<p>Thanks for all of the good advice - lots of different approaches. I realize that while I would LOVE to debate the pros and cons of various colleges with S2 - he’s just not there yet. (Luckily that’s what I have CC for). And it really doesn’t matter that much. He has about 10 schools on his list - and we will just review it this summer and a simple yes or no as far as applying is all I really need. If he wants to apply to all 10 - so be it. I might think it odd that one could apply to both Susquehanna and Virginia Tech - but - whatever. </p>
<p>Today, he is at our county’s college fair - held outside at the county fairgrounds. It is a spectacular day. I’m sure he is having a great time with his friends. I doubt he is actually checking out colleges, but again, whatever.</p>
<p>RVM, I don’t think it is odd. It is good to keep options open at this point. This way he will have options in the spring. That is a whole lot better than having regrets and feeling boxed into something you feel that you might not want.</p>
<p>OMG - S2 just called me - he had a GREAT time at the college fair. He spent several minutes talking one-on-one with the Elon rep - who remembered him from Saturday. He also went to several other tables of colleges on his list and spoke with their reps, completed an info card, etc. Obviously he DOES do this better when I am not with him. Wow.</p>
<p>Rockville - glad your S had a good time at the college fair. So did my D. She came home with a huge bag of brochures and hit a lot of the schools on her list. I think we would be amazed at what they do on their own when we are not around. </p>
<p>We head out next week on our college trips. Will be visiting Miami (Ohio), Indiana, Illinois and WashU. I’ll post our impressions when we get back.</p>
<p>Gee, several people going to Miami and/or Delaware. Hope I get to read reviews before my D decides!</p>
<p>For Miami, every book etc. we read talk about how preppy it is and call it J Crew U, which would have turned my D off. But when we were there in January, we didn’t get that impression at all. So I’d be curious if it seems more that way when all the Northface jackets come off, and if it turns pink/salmon shorts and pop up collars.</p>
<p>I’d also recommend you write to the Hillel Director, Rabbi Rachel Gartner and if you go there on a Friday, go to Kabbalat Shabbat. PM me if anyone wants her e-mail.</p>
<p>PRJ, thanks for that post. It became clear to me as we were building our home, I am definitely a see all the options type, like you. S2 on the other hand,similar to your D says he’s set after only 2 college visits. He’s even told me to cancel my CC membership, he says I don’t need it anymore.</p>
<p>Samtalya: That article is a bit of an eye opener since S2 is at least expecting to start college as a business major. I was at least a little relieved when they mentioned problems especially below the Business Week top 50. I immediately checked the 2011 rankings and TAMU is sitting pretty at 48 this year.</p>
<p>This is interesting, mhc48. I’ve been on their campus a few times for various reasons but it didn’t strike me as particularly preppy…a school like UNC-Chapel Hill or some of the LACs like Colgate, Middlebury, etc? Sure. But didn’t get that sense from Miami. I got more of the beachy, almost Latin-ish flavor in the style of dress. Most of the kids looked rather ordinary (flip-flops, shorts, t-shirts). Just my experience.</p>
<p>I think the 2 Miamis are being confused. The preppy comment from mhc48 was directed at Miami University in Ohio. I think you are referring to University of Miami in Florida - easy to get the 2 confused.</p>
<p>I want to wish everyone a very happy Passover and uplifting seder! </p>
<p>Rockville Mom: Delighted to hear that your son enjoyed the College Fair. I am curious–did he show any particular interest in any schools represented at the fair?</p>
<p>mdcissp - he spent the most time at the Elon table - which thrills me. He knows the rep - just met him Saturday - apparently he was alone at his table - so S2 spoke with him for a few minutes. He also went to Susquehanna, CofC and James Madison. Not sure where else. He didn’t add anything new - but I’m glad he spoke to a few reps - much better than I expected.</p>
<p>The other interesting thing was that originally he was staying after school to attend a baseball game - but after the fair - he changed his mind and went home and spent A LOT of time on homework. All very interesting.</p>
<p>RVM: Did your son bring home any brochures about the colleges that interest him? Did you see anything in the info. he brought home that adds new light to your college search?
Did you pick up any vibes that show greater interest in a particular school?</p>
<p>One school that might be on his list if we do add a reachier school is Richmond. Have not seen yet - perhaps in the fall. I don’t have a good feel for how hard it would be academically compared to the other schools on his list. If you compare it to Elon - would you say Richmond is MUCH harder and MUCH more challenging in terms of the workload and expectations - or just slightly harder? I’m a little confused in that while our Naviance shows him having a reasonable chance of admission - I’m concerned it might be over his head.</p>
<p>RockvilleMom - OOPS! You’re right. I thought the convo was about the Univ. of Miami. Sorry about that. Yes, actually I have heard through the grapevine that Miami U. in Ohio was a bit on the preppy side, but think it’s more related especially to what girls are wearing.</p>
<p>samtalya - thanks for posting the article about the undergraduate business major - I finally had time to read it this morning - quite interesting. I do agree that it functions as a default major for many kids who have no idea what they want to do. I would also hope that the business programs at most reputable colleges exceed the description of what takes place at Radford University and some of the other questionable examples.</p>
<p>RVM – re: that sudden interest in homework. My s also caught the “bug” late. He was a B student who wasnot interested in the college search process as a sophomore/junior but once he saw college choices looming, he kicked it into gear. Yet, he only applied to saftey and match schools, not really seeing that he was transforming into an A student. I wish I had encouraged him to apply for a reach or two. Certainy, he is happy about his choice but, as a late bloomer, he may have undersold himself.</p>
<p>The good thing is that he has carried the newfound study habits and focus into college. The difference between a 16 year old boy and a 20 year old man is amazing. And that is why I feel that parents should be engaged in this process.</p>
<p>Samtalya, thanks for the pair of interesting articles. The Times article points out the dangers of large classes and business programs which are not accredited by the business school association. I think it also shows how many HS kids are allowed by their parents to pick colleges based on how much fun they expect to have nd that some colleges ensure the classwork loads do not hurt their reputation in that regard.</p>
<p>The anecdote about the swimmer who was able to add much more rigor to her program after dropping swimming points out a separate widespread problem at American colleges–unlike colleges in the rest of the world, US colleges also function as athletic training grounds. Is it realistic to expect most athletes to spend 30 or more hours a week on sports–often year round–and then study when already phsyically exhausted? For every Rhodes scholar who excels on and off the field, I suspect there are 100 or more athletes who do not graduate or who are steered to the easiest possible classes to stay eligible.</p>