<p>She left out of JFK on a Taglit program through NYU. The KU one left today out of there too but on another airline. For those of you looking at Kansas, they have 80 kids going on Birthright and an additional Leadership group that goes as well.</p>
<p>Hi NEinNC, I am also the single mother of a girl adopted from China. We live in Brooklyn, NYC.</p>
<p>We network with a lot of local families with kids adopted from China, and I can tell you that kids who talk about adoption in their essays tend to have quite an advantage in admissions to private colleges. I know a single mom in NYC with an adopted Chinese daughter who just got into Johns Hopkins via early decision with test scores and grades lower than other kids from her high school who also applied–she was told so by the guidance office at her school. She wrote in her essay about being Chinese and adopted and Jewish. And she is not the only one, not by a long shot, just the one I heard about most recently. Certainly it seems to be enough to overcome the discrimination against Asian-American kids at most/many universities with “holistic” admissions practices.</p>
<p>My daughter is a junior now and we are starting to look and tour. Her AP World History teacher last year who is also the financial aid coordinator in the admissions office at her gigantic selective (admissions by a test) public school told her that being Chinese and adopted and Jewish, and/or any two of the three, would be a great hook for her essay! We haven’t gotten to her essays yet, but I know she is thinking about it.</p>
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<p>Those are contradictory, and untrue, statements:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15254088-post12.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15254088-post12.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15252500-post5.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15252500-post5.html</a></p>
<p>I actually don’t see those as contradictory statements. George Mason has a significant number of students who live at home and commute. There are also many students who live in the dorms, but go home frequently on the weekends. I have a very good friend who has a niece at GMU right now, and while she is planning to stay and graduate (she is a junior) this situation has been her chief complaint. She is also in-state, but her family has been living abroad. She has not been happy with weekend life on campus. Not saying that this situation is the universal experience, and it may be improving, but this will always be an issue when looking at a public university with a majority of in-state residents. Just something to be aware of and do your own due diligence.</p>
<p>Just wanted to add, the GMU website shows about 20,000 undergraduates and 5400 on campus beds. Not in any way putting down George Mason, just pointing out a potential issue for interested students/parents to be aware of.</p>
<p>^^Gee Golf father:</p>
<p>I used to post a lot more on this thread when RVM began it in 2010. Now I only post and read it on occasion. However I must say in the three years of reading this thread, most all comments are positive and supportive.</p>
<p>We welcome all your posts, but could they be a bit more positive or supportive too? If you want to start a conversation that has definite opinions, that could be done in a postitive way too! :)</p>
<p>welcome Ne in NC. I second the suggestion of College of Charleston. Nice school for Jewish kids. I’m not sure, but I think that many Southern schools are interested in bringing more diversity to their campuses, and that this group includes Asian students.</p>
<p>My son was accepted with a nice merit package to Clark. Does anyone know about Jewish life on campus at this school?</p>
<p>Re Clark.</p>
<p>Hillel lists it as a pretty active with a 20% Jewish population.
[Clark</a> University - Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life](<a href=“http://www.hillel.org/HillelApps/JLOC/Campus.aspx?AgencyId=17297]Clark”>http://www.hillel.org/HillelApps/JLOC/Campus.aspx?AgencyId=17297)</p>
<p>Hi NEinNC. Welcome. Another city school for B students is Drexel. I would think it has a strong Jewish population, as it is in Philadelphia, but I am not sure. Another school that is popular here and I know Jewish kids go to is James Madison U in Virginia. It is not in a big city, but it is large and the kids love it. I also second, or third, Pitt. It is a fabulous city school and very popular for our solid B+ students. It is a city school, but has a great campus feel (but really city) and the city of Pittsburgh is fabulous for students. Good luck.</p>
<p>Welcome NEinNC. We love when new parents chime in.</p>
<p>I’m pretty familiar with UMBC and Towson. UMBC has great academics, and nice, studious students, but the social life is not very exciting. It’s in a suburban setting with very little in walking distance. Towson might be a good safety school for your D. It has a pretty campus with nearby restaurants, stores and a huge mall. They have a very active Hillel. The “B” students I know who have attended have done well academically and grauduated, even if it took some extra time.</p>
<p>Wishing fun and safe trips to all the kids on Birthright trips. It’s great that so many of our kids are taking advantage of this opportunity.</p>
<p>NEinNC: there are a number of schools where both geographic and ethnic diversity would aid your daughter; but honestly, her GPA is fine (actually very good!)… Keep us posted as to her testing so we can help…</p>
<p>Any preference for city, rural, suburban location? </p>
<p>Binghamton University might fit the bill as well if she is considering Stony Brook…and I wouldn’t discount Buffalo; great student life…</p>
<p>NEinNC: Welcome! We are happy to have you! And if you don’t want to search the thousands of posts on this thread for info on schools, I (for one) am happy to repeat some info for you!</p>
<p>I joined at the beginning for my DD, who is currently a junior at Delaware. Happy to share insights. I’m currently waiting with my DS for his acceptances. He’s more of an A student, but this thread has been useful for his match/safety schools.</p>
<p>Regarding kids who have been adopted from China, I interviewed an outstanding senior for my alma mater (Northwestern) who had an amazing story to tell. Not only was she adopted from China, but she also lived and went to HS in a town that is quite homogenous. Her adopted family was able to send her to China for a couple of summers to learn about the culture, language, etc. I hope she wrote about that in her essay because her perspectives and observations, which we discussed in the interview, were unique and insightful (she’s now a freshman at NU!). Sometimes, kids want to brush their differences under the table, but in college apps, it’s great to point out how you are different and what you’ve learned from it. Just my opinion, FWIW.</p>
<p>NeinNC, happy to answer questions that you have as you go through this process. Have visited a LOT of schools!</p>
<p>NEinNC,
Let me agree with Rodney and suggest Binghamton. My older son, (who fits this thread) loves it there as do almost all of his classmates. When we toured the campus with a friend and the friend’s family, the other mother would stop students at random (not affiliated with the tour) and ask them what they thought of the school. To a person, they all loved it and two even said, " when I’m home, I can’t wait to come back." My son had previously talked of a semester abroad. When I raised the issue over break, he said that he had reconsidered because he didn’t want to miss any time away from school… Jewish population is about 30-35% and while it is mostly NYC, LI and North Jersey, there is a sizable amount from Philly and other areas… In addition, OOS tuition is comparable with some states ¶ in-state rates.</p>
<p>RVM: Took me a few days to catch up and I wanted to respond to your comments and questions about taking out loans, so that DC could attend the colleges of their choice. I’ve been thinking about writing here and asking for some advice and your post triggered my thoughts.</p>
<p>Four years ago, when my DS was looking at colleges, I was of your mindset: we would do whatever it took so that he could attend the college that was best for him, even if we had to borrow money. I don’t know if that is a Jewish thing but I know we wanted what to provide the best education possible, even if that meant some debt.</p>
<p>As things turned out, he ended up at CofC, public, in-state and with very good scholarships and, thus, no need to borrow money. When we started looking for DD, 2 years later, I was sure her situation would be very different, She was not the student her brother was and she really was going to need a different kind of college: smaller, more personal and yes, private and much more expensive. I figured that we would need to take out loans but, as you said, sacrifice and delaying retirement would be worth it.</p>
<p>Then life threw us big left turn: 18 months ago DH was diagnosed with cancer, and then 6 months ago he was laid off, just as he was recovery from surgery. He has found a new job, stared last week and then more news, cancer has returned. He really wants to make a go of this opportunity. He hopes he will be able to work for at least 6 more years, when he will be 65.</p>
<p>So here we are: DD has made remarkable progress academically. Has been accepted to Guilford with a $50,000 scholarship over 4 years but we will still have to come up with a lot of money, some of which would come out of savings and maybe some from loans, Iwould guess… She also can go to an instate public (Winthrop) for a lot less money. No loans would be required because we could cover the expenses with current income and some savings.</p>
<p>Who knows what the future holds and how long my DH will be working. I work, too, and we will be fine, but taking on an expensive college is scary, even without big loans. </p>
<p>So do I give my DD the college of her dreams, that is a great match philosophically and academically? Where she will be challenged and find like-minded people? Or do we settle for a state college, which is just OK, in a very boring location and without the kind of students that I want her to be surrounded by? I am so proud of her hard work. Four years ago, I thought she might not even make it through HS. </p>
<p>My heart is breaking over this decision. We can afford about $20,000 a year. Winthrop would be about $15,000 a year. With her scholarship, Guildford would be about $30,000.
Over for years, $40,000 which doesn’t seem like much until you realize that your income may be drastically reduce and you could be facing huge medical expenses.</p>
<p>I know this post is very long but I am just so torn about what to do. Dream school for someone who deserves the best possible education with scary $$ issues or cheaper alternative that is just OK but very affoardale? (She has other acceptances but these really are the two choices.)</p>
<p>BTW, DS is graduating on time, with honors, and wants to go to grad school. Which we told him, four years ago, we would help him with, because he ended up at a very inexpensive college.</p>
<p>Nadine, my heart breaks for you and your family. I would hope there is some way you can manage Guilford for your D, maybe she can work part time to help with expenses?</p>
<p>Stillnadine, I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s illness. You’re in a very stressful situation, and I’m not sure what I would do in your place. It sounds like Guilford would be a better fit for your D, so I hope you can make it work. Is your D willing to try to help by working part-time and in the summers, and possibly taking on some of the dept herself? I know it would be difficult to transfer, but have you considered having her start at Guliford with the understanding that she might have to transfer in-state later on?</p>
<p>Stillnadine,</p>
<p>I am sorry to hear about your husband’s illness. Have you tried contacting Guilford to discuss your family’s circumstances? Sometimes, they will work with you, especially if you explain that your income may decrease in the future. Another option, ask if DD can defer admission for a year and keep her merit aid offer, while attending your in state or CC to keep costs low.</p>
<p>NEinNC - Perhaps do a DC tour, including American U. The legacy should count for something. BTW I’m an alum too.</p>
<p>stillnadine: so sorry to hear about your husband’s illness and job situation…agree that a discussion with Guilford is in order to discuss…not over till it’s over…keep us in the loop in case we can help…</p>
<p>Stillnadine:</p>
<p>So sorry to hear this. I know it won’t make you feel any better, but we have been going through lots of similar situations here…it does get scary. I liked Shulamit’s suggestion of contacting the school…having your D take on a bit of debt could be her choice…and a reasonable one if it’s not too much to handle upon graduation…good luck and keep us posted.</p>