hmom5

Just tell your mom the facts, 75% plus of URM applicants are rejected at top colleges each year. Being a URM is a boost but it's not a free pass like many think.

TigerPhoenix

Hi there:

Not applying to safety schools is a very bad idea. On another point, however I think your mother may have a point. Being a URM indeed is not a free pass. However it does make a difference. You will be able to get into schools that otherwise you might not. Hasn't Sotomayor herself said that she might not have gotten into Princeton if she hadn't been a URM? There's no shame in taking advantage of a hook if you've got one. So yes, do apply to safety schools but also include some reach or dream schools.

BaddyCaddy09

She completely disregards any school that I mention to her if it isn't UPenn or USC. I'd feel alot more comfortable applying to matches and safety schools, because at the end of the day, if she only lets me apply to these "top" schools and I don't get in anywhere, she's going to convince me that it was my fault for not having fulfilling requirements, when I clearly mentioned to her that I need matches and safeties.

BaddyCaddy09

And even when I ask her myself, "Mom, what do you think are some good safety schools?"

"UC Berkeley, UCLA..."

The list goes on with schools of that nature. It's just frustrating being a kid and trying to convince my mom that she's wrong. She's the type where she always has to be right and always has to get the final say.

violinmom

I applaud you for sounding so level-headed and realistic about your college search. Your Mom is no doubt very proud of you and has a picture in her head of you attending a top-tier school. But, as everyone has said here, she needs a good reality check. There's nothing wrong with applying to a few dream or reach schools, but safeties are just as important.

You don't mention what state you live in (is it Texas?). Don't discount the state universities. They are much more affordable and so many of them have great reputations and prestige. For example, UT Austin is considered a top state university. You can't go wrong with a degree from that school and it is still very affordable. I would shy away from too many out-of-state schools (unless they are private - then it doesn't matter). Research all of the schools in your state first and rank them in order of academics, location, cost, etc. Being an in-state resident is always an advantage. It is possible to get cheap tuition in an out-of-state, but it's not all that common.

Also, you don't really mention how much finances play into your search. Believe me, unless money is not an issue at all, it can be so stressful to have to decide between your dream school (with very little financial aid offered) or a state school (which is affordable). Good luck with your search!

BaddyCaddy09

I live in California.

noimagination

Have her take a look at this: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/profiles/index.html

BaddyCaddy09

Because I want to major in finance or economics, I've been looking at some of the better schools, such as UT Austin, UMich, and OOS public schools of the sort.

My mom is so set on the fact that "If you get a degree from UT Austin, you'll only be able to get a good job in Texas. Texas is so 'behind the times' and is much slower than LA," and she says the same thing about other OOS public schools.

Is this necessarily true? I know a UT Austin degree would mean more in Texas than it would in California, just like a USC degree would probably mean more on the west coast than the east coast, but would there be any similar jobs if you traveled to a different state?

ajrover

Would a safety school be NYU, Pepperdine, Northeastern etc,? I'm applying to 10 schools, and I'm only applying to schools that I'd actually like to go to, not because I got accepted.

BaddyCaddy09

I've disregarded NYU because even though New York is a great place to be, I'm looking for a college with Division I sports.

But no, I wouldn't consider those safety schools at all. I'll probably end up applying to ~15 universities or so.

thericwu

Everybody applies to safeties. People who are getting into Dartmouth and Wharton are also making sure to apply to state schools like UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara for good measure.

StephenR

"Because I want to major in finance or economics, I've been looking at some of the better schools, such as UT Austin, UMich, and OOS public schools of the sort."

Arizona State and San Diego State are well respected in these areas. And I can tell you from having attended both that if you get As you will be as well prepared as any undergrad business student anywhere.

I'm not recommending that you attend either of these schools, I'm only pointing out that the gap between objective reality and your mom's preconceived ideas about academic merit are as big as the Grand Canyon.

Research your schools based on what programs you will study, how they are taught and what life is like for students. If some of your choices offend your mom's pride just tell her to humor you and offer to pay the application fees yourself. It appears that you already know more about college than the person advising you at home, so do lots of research and supplement that judgment with as much information as you can get. Good luck!

BaddyCaddy09

She has basically already written off either Arizona as a "party school."

hmom5

OOS public schools are not a good choice if you need financial aid. Most have little money for OOS students. Most also do not consider race so you will not get the URM boost at schools like Michigan that you will at private colleges.

For jobs in business, you do not need to do an undergrad business program. unless you want to full pay high tuition, your list should not rely on the state schools you've mentioned.

Without knowing your stats it's hard to say what schools would be realistic.

hope4freeride

You need to run, not walk to your school college counselor to referee for you with your mom. Tell your mom that you have a mandatory meeting with all of you and let the college counselor work with your mom.
Good luck