Sarah Lawrence College

Date: Mar 09 2006
Major: Unknown (This Major's Salary over time)
This college is an absolute social/academic tradeoff.

I approached it having read that it wasn't a social blast, but figured I'm not a huge partier, so it would be fine. While I'm not a huge partier, I still like to go to parties. I like to get together with friends, meet new people. The social dynamic at this school is terrible. People are unfriendly. Uncommitted. Uninvolved (despite giving the appearance that they are passionate about anything from art to social justice). The handful of straight men hold the social reins. People stare at their feet, and students from your classes will not reply if you say "hello" to them. Prepare to re-introduce yourself to people several times, they will "pretend" to not know you, or maybe they really are snooty and self-centered enough to have forgotten you. Of course there are exceptions, and I have made a few close friends, but if you come from someplace generally friendly, prepare to be shocked. Clubs dissolve. The winter is a hibernation period. People are standoffish, and the school can generally be a catty or lonely place. Campus can be one giant delayed-adolescent angst-fest. And ladies, of course you don't choose a college for the guys, but if you are used to even having a good deal of male friends (or, you know, ever feel like dating without being involved in a cruel, incestuous social scene), the ratio (30%men, 70%women) is something to think about. There are no real gathering places for students on campus, ie none of the dorms have lounges. A new coffeeshop was built in a rush and decorated hideously (at a school full of artists!), but is FINALLY the kind of place we've needed—maybe things will improve.

I am noticing some change in the social dynamic with the most recently admitted class. Those students seem a little more socially capable. I nearly transferred, but money (I received generous aid) and academics were a key factor in deciding to stay.

Academics here are incomparable. I have received a stellar education. My friends who went to more traditional academic institutions barely scratched the surface of subjects I studied in great depth. I was able to seriously study a creative art for four years. My professors have been encouraging, knowledgeable, personable, understanding. Many have pushed me further than I thought I could go. All's well on that front.

Another thing to consider is the operation of the place—it runs like a little kid playing college. The school has no endowment and is fantastic at pretending everything is on the up-and-up to visitors, but look closely and don't be fooled. Everything is in a terrible state of disrepair, and there isn't the money to take care of things quickly. If you visit, approach with a careful eye. Look for dirt, dust, light bulbs out, broken chairs, steps, door handles/locks, things placed carelessly in the most slovenly manner at every turn (oh, where do we put these four broken doors we took off the hinges? How about the middle of a laundry room.) If luxurious living is important to you (yes, you'll get a single by the time you're a senior, but there will be no such thing as TV for 4 years), don't go here. If you like standard facilities to always be working efficiently, go someplace that has more money. I've visited friends at both large and small schools with decent money, and was utterly amazed at the way everything WORKED (washers, dryers, microwaves, door locks, computers, vending machines, heat, stoves, ID card-reading machines, etc.) on campus. Although tuition is sky-high, it still doesn't make up for the cost of operating the school. Many people are fine with trading these things for the academic experience, as I ultimately decided to do, but I just feel it is unfair for students to come in expecting something different, which is the situation I was in after my visit.