USA Today describes Wheaton College as 'great'
November 17, 1999
Citing a challenging academic program, easy accessibility to Boston, and a strong sense of community, USA TODAY listed Wheaton among "great" colleges that more college-bound students should know about.
Wheaton was one of 12 U.S. colleges and universities selected by college placement experts and high school guidance counselors for inclusion in a November 8, 1999 USA TODAY article. Other colleges included Pomona and Harvey Mudd Colleges in Claremont, CA, Washington University in St. Louis and Elon College in North Carolina.
"The foundation of the Wheaton educational experience is based in the high caliber of the teaching and the personal approach to learning endorsed by our faculty," noted Wheaton College president Dale Rogers Marshall. "As word of our achievements spread, more and more college-bound students and their families are inquiring about the strength and innovation of a Wheaton education and the accomplishments of its graduates."
Drawing students from 45 states and 45 countries, applications for admission to Wheaton have tripled since 1987. Further confirmation of Wheaton’s excellence came from a meticulous review by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges earlier this year, resulting in a 10-year reaccredidation of the college. "There can be no question that, in 1999, Wheaton is a stronger institution by far," read the report issued by the reaccredidation committee. "That judgement is supported by abundant evidence."
Author and college placement expert Lauren Pope commented on the "special magic" of these colleges, identifying a welcoming environment for cooperative, rather than competitive learning, and smaller class size with faculty-led discussions rather than graduate student lectures. High school guidance counselors interviewed for the article agreed that more students ought to be considering these schools for the quality education they provide.
Wheaton College, located in Norton, Mass., is a selective, private, coeducational college of the liberal arts and sciences with a student body of 1,400. It is a member of the Twelve College Exchange, which also includes Amherst, Bowdoin, Connecticut, Dartmouth, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Trinity, Vassar, Wellesley, Wesleyan and Williams.