CC Brain Trust - Help!? Faced with final admissions choice!

College Search & Lists
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Dear College Confidential Brain Trust:

In 2015 I joined CC desperately seeking information on the college admissions process for my 2016 HS graduate (Marquette University Class of 2020). Now, three years later, my family is putting a wrap on our college admissions odyssey as our youngest DD, HS Class of 2018, makes her college choice. Despite our occasional disagreements and the fact that I am sure, over the years, I have annoyed most of you and convinced many more of you that I am a complete idiot; I find that I have come to trust and value you opinions and advice. So, I am humbly asking for your collective wisdom on this final chapter of the admissions game.

DD2018 currently plans on earning a BS: Psychology. She plans on attending graduate school. She’s ultimately interested in Forensic/Criminal Psychology. DD is currently very invested in her HS Forensic Science class. In fact, academically, it is the most engaged I have ever seen her. Additionally, she has expressed interest in studying neuropsychology/PTSD/brain trauma. DD talks of Clinical Psychology for couples or family counseling, but I’d not say that’s her primary interest. There is an outside chance she could consider law school (Divorce Attorney). She is a B/B+ ish student in aptitude and attitude.

DD2018 Stats:
ACT: 27 (24 Math, 25 English, 28 Science, 32 Reading) single sitting only score submitted
GPA: 4.86w/3.6ish(?)uw; State of Texas Endorsement: Multi Disciplinary 4x4
Class rank: 80/586 (13%) large suburban high school (TX)
APs: 9 total - Human Geo (4), WHAP (3), Psych (4), Physics I (1), Eng Comp (4), APUSH (4), Calc AB (3?), Euro (4?), Eng Lit (3or4?)
EC: Co-Capt Varsity Cheer, Diamond Darlings, Latin Club, NHS, Rho Kappa, NSHS, NEHS, All Star Cheer (12 years), volunteer hours mostly related to cheer.
Awards: National: Cum Laude Latin II Exam, NCA All American, UCA All American Nominee; Regional: TX Jr Classical League - Latin Mottos; HS: Magna Cum Laude, Best All Around Cheerleader.

Accepted (still on the table with appropriate double major/minor?):
Texas A&M University ($26k in-state tuition/r&b) Forensic & Investigative Science
Loyola University - Chicago ($21k Provost Scholarship); COA ($36k tuition/r&b) Criminology
University of Florida ($40k OOS tuition/r&b) Criminology
Florida State University ($34k OOS tuition/r&b) Criminology

Accepted (will not attend):
Stephen F Austin State University ($3k scholarship); COA($17k in-state tuition/r&b)
University of Mississippi ($3.5k scholarship); COA ($32k OOS tuition/r&b)
Louisiana State University ($3k Texas Tigers scholarship); COA ($33k OOS tuition/r&b)
University of South Carolina ($43k OOS tuition/r&b)
High Point University ($7k Presidential scholarship); COA ($43k tuition/r&b)
College of Charleston ($10k scholarship); COA ($33k OOS tuition/r&b)
Trinity University ($18k scholarship); COA ($36k tuition/r&b)
University of Colorado-Boulder ($54k OOS tuition/r&b)
Fordham University ($10k Scholarship); COA ($58k tuition/r&b)
Auburn University ($45k OOS tuition/r&b)

Coordinated Admissions Program (guaranteed transfer acceptance after 1 year)
University of Texas - Austin ($25k in-state tuition/r&b) No Forensics or Criminology

Denied:
Clemson University ($45k OOS tuition/r&b) - No Forensics or Criminology

Still Pending (likely a denial)
University of Washington - Seattle

Financially, we can afford all of the schools; no debt, regardless of scholarships. At this point cost/affordability is not the main issue but it is a factor. In order of importance we are mainly trying to focus on:

1)Academic fit/opportunity
2)Social/environmental fit
3)Financial

We honestly did not think DD would make the cut at A&M as a holistic review candidate, thus the long list of similar OOS schools. High Point and Fordham were never going to happen; she was playing in fantasyland. Trinity was “Dad’s Choice”. Loyola-Chicago was “Mom’s Choice”. SFA was an in-state safety, UT in-state reach and A&M, we didn’t know how to classify. According to our HS Naviance, no one from her school had been accepted at FSU/UF in the past 3 years, so these schools were, quite literally, a shot in the dark. University of Washington & Clemson, were her reach schools (and her top choices). Auburn, Colorado were match school. Ole Miss/LSU were OOS safeties.

A&M is a great, solid, fiscally sound choice and she feels “fine” about it. It offers both psychology and forensic science majors. DD is just not having those “magical”, “cinderella” feelings about A&M. The shoe fits, it’s just doesn’t feel like the right glass slipper. Could be that we poisoned the well over the years always saying that A&M is a good school, too bad it looks like a state penitentiary; this after attending years of LAX tournaments at A&M in February for DD2016 and DD2018 attending HS cheer camps at A&M. In general, my biggest worry is her getting lost (academically and socially) at a large school, DD is a bit of an introvert. You can see she has self-selected large & HUGE schools, so it doesn’t appear to be something she worries about! There is a serious (2 years) BF in the picture, 1 year ahead of her at UofH, which makes A&M (2.5 hours from home) a bit more attractive beyond it’s obvious fiscal appeal. If push came to shove, today, DD would pick A&M, I think…

With all that in mind; which of the schools, would your direct her to? Is there anything that you think ought to sway her one way or another? Some bit of information we may have overlooked?

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I’m for staying within 4-5 hours of home, unless one is really committed to traveling farther.

3

I did not put a distance restriction on my child. Merit and financial aid were the factors.

To answer your question, I’d direct her to AM. It seems like it checks most of the boxes for your family.

4

University of Florida is interesting as my nephew was denied with a 1450 SAT, 31 ACT & 3.75 unweighted GPA. If you can get in-state tuition during the last 3 years it may be among the least expensive school in the nation.

Your daughter has a great option if I understand the University of Texas offer. Can she start at Texas A&M, then use the guaranteed transfer option to Texas-Austin after one year if unhappy at A&M ?

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It sounds like you’re concerned about the “big school” experience for her. Have you visited any large schools together?

Does she have a plan for how to make a big school feel smaller? Anything from an extracurricular to an honors program to a community-oriented dorm can help a big school feel small. A kid who is leaving on the weekends to go visit a boyfriend may find that makes it harder to feel “settled in” on campus since the other kids have more outside-of-class bonding time that she would miss.

Other than that, her current first choice of A&M seems like a good option. Since it’s 2.5 hours from home, you should be able to go visit again if you need to.

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My daughter is very interested in Forensics and they sound very similar however my daughter refused to apply to A&M (even though it’s a fabulous school and would be cheapest for us). I would lean her to A&M. Florida State is also highly rated and my parents went there. For what it’s worth I think graduate school is more important than undergrad. You won’t be able to do much with a BS degree in Psych so wouldn’t worry about undergrad. My daughter is on the wait list for Tulane(fingers crossed). Best of Luck to your daughter!

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@Publisher…the UT CAP is only guaranteed transfer from a UT affiliate such as UT San Antonio, UT El Paso, UT Arlington, UT Brownsville, UT Pan Am, UT Permian Basin and UT Tyler (Not including UT-Dallas)

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Makes sense. Thank you for the clarification.

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Then the question remains as to getting resident/in-state tuition at the Florida schools after one year. Would reduce costs by $15,000 per year at FSU & by $22,000 per year at the University of Florida.

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@AroundHere all good questions! Yes, we have visited several large schools together, she seems ok with them. She will likely try out for club cheer, maybe rush? She will not be coming home on weekends to see the BF (she has no car) although I suspect he will visit her. Good point about setteling in, I may have to impose a no visit rule for the first couple of months!

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@labegg

Would your D consider the first year abroad at FSU to get the instate tuition years 2-4? Probably a great experience and financially rewarding.

My D is also a Psych Major and considering FSU and will be visiting next week. We have a different but similar list of schools under consideration and will follow the advice given here closely. For us with the OOS waiver, FSU is cheaper than our CA state options. UF is higher ranked but there are several recent posts on CC from people that went to both schools and thought FSU was more fun. The admit stats for this year’s class are record highs at each school and marginally different. With grad school in her future, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the choices.

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Texas A&M is the obvious choice.

Interesting that your daughter was denied by Clemson. Did she specify her strong interest in a major that Clemson doesn’t offer ?

University of Washington is an excellent school often overlooked by those outside of that geographic region (PNW).

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@my2caligirls. DD just got that email from FSU about the study abroad/tuition the other day. She is mulling it over, but I don’t know that she will be interested (my 2016 would have taken it in a heartbeat, as would I). FSU seems like a very good option. Best of luck in your decision making. As you said, you can’t really go wrong with any (that’s what makes it hard!)

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I looked into the FSU study abroad recently. Appears that one would need to budget $60,000.

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If your DD is not adverse to the Corps of Cadets at TAMU, I would pick it. Even if you are not a member, it greatly affects the feel of the University. Some love it, some hate it. But it is hard to avoid.

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My son’s best friend from high school was in the Corps of Cadets at TAMU for one year, and he and his mother had nothing but devastating things to say about it. This is just one person’s experience, but I wanted to pass it along.

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@Eeyore123 is right. DH told me he visited A&M as a high schooler. Some cadets screamed at him for stepping on the grass, and he crossed it right off his list. Not sure if that applies to all the grass, or if it was some sort of “special” grass, but anyway, it totally spoiled exploring the campus.

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IMO, Texas A&M makes the most sense, save some money for grad school. Regarding Loyola University, Chicago, could she handle the brutally cold winters especially a girl from Texas? FWIW - FSU and UF are top 10 in criminal justice programs.

At the end of the day, SHE needs to make the choice and live with the decision. Good luck!

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@Publisher her essay for Clemson was related to cheer and finding her “voice” if I recall. I hear that there were 40k applications for 3640ish spots at Clemson this year. It was a brutal year for Clemson applicants. Many higher stat kids than mine got the small white envelope too.

@AroundHere it is “special” grass, but only in a certain spot. It is related to honoring fallen soldiers.https://www.tamu.edu/traditions/remembrance/msc/

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@Publisher Do you have some reason to think that the student could easily become in-state in Florida after a year? Most states make it difficult. Missouri isn’t too tough, but I haven’t heard of others where a student who moves to the state for college and is still supported by their parents can make that shift.