Holy Cross or Lafayette

chammom · 08-25-2005, 05:59 PM

If you took away the religous aspect, would you have basically the same school? I know Holy Cross is closer to Boston, but is Worcester about the same as Easton? Do Holy Cross students go to Boston for fun, or do they mostly stay on campus? While neither is espcially diverse or liberal, which might be the better fit for a moderately liberal latino?

Cre8tive1 · 08-25-2005, 06:14 PM

While I can not speak for Lafayette, I can speak for Holy Cross, if you are in anyway liberal, I would say that it and Assumption are the two schools that Mass can call conservative, if that is possible. Little culture there besides the Irish & Roman Catholics there, it is an adaptable community, but expect to become apart of them not as yourself or your own culture.

mol10e · 08-25-2005, 07:37 PM

I think Holy Cross is more complex than Cre8 suggests. On one side you have the Jesuit political influence which is not politically conservative and then you have alums like clarence Thomas and John Roberts wife. There seems to be room for both on campus and you can make choices about where you fit. while Worcester is not picturesque, it sure beats Easton and Boston is closer and more accessible than either Philly or NYC. IMO Holy Cross is superior academically.

MomofWildChild · 08-25-2005, 08:40 PM

I actually like Lafayette better academically and NYC and Phila are very easily accessible from Easton.

Cre8tive1 · 08-25-2005, 08:46 PM

Superiority of academics I would say are immeasurable, b/c these school both have big pros/cons academically. And I'd say also that not all Jesuit institutions are one the same level politically, Holy Cross = University of San Francisco, LOL If that were true, I would be at Holy Cross in a heartbeat.

Also, in comparison to the $12.00 roundtrip to Boston train ride, I'd rather be near NYC and Philadelphia, Boston is a blah city to travel to.

chammom · 08-25-2005, 11:06 PM

we visited Lafayette, and Easton seemed VERY small. I guess it is ok if you stay on campus. My son loves Boston, but it is not as if the city is at HC's doorstep. He is not too crazy about HC's reputation of having a homogenous student body. We have not visited yet. Academically is one considered better than the other?

par72 · 08-25-2005, 11:51 PM

Over the last 16-20 years of US News Rankings, Holy Cross has been ranked higher than Lafayette with the exception of this year. If one looks at grad placement in prof. schools, again Holy Cross does better. Worcester is certainly better than Easton, and Holy Cross students do frequent Boston often as there is a very large HC alumni base in the city including several top executives at the areas largest companies.As a Jesuit school, HC is regarded as one of the more liberal ones with Gtown being the most liberal.

Cre8tive1 · 08-26-2005, 12:02 AM

Academically, you may say Holy Cross has a higher bar set than Lafayette, but it all depends on what you want...

The Sciences: If you want pre-med, welcome to Holy Cross, otherwise, both schools have strong biology and chemistry departments, for engineering I'd go to Lafayette, from psychology, Lafayette is better but Holy Cross is aswell.

The Arts: Lets start of with neither school does that well in music, but if it were for music, I'd go for the small department at HC as opposed to the unsightly one at Lafayette. In the visual arts, I heard that Layafette does a wonderful job, I've heard little about Holy Cross.

Social Sciences: If you are looking down the political route, economics, government, business, Lafayette, otherwise, Holy Cross is solid in the history and philosophy department aswell as most other social sciences, and English is not too ba either.

Also, if this kid wanted a liberal jesuit institution, then he'd be at University of San Francisco.

chammom · 08-26-2005, 12:05 AM

Thanks, Another question: Of the two which students party more?

It seems that HC is getting more support on this thread. Lafayette supporters are you out there?

Cre8tive1 · 08-26-2005, 12:22 AM

Holy Cross comes to me as much more spirited community than Lafayette, in that it at slower pace in terms of rigor so that the students can let loose. For those that fit in at HC, I've seen that they bond well.

But I stress those that fit in, I feel that Lafayette is not so much as that tightly knit community that is Holy Cross that you'll be standing beside trying to get into, where talking majority private schooled suburban white students. Ther's almost a gene for Holy Cross students, now that they have quite a few 3rd generation Holy Cross students, talk about legacy.

Debruns · 08-26-2005, 06:26 AM

My son considered both, but Lafayette has a decent frat community which he didn't want. (H.Cross doesn't) We know a couple of students at Cross and although they aren't as conservative as some think, the Jesuit presence is much more than at another Jesuit college like Fordham. We visited in person, but in viewing a video tour of the school someone gave us,they emphasized that a bit more than on our visit.

chammom · 08-26-2005, 08:36 AM

Thanks all.

Cre8tive1, my son does not necessarily want a Catholic environment, but can deal with it since he is going to a Catholic HS and is used to it. He can also deal with the suburban private school kids athmosphere, since that is what his high school is like. However, he prefers to get away from that type of culture and go somewhere more middle of the road. Hie has some other, more selective LACs on hisl ist,but is looking for something on the level of HC and Lafayette as match schools. We are on long island and I rather not be paying airfare all the time, so he is limited to schools within a driving distance.

Anyone with any suggestions? Thanks

Cre8tive1 · 08-26-2005, 08:43 AM

Here's where I can, help...

Can you give me his rank, gpa, and SATs?

Also, what area of study does he want to go into?

MomofWildChild · 08-26-2005, 08:44 AM

S's private boarding school sends a lot of kids to both places. My very picky S visited Lafayette (is being recruited) and was very impressed. He got the impression kids go into NY and Phila fairly often. There is a good social scene and a good pre-professional program. It is unlikely that he will attend because of some other criteria he has, but I think it is a great school.

chammom · 08-26-2005, 09:05 AM

Thanks Momofwildchild

Cre8tive1: My son is thinking of law; likes history, politics, english.

93 average unweighted at a very rigorous school. Hardest course load offered. Don't know rank.
New SAt 2060 (CR 690, Math 690, Writing 680) Bio 740, Math2c 710.
Will take SAT again in October. Good ECs, nothing outstanding.
Puerto Rican/ Irish. What do you think?