Searching for a School for my Daughter - Page 2

kleibo · 10-22-2009, 11:23 AM

My niece is a Freshman at Ramapo and really likes it. She says it is not a party school. There are parties, but few. She lives in Ocean County, NJ, so it is a two hour ride for her. She moved in the last weekend in August and has been home three times. Not really a commuter school as most of the NJ State Schools are. And the campus is beautiful.

curiouser · 10-22-2009, 02:33 PM

The smaller the school, the more important the right "fit" is for your D. In a larger environment, it may take longer, but eventually kids can "find their own people".

Sounds like an over-nighter will be important at which ever schools she may be seriously considering. THe wonderful thing is that CCers have already provided you with lots of options--it's fortunate you live in that part of the country! Best of luck to your D in finding her place. I think it's just as hard on us as parents when we feel our kids aren't happy, so good luck to you too.

debtaylor · 10-22-2009, 05:57 PM

I agree- she needs to do some overnighters - the orientation overnighter did not prove to be helpful the first time

LilyMoon · 10-22-2009, 07:29 PM

Overnighters are not always the best way to figure out if a school is for you. My son had an overnight visit at New Paltz with a friend of his and chose not to attend out of HS, ended up going to a private southern school. Two and a half years later he ended up at New Paltz.

bluealien01 · 10-23-2009, 01:55 PM

No offense, but she has only been in school for about 2 months. That doesn't seem like a long enough time to really make friends.

ecalum · 10-23-2009, 02:45 PM

I also second Elmira. It's a good school for a B student, with a lot of things for students to do on campus. It's within 3 hours of Westchester and not religiously affiliated. The surrounding town isn't beautiful, but it's certainly not dangerous just a little dated. I would also suggest Hartwick, Nazareth, and Wells as good options.

paying3tuitions · 10-23-2009, 09:52 PM

Hi, debtaylor and welcome.

The Moderators just moved your thread to the Parents Forum because you are asking a serious question about a college search for your daughter.

Good luck in your search. We hope you get many replies!

ADad · 10-23-2009, 11:44 PM

Drew?

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mythmom · 10-24-2009, 12:18 AM

Drew in Madison, NJ. University of New Haven. University of Hartford. Providence. Purchase. Juniata (easier get than Ursinus.) I second Hartwick. Marist.

dbwes · 10-24-2009, 10:34 AM

A couple of things:
My heart goes out to your daughter and you. It's hard on us when they are not happy.
Instead of actively being involved in the transfer process, why not listen sympathetically but also continue to counsel her about ways to fit in better where she is at? There have to be clubs, community service groups, etc. There are people who go to parties and do not always drink to excess -- could she tag along?. She could set up movie nights or board game nights in her room, as well.
She can continue to investigate transferring, but she is still there right now and could be happier.
Transferring is not always easy, at all. It's hard to fit in at a new place, too, especially as a sophomore. She needs to take charge of the process since she will be the one doing it -- that includes finding the school, filling out the paperwork, doing the visits.
Good luck to her and you!

yabeyabe2 · 10-24-2009, 11:58 AM

Best of luck. On the Parents Forum, you will find excellent threads for 3.0-3.3 and B+ students. Without knowing more about her SATs and GPA, it is hard to know where her chances will be strong. Among the schools I have the best things about in your geographic range (with my GPA guess) are Union/Skidmore (A-) Franklin & Marshall, Dickinson, Muhlenberg, Hobart, Ursinus, Marist, Gettysburg (B+) Drew, Alfred, Susquehanna, Juniata, Goucher, Washington, Hartwick, Wheaton, Stonehill (B). All receive praise for academics, campus beauty and (other than Marist) are small.

If she is below 3.0/1100, there are other fine options.

bluealien01 · 10-24-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Instead of actively being involved in the transfer process, why not listen sympathetically but also continue to counsel her about ways to fit in better where she is at? There have to be clubs, community service groups, etc. There are people who go to parties and do not always drink to excess -- could she tag along?. She could set up movie nights or board game nights in her room, as well.
She can continue to investigate transferring, but she is still there right now and could be happier.

I agree. There are students who enjoy wasting their lives and time away doing nothing but getting drunk at EVERY college. And, there are students who don't. Transferring won't solve this problem.

Isn't there some type of office on campus responsible for maintaining a list of campus activities, student organizations, leadership opportunities, etc?

Dinmor · 10-24-2009, 02:20 PM

Hartwick is a great school--though with some Greek activity and a long upstate NY winter there'll be some drinking. But there's plenty else to do. What's her area of interest? Does she like any sports?

owlice · 10-24-2009, 03:12 PM

How about McDaniel? McDaniel College It's one of the Colleges That Change Lives.

TheDad · 10-24-2009, 04:01 PM

Re Skidmore: I would call it B+ at best. But we were looking at A schools and it was D's safety. For the range that it is, I think the OP might want to check it out. Has strong arts programs and also some interesting Government programs with internships in Albany. I do not know anything about the drinking scene, so caveat emptor.