foolishpleasure

Hopeful878, at our recent information session, the adcom said that applying EA (non-binding) gave students "a little bit of a boost."

D is applying to several schools EA and will also apply EA to Goucher, if time permits. Applying EA to Goucher is not a priority b/c Goucher does not notify students until 2/1 - -so no gaurantee that D will get early notification that would save her from having to apply to schools she likes less than Goucher (most of the school's on D's list have 1/15 or 2/1 deadlines).

nightchef

How about music at Goucher? My son wants to double major in music and international relations. He's a pianist and budding songwriter as well as active in the a cappella scene at his HS. I guess I'm interested in information both about the music department academically, and the more informal/student-generated music scene on campus.

ncgoucher11

@nightchef:
My suitemate/best friend is actually a music major and loves it! I know she gets a TON of personal attention since there aren't too many music majors. So her advisor, as well as each professor she's had so far, has really helped her to figure out what direction she'd like to go with music and what she needs to do at Goucher to reach her goal. She's also branched out and performed in musicals, taken private voice lessons (which I think is required for the major) and then performed in concerts, and also participated in the orchestra on the side which she did back in high school. Academically I'd give the music department an A+! I've personally taken a Computer Music class to satisfy a gen-ed requirement and it was SO interesting! It was something I had never tried before, but now it's something I can't wait to get into again!

The Gopher Hole, our late night coffee house type place, is constantly hosting local bands, student bands, solo performers, etc.- so there's alway's something to see. I LOVE the a capella groups on campus- we have Red Hot Blue which is co-ed and The Reverend's Rebels which is all girls. Goucher is great about bringing a really diverse group of musicians to campus as well: a few weeks ago we heard throat singers who were in America only for two weeks, and before that we heard this really crazy band called Telesma- not my style but interesting nonetheless And on the far end of the spectrum, it's not uncommon to see a student playing guitar on the quad or even ukulele (I think we have 2 ukulele players that I've seen regularly...) So overall, Goucher is definitely a fantastic place to explore music!!!

To everyone else: I'm sorry to hear about the retention rate, this is something I was unaware of... I couldn't give a good reason for it either, but the people I know here LOVE the school and all the opportunities they have, as do I. I believe that there is a school for everyone out there, and if Goucher doesn't match a student then it's not worth all of the money to stay. So I would take the retention rate as a sign to really do some serious research- both personal research and learning about different schools- to try to make sure you make a great choice... as opposed to viewing it as a turn-off.

@Elephantsweaters:
I LOVE the theatre department at Goucher. I work for the head of the department, Allison Campbell, and I was just in Goucher's presentation of Pacamambo last month. The professors are very involved in the students' interests and work. Basically I could say the same things I said about music above. The theatre majors are all interested in different areas as well: musical theatre, acting, set design, lighting, costume design, dramaturgy, etc. To complete the major though, they are required to, and have the opportunity to, test the other areas and graduate with a great background in everything theatre!

If you had your interview already, I hope it went well and you enjoyed your visit! Since it is SAT optional, I would just see how happy you are with your scores. If you are uncomfortable with them at all- don't worry about it! That's why it's optional... Not submitting them won't hurt you at all, but if you think that they scores might hurt then just use your best judgment.




THANK YOU all for your questions! I apologize for taking a while to reply- I'm much quicker if you send me a personal message because it goes straight to my email. Good luck with your college searches and apps, etc!!

foolishpleasure

" I believe that there is a school for everyone out there, and if Goucher doesn't match a student then it's not worth all of the money to stay. So I would take the retention rate as a sign to really do some serious research- both personal research and learning about different schools- to try to make sure you make a great choice... as opposed to viewing it as a turn-off."

Every school admits some students for whom the school is not a good match. I have never know, however, of a case where a low retention rate was primarily the result of such mismatches. More likely the low rate is becasue of a particular characteristic of the student body (ie: first gen students, as an earlier poster noted) or because of problems with merit/need-based aid (offering great 1st year package and signif less in later years so that students can't afford to stay).

A low retention rate is cause for some concern. And a low rate should definitely be investigated, as it suggests a "global" issue/problem - -not merely one of individual "fit," as the post above suggests. (Like other posters, I'm still scratching my head about Goucher's low retention rate.)

foolishpleasure

hopeful878, according to the following link (posted in a "College Search" thread titled "does EA increase your chances"), at Cougher, EA applicants have a better chance of getting admitted than RD applicants.

Colleges Where Applying Early Action Helps - US News and World Report

Colleges Where Applying Early Action Helps - US News and World Report

gweeta

ncgoucher, thanks for taking the time to reply. The retention rate is just one piece of the puzzle for us. On the flip side, my son liked it so much during his two visits, I don't think he cares whether other kids stick it out. He thinks he will.

Of course he still needs to get admitted. (His EA application was complete about two weeks ago.)

jasmom

Not a Goucher student, but the mom of one. My d chose Goucher over several higher rated schools. She liked the strength of the dance program paired with support for double majoring. She loves that the student body tends to be welcoming and non-cliquey. She and her friends are serious students (she's taking 17.5 credit hours while auditing 3 additional dance courses). Her 2nd major, Int'l Studies, paired with her experiences in the Int'l Scholars program have kept her really busy, but she has loved everything except how busy she's made herself.
She takes the free college town shuttle into Baltimore for fun. But she also attends and supports the various lectures, theater, and music performances on campus as well.
It's small. She does sometimes tire of seeing the same people over and over, but she will study abroad and may find the time to cross-register at one of the other colleges in the area.
My daughter (like Gweeta's son) liked it right away.
I really have nothing but good things to say about her experience there.

gweeta

jasmom, thanks for chiming in here. One of the things we (both my son and I) like most about Goucher is how welcoming it seems to be. He's basically a middle of the road kid, but a little off beat (e.g., his hobbies include carpentry and working on motorcycles). I think he'd fit in well.

nightchef

One question about applying EA: are merit aid awards for EA admits determined at the same time as the admission decision, or are they made later on, along with the RD admits? And if the former, would you say a potential improvement of about .15 in GPA by the midyear report is worth waiting and applying RD for?

hopeful878

Thanks foolish! I actually just sent in my application yesterday, applying ED!

magicsmom

S is a freshman at Goucher -- he loves it. He is a strategy gamer, but actually joined the tennis team, which is something new for him. He went to a tiny high school of just 60 students after struggling at our local public school, but has just blossomed socially at Goucher. I could not be happier with what I have seen thus far.

Regarding graduation rate -- it may have something to do with some students struggling academically, rather than unhappiness with the school.

nyc

^^ Interesting. The 6-7 student (all male) I know who have attended Goucher over the past 4 years fall squarely into to categories:

- those whose stats placed them at the top of the Goucher applicant pool and who opted for Goucher over higher-ranked schools b/c of attractive merit $

- those who struggled during the first year or two of hs, but finished strong (in at least a couple of cases, the result of late diagnosis LD).

I wonder whether some of students in the latter group needed a bit more support than they and the college anticipated - - but kudos for giving them the opportunity.

gweeta

Thanks to all those who've shared experiences with Goucher. It's all encouraging, and I appreciate it.