I am a international student from China, get accepted from kenyon college (60k scholarship per year), Boston college, ucsd and university of Toronto, and still deciding where to go.
I am planning to study film and environment (maybe architecture or creative writing?). I really like the vibe of Kenyon, and lots of people told me a LAC could be more supportive in undergraduate study. And a great scholarship! I am really surprised they gave me so much, even though my parents told me we don’t need to think about the tuition fee, but why not save some money. However, I never heard of Kenyon in China before the college research. I am worried about I might not know much about Kenyon’s student life and reputation, also there are few Chinese student in Kenyon I think. I got some stereotype about Ohio also (no offense), and it is the first state announced Chinese international students will be restricted and cooperate research program with Chinese institutes in Ohio will be banned, I don’t know if this will affect me.
And for BC and UCSD, they both get good prestige in China. Most of my classmate go to UCSD this year, I think my life there will be really happy. But I really don’t want to go to some public school, especially a school famous of its computer science and stem programs, though the campus and weather is amazing. For Boston college, I think it has the most beautiful campus in US, I really care about this. It has a similar LAC vibe but not fitting me that much as Kenyon does, and way more expensive.
UToronto is ranked so high in China, but I heard it undergraduate education is not that good. Please give me some advice about where should I go, and its better to hear some personal experience in Kenyon, thanks.
Congratulations on your great acceptances! My daughter graduated from Kenyon last year, and she loved it. I understand that it’s not known in China, but this is quite typical: US liberal arts colleges are not well known internationally (and most of them are only known in certain circles or regions in the US). I’ll say, though, that the education our daughter received at Kenyon was top-notch. My husband and I are both professors at a reputable research university with Ph.Ds from an Ivy, and we were very impressed with both the rigor and the level of individual attention at Kenyon.
It’s hard to predict how things will develop politically anywhere in the US right now. Ohio is leaning conservative, but the college itself is very liberal and accepting. There are definitely Asian/Asian-American students there, but I’m not sure what the proportion is.
Of course, your other options have a better name recognition (although Kenyon is well-known for its English, theater and creative writing programs), but since you seem to like Kenyon and it’s so much cheaper, it’s a great option, imo. Their campus is gorgeous, by the way, although be aware that it’s rural, unlike your other options (although Columbus is just under an hour away by car).
Feel free to send me a message if you have more questions.
Because of current US government unfriendliness to all foreigners, including international students and others with legally authorized visas or permanent residency, the ranking for an international student is probably:
University of Toronto >> UCSD, Boston College > Kenyon
(Kenyon is in a less friendly state within the US than UCSD or Boston College.)
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Kenyon has a wonderful, small hands on film department that offers students the opportunity to major in film and get a well rounded liberal arts education. I am unsure if you have visited the school, as it really is a fit school due to the rural location.
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U Toronto is the safest option given the current political climate in the USA.
BC or UCSD should also be given strong consideration.