<p>mhc, I am so confused myself that I may have confused others on this thread with the commuting idea. I guess I would prefer S outside of NYC, so I was thinking of a compromise. But it’s all the things you talk about, the “vibrancy” factors that really interests my S. It helped me to put my thoughts into writing, so thanks for bearing with me.</p>
<p>ccc, Thank you for your help and good wishes!</p>
<p>mhc48 - that’s a very interesting post, and you make excellent points. I’ll put in our particular perspective on that:</p>
<p>We are definitely “people who come from somewhere else,” and my D would be thrilled to be able to go to Manhattan to see a play or exhibit every couple of weeks or so, have a night on the town (as much as she can afford). That would be a huge treat. She would love it if the train ride were 30-40 minutes, but even an hour or so would make this possible. But she’s been to NYC several times and knows she does not want to live at that “24 hour pace” every day, especially while trying to handle school. There are several schools in Manhattan that she could get into - but she would choose the ones at a small distance. Of course for her, LI or NJ or the Hudson River Valley is not “same-old, same-old,” but I’d guess there are others who want to have a little more typical college experience with only the more recreational access to Manhattan, even if they are local.</p>
<p>As for your other point: Does she have better schools to choose from that aren’t near NYC? Yes, and she’s applying to them. But she’s also chosen very carefully among outlying schools to find a few that do offer what she wants AND will allow her that frequent access to the culture she can only get in NYC. Also in her field (theater) there’s just nothing like being near the city - all of these schools take students in regularly, introduce them to people, and show them things about what’s going on that they can’t learn otherwise. However, in many other cities (and at other schools in general) there is equally effective career help and professional connection. She really doesn’t feel she “loses” anything by not being in or near NYC. It just has its perks.</p>
<p>I understand your feeling that “if you’re going to be there, why not have it all,” but for other people parts of that “all” have real disadvantages, so they’d rather just have “some.”</p>
<p>psychmom - you didn’t confuse anyone; this has been an interesting discussion. It raises a very important point: Does your child have a criterion for choosing a school that is THE most important thing that they want. It could be anything, and location surely is a candidate. I also want to say that I understand that your S is different from my D - he DOES want to be downtown, and I do hope he can find a school where that can happen. Pace, Hunter, Fordham, Marymount, etc. do give this option, as less selective schools in Manhattan, to add to his reach for NYU. Good luck to him!</p>
<p>Another discussion I’ve seen on threads is the “living in Manhattan quandary”: is it really necessary to live in Manhattan while going to college, without spending money or much free time, or wait until you’ve graduated, and get a job there, when you’ll have more money and more time? It never gets answered, but it’s worth thinking about within one’s own perspectives and goals. My D knows that she can always decide to be IN Manhattan later on, and I think plans to do that at some point. </p>
<p>psychmom I don’t remember where you are from, or how familiar your S is with downtown, but I will say that it took two different vacations at two different ages (8th and 11th grade) for my D to know that she’d rather take a break in the city than have to take a break from it. She is fine in Boston, Chicago (although not the Loop) and other cities. But Manhattan right now exceeds her limit. I hope he’s given it a try, because the point is true that it is very, very different, and even a kid who knows the city has to really KNOW that they can handle it 24/7 AND go to school.</p>
<p>Speaking of the Chicago Loop - I do urge you, as I believe others have, to look at DePaul, Roosevelt, Loyola, Columbia College, etc. He can get that great city feel and have even more school choices.</p>
<p>I’m sorry I haven’t read the whole thread but I wanted to contribute one thing in case no one has mentioned it. I know kids at Adelphi who say the school empties out on weekends. Not everyone, of course, but enough to have an impact.</p>
<p>We are planning to visit soon and I have some reservations/concerns. Looking for input from those who are familiar with the school.</p>
<p>On the pro side - it is convenient, attractive campus, good medium size, has business majors, plenty of Jewish students and certainly enough to do with all of the DC attractions.</p>
<p>Concerns - I keep reading about bureaucratic redtape and administration hassles; and the strong political activism and interest. And then there is the whole “wonk” thing. AU apparently has a nerdy reputation? Hence the self-described “wonk” label. I would never describe S2 as a “wonk”. I am concerned about fit. I would describe my son as laidback and mellow. He is not interested in politics. He does not read the newspaper every day - this was another comment I read - that most AU students read the paper and like to discuss politics and current events.</p>
<p>Is it worth a visit? Is there any chance this school will be a fit?</p>
<p>RM: given the convenience of the visit for you and yours, I would definitely stick with your plan and let your son decide on his impressions…</p>
<p>you really never know; and DEFINITELY try to eat in their dining hall to get a feel for the students; it was very enlightening for my daughter when we visited…</p>
<p>I think it’s the kind of school that you don’t really know until you get there, do the info session, tour etc…</p>
<p>RM: One of my friends is a freshmen at AU. She is the School of International Service and is very active in politics. Actually two of of my friends are in the same program. They have said that they know many people who aren’t active in politics, don’t watch the news all the time, and may pick up a newspaper once a week. Because AU is in DC it has a high stress vibe. A lot of the students are looking for internships at the State Department and in other organizations in DC. They have also said that you can be involved in activities as much as you want to. No one will force your son to join the Democrats Club or march to the Capital about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. </p>
<p>I am not trying to tell you off about the school but talk to someone in your son’s major. Talk to other students about the political environment (it was just named the most politically involved in the US). Walk around the buildings and see what kind of posters and hanging up. Get the general feel of the area. Sit in a coffee stop and watch students in a people watching way to see how they really are.</p>
<p>Re nonresident schools, bear in mind that if your child does not know others before attending, commutter schools seldom are good places to make friends–the kids go home and hang out with their HS friends. Unless your child is very outgoing, or the school has outstanding commuter programs, this is a major problem. Being in Manhattan with friends is great; being in Manhattan alone is not.</p>
<p>RM, I would visit AU, despite your reasonable misgivings (and check whether the business school kids read the Post political section rather than the sports and business sections)–it is so close that if you do not visit, and then hear from a friend that your concerns were overblown, you will kick yourself.</p>
<p>RM: I agree with the others that you should visit AU. It’s close by, so it’s worth spending a few hours to check it out. Even if you confirm that it’s not a great social fit for your son, it will give him a chance to check out a medium sized private in a semi-urban location. I found that when we visited schools that my daughters didn’t like, it really helped them clarify what they liked about other schools.</p>
<p>I agree with yayabebe’s concerns about commuter schools. I don’t think an OOS student would have a good experience. I’ve also seen a lot of kids who are unhappy at “suitcase schools” where most kids go home on the weekend. My older daughter and her friends are all having great social experiences at their respective colleges, and I think it would be a real shame for a kid to miss out on that.</p>
<p>Vitrac: re: Adelphi…it has an excellent theater program…and it’s only 40 minutes by train to NYC. It has many commuters but also has a sizeable dorm/campus life as well. I think roughly 2,000 live on campus? Not sure exactly…those on campus obviously don’t go home every weekend…we’ve been to the campus before with friends…really laid out nicely…I’m sure the campus kids become friends with commuter kids too…</p>
<p>The coolest thing I know about AU is that the students go trick-or-treating on Embassy Row. Only AU students are allowed to do this. 
Each embassy gives out treats that are from their country, e.g. Cadbury bars from Great Britian.</p>
<p>Article recently in the NYTimes about Baruch’s dorm on the lower east side (if not already posted on this thread):</p>
<p><a href=“Ludlow Residence Dorms and Fat Beats - The New York Times”>Ludlow Residence Dorms and Fat Beats - The New York Times;
<p>Don’t know if this has already been listed either…for those who want to be in NYC…but NYU may be out of reach (financially or academically) Queens College, part of the CUNY system, has dorms.</p>
<p>Rockville Mom and AU: Have met AU kids in the area (Whole Foods, etc.). The kids I met were all friendly, and casual (blue jeans and other casual clothes). They all like AU. I think there is a Political Science/Government interest bent to this school. I suggest that Rockville Mom try to get a tour of the Business school and meet some Business students to see if she thinks there is a fit. </p>
<p>Problem we had with the visitors tour was they only showed a slide show (excellent presentation highlighting accomplishments of their students) and did not take us on a tour of the campus. I suggest calling in advance and explaining that your son is interested in the Business school and that you want to tour the Business program and meet some of its students.</p>
<p>A lot of people mention the fact that Queens College has dorms. I looked on the website: It just built one dorm, in the past year or so, that houses maybe 600 students (out of thousands that go there). So it really doesn’t qualify yet as a residential school, in my mind.</p>
<p>But I know many schools (Roosevelt and Columbia College in Chicago, for example) where even though they have few dorms, the apartment buildings in the area are so full of students that they practically are dorms. So it takes asking and looking around to understand residential culture at city schools - it may be different than it seems.</p>
<p>re: Baruch
The dorm rooms look really nice. there is also an organization called EHS which helps place CUNY students in dormitory housing around the city. one that my D is considering is at 96th and Third. High-rise building, all students in 'dorm" rooms. sounds like a great place for young people. Down-side is no meal plan.</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice. Since it is so close - we’ll keep the appt. and attend as planned. I just have this mental picture from things that I have read of kids who are dressed in suits for their Capitol Hill internships, with the newspaper tucked under their arms, ready to discuss foreign policy at a moment’s notice - and I just don’t think that describes S2! But, we’ll see.</p>
<p>SlitheyTove - the trick-or-treating thing sounds cool!</p>
<p>i’ve been awol from this thread as my kid just graduated - but she was a Jewish B student. This may have been mentioned before- but RVM did you check out George Mason U? It’s near DC but as a public U in Va, the cost may be less than AU and some other private school. It has business and sport management and a whole host of other programs.</p>
<p>My kid really liked the school- but 4 years ago it had too much of a commuter vibe for her.<br>
Was just on their website and it says they now have 5400 students living on campus. I know they were building more dorms when we visited. They have a Hillel and conducted holiday services with a Rabbi at the student union.
If you are visiting AU, you are not too far away from the GMU campus. It might be worth a look.</p>
<p>marny1 - that’s an interesting idea. I had not considered it - even though it has been suggested to me - thinking of it as a commuter school. But, I have heard the same thing you wrote - that more and more kids are living on campus. It’s a good suggestion and I appreciate it - might do a little research there.</p>
<p>Took a quick look at our large public hs Naviance - a B+ student should not have a problem being admitted. They do offer early action and the total price tag is about $30,000 - has the potential to be a good safety school.</p>
<p>Re: American University</p>
<p>My son just started his second year there–he’s in Kogod and so far loves it. He started out intending to major in international marketing…since then he has developed a strong interest in behavioral economics, and has professors both in Kogod and the psych department helping him design his own major.</p>
<p>He’s not much of a policy wonk–at least up to this point, he’s much more interested in the sports pages than the business section–but he is very passionate about what people think about all kinds of things, and in that way he is very similar to most of the students on campus. Although I do sense the beginning of a wonk in the making.</p>
<p>He hasn’t had much time to spend at Hillel, but he has many friends who are Jewish and many who are not. For Rosh HaShanah, he and some friends made a traditional dinner using their floor kitchen and family recipes.</p>
<p>AU is a good campus for learning and growing with exposure to the real world–for example, his macroeconomics class had field trips to meet with people at the World Bank, the IMF, the Fed, etc…putting theory in to context.</p>
<p>But while he loves his academics he also pledged a fraternity and is busy with all that entails, and also plays a heavy-duty club sport. A very typical campus experience.</p>
<p>What sold him on AU was when he did a campus visit during senior year, early in the morning we were walking through a building, and came upon 3 students playing cards…one in a suit and tie, obviously heading out to an internship; one in jeans, and one in “pajamas”—and my son realized he could be any of the three on any given day.</p>
<p>Even though AU was a match for him–maybe even a low match–he applied ED.</p>
<p>boysx3 - your son’s experience s at AU always sound so wonderful! What about the reputation for endless bureaucracy and administrative hassles? I have seen comments on this in several places - has your son experienced this - or has it been smooth sailing?</p>