Heading to Richmond today and I’m eager to post my two cents later!
@ccjje @cloudysmom @MAandMEmom Thank you. Can’t wait to hear how visit goes today!
@MAandMEmom Yes, excited to hear how you liked it!
I’d chime in with my support of U Richmond but not in the spirit of the thread. Must…resist…
If we start down this path of nice and positive comments the thread will be lost for good!
Many schools were planned out and built before the advent of the automobile! I don’t think parking has anything to do with admissions being an afterthought. I do agree that some shuttles from far away parking garages would be helpful 
Regarding our negative impression of Richmond: We didn’t get a conservative vibe on our short visit, the references I made were referring more to a kind of overarching vibe of coddling-preciousness (like at a private school which our daughter attended for two years so has some experience with that) which was off putting to her. I might not be describing it accurately, but Richmond gets so much love on this site, and was on our list because so many people have spoken so highly of it. I wanted to report back that it’s not for everyone, and it was unexpectedly the least favorite college on our visit.
We have visited 14 colleges and the most disappointing was Dartmouth. We had high expectations – and purposely planned a family vacation to see the school – but it came off the list immediately after the visit. First, the students were probably the most unfriendly we have encountered at any college – we asked about 5 students where admissions was located and not only did no one know, they basically just shook their heads and turned away – no attempt at even helping. Weird. And our tour guide came across as a privileged white male who seemed to be in a rush to finish the tour. And it was really a turnoff when he said all social life revolves around frat parties – which are open to all – but still a negative to us. While the campus was nice, it had less charm than others we’ve seen. I also didn’t like that there was nothing really dividing the campus and town – although I could see how others would like that. I’ll admit that the town did seem nice, although a little too upscale for a college town. Luckily the trip wasn’t a total waste since we also visited Middlebury, which is still a top contender.
In keeping with the culture of bashing colleges, here’s what 43% of the college niche respondents said the word or phrases that most represented University of Richmond students:
“Upperclass, northeastern, and preppy (from NJorNY)”
@socialdad2002 – okay, now I think you’re just baiting @OCDaddy, lol!! Stay strong, OCDaddy, stay strong!
“pirate-themed acapella group”
My kid and I loved this. After years of boarding school and many LAC visits where acapella is rampant and often mediocre, the thought of argh-apella was refreshing and a hoot. 
@doschicos – Did you actually hear this on the tour too? That’s so funny. In and of itself it was cute and funny, agreed! It was just this particular tour will filled with a collection of oddball anecdotes and traditions – like a parody of college tour. Overall message was “we celebrate our clever quirkiness” and I was looking for more substance.
But, to be honest, they lost me with the “student manifesto leading to open curriculum” in info session. Guess I’m more of a structure kinda gal looking for the faculty to put some bumpers in place around the components of a solid education b4 forking over that kinda dough.
"My kid and I loved this. After years of boarding school and many LAC visits where acapella is rampant and often mediocre, the thought of argh-apella was refreshing and a hoot. "
Until I was watching Pitch Perfect with a friend a few years ago and she related some real life a capella stories to me, I didn’t even know a capella was “a thing”. Now of course, I picture all a capella groups as being like the Barden Bellas.
The only thing my daughter liked about Smith was the a capella ‘show’ (I’m not sure if it was a competition or just a Friday night sing off thing). My daughter isn’t impressed by much, so this must have been quite good. Wasn’t enough to get her to apply, but she did think it was a lot of fun.
@AlmostThere2018 Nope, they can’t break me!
There was a great story a while back (possibly this very thread) about someone who crossed off Richmond because a dad in the tour group (not a student, mind you) would respond to every point made by the tour guide with “oh Vincent would excel at that”. I just love that story, even if my head did almost explode. Wonder how many tours his proud papa torpedoed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEuPI7x6g_c
You’re welcome.
Man, I really need to get back to work, lol.
@OCDaddy – that’s so dang funny that I’m tempted to go randomly do the exact same thing anytime I’m near a college. And the name is oh so perfect with the sentiment!
“But, to be honest, they lost me with the “student manifesto leading to open curriculum” in info session. Guess I’m more of a structure kinda gal looking for the faculty to put some bumpers in place around the components of a solid education b4 forking over that kinda dough.”
Kind of surprised you chose to visit at all. Brown’s open curriculum is one of its differentiating points and Brown isn’t trying to be anything it is not. For those who crave the flexibility it provides, Brown is an attractive option providing a great education and strong career outlooks.
@AlmostThere2018 - Regarding post 2372’s second paragraph: Funny! Different strokes for different folks.
Although S ultimately did not choose a school with a completely open curriculum due to other considerations, our family was 100% on board with the concept of an open curriculum. We think each college student should be in control of all aspects of his/her/their own college education. And, frankly, meeting divisional requirements is a pain in the neck if there is a division without courses that particularly appeal to you. You (the student) are the customer. You only get to take four courses a semester, and you are paying a lot of money for them. Every course should be something you want to take!
(Hooray for Amherst, Brown, Grinnell, Hamilton, and Smith!)
@doschicos – you’re right, we hadn’t done any homework. We were in the area on vacation so did a side trip to see it. It was summer after my D’s sophomore year, and none of us had done any serious thinking at that point about what to look for in a college.
One thing’s for sure, Brown and its fabulous students are doing great without my love!