…which are Jesuit and which are not, may not be as informative to me as understanding what academic strengths/ weaknesses are not apparent from looking at their respective web sites… Also, any differentiating factors in vibe of campus community and student life (in particular, are there are any that you would describe as ‘suitcase schools’)?
-Xavier, Dayton, St. Joe’s (Philadelphia), Scranton, Loyola Maryland-
My daughter has liked Duquesne and John Carroll better than other small to medium privates we have visited, and so I’m interested in potentially visiting a couple of other similar colleges before late summer/ early fall applications, but - no time to visit all of them.
I would say she liked the larger student population, walkability to things off campus, as well as music ensemble opportunities and classes at Duquesne. She liked the attractive architecture, treelined campus, small class sizes, and welcoming community of John Carroll.
Of the above-listed institutions, I think Dayton might be the one that would prove to be too expensive, so that’s the one I think likely wouldn’t be worth a visit; however, I’m interested to hear others’ opinions (or first-hand experience even more so!)
Loyola MD is right between Hopkins and Towson U, and in a ‘light’ consortium with them and Goucher (IMO students don’t take classes at the other schools as much as say the Amherst schools or Pomona/Harvey Mudd/Claremont). It is beautiful, and very close to the activities in downtown but a world of difference as far as grittiness. Its sport is lacrosse, while the other schools have basketball as #1.
I don’t think any of them are suitcase schools and I’ve known students from all of them who love them. Catholic schools tend to be beautiful campuses in urban or suburban areas as most were originally founded to serve urban populations.
I think you have to research what they are known for or if they have specialty programs. A friend’s daughter went to Dayton and loved their musical theater program.
St Joe’s and Loyola are both at the outer edge of major cities, so even though it is almost suburban you get some city transit. Along with Scranton, no football teams. All have good business and health programs.
My son almost chose Scranton. Very compact and new campus, off-campus housing all in walking distance, all of the small city downtown in walking distance. Eliminates drinking and driving. But Scranton is not a city like the others here, exponentially smaller.