My son likes rural areas, but I believe that an urban area would offer more opportunities. My son is also a late bloomer. I would like a school that helps students develop their talents. He is also looking at Allegheny College, but it is so far away. He would like to become a physician.
Either Centre or Rhodes would be good for a student interested in pre-med. Check out their pre-health advising, and have your S even reach out to them and ask questions about the process, opportunities for patient facing and research experience, whether they write committee letters for all students wanting to apply to med school, etc.
https://www.centre.edu/majors-minors/pre-med/
https://centrenet.centre.edu/ICS/Academic/Opportunities/HPAG/FAQ.jnz?portlet=Free-form_Content
Regarding Allegheny, I am concerned there could be grade deflation there which obviously is not great for a pre-med. My experience is just based on a couple of data points, but my understanding is the graduating class average GPA is below 3.0. Definitely something for your S to research further.
Both Centre and Rhodes would help a late bloomer develop his talents. Centre offered good merit aid to our daughter (she didn’t apply to Rhodes). The walkability to Danville shops and restaurants would be a plus; Rhodes is more suburban, although Memphis would offer more volunteer and internship opportunities. I’d have him apply to both and compare offers. If your son remains pre-med, saving money on undergrad is important.
The only students I know from Allegheny who went on to med school graduated too long ago for me to be able to speak to grade inflation.
Centre has been recognized for the eventual success of its pre-med students: https://www.centre.edu/centre-college-ranked-among-top-25-best-colleges-in-nation-for-pre-meds/.
@Mwfan1921: Curious as to your assertion that “the graduating class average GPA is below 3.0 [at Allegheny College]”. What do you base this on ?
Thank you in advance !
An AO said that in a presentation to counselors about two years ago. I may have misunderstood, so that’s why I suggested OP do some research on that. I have also heard from several students that it is academically rigorous there, but do not know their graduating GPAs.
Thank for your responses:)
Centre is more regional to Kentucky, whereas Rhodes has a further reach and wider reputation. Both schools will be huge on Greek life, so be sure your son knows that and is good with it. Remember that Centre is much smaller (so the Greek and partying vibe there would be more dominant). Centre would be way more of the rural route. As for the 3rd one, Allegheny is heavy on sciences and pre-med… so would likely be the most preparatory of the three (they have an incredible med school acceptance record). It would also offer the outdoors activities if he’s into hiking and such. All great schools academically and reputation wise.
There is a great old thread on here comparing southern LACs. Try doing a search for southern LAC’s. The original is only 5–6 years old and there is a revisited from a couple of years ago. Found it very helpful as my D21 is looking at Rhodes,Sewanee, Furman