<p>So I recently visited Goucher and really did love it. It had the same kind of hippie, intellectual vibe that schools like Swarthmore had, without the crazy, competitive intensity. This school would probably be a safety for me and I could also probably get at least a 15k scholarship. Would it be bad for me to “settle” for a less selective school. What are your opinions of Goucher?</p>
<p>Bump.
10char</p>
<p>raiderade, I am sorry but I do not know much about Goucher… but don’t think of having to “settle” for a college… fit is the most important factor. If you loved it, go with it. However, visit your other options as well … you might like those equally as much.</p>
<p>If you love it, this is not ‘settling.’ Settling is when you go to a school that isn’t exactly what you hoped for or wanted, but is good enough. </p>
<p>Just make sure you do your homework: Do they have the depth of coursework in the areas you are interested in? Have you read the ‘vibe’ correctly? What concerns do the student newspapers focus on? Does the school/dept have the resources to deliver on their promises: housing, internships, study abroad, athletics, music…whatever it is that you consider important to your experience. What is the quality of the student advising? What’s the neighborhood like? How good is the career planning and placement office? How supportive are the alums of new grads? (I’m not suggesting that these are issues at Goucher-only that these are questions you should ask of any school where you love the vibe.)</p>
<p>Goucher has a good reputation regionally and use their endowment to attract top quality students. A top student at our local high school turned down a HPYMS offer last year for a full-ride at Goucher. She too loved the vibe and knew she would need money for her graduate program.</p>
<p>Thanks very much! Those are very important questions that I will look to answer. I am planning on doing several class visits and an overnight visit.</p>