Wilson College Inquiry

[gwendolynmstacy]

Several weeks ago, I recieved a letter from Wilson College (an all women's college that supposedly high in ranking) on the basis that they learned of me through Phi Theta Kappa (NHS) and want to offer me their 6,000 per year scholarship to finish my major (which is psychology) there under that Phi Beta Kappa Scholarship they have. My minor should

Comments

[gwendolynmstacy]

You have no idea how much over analyzing and slight worry you've saved me. None, seriously if I could hug you right now I would.

If I'm in PTK from another college (my current one) it won't matter as much? Granted I know that they mailed me the letter based on that but still I like to check just to be sure if that applies to the situation. I actually don't mind small classes, it's sort of what I'm used to now being that my current college has fustrated me so much I now only do the online thing to just stay away from the annoyances of the local open college, plus online is the only place I can finish my minor LOL.

I asked on the phone when I first called a few weeks ago and I asked if their were handicapped accomidations for people in wheelchairs (people basically being me- but I am extremely self reliant) they told me they had them but I'm wondering how widely that applies, since I would have to reside on campus (since hey going from there to Maryland every night is just out of the question.) and as far as the children's programs go - I don't mind children at all (I have a nephew and a niece so I can sort of understand there).

Self starting? Not a problem I've always been kind of OCD when it comes to learning and things in that area (which isn't a bad thing though it sometimes annoys my mother who asks if I ever take a break on anything). Small campus? Thank you. The one I'm at right now since it's community is so large it hurts my head to even think of it (and I don't know where half the buildings are which is sad since I've been there since I graduated in early 2003 from High School)

I'll be up on the 29th of March at 11 am (at least that's when my appointment is for), I'll be around, with my mother, in a wheelchair and have short brown and blonde hair (and several tattoo's that you won't be able to see).

This will probably be my first college experience away from home, any pointers there? Also I plan to get my driver's liscence this summer (darn handicapped driving wait list) and I really really don't want to leave the potential car home, but then again I suppose I'm gonna have to, yeah?

[colorwhirl]

I think you'll be fine with academics; if your grades are good enough to get into PTK, they'll be good enough to transfer here.

Wilson is not 100% handicapped accessible, to be quite frank. There are some places you'll never be able to go, like the second floor of Warfield (our main academic building) or the second floor of the current Science Center; but that won't be an issue. All your classes will be scheduled in rooms you can get to, and the main part of campus is so small that you won't have a problem. We whinge a little about walking from Riddle or South (both dorms) to the dining hall, but both are literally just across the green. I could stand in front of the dining hall and have a conversation with someone standing in front of Riddle or South without raising my voice too much.

Our library, dining hall, and the administration buildings are fully accessible, too. The Chaplain's house, Lortz Hall, and maybe one or two other places would be a tough go, but I don't think you'd have to worry. (Currently, we have a blind girl who lives on campus with her guide dog, and they do ok so the campus is not that hard to navigate.)

You'd probably end up living in Mac/Dav your entire time here because it's the only CFW (College for Women) dorm with an elevator, but that's really not a huge problem. You'll get your own room on a convenient hall; actually, if you come here, you'd probably get my room because my hall is the only one with a handicapped stall in the dorm part of the building, and my room is the designated single. (And seriously? Mac/Dav is not a bad place to live; the dining hall is in this building, as well as the post office and the big screen tvs with the comfy couches so you can spend an entire weekend in this dorm without ever having to put on a coat. I love it so much; I am actually eligible to live here next year because of my age, and I think I might go for it because I love being so close to everything.)

Another cool thing about Wilson is that because of the equitation programs and especially the EFT major (Equine Facilitated Therapeutics, I think), there is a pretty strong chance you could actually ride a horse here. We have folks who are actually trained to ride with handicapped riders and to teach them, so you could actually take a riding class or a community riding class if you wanted to.

A few parts of campus would be a little bitchier to get to for you (like the farm- yes, we have a working organic farm on campus) but totally not impossible if you have a car.

Moving to cars, if you have a license, I don't see why you couldn't bring your car. We are a more rural campus (as you'll see) so it would be a good idea to have it if you ever want to leave campus. The parking fee is $50 a semester; as long as you can pay the parking fee, I don't know why you wouldn't bring your car.

My partner goes to La Salle in Philadelphia, and I think Wilson is much more accessible than La Salle based on my time there. There are more ramps and flat places here than most schools have, and it's a pretty easy campus to deal with.

One thing that might turn you off (or maybe really excite you, I don't know) is our pet policy. Namely, we can have pets. The whole time I've been writing this comment, my guinea pig has been running all around my computer. (See here.) I love the option to have little fuzzies, but not everyone is into that kind of thing.

If you have any other specific questions or want an honest answer about stuff, feel free to ask me here or in my own LJ. I'm game, and I try to be honest about the stuff that sucks.

[gwendolynmstacy]

Okay, I was worried about that particularily because of some issues I've had with my guidance office now that is just enough to drive me insane. I figured it wasn't 100% handicapped accessible but then again no college I've heard of is 100% so I'm not being out there, y'know? Besides it sounds quaint even if it sounds cramped on paper or well on web space as it were.

Yeah elevators were mentioned in the phone conversation I had with the main office a few weeks ago, which I was sort of expecting, and you're right Mac/Dav does sound like a nice place to live dorm wise so I'm actually looking forward to seeing it when I visit in a few weeks, and nope, never ridden a horse at all, but it sounds interesting.

Re the car: I know some colleges have a first year no cars on campus rule, would that apply here or no? That's why I'm worried in the first place (public transport as in metro or public transport scares me - bad experiences one year vowed to never go that route again) because I know some colleges have that rule and I just want to make sure that I can take a car be it my first year there.

As for the pets, not sure about that yet but I haven't had one since my yorkie died in 2004.

I write slower than when I type basically can I take my laptop into a class if need be?

[colorwhirl]

Besides it sounds quaint even if it sounds cramped on paper or well on web space as it were.

I lived in Philly for a couple years before I came here, and it's not too cramped on campus. I feel so much more claustrophobic on La Salle's campus because one of their dorms would hold our entire residential student population. That sorta boggles my mind, because I'm used to having 60-70 people in my whole dorm. I suppose it's a very subjective thing. ::smile:: It doesn't work for everyone, and that's ok.

Re the car: I know some colleges have a first year no cars on campus rule, would that apply here or no?

Nope. Doesn't apply. The only reason you wouldn't be allowed to have your car is if you kept breaking parking rules, getting tickets, then not paying them. As long as you park where you're supposed to and don't do stupid stuff like running people over, there is really no problem around here with cars.

I write slower than when I type basically can I take my laptop into a class if need be?

Yes, provided you aren't disruptive with it. And by disruptive, I pretty much mean "Don't start playing Doom or WoW in the middle of class with your sound on in the middle of class." Not many people here take notes on their laptops, but it's not frowned upon except in one or two of the science lab classes. If you have a lab, ask each professor if they mind. Most won't, and if you really need it, they can't stop you from bringing it but they can request you use it a little away from your actual experiment to keep things from going a little haywire.

Someone takes notes on her computer in my math class, and I've been known to show up to English with it. (In fact, last semester, we had a few work days where Lisa would teach for about 10 minutes, then we'd all pull out our laptops, listen to Mozart, and write papers. It was fantastic and very relaxing.) It's one of those "If it works for you, please do it to make yourself learn better. Please. We want you to learn; that's why we teach here" deals.

[gwendolynmstacy]

I lived in Philly for a couple years before I came here, and it's not too cramped on campus. I feel so much more claustrophobic on La Salle's campus because one of their dorms would hold our entire residential student population. That sorta boggles my mind, because I'm used to having 60-70 people in my whole dorm. I suppose it's a very subjective thing. ::smile:: It doesn't work for everyone, and that's ok.

I live in Maryland now, and I have to go about 30 minutes to get to my college campus it is over crowed and stuffy and oh god it's one of those things that make you wish you lived in an insane asylum because our motto apparently is like 'stay here for years and never leave' which makes me sit and go 'do what?' it's taken me 4 years to get my minor done (just my minor and I somehow managed to barely start on my major by the skin of my teeth) because of the insanity. I hope Wilsons alot less confusing academically, which it sounds like it it is.

Nope. Doesn't apply. The only reason you wouldn't be allowed to have your car is if you kept breaking parking rules, getting tickets, then not paying them. As long as you park where you're supposed to and don't do stupid stuff like running people over, there is really no problem around here with cars.

Just thank you. Period. I plan to get my driver's once my ICS exams are over with anywho, so convient timing works apparently.

Yes, provided you aren't disruptive with it. And by disruptive, I pretty much mean "Don't start playing Doom or WoW in the middle of class with your sound on in the middle of class." Not many people here take notes on their laptops, but it's not frowned upon except in one or two of the science lab classes. If you have a lab, ask each professor if they mind. Most won't, and if you really need it, they can't stop you from bringing it but they can request you use it a little away from your actual experiment to keep things from going a little haywire.

I figured as much, plus I'm not really the video game type, that and I occasionally multi task but rarely ever happens. ;)

[colorwhirl]

Hrm. Anything else? OH! People will complain about the food. I think they're full of shit. I've lived on my own, gone to other colleges, and spent a good chunk of my time eating in other dining halls, and the food here is pretty fantastic. It's all home-made, and it's damn good. There are a few bummers, but they are being rotated out. Our dining hall manager (Tim) and head chef (Chris) are on first name basis with anyone who wants to get to know them so they know us individually. They know that I ask weird questions about butter use and that I am usually vegan but have a weakness for Friday lunch (grilled cheese and tomato soup!). They know who likes what and know most of our names. It's really fantastic. I eat better here than I did at home, and my mom is a pretty good cook. I guess it's how you make it, though. We do have much more healthy food than most places, our food is fresher, and our service is better BUT if you're picky, it might not work so well. (My partner likes our cafeteria better than his own, if that's any clue.) And during season, we buy organic produce from the Farm for the salad bar. Yum!

Ok. Another book. Sorry. Just trying to cover a lot of info, I suppose.

[gwendolynmstacy]

Re Food: I'm actually a vegetarian have been for about 3 years this coming august I'm not a very picky eater but I am about that and a few other things I won't go near, but for the most part I rarely go near junk food, and am healthy albeit extremely small which sometimes raises some eyebrows.

[colorwhirl]

Oh, I wouldn't worry about being able to eat here, then!
Yay for more veg*n friends!

[gwendolynmstacy]

That's always a good thing, I dunno I've gotten into the routine of it over the last few years and was kind of skeptical about colleges eating options since I did visit a college in 2001 (cheerleading camp long story) and it wasn't very appealing overall.