is up to date, (any tech-savvies?)
• Professors are friendly and helpful,
• Nearby area has a good social scene (to be particular, good shopping malls)

Centremom08

My daughter never considered Kalamazoo so we have zero information by which to make a comparison.

As far as living in Kentucky? That made me laugh. I don't know WHAT people think -- they wear shoes, play great basketball and have some of the best horses in the country Honestly, I love Kentucky. Louisville is one of my all time favorite cities to visit. All states have their "backwoods"...heck, I'm from NY and we have some serious "country" going on in our upstate regions.

Centre is an awesome school. State of the Art facilities that are improved yearly. New dorm opening in the fall, new athletic/student center opened last year, top of the line performing arts center (Norton Center, check it out), world-renowned glass blowing arts center (believe it, the work they produce is amazing). The professors are terrific --and as a small college, no TAs and most of the profs have terminal degrees. Small classes, caring community.

And graduation is in 26 days!!!

College_suceess

Hey Centremom08,

Thanks for the clarification on the Kentucky part!

I actually checked out Norton Arts Center on the web last month, and it looked awesome.

I guess it's up to me now...only a few days left to reply and accept an offer.

Thanks a ton for the info, and good luck to your daughter for the graduation ceremony!!

Hindoo

Centre is a lovely school, only about half an hour from the shopping "Mecca" of Lexington, KY. Its academics are first rate and according to US News & World Report, it ranks second among all LACs in alumni "giving," which indicates to me it's a happy campus. The Norton Center for the Arts there has hosted such performers as "violinist Itzhak Perlman, dancers Mikhail Baryshnikov and Twyla Tharp, the Boston Pops, Three Dog Night, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, LeeAnn Rimes, and musicals such as Rent, Titanic, Annie Get Your Gun, and My Fair Lady. In October 2000, the Norton Center was the site of the vice-presidential debate between Dick Cheney and Joe Lieberman." (From the Norton cite.) My girls both applied to and were accepted at Centre, but went elsewhere after deciding that it was too close to home and that their stalker mom might spend an inordinate amount of time lurking around campus. Still, Centre has a terrific reputation--and, I might add--a very, very strong study abroad program.

College_suceess

Hey Hindoo,

Thanks a lot for the info! Am seriously considering Centre. So where did your daughters decide to go to?

Hope you're having a good day!

--Take care

Hindoo

One of my daughters is a freshman at Carleton College (Minnesota), the other a sophomore at College of Wooster (Ohio). Where are you from? Good luck to you.

College_suceess

Thank you for your wishes. I am an international student from Asia, that's why didn't really have a chance to visit the campuses myself. But am convinced that Centre is a great school. I'm really looking forward to those challenging classes. Love them!