applicantmum77

Anyone attending on 2/19?

DuelingApps

Applicantmum- found this article, and thought you may want to check it out.
Drew was recommended to us by friends, but S decided to remove from his list.
Worrisome 19% drop-off in soph class - News

Debruns

My son is a sophomore and just talked to me about two transfer students coming in! I asked him about retention over break, and he said, that a small group left last year, mostly richer students and they could go anywhere accepted. They all didn't go into why they wanted to leave, but some said they wanted a bigger, more "party" school. Some students partied so much they were asked to leave or were put on probabtion. That unfortunately happens everywhere. Some intially "undecided" found their major was better represented somewhere else.
If you don't need aid, and he was surprised how many didn't, you can transfer much more easily than if you do. Some on aid, left because they decided to go to a state school and save when they decided on a major and it was going to be 6+ years. Maybe because he's male or overly logical in nature, he thought a lot of complaints about the building of the new dorm, etc, noise, was superficial and some students would find faults everywhere. Some though, just didn't feel a fit once they were there a year. Many love it though and will be sorry when they have to leave.
My son didn't do overnights, he thought a bad experience would make him tainted in his view of the school and that happened to 2 students I met at Holy Cross. Their overnights were awful but the $$ made them go...luckily they both loved it later and one became a host to help other prospective students. Another female student at Wheaton (MA) told us she had a wonderful, fun overnight but hated it later...the same friendly students didn't talk to her in Sept. So, I say visit more than once if you can, stay overnight if you'd like, trust your gut and hope for the best. Most of the time, it works out fine.
My son would like to change some things, but loves his professors and is doing well. I hope your daughter find a good fit in as many areas as possible and I'm sure she'll do well wherever she goes.

applicantmum77

Thank you both for posting. I worry about the effect the overnite has on decisions, but I feel it is a good opportunity to ask questions that can't be asked in the admissions office. Also, I feel as if a tour guide can influence a young persons decision also.( D#1 couldn't see past the guides pink hair at Skidmore) D#1 had a terrible overnite experience at the school she utimately chose to attend, Students told her to go elsewhere. But she is a very happy junior. Sooo happy in fact I almost wish D#2 would not keep searching and just go there!

I've heard that boys are far less likely to want the overnite expereince. Wonder why?

She is nervous so I hope she has a good expereince.

As far as retention rate goes, I always look at this # as important. When you are seeking merit money your options are limited and almost any private school retention rate far exceeds a public one! Goucher has dropped down the list because of low retention rate.

Debruns

applicantmum77, keep us updated. I hope the weather clears up a bit and it isn't pouring the whole trip!
I don't know the reason with boys and overnights, but I did hear anecdotally, that it depends on what you are looking for. A "party" type, going to a "party" school might find rooming with guys that love that great, a "nerd" wouldn't. Many guys I hear, feel a need to act macho or make certain experiences seem like the norm, while females will go into little details about everything and putting on an "image" isn't important.
My son, and his friends from my memory, stayed the day from 8am until about 8pm with close colleges and if it was far, would stay the night, but didn't think it helped one way or the other. If you had a great room, great hosts, does that mean you wont get the "roommate from hell" yourself?
No college is perfect for everyone...I hear, being next door, so to speak,complaints about Yale, Wesleyan, etc. and some say, "I'd never want my kids to go here". I met a woman that hated NYU, loved Amherst her transfer, another hated Yale (grad student) but loved Macalaster, her undergrad. You will find students that dislike a college but will stay because of the name and recognition. Hopefully, your child finds enough to make them happy. My niece made me laugh when she said, I loved my college, miss things, but not enough to make me want to go back". I guess many of her firends still were hanging on to the memories, not wanting to "grow up" and join the real world. Every transition is hard, but I knew what she meant.