Please help with college choices for son!

momstl · 11-12-2012, 10:21 PM

I have been lurking on this site for months and could really use some advice for my high school senior!

He has his heart set on Vanderbilt or Notre Dame, but after researching I know it is a game of chance as to whether or not he will get in. He already has been accepted into a large state school with significant merit money, but is not in love with the school because of its size. I need help in guiding him to other safety schools.

Summary of stats:
Public high school
34 ACT
3.9 GPA UW
9 APs
Varsity basketball and volleyball
NHS
Started a club at school to assist students in AP classes.
Link leader
Senior committee
Math Tutor (paid and unpaid)
Volunteer hours (but not a ton)
Summer job

He is not sure what he wants to major in. He is talking about engineering, political science, economics, math - ugh! A college offering a large number of majors for this undecided is important.

He is in love with Vanderbilt and Notre Dame because of their prestige and size. He is looking for a similar school, but here is the kicker - sports are very important to him. He won't be playing in college, but he wants a school he can "follow for the rest of his life."

He doesn't want to be too terribly far from home. We are from Missouri, so anywhere within a seven hour drive would be wonderful. This has been a terribly difficult search for us!

Thanks in advance for any advice you have for us!

BeanTownGirl · 11-12-2012, 10:35 PM

I would approach it like this, focus on the limiting factors - engineering, 7 hours from home, school where his stats will get him merit awards. Then see if those meet the sports criteria.
You may not be able to get all of those requirements met.
At his state school would he be eligible for an honors program of some sort that might make the school seem smaller?
WUSTL, Purdue?

BeanTownGirl · 11-12-2012, 10:44 PM

Don't know if these are too far or too big - Auburn, Marquette
Case Western is a good fit except for the rah-rah thing. Syracuse is too far.

Most of the big sports schools are also big schools!

There may have to be some compromising....

music222 · 11-12-2012, 10:48 PM

"but here is the kicker - sports are very important to him. He won't be playing in college, but he wants a school he can "follow for the rest of his life."

That's a VERY POOR reason to go to a school.

momstl · 11-12-2012, 10:48 PM

Thank you so much for the help! I am having trouble wrapping my brain around the rah-rah thing - that is my son and husband! He would be willing to go far for a school he loves. He is going to apply to an Ivy just to see what happens. I am so worried he is placing too much hope on Vanderbilt and will not have the ECs to get in.

He has already been accepted into the Honors Program at the state school (not our state), but is not convinced that is where he wants to be. I want him to be excited about a school, and so far that isn't it.

momstl · 11-12-2012, 10:49 PM

I know it is a poor reason! That's the problem I'm having. That is why I am asking for advice - I need to find another school for him to fall in love with as a safety.

happymomof1 · 11-12-2012, 10:52 PM

If he is willing to go a bit further, his stats qualify him for full tuition at U of Alabama, and full ride at U of Alabama Huntsville. But the cut-off date may be coming up soon. Go to the Financial Aid Forum, and scroll down until you hit the threads on guaranteed merit-based scholarships. There is one thread specifically about guaranteed full rides.

music222 · 11-12-2012, 11:09 PM

Quote:

That is why I am asking for advice - I need to find another school for him to fall in love with as a safety.

Isn't it his job for him to find another school?

I don't know who wouldn't go to a school with significant merit money. Not in love with a school because of its size is a cop-out.

If he wants to go to a school because of "prestige" and the sports teams, that's fine. But, he shouldn't expect his parents to foot the bill when he is already offered merit money at another school.

ucbalumnus · 11-13-2012, 12:57 AM

Lots of safety possibilities here: Automatic Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships

However, only a few of them have big spectator sports scenes (Alabama, LSU, Mississippi), which are mainly found at big state schools.

Big sports scenes at somewhat smaller schools include Stanford, Northwestern, and Duke, but these are obviously not safeties for anyone.

But I agree with others that the big sports scene should take a back seat to academic suitability and affordability.

SteveMA · 11-13-2012, 06:02 AM

St. John's University in Collegeville, MN. It's smaller than Notre Dame but with the sister school close to the same UG size as ND (single gender schools but all classes and activities are combined-just no co-ed dorms) but has a similar alumni network, involvement, rabid football following and the most successful football program at any level in the nation

. They have a 4/1 engineering program with the University of MN. Depending on where you are in MO, it's a bit farther than 7 hours but a good back up to ND--and they are generous with merit money!

music222--I STRONGLY disagree that finding a school where people follow them for life is a poor reason to pick a school. The networking done at the games is invaluable. The school spirit that strong followings create also makes for a wonder college experience. Given the OP's other choices, I am sure that academics are important and they can research that as well.

oldfort · 11-13-2012, 06:18 AM

Just because a school offers merit scholarship(discount) doesn't make it the right school. If money is the primary driver then everyone should be going to community college.

SteveMA · 11-13-2012, 06:26 AM

oldfort--really, why? Plenty of schools give great merit aid and are the "right" school for a lot of kids. If our kids went to the CC down the road they would be paying MORE than what their net is so far at their school of choice.

LBowie · 11-13-2012, 06:40 AM

I am getting a feeling of deja vu! My son had similar thoughts last year. I would add Duke and Wake Forest to his list. I think these are a little further than Vanderbilt for you. Not sure if it fits the 7 hour restriction!

(No, in fact I just checked and it is over 8 hours just from Nashville to Durham and 7 to Winston-Salem. What about Northwestern? They have D1 football and i think are pretty good this year.)

oldfort · 11-13-2012, 07:23 AM

SteveMa - because it should just be just one criteria, not the only criteria, because there are people who think:

Quote:

I don't know who wouldn't go to a school with significant merit money. Not in love with a school because of its size is a cop-out.

Not in love with a school because of its size is a very legitimate reason. Not going to a school without one's interested major is also very valid.

oldfort · 11-13-2012, 07:27 AM

The reason a school would give a student merit money is because there is something a school wants to buy, more often than it is student's above (school's) average academic record. It is a way for school to elevate its academic record.