200 more students - impact on housing and dining?

_rentof2
Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:55:30 +0000

From a purely business/money perspective --from what I’ve read here over the last few months-- there are some that are in better financial shape than Amherst. (Interesteddad is a big supporter of Swarthmore --has a kid there-- and according to his posts, Swat is in much better shape, for example.)

How much is the difference in top LACs’ financial health going to really affect the quality of a student’s life or education?.. I don’t know, but I don’t expect it will be much, if at all.

Some of these LACs have so much in common that a kid thrilled to be at one might very likely to be as thrilled at several others. But in some cases there are distinctions that do really matter, and the culture of one of them will be a good fit, where the culture of the other will not be as much.

Why is your daughter drawn to Amherst? Depending on her reasons, the differences in overall financial conditions may not be relevant. If she’s looking for the LAC with the very, best cutting-edge science facilities right now, then the budget issues might matter since Amherst will not have its science building expanded and updated until some years from now. That’s just one example that’s been much discussed, but different students will have different issues.

My son is at Amherst and it’s everything he ever dreamed a school should be… for him. He likes the blend of high-achievement with well-roundedness, and non-competitive attitudes. He also enjoys sports and the general social climate of having the 4 other colleges in the consortium (although he hasn’t taken a class at any of them, not sure if he ever will), and the open curriculum.