Rhodes is on our list to visit. Looking closer, I see lots of reports of it being in a terrible area. Thoughts? Can anyone recommend places to stay, eat etc that are close to campus and safe and is it even worth visiting?
Planning for summer.
Others on list for the trip. Vanderbilt, Emory and Univ of Alabama Huntsville. Any thoughts on UA Huntsville? Is it largely commuter or good residential life?
Thank you!
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@momsearcheng has written much about safety. I hear the “issues” in Nashville and going by there, it’s not a great area but it’s not downtown Memphis. Like any city, Memphis has issues but nice parts too. When you’re on your visits, talk to the kids - stop them on campus and ask how safe they feel, how they navigate the area, etc.
Where to stay depends on budget and where you’re coming from. I go for work - and I have stayed in Wolfchase (near the Galleria), Germantown, and Southaven MS and Olive Branch MS.
Downtown has lots of hotels and you’ll get to see the city - and you’ll be fine. Go check out the duck walk and at at the Rendezvous BBQ or Central BBQ. You’ll be fine.
Vandy - you can stay in West End - it’s a bit pricey. Or by the airport or down in Franklin, 20 minutes south for much less. We have lots of hotels in Franklin/Cool Springs.
Emory - there’s hotels in the area (Decatur), midtown, downtown, and just depends on where you are coming from.
UAH - what is the major? It’s really known for engineering and nursing. I know they have other majors…business, etc.
UAH is becoming more well known - and given the size, price, and access to jobs is definitely drawing - especially engineering. All first year live on campus (except the locals who are exempt). Per a CDS two years ago, 64% of first year and 26% of overall live in college housing - so like most - kids move off campus. 36% of first year commute so live close and OOS is 15% - so that is a large contrast to say - Tuscaloosa. I know it’s a popular school where I live - but I’m just 1 hour and 40 away. The campus size will be closer to the others you’re looking at.
Huntsville is very nice, very - ehhhh - plain - but lots of opportunity for young kids.
Best of luck on your trip.
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Rhodes is definitely worth visiting. I have 0 concerns about the safety of my DD (freshmen). Campus is gated, no problems on campus. Kids are not in prison. DD is off campus almost every day. However, she usually does not go alone (except for work etc.) If a student does not asks for trouble, Rhodes is as safe as any other campus.
We stayed both times using AirBnB in old tall buildings couple blocks near Peabody Hotel (a must to visit to see ducks). I am not good with suggestions of food (first time we ate at Rhodes, second we had plenty of food with us…)
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Thank you both for detailed responses.
Regarding UAH, the major is undecided but she is leaning towards chemistry or some science area (pre med or else likely interested in research .
The draw is mainly that she is a good student and loves rigor and challenge, but also not top of her very high achieving class and needs targets and safeties that meet her criteria and stats (SAT will know in June but likely 1400s or TO; GPA likely 3.7UW/4.3W/7-8 APs/rank about top 13%; lots of Honrs classes other than AP as well);
Prefers south/warm, good for sciences especially hard sciences, something that will provide good foundation for either med school or graduate school, not a party/party type environment, small classes, and good opportunities for either clinical experience or lab experience, various clubs to join etc). Not sure if it fits the bill but the cost is low and we won’t be far visiting the other schools. If you have suggestions for other targets or safeties to visit in the surrounding areas that would fit better (up to 3 hours drive), please let me know. Thank you!
How long are you in Memphis? I am a native Memphian.
Rhodes is not in the safest part of town, nor does Memphis have the best reputation with regards to crime. That being said, I have lived here for nearly 50 years and have never personally been a victim of crime. It’s like living anywhere else. Be smart and know where you are going.
When I was a kid, the Peabody hotel was sold in a foreclosure sale and NO ONE went downtown. Downtown has experienced two renaissances in my lifetime. The first centered on Mud Island. The second on downtown proper. Are there still issues? Yes. But, it is much better.
As for food…Memphis is known for BBQ and soul food. You will likely get multiple different answers about the best BBQ in Memphis. Suffice to say it is pork BBQ with a tomato/brown sugar sauce. I am happy to answer specific questions.
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Thank you! That helps.
I’m not unfamiliar with rough cities, but it seems clearer where you should not go versus what parts are safe, even if going to dinner at night. In Baltimore, for example, Waterfront, Fells Point. I’m not familiar with Memphis, but from what I’ve read, it’s more patchy as far as good areas and bad. I’ve seen some people online say don’t go out after 5pm. Not sure if they’re being overkill or if it’s that bad. I’ve had dinner in Baltimore at 9pm at waterfront. It’s nice. I wouldn’t walk all around Baltimore at that time though.
Can you share some good hotels near the school? The Rhodes website lists some hotels (Hotels and Directions | Rhodes College) - are all of these in decent enough areas that you could go out and get breakfast or dinner near there and walk around? We’ll likely only be there 2 nights. I’m willing to spend more for safety obviously.
Also, with St Jude’s nearby that is a nice plus for volunteer work /internships. How do students get around town without car? Or do they need a car?
Memphis is like any city - there’s lots of wealth and lots of nice areas (suburbs).
I’ve been to St. Judes for work (they buy my product) - it’s a short shoot from Rhodes - so worst case Uber.
You’ll find lots of places to eat and where to stay depends on budget and where you’re coming from. Plus, if you’re like me and have points, where do they work most effectively. Similarly their hotels recommended run the gamut distance wise, etc.
If you want close, I’ve stayed at the HI Express - it’s fine - it’s generic. You can easily stay downtown - or if you want more suburban/cautious and depending which direction you’re coming from, there’s tons within 10-15 miles. I’ve never had an issue in the Memphis area and used to stay 4-6 times a year for 10 years.
PS - the Germantown Commisary - is waaaaaaaaaaaaay overrated for dinner. So if it’s recommended…I’ve avoid. @Peruna1998 lives there - will know better but I’m a fan of Central BBQ (more for lunch). Like other places - you have lots of chains…but some local …in Memphis. I’m not a ribs guy but Rendezvous is the tourist favorite.
Back to your UAH comment - it’s no Alabama (large, loud) but it’s also less traditional. My son described its campus as “like an office park”. Engineering is the rage there. I’m not sure how the TO works there with merit as their charts are test based - but even full price it’s low. Not sure how majors outside of engineering and nursing, even a STEM, are perceived - but certainly ask about career outcomes. For engineering, they do well (as do most schools).
You might look into TN Tech and especially UT Chatt as subs that, assuming you’re from Maryland, would be a bit closer and should deliver equally as well. Chattanooga is a fun little city.
What is your current tour plan in order? Like are you driving (I assume) or flying - and which direction do you plan) in order.
What is the desired budget?
I assume school size is small to mid.
When I see this - GPA likely 3.7UW/4.3W/7-8 APs/rank about top 13%; lots of Honrs classes other than AP as well); - and I love kids visiting all levels of schools - but I’m not seeing Vandy and Emory as likely realistic, etc. - doesn’t mean not to go - but yeah, the Rhodes and UAH types (very different in all areas - architecture, size, likely personalization) are likely better schools to truly focus on.
Good luck.
Prob going to fly into Memphis, then rent car and drive to UAH, then Nashville, then Atlanta. Then fly home.
I agree with you on Emory and Vandy, but she really wants to see Emory. That’s why I wanted to add Rhodes and UAH for more realistic options.
That said, she’s got other schools to see in separate trips - UMiami, Fl Inst of Tech, and maybe Rollins.
She’s seen UNCW and she will still apply to UDel, UMBC and possibly Elon to be safe. She has safeties. And reaches. Not enough targets but given the criteria, that’s not easy to find.
Yes she prefers small to mid size schools.
Thank you.
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I will throw out a couple of additional schools to consider (which you/your daughter may have already looked at). One is Furman University – very good liberal arts university in Greenville, SC; it draws from a similar demographic as Rhodes. The second is Belmont University – near Vandy, it also is a good school that might be worth a look, if you are going to be in Nashville (one of our summer nannies from back in the day went to Belmont and thence to medical school).
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OK - check airfares - Memphis is usually pricey and you can likely fly to BNA (Nashville) from Baltimore for less (assuming you’re from Maryland).
I would recommend UTC - it’s less than two hours from both Atlanta and Huntsville. It’s across the bridge from a really cool part of town, much more interesting than Huntsville and it’s very popular.
UAH (and UTC) are safeties for sure. Rhodes a match but likely. Have you looked at Salisbury or Christopher Newport?
I’d find a way to get to UTC. TN Tech would be another to see - but not realistic given the route.
Maybe fly to BNA - do Vandy, UTC, Emory, UAH, then Rhodes. There’s a highway from Huntsville to Memphis. You can fly back from BNA to save the drop off fee - less than 3 hours from Rhodes.
PS - if you did this route above, you could also add U N Alabama in Florence.
Rhode is sort of the outlier here on the map.
Good luck - and don’t be worried (about safety) - you’ll be fine!!!
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Thanks Furman was on list but not sure if there’s a way to squeeze in with the FL trip. The other is East Carolina Univ, perhaps that and Furman can be squeezed in with FL trip.
Are you driving to Florida? Otherwise no.
Furman is 2 hrs 15 from Atlanta (sans traffic) but the opposite direction from TN and Alabama. Or if you could add another day…
We’d have to fly to FL. But I can add to the Atlanta trip - even if we were driving around for 2 weeks I’d be ok with that (we’ve been treating these college visits as part vacations so kill two birds with a stone)! Just don’t want to do more than two trips down south. Some she’ll have to just apply without seeing and check out next year.
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This is a little off the subject but have you have you ever done the auto train? I think the only route it runs is DC or Baltimore to Florida. I had never heard of it before but looks like a cool idea and then you can have your own vehicle but don’t put on the miles.
Never heard of it. Not sure how much it costs but I can look into it. Thanks!
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Then she is a mirror of my DD. She is premed. Her SAT was 1430 (with 3.95 GPA, unweighted, in HS and ton of DE. I think weight was above 4.5) and she went TO for Rhodes. Rhodes has a partnership with LECOM. DD is in that BS/DO program. The first semester GPA is 4.0 (but she worked A LOT and was worried that she will not get an A in one class!!!) If the time will match, I can ask DD to meet you when you are visiting. PM me if you wish.
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Absolutely - you can apply to schools without seeing them and then see all factors later - sounds like budget matter. Furman will cost more.
You have 20 common app spots - so use them!!
My son saw all his I think but my daughter didn’t see all - and when we saw them later and she didn’t like…easy to remove.
I do think Chattanooga would be a worthy add.
Good luck.
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Wow, that would be great! I’ll pm you as it gets closer! Thank you!
Thanks I think we’ll add UTC. I forgot too we have good friends in Atlanta. So may be able to use that as a base for some schools in case the whole family doesn’t want to see all of them.