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My son was accepted by Trinity College in CT, and was waitlisted at Kenyon. His letter from Kenyon indicated that they accept about a third of students from the waitlist, and encouraged him to visit the campus. When he applied, he received letters from several faculty members and a coach, so he was somewhat surprised by the outcome. However, I think he has a good chance to come off the waitlist if he indicates to Kenyon, it is his first choice. Right now, he is leaning towards Trinity.

He will visit both schools in the coming week. He is interested in creative writing, history,and psychology. He does not drink, and enjoys spending quieter times with friends rather than partying. He also prefers not to be too isolated. Any thoughts about these two schools? He is excited about the academic programs at Trinity and was invited to participate in a special seminar series for freshman in European Civilization (basically studying the Western literary canon and history). Is Kenyon extremely isolated? Are there any other schools nearby? How easy is it for students to go to Columbus, which is the largest nearby city?

Would appreciate hearing from any parents/students with reliable information about these schools.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 01:31 pm: Edit

I thought it was interesting that Kenyon said they move about a third of kids off the waitlist. Figures I have from Kenyon's waitlist show that in 2002, 278 were placed on KEnyon's waitlist but only 38 were actually enrolled off of the waitlist - not even close to a third! Waitlist numbers usually don't change much year from year. While there's nothing wrong with staying on the waitlist, it's best NOT to count on being one of the lucky ones.

My advice is to move your son's focus away from Kenyon and start getting him excited about Trinity. They are on par academically and from the way you've described what he's looking for, I think Trinity would be a great place for him.

In short, get your son focused on Trinity, not Kenyon. In fact, I actually wouldn't advise him to visit Kenyon again at this point. If he gets off the waitlist, he can visit then.

By Enzom (Enzom) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 03:29 pm: Edit

I would have to agree with the last post. Trinity is obviously a top tier LAC and a fine school. I am a Kenyon grad(16 years ago now!). The school is fabulous, especially in English, Political Science, History and Philosophy. In the last few years Kenyon has become a "hot" school. This year they received 4,000 applications. The admissions office has indicated that the admission rate has dropped to about 38%. Also, their applicant pool is the strongest in history. So, I think it is highly unlikely that he will get off the waitlist, but possible, obviously.
For now, I would suggest he take great pride in getting into Trinity and go forward. In answer to your questions about Kenyon, it is pretty isolated which means that there are many, many activities on campus. BUT, if he is use to a more urban environment, Trinity may make him happier overall. Best of luck.

By Pmyen (Pmyen) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 11:49 pm: Edit

Thank you for your helpful insights. Son is visiting Trinity and will attend some classes tomorrow.

By Voigtrob (Voigtrob) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 11:57 pm: Edit

I disagree with Carolyn in visiting Kenyon. Demonstrated interest is a factor in their decisions - it says so specifically in their viewbook, which goes on to state that one way of demonstrating interest is visiting. If he would prefer to go to Kenyon, visit, see if you can set up an[other?] interview, etc.

By Collegeparent (Collegeparent) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 10:06 am: Edit

Pmyen, there is a dilemma here. Both terrific schools but I would agree with Voigtrob that your son keep up his efforts to get into Kenyon. Obvously, pay your deposit for Trinity -- and after his visit there, he may in fact decide that this is where he wants to be. However, Kenyon, IMHO, has an extra ingredient that Trinity doesn't: for lack of a better term, Kenyon has a magic about it and a comfort level that I regret to say Trinity either doesn't or is not exhibiting lately. I would suggest that your son continue his dialogue with the admissions office and keep a connection there until the WL is decided.

By Bjturlington (Bjturlington) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 01:15 pm: Edit

I'd have to say to concentrate on Trinity.

Kenyon has but a very small town, and is rather isolated. It does have a beautiful campus and some great programs. About 1-1.5 hours to Columbus, Ohio.

However, Trinity is less isolated and a little better balanced socially than Kenyon with its fraternities. At both schools, there are kids who drink a good amount, so it is more what academic programs, and culture that your S likes that seem more important. Also, there are great internship ops in Hartford, as a state campital. Trinity's campus is also beautiful and the school is more presitigious than Kenyon (if that means anything).

Trinity is also in a conference with Bowdoin, Bates, Wesleyan, Williams, Amherst, Connecticut College, Colby and Hamilton (might have forgot one or two schools), and belongs to the Twelve College Exchange. At Trinity, the library is awesome and the special 19th Century Americana library is amazing.

Trinity also meets 100% of need with respect to financial aid, while Kenyon does not. Trinity has also traditionally been more selective than Kenyon over the course of at least the last two decades. Yes, Kenyon is a hot college...but that usually changes.

Trinity would seem to be a better choice for your son unless he does not like to be outgoing or is looking for a rural escape or place to study in quiet reflection.

It's great that he is attending some classes at Trin. That way he can get a flavor for its student culture and academic climate. If after the visit, he does not like Trinity, then he should visit Kenyon.

Just my 2 cents.
Rob.

By Enzom (Enzom) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 01:44 pm: Edit

There are many reasons why Kenyon is "hot",not the least of which is the fact that it has been UNDER recoginized for too many years. Also, President Nugent who was the Dean Of Education at Princeton University until taking the helm at Kenyon last Fall is widely renowned for her emphasis on teaching and is going to be a true asset to Kenyon.
The school has recently completed a very successful financial campaign to strenghten its ability to offer scholarships to the best and brightest(they DOUBLED their scholarship funds)and their student body has always been extremely talented. Combine these factors with their new athletic facilities(the best of ANY liberal arts college)which they are currently building(at a cost of $75 million dollars)and you can see why it is so respected. The school has far more famous graduates in various fields than many other top tier LACs including Paul Newman, Chief Justice William Rhenquist, Secretary Of The Treasury John Snow, Former President Ruherford Hayes, Swedish Prime Minister Olaf Palme, actress Allison Janney(West Wing), famous poets Robert Lowell and James Wright, etc, etc. Not to mention the famous Kenyon Review. So, if you think Trinity is more prestigious, I beg to differ.

By Collegeparent (Collegeparent) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 06:08 pm: Edit

It's the apples and oranges question at this point and if you prefer citrus --- He's in Trinity so should make his plans to attend; the point may be moot if Kenyon doesn't take him off the WL -- and both schools have new presidents. While Trinity's hasn't had a chance to get a report card, Kenyon's has and she's getting straight As from everyone. I suspect that President Nugent at Kenyon will do what her colleague at Colgate, Rebecca Chopp, has done which is to completely reinvigorate and re-energize the campus and continue to raise it up several notches each year. Even with the new and very impressive athletic facilities going in, Kenyon is still in a different league athletically than Trinity -- but academically it is in a league of its own. The Kenyon alums are zealous in their regard for their alma mater -- and are throwing money into the coffers for the new president to spend -- but of course, all of this could be moot for Pymen if not taken off the WL.

By Pmyen (Pmyen) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 07:43 pm: Edit

Thanks for all your comments. Everyone has been so helpful. My son will return from Trinity today so I am eager to hear his thoughts about the trip. Will keep you posted.

By Bjturlington (Bjturlington) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 01:58 am: Edit

I repeat, Kenyon's endowment is not large enough to support needs blind admissions. This also means that while facilities are being raised, and alumni are giving to the school, that they still underserve the less affluent student. Kenyon is still less diverse than Trinity and less prestigious, even with the Review.

I applied to Kenyon and did not apply to Trinity because I had many friends there and prefered a rural experience. I found the town (basically the college) a little too rural and confining and the fraternity scene dominent. That's why I applied instead to Grinnell.

Having school spirit is great, but the college newspaper continually bemoans the fact that Kenyon is on a mission to raise their standing in US News by spending more money on facilities because it increases per capita spending which affects rank.

Just my 2 cents.
Rob.

By Reidmc (Reidmc) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 02:35 am: Edit

Recent Kenyon graduates report that fraternities are a big part of the social scene but they do not dominate. Frats are easy to ignore if you want to do so, and for the most part they welcome non-Greeks to their social events.

Kenyon has had a reputation of not being generous with aid but based on what I have seen this year that is changing. However, there are few schools that are as generous with waitlist admits as they are with regular admits.

All this is easy to check with a visit and a conversation with admissions. Very responsive admissions staff at Kenyon. And the school is tough to beat for creative writing.

That said, I'd advise Pmyen's S to accept Trinity and plan on going there, staying on the Kenyon waitlist only if he really likes what he sees on his visit.

By Dennis (Dennis) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 10:33 am: Edit

While it may be true that Trinity has greater financial resources than Kenyon, I'm not sure what that has to do with the "fit" for a particular student. Pmyen does not ask about financial aid at these schools (which would vary anyway on a case by case basis) but wants general information about them.

Clearly, the setting of each school is very different. Which one is preferable is a matter of personal taste. I think the most reliable way to know which college is best for a particular student is to visit, talk to people on campus and gain a feel for each. Then trust your instincts.

I'm not sure trying to judge which school is more "prestigious" is a particularly helpful thing. There are no objective criteria that I know of to judge "prestige." Hence, we can only give our own subjective opinion on this.

As to Kenyon being a "hot" school right now, I think this is most certainly true. In two years, Kenyon's number of applications has skyrocketed from around 2,100 to almost 4,000. It's selectivity thus has dropped from the mid-60% range to around 37-38%. There has been a corresponding increase in the quality of students admitted in that same time period. I think there are few LACs that have seen such a dramatic shift in such a short time.

This points to an interesting phenomenon. Top LACs in the Midwest (Carleton, Macalester, Grinnell, Kenyon, Oberlin, etc.) had much higher acceptance rates than comparable LACs in the Northeast a few years ago. This was due not to a difference in the quality of education but to location and awareness. In just the past two years, this imbalance is shifting. Admissions at the top Midwest LACs has become much more competitive (I'll be interested to see all the statistics from this year when they come out). Kenyon is a prime example of this.

By Enzom (Enzom) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 11:27 am: Edit

Dennis:

I agree completely. Kenyon has long been viewed in academic circles as the equal of its peers in the Northeast. However, when I was in high school in New Jersey there was a real resistance on the part of students to consider the Midwest. That has changed for a number of reasons and the elite Midwestern LACs are benefiting from the trend. At Kenyon, I believe we are just seeing the early stages of this upswing. With President Nugent at the helm expect to hear a lot more about Kenyon over the next few years. I suspect that within 3 years(given the trend recently)that you will see acceptance rates drop below 30%.

By Nannerl (Nannerl) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 01:34 pm: Edit

There's no question that the Kenyon campus is isolated. Gambier is truly a one-street town. Although it's a lovely setting and some wouldn't mind, if your son doesn't want that, then he should focus on Trinity.

By Bjturlington (Bjturlington) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 03:02 pm: Edit

It is interesting that Kenyon's school paper is saying different things than what has been posted.

The up-swing in student scores for example, the paper says is due to the admissions offices practice of waitlisting students who they think would not come to Kenyon or those that need lots of aid. The fact is that if you guarentee aid you will also get a great cross-section of the general population. This contributes to the undergraduate experience. Thus, even though finances were not a question, it does impact the quality of education.

Carleton accepts the last 5% of its class with need in mind (ability to pay), although they have a great student body. Macalester also has a great student body but does guarentee to meet need. The students at the two schools, while uniformly liberal, are different in particular aspects---namely Carleton students behave as if they are more affluent (I hesitate about this, though I've visited the school several times) than those at Mac (again after visiting several times). It is the sense of priviledge that is striking.

At Kenyon, on my visits, people were more of the former than the latter. Whenever there was a complaint by a Kenyon student it was blamed on the concentration of the administration on a higher ranking. They called it the 'Kenyon Bubble'. Several students said that the college was shifting away from its sense of self and competing for a better position among its rivals. I understand that need towards competion with peer schools as we are a consumerist culture, but that is the problem.

Kenyon struct me as being at a crossroads with where it wants to go and how it wants to get there. I would have prefered it remain true to its roots by focusing on its strengths instead of short selling its traditional nature for a quick boost in the ranks. Wash U did this by moving away from a needs-blind policy and began a building boom that resulted in a huge leap in the rankings withing a few years. WU did it not by focusing on undergraduate education but on spending, repeal of its aid policies, and using its waitlist.

Carleton and Macalester have been relatively true to their missions as has Grinnell. Their rankings remain relatively stable because they, like Reed College, do not play the consumerist game.

I like Kenyon, but not enough to buy the hype created by a marketing company. I only point this out because there seems to be an unusal bias in favor of Kenyon here, while the students and school paper see it differently. I give the oppositional view because there would then be a balance. The truth lies somewhere in between the two extremes.

Just my 2 cents.
Rob.

By Enzom (Enzom) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 05:11 pm: Edit

I would suggest that those of us who went there, and who have stayed abreast of its progress should be given some credence, don't you think? Fortunately, you won't have to go there. I am actually surprised that you even interviewed, given your negative view of the school. Perhaps they sensed your trepidation about the school when they waitlisted you.
In any event,time will tell the tale. The fact remains that Kenyon has been and still is a fabulous liberal arts school. It continues to move forward and those of us who had the good fortune to receive our educations there will continue hold it in high esteem. Good luck wherever you go.

By Dennis (Dennis) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 05:44 pm: Edit

Well, Rob, it seems to me that you have a particular axe to grind here. OK, so you don't like Kenyon. That's fine. They must have also sensed that the "fit" wasn't right. Not every school is for everyone. My son will turn down a good number of LACs for a variety of reasons. Neither I nor he feel it necessary to denigrate those schools in order to make us feel better about his decision. Nor do we feel it necessary to attack a school's reputation for putting him on a waiting list or rejecting him.

Needless to say, I don't share your evaluation of Kenyon. My opinion is based on our many conversations with the students and alumni we know personally, on our visits, and on my experience as an educator. You obviously came away with a different opinion.

My suggestion is that those making their own decisions about Kenyon visit themselves, talk to reliable and knowledge students and faculty, and then judge for themselves.

By Bjturlington (Bjturlington) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 02:28 pm: Edit

Actually, it isn't an ax. because I was accepted to Kenyon. I too have visitied and spoke with STUDENTS, and attended functions, spent time in classes, etc...

If you read my complete post you would know that I gave the opposing view so that the person who would need to make-up their mind about Kenyon had a balanced view of the school. You said yourself that the individual needs to make a decision for him or herself. If that is the case, then you would appreciate my comments as they are based on my experience as someone who was interested in Kenyon.

You can choose to ignore the negative (something the administrators do according some of the students and the COLLEGE NEWSPAPER) but that would seem to be biased. I'm more concerned with my peers who have not had the chance nor opportunity to visit to make a decision. Like I said before the truth lies somewhere BETWEEN our extremes.

That you are an educator is great, but then your GOALs would be different than those who are choosing among their acceptances. Otherwise, our school system would not be patchy or be controlled by the Teachers Union.

It sounds like you want to promote Kenyon without being aware that for some (me included) it is a bit confining, as well as a bit odd that such a great value in college education is being diluted by its focus on raising its US News ranking, the antithesis of WHY I was interested in Kenyon.

If, as an adult you promote a commodified view of rankings, then there is nothing to say. That is what has caused our method of admissions to college to become what it is. Students, again including myself, are not getting much better except for the fact that we take more APs and IBs which are gear to tests. Our SATs are higher than they were 10 years ago, not because we've had a real gain in scores, but rather because the SAT has been recentered TWICE (about 100 POINT UP-TICK).

The pickle we're in is due partly to treating or believing that uncheck self-inflation and competition (whether at the personal or institutional level) and bartering for the best aid package (since the 50 institutions, including Kenyon, stopped meeting to discuss aid) have come into play since the mid-90's.

But, you are an educator and you know that. I just wonder why you did not read the end of my previous post and ignored the aid questions and what those results would be, at least for someone who cannot afford Kenyon without assistance.

I know I am not college educated as of yet, but I do know when someone uses their position as a means to quel a sometimes heated discuss that the purpose is to promote their cause. In this case, using your 'qualifications' as an educator to promote Kenyon and write that I have an ax to grind without reading te end of my post or asking me questions before jumping to conclusions is use of POWER to retain AUTHORITY in this particular thread.

That is offensive.

Just my 2 cents.
Rob.

By Bjturlington (Bjturlington) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 02:41 pm: Edit

For the record...

I was accepted the first time around (right out of high school). My mother became ill with cancer, so I took a year then reapplied (that's when I was waitlisted). I had time between applying to Kenyon (between June of 2003 and March 2004 to consider and reconsider). I was also waitlisted at Wesleyan (where I guess I should have an 'ax to grind' but I do not) and Northeastern in Boston (also no ax).

I will say this, I am not selling my other acceptances: Grinnell, Yale, Brown, Reed, Rochester, etc... In fact, I plan to turn down some great schools because I've realized that I want a small community that LACs provide.

I write this response because you might not be aware that I took my college search seriously, or maybe you thought that I would be distraught to find that 3 schools waitlisted me. I am not. Indeed, I was luckier than most as I did not recieve any rejections.

I know Trinity and I know Kenyon. The question was whether to see if the waitlist was worth it (to sell) to an applicant, even if they were leaning towards Trinity. The answer, should be that there should be no selling on the part of the parent for a waitlist unless the STUDENT has it pegged as a first choice, which clearly he has not done.

The post asked for personal information, inside knowledge, etc... My knowledge is no less valid because it is less than positive in certain respects.

Rob.

By Enzom (Enzom) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 02:48 pm: Edit

I think we all get your point. We can agree to disagree at this point and you can move on with your life, which obviously won't include Kenyon.

By Bjturlington (Bjturlington) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 03:05 pm: Edit

Actually, already have.

And I said that in my earlier post. Before the ax grinding comment. At least someone finally got my point.

Done.

By Dennis (Dennis) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 03:07 pm: Edit

I'm glad you have been accepted to Kenyon. You indicated in multiple places on this board that you were waitlisted. I guess they've already gone to the wait list. I assume you won't be going.

If you had read my post, you would have seen that I have refrained from recommending Kenyon to anyone. As I said, its appropriateness for any particular student is a matter of individual "fit." I clearly said that people should go and make up their own minds. I have not "promoted" Kenyon to anyone.

Oh, and by the way, no one on a discussion site like this has any "power" or "authority." It would be extremely foolish for anyone to take seriously anything said in this basically anonymous forum. This is why I have repeatedly urged people to make up their own minds.

I have no intention of discussing this with you any further. I wish you all the best in whatever life brings you.

By Bjturlington (Bjturlington) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 04:25 pm: Edit

That's what I said.

Done...and u did say I had an ax to grind. You mistake how impressionable teenagers can be. So yes, there is power and authority involved. Thought you would know that being an educator. Oh well.

Rob.

By Marianne (Marianne) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 05:21 pm: Edit

In Connecticut, Trinity has the reputation of being heavily dominated by party-going fraternity types. Also, it's not in a particularly nice area of Hartford (I find Hartford kind of dull, to begin with). If your son isn't heavily into drinking, maybe he shuld focus his energies on getting into Kenyon. A campus visit and meeting with faculty in his areas of interest who might put in a good word for him are good ways of showing interest. If he's really interested in creative writing, I would think he would want to try hard to go to Kenyon because of it's longstanding strength in that area.

By Bjturlington (Bjturlington) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 07:28 pm: Edit

Marianne...

Trinity is less fraternity oriented than Kenyon is, as all fraternities at Trinity (and whose members make-up less than 10% of the student body) are coed. This was implemented under President Dobell's time at Trinity.

As for drinking, Kenyon, by virtue of its location makes over induging previalent campus wide. I do not pretend that students don't over induge at Trinity, but I'm not sure how being at Kenyon would curb that aspect of student life. At Trinity and at Kenyon there are numerous ways to be drunk on campus.

Rob.

By Marianne (Marianne) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 09:55 pm: Edit

I mentioned "party going fraternity types." I don't think, in general, that the same "type" of kids attend both colleges. Oh, to add to that list of famous people who went to Kenyon, Laura Hildebrand (sp?), the author of Seabiscuit, started college there but had to drop out because of her illness. Great essay in the New Yorker about it.

By Enzom (Enzom) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 07:00 am: Edit

Actually, Seabiscuit is the first book to be given this year with President Nugent's Presidential Book Award, which will be given every year to outstanding junior high school students at 75 selected schools around the country. Other famous grads include comedian Jonathan Winters, Pultzer Prize winning author E.L Doctorow, Birth control pill inventor Dr. Carl Djerasi(sp?). The list goes on and on.....

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 12:59 pm: Edit

I hate to add to this but I have heard from two current Kenyon students that they are both very disappointed with the drinking on campus and the lack of intellectual/creative focus of the student body.

Since Kenyon markets itself as a place for intellectual and creative students, I find it interesting that both students have told me otherwise.

Of course, there are always happy and unhappy people at all schools so the bottom line is ---
look deeper than the marketing materials, the school's official party line, and the experiences of people who have attended in the PAST. I know for a fact, for instance, that the school I atttended as an undergrad has changed quite a bit since I was an undergrad and wouldn't dare address what it's like socially NOW with prospective students (although alumni materials do give a decent picture of academic aspects, they do not address current social circumstances.)
A better bet would be to recommend that the original poster go online and read a few current issues of the on-campus student newspaper. And, of course, an OVERNIGHT dorm visit would also give more insight than a walk through visit.

Please understand, I'm not bashing Kenyon: I think for the right person, it can be a fantastic school. Just that it - like all schools - is not right for everyone and certainly doesn't fit 100% with the original poster's stated desires.

By Enzom (Enzom) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 01:22 pm: Edit

Carolyn:

You are certainly correct that schools do change over time. However, I have stayed abreast of what is going on at the school, so I feel qualified to provide a reasonably insightful opinion.
No school is perfect and I am sorry to hear that the two students you mention are not happy. Actually, when I was there I edited a conservative student run independent newspaper for a brief period. I didn't always agree with administration policies or some of the curriculum changes at the time, I assure you. However, on balance, the school is rapidly improving IMHO. I strenuously disagree with one point you mentioned, however. Kenyon's student body has always been quite intellectual IMO. I do agree that drinking was and maybe still is a problem, as it is on many college campuses. My sister-in-law went to Duke and I heard similar observations from her.
This is a nationwide problem that I hope will improve soon.

By Dennis (Dennis) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 01:26 pm: Edit

As I said in another thread on this subject - I guess my point is that we should be careful about drawing conclusions about a school's reputation based on anecdotal evidence. I haved lived for almost 20 years near an Ivy League university. Over the years I have heard firsthand any number of horror stories involving students and drinking, drugs and other serious misbehavior. I would hesitate to label this highly regarded university as a "party school" or a "heavy drinking school" based on the negative experiences of a few.

I would also again repeat that I know personally (not from "College Confidential") a number of current Kenyon students (graduates of my son's HS) and their parents. They don't think that that party scene at Kenyon is in any way out of line with what is found at the typical top-ranked LAC. Wherever they are if someone wants to drink to excess they will find a way to do it. As well, our visits (and son's overnight) at Kenyon did not reveal anything of concern with regard to drinking.

Of course, some people will prefer a college where there is little or no drinking or partying. They should seek such places out. Being the product of a church-related LAC which was in theory a "dry" campus, I can personally attest that even there kids who want to drink or do drugs could find a way. So, no matter what a school's reputation is, there will always be the possibility that trouble can be found.

Just to reiterate what I have said before. I would say that when choosing a college, it is most important to visit the school in question, talk to as many students and faculty as possible and let you and your child get a genuine "feel" for the fit. That sense of "fit" will of course vary for each student. Also, when getting input from others, be sure that you know them and trust that they are in a position to judge both the school and its appropriateness for your child. When making your final decision, I would put the most stock in your child's and your own sense of a college followed by the advice of trusted people who know both the school and your child. In a distant third (a really distant third) I would put information gleaned from basically anonymous and random sources on the internet such as this.

By Pmyen (Pmyen) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 09:39 pm: Edit

Some F/U. Son decided not to stay on waitlist at Kenyon and attend Trinity. Both schools are strong in his areas of interest-history, creative writing, psychology, and I am sure he would obtain an excellent education at either place. He prefers an urban environment and the fact he can take a train home (we live in suburban D.C.) was the clincher when he went to visit recently. Also, as Carolyn and Enzom mentioned, he wants to focus on a sure acceptance rather than deal with the uncertainty of staying on the waitlist. I realize that my query stirred some passionate sentiments for both schools-I'm glad that some of you with first hand knowledge feel so positively about both places. Appreciate all the advice received. Thanks Carolyn for your note.