I’m actually grateful for OP posting this, as I’ve strongly encouraged my daughter to apply to CoW.
She has steadfastly refused, :).
While having never visited, she was turned off by the rural location on the map, combined with the small size of the campus and student body.
I have always felt CoW and other LACs would be a better academic fit for her, though, than the state schools she preferred and applied to. And that still might be true, but -
What you’ve said about the social aspect of Wooster would’ve been very bad for my daughter, and based on what you’ve described, she would not have been happy there at all.
My daughter does not drink, or smoke anything, and while she likes her alone time and can be introverted, she really THRIVES on structured social activities and relies on those for connecting with her classmates and peers. She’s not the kind of person who would enjoy hanging out in the dorm all weekend or not having the opportunity to take a bus into town, or attend a school-sponsored movie night or dance.
She’d be bored stiff and depressed, I’m afraid, in an atmosphere like you’ve described.
Since you were there for a full year, I trust your opinion. I agree that for many students, the atmosphere you described would be ideal, or just fine at least.
I personally don’t see a huge problem with having to be an upperclassmen before having research opps, but if you can do that earlier at Kent, that’s great!
Thanks again for your insights, and I wish you well with your remaining time at Kent. Sounds like you made the right decision for yourself.