College suggestions for 3.3UW, TO kid with ADHD [visual communications, graphic design, product design]

College Search & Lists
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Along with those you currently have on your list to check out, you may also want to look at James Madison University (JMU) in VA. Generally warmer weather than MA, about 20,000 undergraduates, close to a small mountain where he could snowboard. JMU is an undergraduate focused, comprehensive university. I teach in the performing arts at JMU, and the design programs are very strong. Students in the arts programs do participate in campus life. It is possible to play club/intermural sports. There is a snowboarding club as well.

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Thank you! His college counselor actually added JMU recently
will check it out!

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Well, if you’re dying to get back out to Colorado, S23 is at CSU and living his best life. Lots of happy kids, but a completely different feel from CU. Not as “shiny” or close to the mountains, but Fort Collins is a great college town. We found the Accessibility Office very easy to work with and all of S23s teachers seem to use basic universal accommodations. They have an Exploratory major and if he thinks he wants to go into something environmental the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources major would dovetail nicely with an interest in art. He can look into the Integrated Visual Studies major, as well.

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Thank you!

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Thanks so much for the update! Sounds like CU is a big contender for your son. Is product design still where your son’s interests lie?

I agree with others that you’ve already got some of the biggest alternatives already mentioned, like Utah especially, but also Colorado State, Appalachian State, etc. But since I’m one of those people who likes to look into every possibility, no matter how unlikely/remote, I’ll see if I can add a few more options for you.

U. of Wisconsin - Stout: There are about 6200 undergrads, which would make it closer to the size you were originally hoping for. It’s a residential campus (92% of first year students live on-campus), and it has an accredited program in industrial design. It’s about 1h10m from the Minneapolis airport, so it shouldn’t be too hideous for transportation purposes, and I believe there are lots of opportunities to explore the outdoors. I believe that about 37% are from out-of-state, though if I had to guess, primarily from Minnesota. Perhaps @prezbucky, @2plustrio or @ScouterMomof3 might have more info on it if you’re interested?

Virginia Tech: There’s lots of school spirit here and tons of options for people who like sports and the outdoors. This is a school where you apply to the college and/or major that you want, which isn’t always ideal for people who are undecided. But it’s nice that they give some sense of the odds for each major (you’ll have to select “College Department Major” in the upper right hand corner, and then on the left the college it’s in, then the department, then the major). You can also can indicate the student’s gender, with in-state or out-of-state, etc to get an even better sense of chances. Depending on the major, this school would probably be more in the reach category, but again, it could well be major-dependent. Some of the majors that might be of interest include:

U. of Arkansas: If you think your son might be interested in interior architecture and design, architecture, or landscape architecture, this school has a lot of opportunities for people who like sports and the outdoors. There’s also a major in Innovation & Entrepreneurship if that would be of interest.

If packaging science is of interest, it’s also offered at UW-Stout (major), but also at Clemson (the major) and Cal Poly - SLO (major). Like Virginia Tech, Cal Poly can be quite competitive for entry, but again, it’s major dependent. If he’s interested in packaging science, then @ucbalumnus or @Gumbymom might have resources to indicate how competitive the major is there.

A couple of other schools that are still large, but not as large as CU (31k), and that are likelier to provide an admit are:

Kansas State: Frequently ranked as one of the happiest student bodies, and has about 15k undergrads. Industrial Design and Entrepreneurship and Innovation are both options here. If interested, @bgbg4us can probably share more info on this one.

U. of Kansas: About 19k undergrads and Lawrence is reputed to be one of the best college towns in the country. Within its design department there are majors in industrial design and in interaction design, among other possibilities that could interest your son.

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UW-Stout is in Menomonie, which is known for its high school football program – probably among the top ten in the state. They are always good. So if you are into football, UW-Stout’s home games wouldn’t be the only hot ticket in town: check out those Menomonie Mustangs. When I was in high school in the '90s, we actually played them in the playoffs. I believe they beat us 42-14 or so – ugly. The ghosts of some of the bruises from that game occasionally haunt me. They comprise an old ache that will never fully heal, at least not on the inside.

Menomonie is a small town in a really good location – rural, but Eau Claire (~60k residents?) and the Twin Cities metropolis are close if urban/suburban escapades beckon. So you can have some peace and quiet daily, and interrupt that with city trips when you feel the need.

The one thing is, it’s pretty cold in the winter. That isn’t specific to UW-Stout, of course – it’s more a Minnesota/Wisconsin/UP of Michigan thing.

But you could take advantage of that: engage in snowmobile, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing (within a few hours), and ice fishing adventures. Northern Wisconsin has a whole lot of lakes and trees and trails – plenty to do if you enjoy the great outdoors.

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Thank you so much for coming in
I am always amazed by your thoughtful and through posts. DS is still considering product design, but is somewhat undecided.

I had no idea that V Tech admitted by major, so I will definitely look into it! I don’t think he has a chance at Clemson, though I do think he would like it
his school has had a historically bad placement rate there in the last few years, even for kids in the top of the class. I assumed Cal Poly was off the table too, but I will look into it!

Not sure if I will be able to get him to take a look at Kansas, Arkansas or Wisconsin, but I will do my research.

Thank you again!

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Thank you!
The cold weather is not appealing to him unless there is both sun (i.e. Colorado) and snowboarding nearby (i.e. Colorado) :wink:

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