<p>Congrats to MDcissp(Towson), Levirm (Johns Hopkins) and MdMOm (BU).
Have not been on here for several months.
Updates on S1 (senior):</p>
<p>Revisited Penn state and Pitt for accepted student’s day. Loved both schools, S1 is leaning towards PITT (loved the city vibe and liberal art’s program). We visit Clemson next week. Don’t think this school will be a good fit, but S1 applied because he has several friends there that love it. Will go to accepted student’s day at UMD in April.
S1 was accepted for spring and would have to do freshmen connection (fall program).
He is waitlisted for fall admission. If he does not get off the waitlist, I told thim this school would not be an option. I have strong feelings against living off campus his freshmen year and dislike that FC students have limited course selections and can only take classes late afternoon and evening. Also, don’t like that MD has so many majors that have limited enrollment - poli science, psychology, business to name a few.</p>
<p>My son was accepted at Bing, went to visit and decided it wasn’t for him. Too big. But if he didn’t have any other choices he would have been ok with going there. </p>
<p>Right now his top choice is St. Lawrence with Hobart a close second. Waiting on Bates but I don’t think he’ll get in.</p>
<p>Hard to know what to expect with Bates, I imagine. According to the CDS, only 49% of freshmen submitted SAT scores and 19% submitted ACT scores. No info shown about GPA, and only 31% of freshmen submitted class rank.</p>
<p>stayathomemom - just want to add a thought on Freshman Connection at UMD. I would have agreed with you a few months back - but since then have learned things that make me more positive regarding FC. There are some comments on this thread and I am sure there are plenty on the Maryland forum.</p>
<p>In a nutshell - “off campus” housing is around the corner. Since many FC students live in The View and other bldgs - they kind of bond - just like a freshman dorm. The benefit of taking classes at off peak hours is that the class sizes are smaller. Also - many students like taking later classes as they can sleep later and are better rested.</p>
<p>The issue on limited majors is a different one and I can see how that would cause a problem. But I have seen more stories lately on the positive aspects of FC.</p>
<p>RVM, (or anyone I guess) could you refresh my recollection on the title of the book? Not sure I’ll have time with the remaining college visits and Pesach, but I’ll try to find it in B&N or even Kindle for my phone.</p>
<p>Sure - it is “Triangle:The Fire that Changed America” by David Von Drehle. I just ordered it from Amazon for $10 or so and it arrived yesterday - so hoping to start this weekend.</p>
<p>mhc - that I don’t know - re leases and Freshman Connection at UMD. My guess is that students will either stay in the leased apartment all year or sublet to someone who was abroad in the fall and needs spring housing. My understanding is that on campus housing is not guaranteed for the spring semester anyway - I think it would be easier to just stay put. Frankly - those new off campus apartments look really nice - surely nicer than the regular freshman dorms. It would be hard if you were the only student in that position - but if you knew 2-3 others from your hs who were all FC and you decided to all live together - I have heard that works. Of course, that scenario raises another issue in that you are living with friends from hs - but that’s one of the issues IMO in going to UMD when you live nearby anyway.</p>
<p>Thanks, just ordered the book for my phone for $9.60. It doesn’t beat browsing in bookstores (one of my favorite pass times still with my kids especially now that they have Starbucks in B &N), but darn is it convenient.</p>
<p>Now, uhm, where and how does this cyber club meet?</p>
<p>I have also heard of some positives for Freshman Connection. If it turns out that S1 absolutely wants MD as his first choice and he still does not get off the waitlist, I may agree to let him do FC, but I think Freshman year is stressful enough and I am leery about
allowing S1 too much freedom and responsibility with an apartment…and I hope he would decide not to live with high school friends. (ugh!) I believe an important part of college is getting away from your comfort zone, learning how to forge new friendships. From what I have heard, too many kids that attend MD, end up still hanging out w/ high school friends. (or coming home a lot!)
There are benefits to the smaller class sizes and later start dates for FC students but then in their sophomore year, they will have to readjust to the normal college schedule and classes anyways and they are behind one semester in getting used to that.<br>
In any case, FC is great for the kids who want UMD above all other schools and need to stay in state for the in-state tuition. </p>
<p>Since S1 is really undecided on his major (he thought he wanted English but now is not sure.), I think because MD has too many limited enrollment programs, this would be a disadvantage for him. He may want to major in Poli Sci, Psychology or Business. </p>
<p>Whatever he decides, it will all work out. All great schools with everything he wants - school pride, division 1 sports, variety of majors, nice campus feel (MD has the grotty town.) From my perspective…high freshmen retention rate, good graduation rate, solid academics, good reputation.</p>
<p>Rockvillemom- I read several posts back your son wants to explore Virginia Tech.
From parents whose kids go there…nothing but positives! This is one school I wished we had looked at with S1 but thought that it was primarily engineering and science.</p>
<p>stayathomemom - I share a lot of your feelings re UMD. Every so often, I go back and take a look at it for S2 - but the majors/minors really don’t work for him - so that renders it moot. But yes- certainly other issues as well regarding kids who come home often, still hang out with their hs friends and so forth. I think my older son has benefited tremendously from being a few hours away - making friends from various parts of the country, etc. </p>
<p>Regarding Virginia Tech - that may be the dark horse in all of this. I have moved from being horrified and adamantly opposed (and uninformed) to a being quite intrigued. Looking forward to our visit in a few weeks and will post our findings.</p>
<p>Stayathomemom: I completely understand your reservations about UMD. Several of my daughter’s friends are doing the Freshman Connection program, and I think it’s a good option for kids who really want to attend UMD. The apartments look very nice, and they will be living among other freshmen, but I agree that apartment living might allow too much freedom for a freshman. I also think there’s something to said for the traditional dorm experience. I once saw it referred to as “the most fun you never want to have again.”</p>
<p>It does seem like most kids who attend love UMD. It is the best value for those of us who live in-state, but we wanted our daughters to have the chance to experience a different area and meet people from all over. The limited majors are also a concern.</p>
<p>Your son does have a lot of good choices. Good luck with the decision.</p>
<p>Stayathome, your son has great choices; congratulations to him. Students love Pitt and Penn State! The Hillel at Pitt has the advantage of having an incredibly supportive local community, both financially and operationally. I have never seen Clemson; I am only familiar with the tiger paws that they paint on the road and the orange cars that they drive. Please keep us posted on his decision.</p>
<p>My friend whose DD is doing FC told me she gave her DD ample warning that she had better find a roommate and get into on-campus (dorm) housing for sophomore year bc she’s not paying for the off-campus again (yet).</p>
<p>Thanks - I will certainly let you know what he decides!</p>
<p>LINYMOM - I would imagine it would be hard to go into dorm life after a semester of spacious apartment living! I may be wrong but I don’t think UMD guarantees housing after freshman year. (Penn state doesn’t either.) That is one thing I loved about PITT. As long as you get your housing deposit in by May 1st, students are guaranteed housing for at least three years. They have beautiful housing for the upperclassmen. I would like my son to live on campus for at least one - two years and by junior year, he could live off campus if he would like to.</p>
<p>Rockville Mom - please let me know how you like VA tech. This is one school I am thinking about for S2 for engineering.</p>
<p>For those reading the Triangle Fire book - there is also a special on CNN tomorrow night. It sounds like the same one that is on HBO - good for those of us without premium cable!</p>
<p>FC at MD. I have also heard good things about the program. However, all things being equal, if it was my kid and they had acceptances in hand to other comparable schools, I think I would steer them in that direction if possible. </p>
<p>momjr - loved your quote "“the most fun you never want to have again.” That is EXACTLY how I would describe my Freshman year! </p>
<p>I hope the parents of seniors will update the list of where their kids decide to go. Good luck to everyone as the last decisions come in.</p>
<p>D had her first meeting with her GC to go over college choices, etc. D said while they were talking, the GC said to her “has anyone ever told you that you have an Old Soul?” D said no, GC said you are very mature. I hope that translates well on the GC rec letter! </p>
<p>GC liked her college list and said she has a great mix of safety/match/reaches.</p>
<p>Checking in after an exhilerating week. D already had 3 acceptances, all to match schools and we visited Elon (meeting Rodney and D) along the way. Since the schools D was waiting to hear from were reaches, and Elon is a great fit, I knew we were fine with college itself but felt so nervous on D’s behalf in the event that a slew of negative news might be on the way. D also applied for a summer job for which she’s too young so that was a long shot too…within 24 hours she got the job (leaves the day after graduation and will be gone til August–thrilled for her but so sad at the same time), was accepted to USC’s engineering school and Bucknell! Waiting for one more but, honestly, adding another possibility to the mix will make all of this that much more challenging!</p>
<p>We are stunned–thrilled, elated and, well, no idea where D will end up so more visits are being planned. Then D’s lacrosse team played a team they’ve lost to the last three years and they won today! I wish I could bottle the excitement we feel right now!</p>