Macomb IL (Bloomington, Normal, Charleston: private schools, university, price)

[starbats]

Can anyone tell me about Macomb? We are looking for ethnic diversity and culture with a small town atmosphere.

[Drover]

You're not going to find it in Macomb.

In fact, "ethnic diversity" and "small-town atmosphere" have very little overlap in the Midwest.

[starbats]

Thanks for the reply,

I had a feeling this was the case.

[Scribbler]

Most small communities are lacking in true cultural diversity, though, really, regardless of region.

In Macomb, you will find your basic college town atmosphere.

[Drover]

Well, there's a "Big college" college-town atmosphere like in Bloomington IN or Chambana or Ann Arbor where there actually is a hint of ideological and some ethnic diversity, as contrived as it sometimes may be; at least they make an effort. Then there's "small college" college towns like Macomb or Charleston IL Terre Haute that are cultural wastelands despite having a college there, because that's where all the non-activist and politically apathetic kids go to school.

[Scribbler]

I really personally prefer small college towns, myself (graduate of a small private liberal arts college located in a community of 9,000, here). Very intellectual, artsy atmosphere, very culturally and socially aware, far more than the Bloomington-Normals (and their counterparts) of the world.

I agree, though, that a school such as WIU doesn't necessarily draw the most socially aware, plugged in (or academically inclined, for that matter) student population.

[Drover]

I've had the precise opposite experience in my visits to small college towns to hang with friends and family, plus my own 5-year stay in a small college town. Maybe it makes a difference if it's a public school versus a private school; maybe that heftier tuition bill filters out the less motivated.

I can certainly see how the atmosphere would be different around, say, Beloit College or Knox College than around Indiana State or Western Illinois University.

[Scribbler]

Originally Posted by Drover

I've had the precise opposite experience in my visits to small college towns to hang with friends and family, plus my own 5-year stay in a small college town. Maybe it makes a difference if it's a public school versus a private school; maybe that heftier tuition bill filters out the less motivated.

Moreso the stringent admission requirements than the tuition bill, honestly, IMO. I went to my alma mater more cheaply than I could have gone to WIU (where I coincidentally did apply, for comparison's sake, mainly), regardless that the pricetag on paper for my school was 30K a year. I wasn't charged anything nearing that, for four years total. Private schools offer far more financial aid than public. There are state schools that would have cost me more than my private school. I honestly think what makes the difference is the calibre of student allowed admission. It's hard to attract a motivated or impassioned student populace with open enrollment.

I can certainly see how the atmosphere would be different around, say, Beloit College or Knox College than around Indiana State or Western Illinois University.

Exactly. My alma mater is on par with both Beloit and Knox, size-wise and character-wise, to offer perspective.

Anyhow, threadjack, I guess, sorry.