Hott off the Press
A blog about college insights and more.

Earlham weaves a remarkably close community
By Karen Hott, April 2026
I visited Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, over two fresh spring days in April as part of a counselor fly-in event. The redbud trees were in full dark-pink bloom and the oaks were just leafing out. If you really want to be seen for who you are, to have support to lift you to your highest potential, and to have

St. Mary’s College of Maryland: public price, private vibe
By Karen Hott, February 2024
Don’t be fooled by the “saint.” updated April 2026 St. Mary’s is not private or parochial. Located in the historic town of St. Mary’s City, St. Mary’s College of Maryland is “The National Public Honors College.” What does it mean to be a “national public honors college”? It doesn’t mean that it’s harder to get in; in fact, the University