Connecticut College Top Questions

The best thing about Conn is the Honor Code, especially in the academic sphere of the college. Students are trusted not to cheat--share information of exams, plagiarize, etc.--and hence are able to truly take control of the education. They decide when and how much to study for an exam, and know that they must invent truly original arguments and critiques for papers, and so I believe that the Honor Code in fact boosts scholarly creativity. The new President, Lee Higdon, has given a great deal to this school in just the year and a half he's been leading it. He has made the students the priority, and so is very visable on campus. He is often in the main dining hall during dinner, and knows many of the students by name. Diversity is a problem on campus, although it has gotten better in my time here, and continues to improve with each passing year. The college recognizes that a diverse student body is essential to an educated and sensitive community.

The school is too small and that is certainly one thing I would change, that and get more diversity at the school. I spend most of my time in my room or in the library. I think there is definate school pride and even though there are a lot of cliques, it is also a community. I think the most complaints are the terrible food and the need to redo older dorms' bathrooms.

Conn College is the perfect size for me. I was so close to attending an institution with over 10,000 students and honestly, I couldn't be happier at a school with under 2,000. It is so wonderful to walk to class everyday and say "hello!" to five people I know along the way. I was originally scared that I would feel suffocated at such a small school but as a sophomore, I'm still meeting new people everyday. The great thing about small schools is meeting someone new and actually seeing them around campus afterwards! There are two common reactions I get when I tell people I go to Conn College. Some people say, "Oh! What a great school!" and then list some connection they have to Conn. The more popular responses, however, are: "You mean UConn, right?" or, even better, "You guys have such a good basketball team!" The UConn comments do get tiresome after a while but when you meet someone who recognizes Conn for its own identity, it is worth it. New London is a small town. Most people consider it to be dumpy or sketchy. As a result, Conn College's campus is the place to be. It is so nice to go to a school where you can always find something to do on campus. For those who are dissatisfied or who want to leave school for a bit, Providence and Boston are easily accessible. Connecticut College loves being "the camels". There are camels everywhere on campus! It might seem goofy at first to be called a camel but after a while, it is pretty awesome to go to the only school in the nation with a camel mascot.

I may be slightly biased, but in my opinion Connecticut College is one of the best college's in America. It has everything you could ever ask for in a small, liberal arts college. One of the most exciting things about Conn at the moment is that its on the rise. Last year, Conn got a new president in the form of Lee Higdon, and he is kind of a big deal (look him up on wikipedia if you don't believe me). As a result, there is a newfound sense of excitement on campus that was lacking a few years ago. And even the wider community is starting to take notice as last year, both alumni giving and student enrollment rates rose significantly. If you decide to become a Camel, you must expect a few things. First, most people confuse Conn for UConn. But do not fret, for as annoying as this is, anyone of particular importance (CEO's, businessmen, activists) will know about Conn and will have a great deal of respect for it. New London, the town in which Conn resides, is not perfect. At best, its an acquired taste. But on average most students eventually learn to appreciate it. And for those that don't, Mystic Seaport is just right down the street. The important thing to know is that within a radius of ten miles you can find just about anything you would need (beaches, malls, restaurants, a great 24-hr diner, taco bell, etc). The biggest controversy at Conn of recent date months has been in regards to the college's honor code. Conn has had an established honor code since 1922, which means that students are treated with more respect and trust here than at most colleges. During finals period, for instance, students take self-scheduled, un-proctored exams. But, as of late, there has been a rise in student complaints regarding the code. Campus-wide discussions have been had and committees have been formed, but no one really knows what will come of it. But at this very moment I'd say that for every five students, two of them would probably like to see the code abolished or altered in some fashion. As for school pride, it depends on what you mean by 'pride.' Most Conn students take pride in knowing that the are part of a great liberal arts community, one of the best in the country. But ultimately Conn is a college for individuals. Its small size allows you as the student to create your own path, partaking in a variety of activities that would be prohibited if you went to a larger university. Conn could use a boost in sports pride, however. Most students don't attend any sporting events. Part of the problem is most teams, excluding varsity lacrosse and sailing, just aren't that good. But the real problem is that the college's beautiful turf field is a good fifteen minute walk away for most students and lacks any stadium seating. Neither of which should be a big deal; but, in reality, its enough to prevent a large crowd from attending games. Oh, and I almost forgot. Conn has one of the most aesthetically pleasing campuses around. The best part has to be the huge green that overlooks Long Island Sound. The is especially pleasing in the summer time when students gather to play Frisbee and hangout. And guys, towards the end of the spring expect to see some beautiful girls tanning. C'mon whats not to like. The green also acts as the location for a variety of events throughout the year such as yearly festivals (Earth Day, Fall Weekend, etc), where the whole community gathers to enjoy a nice picnic and company.

One of the main appeals of Connecticut College is its location. Standing on the top of the green during a sunny day overlooking the Long Island Sound you see why. The green’s breathtaking views, combined with the old dorm buildings truly make Connecticut College a unique place. Spatially, Conn offers more than a view also. It’s location as essentially a mid-point between Boston and New York (an hour and a half and two hours away respectively) makes it a draw from both locations. They might not be that close, but no other liberal arts school can offer the proximity to two big cities. Unfortunately, location can also be one of Conn’s downsides. Due to Conn’s minuscule size (less than 2,000 can eventually wear on you) many students feel the need to get off campus from time to time. The only problem is the utter lack of a college town. To get even get off campus you need a car, and the only place to go is New London, which isn’t for everyone. Despite what people say though, it is a burgeoning city with many great places to eat. You just need to find them.