Chance my child (22) for Brown (ED), the University of Chicago (EA), and Harvard

Not totally familiar with the major but have a bit of discomfort with the list:

  1. VCU - I just think - it’s not going to happen unless you love Richmond and the school. A safety is a school you would be excited to go to. Is this so?

I don’t want to say it’s beneath you because it’s a wonderful school and all are great but…well, I’ll leave it at that.

I’m confident you’ll get into W&M. I’m not confident you’ll get the 1692 - because while someone will get it, that’s a crapshoot.

Smith - I see no issues.

This gets to your reaches - they are great but they are reaches for all - even the perfect student. So - if you don’t get the scholarship at W&M and you are full pay - even at in-state rates - is your child good with that?

I guess I’d like to see other matches - and while I’m not familiar with the major and I hope that any child can succeed at any school - I’ll admit I’m not knowledgeable in the gender description areas but hopefully a person can be a person without repercussion anywhere.

Tufts has a program - still a reach. USC - West Coast - bummer as you get a 1/2 scholarship for NMF.

UMD would be great for writing and has great honors programs (honors, scholars). WPI might be another - both these would at least in pedigree be above VCU.

Not sure if anyone mentioned Wesleyan - would be another good one. I know you mentioned Vassar.

If they’re going to become a writer, short of getting merit aid which won’t happen at the Ivy’s, Tufts, Wesleyan (I added those), why not stay in state with W&M, JMU, VCU, etc.

I’m assuming as a writer the salary is not going to be huge and honestly in journalism the pedigree is less important - and the pedigree is a different set of schools anyway.

I wish your child luck. As you said they are very motivated and that’s awesome.