Hott off the Press

A blog about college insights and more.


Karen Hott poses in front of Earlham College

Earlham weaves a remarkably close community

By Karen Hott, May 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
Image

Lewis & Clark: Hidden gem in Portland forest

By Karen Hott, May 2026
They almost named their mascot the Moss. The rainy, cool climate of Portland provides the prime conditions for moss to grow everywhere at Lewis & Clark College. It’s on the cobblestone walks, the rock walls, the branches and trunks of trees about to bloom. But the L&C colors are orange and black, so the bright green of the moss wouldn’t
Image

Reed College turns students into scholars

By Karen Hott, May 2026
As we turned into the broad green lawn of Reed College in Portland, red brick buildings with limestone accents around doors and windows in Tudor Gothic style greeted the busload of 40 counselors touring five Pacific Northwest liberal arts colleges. A city with character Portland, Oregon, is known for its progressive ethos and its abundance of food trucks. It sits
replica of historic ship on St. Mary's River

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