<p>Lots of great colleges have problem locations- Ham may not be an obvious vaca destination, but the area is beautiful.</p>
<p>Until a few years ago, it was not a “meet full need” school and didn’t promse much. That dropped it a bit off the usual radar. (Especially for parents on CC whose kids may have looked, before that change.) It acknowledged its own historic problems with Greek life- most recently, a few years ago. (I haven’t checked lately, but Ham was very upfront and detailed about that.) At one point, it had an anecdotal rep as a place for kids who didn’t get into Princeton- and brought attitude. But, things change. Everyone I know there is happy.</p>
<p>You have to check how kids get to/from any school that’s not on the usual beaten path. Some schools run busses to city locations or airports, at major holidays. Carleton itself talked of fly to Chi, transfer flight to MSP, 45 min bus to the town, then get over to the school.</p>