Please help with college choices for son! - Page 5

SteveMA · 11-13-2012, 06:58 PM

LBowie--Notre Dame is need blind and meets 100% as well but does not give merit awards. The financial aid there is pretty generous as well.

cromette · 11-13-2012, 07:03 PM

OP, did he VISIT the big state school?

cromette · 11-13-2012, 07:09 PM

music222 - he's an athlete. He's just not planning to play in college.

thumper1 · 11-13-2012, 07:09 PM

First...didn't the OP say her son also wasn't sure he wanted the size of
OOS large school where he has been accepted? If so, why would suggestions like UMIch Or Penn State (which are HUGE) be helpful?

Sorry, kids have different criteria for liking or not liking colleges. The academics can be found at MANY schools. If this kiddo wants a sports scene in addition to academics, I don't see a problem with that.

I agree that Pitt would we worth considering.

cromette · 11-13-2012, 07:11 PM

Wait, why are we arguing whether or not it's valid criteria? It IS his criteria. So they need help finding a potential fit.

I still encourage OP to make sure her son does campus visits because engineering departments can make the school "feel" smaller.

That was our experience at a big state school. Major major rah rah.

Tight knit group of mechanical engineering students.

Anchser · 11-13-2012, 07:13 PM

I understand why it might be tempting to go to a "big-name" sports school. With that being said, there are 6 home football games every year. Maybe 4 of them will be well attended. Going to say, TCU, just because of these 4 Saturdays is a little overrated.

There doesn't need to be a huge sports program for a school to have spirit. In fact, many times it is the opposite. For example, Colgate is an extremely sprinted school, yet has a small population and not a great football team by any stretch of the imagination. Lots of small school students are very passionate about their schools. Sometimes even more than a large state school because those feel like less of a tight knit community.

SteveMA · 11-13-2012, 07:15 PM

music222--a HUGE factor in our son's decision is if the college has a marching band, what do you say about that?

cromette · 11-13-2012, 07:16 PM

Anchser - I'm not sure it's only football he's interested in. I think he's thinking sports (and probably school spirit) in general.

Anchser · 11-13-2012, 07:21 PM

Wearing college apparel is not an indicator of school spirit. I have lots of friends at Uconn who thought this, and now realize it's quite the opposite.

cromette · 11-13-2012, 07:22 PM

A huge factor in all of my D's decisions were that the school have a solid football team and great school spirit - oh and yes, a marching band. It's something they've grown up with and enjoyed all their lives, and it's something they wanted to experience in college.

I actually consider all of them VERY intelligent.

They also wanted "small" schools close to home, in state. One had a "pretty campus" as criteria. And I don't mean just reasonably attractive. It must be "pretty".

It's going to be their home for 4 years (at least) - It's where they'll live, make friends, make memories, have their first real experiences as adults. I think picking a setting that consists of the things that are important to you, extra to the academic offerings, is fine.

cromette · 11-13-2012, 07:25 PM

Anchser, yes, point taken. It doesn't always mean school spirit. However, sometimes it can be an indicator.

he is a basketball and volleyball player. I think he just likes sports. He wants a school that is heavy sports.

momstl · 11-13-2012, 07:29 PM

First of all, thank you all so much for the help. My son is reading the posts now and writing down schools.

music222, I never said he was turning down the merit money or that he wouldn't go to the school if that was the best option. I wouldn't pay $40,000 to send him to another school when he has full tuition at a wonderful state school. I was simply asking for help with other options. I have been reading CC for a long time and I have seen students put many different factors in their college search. My son loves the college sports scene and the school spirit and tradition it creates. That is important to him. While I think the primary factor in choosing a college is the education one receives, I do think other factors come in to play. It is important that a student loves his school and he has fun or else he won't stay. While he liked the state school, it is very large and he feels more comfortable in a smaller environment. It does have the sports scene, just not the other criteria on his list. He also understands that he may not be able to attend a school that meets all of his "wants" but we are trying to help find additional schools that do.

We have visited the state school as well as Vanderbilt and Notre Dame. He has already been accepted into the honors college at the state school, which I understand makes the school feel smaller. He did like the school, just liked the other two more. If he is not accepted into his top choice schools, or we do not receive enough aid - merit or financial - he will attend the state school, or another safety all of you have helped us find.

scmom12 · 11-13-2012, 07:44 PM

OP - not sure size is right but Clemson has tons of school sport spirit. It is larger than vanderbilt but doesn't feel as big as urban campus of some. Strong engineering and science programs to choose from and decent honors program.

thumper1 · 11-13-2012, 08:18 PM

If this student is a senior now, it's getting quite down to the wire considering new schools to add to the list. If this student wants to be considered for merit awards, there are some schools that require applications to be submitted by december 1 for their better awards.

CottageSpirit · 11-13-2012, 10:31 PM

"So if he likes the state school why doesn't he go there? To be honest, your son sounds spoiled. If I got a merit scholarship and was accepted into the honors program, I would accept the offer immediately."

OP - I hope you're not paying too much attention to comments such as this. I think it sounds like you and your son are doing a great job, and I don't think you have given any indication whatsoever that he is spoiled. It seems obviously sensible to me for your family to hear from the other schools before making a decision, especially since he likes those other schools more. Unfortunately, I don't have any additional colleges to suggest as safeties/liklies, but I did want to show some support because I'm so stunned at some of the bizarre comments that have been made on this thread.