After our visit, my D referred to Clark as “the safety version of Skidmore”. Clark had a very similar vibe academically (emphasizing creativity in problem solving, changing the world for the better, similar size, opportunities to interact with professors, etc.). But everything else was a BIG step down from Skidmore - the surrounding area, the dorms, the buildings. Two things that she pointed out, to @SuzyQ7’s point: the buildings were “dark”, and they had chalkboards instead of whiteboards. Everything did seem old and dated.
It’s still on D’s list as the “Parent’s Choice” because my husband and I love the academics and think it would be a great fit for her, and we’ll definitely visit again with an open mind, but it will be a tough sell.