We’ll be heading south on I-95 this summer to North Carolina. Would love to plan a few college visits along the way. (Philly, Baltimore, DC, Richmond, Raleigh) So far Duke and UPenn are at the top of possible stops. Any suggestions for schools that make a great impression when visited in person? Schools we should make a point to get to?
JHU wowed my DD
Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, or Haverford if she’s interested in LACs. William and Mary.
JHU, University of Richmond, William and Mary, University of Delaware
In the greater Philly area, we were impressed with Lehigh’s campus and with Muhlenberg’s joie de vivre – very happy college.
I echo Haverford and Bryn Mawr–both act as almost the same campus system – they have bus that runs back and forth the one-mile distance between them, share departments (Haverford has studio art while BMC has geology for both campuses, etc.) Both have different architecture and feel. Haverford feels sporty and the buildings have clear clean lines, while BMC feels super intellectual IMO.
Georgetown. UVA’s not too far from DC. UNC, Duke, Wake Forest (only 90 minutes from UNC). URichmond was a great surprise to us. Was not that familiar but was very impressed. Only 45 minutes from W&M.
It seems like you are only looking at fairly selective schools. You first want to make sure that your child is at the level that these are reasonable options. It would also be wise to add some easier admit schools, since everyone needs matches and safeties. For example, if you are visiting Duke, maybe stop by Elon. If you are visiting UPenn, maybe throw in Drexel or Temple.
At most of those colleges, your child has a less than 5% chance for admittance. So consider carefully whether a trip to view colleges that she can not attend is wise-there are many kids on the admissions threads who regret all those visits and focus on super reaches.
Richmond and William & Mary certainly. I think Richmond compares in some ways to Penn–more of a pre-professional vibe and in a city, though Penn is much more urban, Richmond suburban (campus is stunning). Richmond (RVA) is now a great city for students and young professionals. Weather is terrific during the school year. W&M compares with Duke–more intellectual vibe, very nice campus and college town vibe. Really terrific students, stats-wise and otherwise. Same weather as Richmond. Duke and UNC are very close together. I think Chapel Hill one of the best college towns. I agree with the comment about Elon–it is a fast-rising national university.
I suggest taking notes. They will start to run together. We included funny comments and observations, which helped make it all more memorable. Also, If you are going to visit more than 4 schools, I would suggest working in some quiet or tourism time. For example, we did a tour of 6-7 colleges. We took a day to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, which was great, and did a boat tour on Lake Mendota, in Madison. We also took another day off. Those really helped make it a great trip.
Good luck, have fun!
Check the CDS for the admission rates of out of state female applicants at William and Mary.
If you are not aware, VA and NC state schools are very difficult admits with little to no merit for OOS applicants due to in-state resident quotas/requirements.
I’m not quite sure what criteria you have other than “schools that make a great impression when visited in person”. There are a number of nice schools to visit on that route, but usually requiring a diversion. Princeton is north of Philly, Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr / Haverford, and Penn are near Philly. Hopkins in Baltimore and Georgetown in DC. William & Mary, Richmond, and UVA (W&L is nice to visit but will take you over to Interstate 81). In distance from 95, they would be Richmond, W&M, UVA, W&L. In NC, Duke and UNC, with Elon and Wake even further West.
As some have noted, most of these schools are very selective.
University of Maryland College Park is another one. You actually exit for Route 1 and campus where you hit the Washington Beltway (I-495) from the north, on I-95. It’s outstanding in several academic areas.