DougBetsy

hudsonvalley - We're in Eldersburg (Carroll County). So we still had another 30+ minutes to go pass Towson. I bet we took the same route home that you did. Our ride probably took 4 hours because we stopped for lunch and H got stuck on an urgent phone call while we were at Chick Fil-A.

The New Jersey route would not be typical for us. We simply went that way as an excuse to visit Grandma Friday night. We hadn't seen her since Christmas.

Yes, I agree that the grass was probably the result of rainy days. I believe I said so in my report. Likewise, I agree that it's better to cut costs there than in the classroom.

Thanks for your comments on the selectivity factor and your kind opinion of my objectivity.

Dad'o'2

Thanks. I was thinking it was closer to 3 hours than 4! Google sends me up I83 to York and then across US30 and US222 through Reading. It shows it about 2:45 hours from my place--about 20 minutes shorter than picking up 95. I may take a drive with my D up that way this summer--not the best time to visit a college but at least a chance to look at the campus. If I do, I'll let you know how they're doing on the lawns!

Thanks for the info on the merit scholarships--you can't always get the real scoop from the websites.

proudpard

Not to beat a dead horse (and for the record I agree with HV51's advice regarding choosing schools beyond the numbers) but as numbers are being put out here I wanted to throw my .02 in:

1) I think we are mixing up stats for admitted applicants and matriculated applicants. For example, Lafayette's 75% admitted applicant SAT score is actually 1430 last year. Top 10% ranking was also 75% for admitted (compared to 65% for matriculated). I am not in the admissions game other than as an Alumni recruiter but the info on the other schools websites led me to believe that the numbers quoted above are not for students choosing to attend.

2) At some of these schools (F&M, for example) SATs are optional and according to their website their numbers reported exclude SAT scores for non-submitters. You can draw your own conclusions on the effect of SAT's reported if 20% (roughly of your admits do not submit.

3) Lafayette has taken a very noble stand against school rankings and does not officially report stats to publications. I believe this makes their reported data look somewhat different and inconsistent if/when comparing to other schools who are trying (understandably) to put themselves in the most flattering light.

4) With 2,400 students, Lafayette is one of the smallest Division 1 schools in the nation. Roughly 100 students are playing Division 1 football. That is 8% of the male population! Approx. 25% of the student body is made up of Division 1 athletes. This may skew the admission comparison when comparing to three similarly sized, Division 3 institutions.

Good luck with your decision. I hope Lafayette is the one as (I am sure you figured out by now) I loved my time there. I think the College remains tremendously under marketed for what it is and what it has to offer. I hope you take my post in that light!

Lafalum84

Leopard03, as an alum and a parent of a current student, you are NOT helping the college's image. On behalf of the rest of us, I apologize for Leopard's stubborn and rude remarks. It's possible to state facts without being arrogant about it, and I don't believe his/her attitude is typical of most Lafayette students.

I believe Hudsonvalley's info on the Marquis & Trustee scholarships is accurate.

Dad'o'2

DougBetsy--Just visited this weekend. You'll be happy to hear that the grass was nicely mowed! D liked the atmosphere--it's officialy on her list.

DougBetsy

LOL. Well thank goodness they fixed that problem. Now Son won't have to grill the asst dir of admissions about it when he has his interview tomorrow night.

I'll report back and share any new info I hear from Son or his interviewer.

Dad'o'2

DB--

FWIW, I think they said that the interviewer writes up a summary and it is treated essentially as another letter of recommedation. Didn't sound like it is a make-or-break event, so don't stress your S out too much! Good luck to him.