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Descartes
Super Moderator
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Posted: Tue Feb 19th, 2008 03:58 am |
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| OK, I moved the thread and left a referring tag back in the other folder.
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mmaah
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Posted: Tue Feb 19th, 2008 03:09 pm |
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Just checked in after some time away and I am grateful for all this information (and heartily endorse putting this thread in the review section!) Now I'm going to go look at all the photos! This is very helpful for a curious mom....
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beazer
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Posted: Tue Feb 19th, 2008 06:22 pm |
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Like outwest, my D initially thought she would love Colorado College, so we visited it early on in our search. It was my introduction to the way a kid can get a gut feeling that a school is not the right one but can't explain it very well. I remember sitting in the dining hall at lunch, and my D said something about how the kids' shoes made her think she wouldn't fit in there :-). To me they looked like schlumpy college kids anywhere, but my D saw more.
She also decided that the block plan wasn't appealing because it requires you to have class five days a week, like high school (though the hours are shorter), and she was really looking forward to the traditional varied college week, where you'd have different classes on different days. The block plan is ideal for subjects like geology because the class can incorporate multi-day field trips into the syllabus.
I found CC interesting and loved its proximity to the mountains. Some of the course offerings seemed a little ... lightweight, and the guy giving the information session said that they will run a class even if only one person signs up. My D found that a little scary, but another kid might find that really appealing.
I know a guy in his 20's who went there and loved it. He wondered how the fates conspired to put him in a school where he liked and got along with every other student there.
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CarolynLawrence
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Posted: Tue Feb 19th, 2008 10:41 pm |
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There apparently is some sort of Shoe Code to Colleges known only to teenagers. I have had more kids comment on shoes as a determining factor in ruling in or out colleges than any other item. 
One of my daughter's favorite pieces of college marketing was a brochure from Goucher that had no words at all in it --- just closeups of student shoes and backpacks. She also was very much an adherent to the Shoe Code to Colleges (in her case, the Shoe Code went: Lots of Converse: Very good college, amazing school if a professor spotted in high tops; Lots of flip flops: So-so, could go either way; Any sightings of high heels or Uggs: Let's leave before the tour begins.)
Last edited on Tue Feb 19th, 2008 10:44 pm by CarolynLawrence
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Canadian
Member
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Posted: Tue Feb 19th, 2008 11:10 pm |
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Absolutely fascinating.
Having a boy who is not fashion conscious beyond a sort of generic athlete/skateboarder look, I had no idea. Love the Goucher brochure; they know how to speak a student's language.
Re drinking at CC:
S noted that CC was the only school out of 8 overnights where he was NOT offered booze and/or dope when he was a junior. I don't think this means much beyond what the people who were hosting him were like. Just that partying is probably pretty available most places.
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Lupine
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Posted: Fri Feb 22nd, 2008 03:52 pm |
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CarolynLawrence wrote: There apparently is some sort of Shoe Code to Colleges known only to teenagers. I have had more kids comment on shoes as a determining factor in ruling in or out colleges than any other item.
One of my daughter's favorite pieces of college marketing was a brochure from Goucher that had no words at all in it --- just closeups of student shoes and backpacks. She also was very much an adherent to the Shoe Code to Colleges (in her case, the Shoe Code went: Lots of Converse: Very good college, amazing school if a professor spotted in high tops; Lots of flip flops: So-so, could go either way; Any sightings of high heels or Uggs: Let's leave before the tour begins.)
This is too funny -- D is a high school exchange student in Italy, and in the phone call last week she told me that there was just no question -- she had to go out and buy a pair of Converses because her athletic shoes were making her stick out. The shoes are the ONLY clothing items where there's an issue -- the jeans, t-shirts, jackets, etc. are all fine. Who knew that the shoe code was so international?
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Canadian
Member
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Posted: Tue Mar 25th, 2008 04:04 am |
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Some more random notes from our visit last spring:
It was fun for me to look at Outwest's photos (thanks). There are also a lot of other interesting buildings in a style I dubbed "Prairie Victorian", if that makes any sense. I'm not sure what makes this eclectic mix of buildings hang together, but it does, in a loose-jointed style that S and I liked. This is something that is SO individual. I feel the campus reflects the out-of-the-box education & thinking that CC promotes. But if you like the more traditional, brick, ivy-covered look, CC is probably not for you.
Some of the buildings, especially science, are new and very up-to-date on the inside.
There is lots of green space, and of course those fabulous Rockies in the background, a short drive away. At about 2000 students, CC is small but big enough to handle a diversity of interests.
CC is at the edge of Colorado Springs--with one major road running through it--so it is walking distance from a wide variety of amenities but still has a separate campus. I suspect that CC is the most interesting thing about the very conservative C Springs, but the city does have all the shops, restaurants, movies you could want.
The students I met were all bright, energetic, and involved in a trillion things, not all athletic despite the stereotype. People not at CC have told me that the school develops independent and free-thinking grads. Or maybe mostly attracts this type? Whichever, sounds like a place where I think S will be happy.
The food is average. There is an all vegetarian coffee house. The freshmen dorms are basic but fine. There are social activities planned in each dorm and good-natured rivalry between dorms. There is a wide variety of housing for upper-classmen, and only seniors are allowed off campus.
The main reason to go to CC is the Block Plan (you can go to CU or DU for the skiing!). 3 1/2 weeks of the same class, 9-12 every weekday plus afternoon labs in the sciences, then 4 days of precious break time. This suits some disciplines more than others, and is ideal for classes that benefit from the ability to have extended field trips. Lots on hands-on work in environmental sciences was one of the main draws for my S. He also really likes the idea of jump in, work hard, get it done. There are no distractions from other classes, but the workload is intense because of the short time frame.
There are also mini-classes in the afternoon for some things like arts or languages that need ongoing practice which can't be contained in blocks.
Hockey rules, another bonus for Canadianson, and is Div 1 along with the ski team. The rest of the sports are Div 3. One student told us that the kids are as likely to go to club rugby games as varsity football. This was another selling point to my very competitive scrum half son. I like it because rugby is a much quirkier and more democratic game than football, so I think this reflects well on the student body.
Classes are capped at 25 with one teacher and 36 (I think) with two teachers. Many have less. Students are assigned points each year and bid on the classes they want most. I've heard that sooner or later you can get into most classes.
CC has one of the few undergraduate cadaver dissection labs in the US. (Blech! But good for pre-meds).
CC has a second campus in the Rockies for special classes and also a hut that students can rent. Skiing is NOT the only sport, and the Outdoors Club hosts every imaginable outdoors activity.
There are also active arts, drama, dance, and music groups on campus.
One thing that sounds great is the student orientation. It starts with 2 1/2 days of activities for parents and students (only some of them together). Then the students take off in small groups for a 4 day service experience somewhere in the southwest--anything from clearing brush on wilderness trails to volunteering at a First Nations museum to helping out at a wolf refuge. How cool is that? Then they have a very small class for 2 blocks that helps them adjust to the Block Plan.
Can you tell how excited I am that DS will be attending? I doubt that anyone is ever neutral about CC. It is definitely different from anywhere else (Cornell College notwithstanding), and a visit here is a must do.
I look forward to reading about others' visits (including things they don't like), and I'll post more if the old memory bank decides to cough up.
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Canadian
Member
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Posted: Tue Mar 25th, 2008 07:43 pm |
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I forgot to mention a possibly significant negative about visiting:
I found the CC admissions office the coolest and least helpful (during our planning stage) of any of the schools we visited. Not unpleasant, but absolutely unbending about no overnight, no class, no interview for my junior son. However, there was also no objection to my finding S a host through a friend. He enjoyed an overnight with a studious group of girls (as opposed to the partying boys on most of the other campuses) and also attended a class with his host.
When we visited, the staff were all very nice. There was a large group for the info meeting. It was fine, but as this was our 6th school in less than two weeks, it felt pretty yada yada to us. Probably not the school's fault.
The campus tour was good with a very bright and lively senior tour guide who said he turned down top Ivy for CC, was totally happy with his choice (what else would he say??), and expected to be in med school next year. He also said that he dropped all his varsity sports and was just having a great time having fun with the club and rec sports. I think this was a good message for my S. Most important, he was the best of all the guides at walking backwards in flip-flops.
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Asdad
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Posted: Tue Mar 25th, 2008 08:30 pm |
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I have a nephew that graduated last year. His sister is graduating this year. Both of them have really enjoyed their time there. The block plan had it on set of small problems for them with scheduling, etc. , but I do not think it was any more than one would have with regular type classes.
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Asdad
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Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 09:26 pm |
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| http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_9459310
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Canadian
Member
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Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 05:45 am |
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I found this article rather odd.........criticizing CC for becoming more selective at the expense of dropping their “quirky quotient”. I fully agree with the idea that it is important to have a student body with a wide diversity of outlooks. However, something about the writer's slant make me feel like her editor had been criticizing her for not writing enough quirky, controversial articles.
It would make a lot more sense to me to write about CC’s difficulty attracting a racially and economically diverse group......which in turn creates diversity of thought. I'm hoping the rise in ranking will help with this process.
And for anyone thinking of applying, don't be put off by the article talking about CC only picking from the very top. My son, accepted ED, is certainly a competent student with good ECs, but he has nothing truly outstanding on his resume. I think he got in partly by showing how well he understood CC's unique program and what a perfect match it is for him. Geographic diversity also helped.
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Canadian
Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 15th, 2008 05:35 am |
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I just dropped S off at CC for his soccer tryouts. All team members except the captains have to try out every year. All the varsity hopefuls for every team are housed together in one of the freshman dorms for this time period, so I expect that a good time is had even by the kids who don't make the cut.
CC starts all freshmen with a service trip. Apparently it is the only school where every student goes on a pre-orientation trip that is also a service trip and is done at no extra cost. The soccer hopefuls will be making a trail at a monastery in Crestone, CO, at 8000 ft. A good way to fast-track all the sea level kids into altitude adjustment! (C Springs is at 6600 ft.) And also a great way to evaluate their attitude, leadership, and teamwork.
Arriving early, we had the opportunity to handle a lot of administrative errands. I found the staff at CC to be exceptionally helpful and friendly.
I just love the campus. It has a very open feel to it. There are large quads with lush lawns and big shade trees, which you need in a place that has over 300 days of sunshine a year. The campus is flat, but you feel that you can almost touch the Rockies that fringe the nearby horizon. There is a huge array of ski hills within a 2 hour drive.
Colorado Springs is compact but is an actual city, though if you are from any major city, you will be decidedly underwhelmed. It is exceptionally clean. There is a free city bus that goes from near the campus into the downtown, though it is also a very easy walk. We had several good meals.
The CC meal plan can be used at some restaurants in town, including a great little hip deli just across the street from the campus. What a great way to add diversity to campus fare! CC has recently changed their food provider. I'll see at orientation if it is better than last year.
All freshmen start off with a two block course they term the First Year Experience. The FYE courses are capped at about 16 students and are designed to help students adapt to the block plan. They all looked fascinating, cover every academic area, and most are interdisciplinary. "Freedom and Authority" is a popular one. S got his first choice, "Climate Change and Geology", which includes field work.
The kids are assigned a temporary advisor, in S's case the prof for this course. He can keep this advisor if they work well together or switch later in the year.
I'm incredibly impressed with all the care that is taken to assist the students in adjusting to life at CC.
S saw the double dorm room he will be in for the year. It is utilitarian, but the beds can be lofted and the kids find many novel arrangements that allow them to have a couch or other homey furniture. All rooms include a mini-fridge and microwave at no extra expense. Also a phone line, though I suspect most kids just use their cells.Last edited on Fri Aug 15th, 2008 05:44 am by Canadian
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CarolynLawrence
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Posted: Fri Aug 15th, 2008 06:07 pm |
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| Canadian, I've been think of you and Canadian Son. Glad your trip went smoothly, and that things are going well!
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Canadian
Member
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Posted: Sat Aug 16th, 2008 03:53 am |
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Here are some random photos of part of the campus. This is in August and the students have not yet retuned.
[IMG]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x78/peaceheartdog/IMG_0402.j
pg[/IMG]
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shawbridge
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Posted: Sat Aug 16th, 2008 05:26 am |
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Very nice pictures. I've talked to several students there. One stepson of a very close friend graduated and was very happy there. This stepson was on the spiritual side and studied things like comparative politics. The second stepson is a very serious tennis player and was less interested in the academics, though I think this has begun to shift. He is happy there as well. I see them on average once a year and get ongoing readings. I also spoke with one of their friends, who seemed like an OK but not particularly intellectually curious kid, who also was happy there. They agreed that block system was good for humanities and social science majors because one could concentrate and go into depth on one subject, but that it was not as good for people who wanted to study subjects like math and science that are cumulative. Either you have to take math on an ongoing basis across blocks or you have to pick it up after months, which is much harder.
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Canadian
Member
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Posted: Sat Aug 16th, 2008 03:17 pm |
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Shawbridge,
A cousin of mine who is a physics professor at UBC had a related concern. He believes that calculus and some courses in physics just need more integration time than the block plan allows.
However, CC graduates a lot of science majors, one of the reasons S picked it, and is supposed to be particularly good for areas that profit from field work and other hands-on learning.
We'll see in 4 years!
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shawbridge
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Posted: Sat Aug 16th, 2008 03:38 pm |
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Canadian, the block setup be a very good for biology and perhaps chemistry but I'd be very surprised if it were good for math or physics. I agree with your cousin, but also think that you don't really want to take a 6 month break from math, especially well after calculus. I think the student I talked with about this told me that kids he knew taking Chemistry really had extra difficult workloads because of attempting to compress the work and the labwork into blocks, but my concern is more with the ongoing mental effort needed to learn theoretical subjects. My father was a very serious theoretical physicist and he and his peers were thinking physics all the time (even when they were not working). While this didn't make them the social smoothest folks, I think the relatively constant involvement is important.
I studied lots of math and would have found it difficult to pick things up where I left off after a year break. It felt to me like constant exercise of the mind was important. I could be wrong and don't have any data to back me up, just my impression from my own experience and observation of others.
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Canadian
Member
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Posted: Sat Aug 16th, 2008 04:05 pm |
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Shawbridge,
I'll pass along your comments to S. He is interested in practical applications, perhaps environmental science & geology, maybe even medicine, but I suspect the cumulative learning in sciences affects all of them to some degree. Perhaps CC has ways to help students compensate.
When we visited Trinity University in San Antonio, an ES prof there, who works with students from both schools in summer programs, said that he felt that CC students had a practical edge but Trinity students were better on theoretical aspects.
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Canadian
Member
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Posted: Sat Aug 16th, 2008 06:43 pm |
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PS
Just want to note that blocks change every 3 1/2 weeks, so there is no reason to take a 6 month break from your main area of study.
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Descartes
Super Moderator
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Posted: Sun Aug 17th, 2008 04:33 am |
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Nice photos, Canadian. However I think Carolyn has a no-photo policy on this message board. However let's wait for her to make a call before taking them down.
Last edited on Sun Aug 17th, 2008 04:33 am by Descartes
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