My son is interested in Earlham College in Richmond - what is that area like?

[ecumenical]

Hello OP,

If your son is a Quaker, or is inclined toward the plain speech, plain dress, and simple living / integrity, practiced by Quakers, then that may make Earlham feel to him like the perfect choice.

And IF he is Quaker or is drawn toward them (and otherwise disregard this step, please) you may find it valuable to approach this decision of a college in the manner of the Quakers. For your consideration, a Quaker approach to such a decision might involve:

- "a clearness committee" to see where "the Light" within him is leading him,
- a shared (among the family) search for Unity, this done by all seeking Light given them, and laying aside ego concerns and fears..and then seeing where that leaves them in mutual clarity and where there are still conflicts or disagreements (nonunity), and seeking more Light about those.
- an opennness that if he is being guided to that school then the way will become clear and will open up, given time.

If any of that speaks to you, there would be online sources of more information....

As for any personal experience of my own related to Earlham or Richmond, I only have indirect experience but wanted to let you know that I have attended the Washington DC Friends Meeting (Quakers) for several years and I know that a number of the Quakers there have attended Earlham. Some years back I also considered attending seminary and found the Earlham School of Religion to be a very compelling option. I know that at the same ESR location there in Richmond, there is also a Church of the Brethren seminary, a somewhat related group of "plain" folks.

I wish him well on his journey!