<p>One of the underlying questions is whether it is the child or the parent who makes the Jewish presence vs. weather, etc distinctions. I believe weather decisions are almost always driven by kids. Distance decisions, however, are often driven by parents who are much more conscious than kids of the costs of multiple airfares duirng peak times and more inclined to think they may need to drive up on a moment’s notice. Sports decisions are always drivne by kids.</p>
<p>Some posters appear to be suggesting that the kids should not make these decisions. I understand both the reluctance to let a teenager make a $200,000 decision and the feeling that a teenager unhappy with parents forcing him to go to a college he or she does not want to go to is unlikely to do well.</p>
<p>fwiw, my daughter actually doesn’t have a weather requirement (Ithaca, Vermont, Syracuse still on the list)…but size will not be compromised…I guess I should have clarified that point; it’s all the 5,000 student schools on that Jewish student list that seem to be out of reach…actually that is what led us to Elon in the first place; seems to be one of very few schools for Jewish “B” students in that size range (we had Ithaca on there already and crossed American off after our visit)…</p>
<p>Rodney - just curious - why did you cross American off?</p>
<p>Yabeyabe - my feeling is that the process needs to be somewhat of a joint effort between parents and teen. To me - an ideal situation is that you create the list together - visit schools - and then as a family project - create the list of schools that the teen will apply to. There will be some in the mix that the teen likes more and some that the parents prefer. I would never force him to apply to a school he hated, but I also would not allow him to apply to a school that I was completely opposed to - and I’m assuming I had a really valid reason.</p>
<p>With S1 - we used this approach - and it worked for the most part. He threw Michigan into the mix at the last minute - DH and I did not like the size, location or distance - but agreed that those reasons were not acute enough to prevent him from applying. He did visit Michigan with DH after being accepted - and pretty much agreed with us then about the size of the campus and the location. In the end - he had 3 acceptances to select from that we all liked and that we could afford - and the final choice was totally his call.</p>
<p>So, I am hoping to continue the same collaborative process with S2. I respect his opinions and want him to feel that this is his process. But, I also have to consider that he is not yet 16 and I feel I have a responsibility to guide him and point out pros and cons that he may not have considered. IMHO - most 16/17-year-olds - particularly boys - are not mature enough to handle this process on their own. And I have to say - so far so good. We are discussing things calmly - planning visits together - he is studying for the ACT reasonably willingly - so I think we are not just going through the college process - but also working on life skills - communication, compromise, etc.</p>
<p>rockvillemom: It is unbelievable - you sound just like me! Same philosophy, same involvement, a lot of the same priorities.</p>
<p>Regarding the priority of Jews and weather (ironic since they all flock from here on LI to Florida!), D had # of Jews as a top priority. She preferred better weather than here but knew it was a trade-off. Was not prepared to to upstate NY (to us on LI, even Westchester is “upstate”). Somehow, in her teenage brain, UConn would have been ok (weather would not have been a deterrent). Whatever!</p>
<p>S is so much more focused on weather. Absolutely hates the snow and the cold. Would play tennis 10 hours a day in the heat and humidity and wouldn’t even notice (oh, to be young!). He is also more focused on his field of study. So what I will be talking with him about is the trade-off you often have to make. It’s a life lesson. H and I were talking last night about the different choices he will have than D because of his grades, and how it would be nice if he went to a college that is driving distance (which we didn’t really define). We will have a very different list to investigate, although a significant Jewish population will be important to him too. For him, some of the schools on this thread may be a safety, and they might also be places where he could get scholarships. </p>
<p>Rockvillemom, I think that BBYO, while it is an organization of Jewish kids, may not have that much explicitly Jewish content. My daughter gave it a try for a couple of years but was dismayed by the lack of Jewish knowledge and practice within her chapter’s activities. (They held a fundraiser at Cheeburger Cheeburger. Oy!)</p>
<p>I think Rockville’s approach is very smart and the result with her S1–he picks within the right parameters–ideal. I believe that boys are harder to talk to about such things, on average, than girls. I also do not find that girls have a factor which distorts the process as much as boys are guided by sports–but would be happy to hear otherwise. Perhaps girls are more interested in the appearance of the campus and dorms.</p>
<p>I loved (and understood) LINY’s reference to Westchester as “Upstate” (for non-Yorkers, other than NYC/LI, it is as downstate as you can get–with NYC/LI people (who are in the SE corner of the state) regarding the rest of Southern NY as somehow “upstate”.</p>
<p>I think trying to talk a kid out of a strong weather preference is likely to be futile.</p>
<p>RM: American looked great on paper; when we visited, my daughter just felt as though there was not one person there who she felt she could fit with; we had a horrible tourguide as well…we tried to meet with dining services (had an appt) to discuss her needs; they were very unhelpful and when we visited the dining hall there was absolutely nothing she saw that she could eat with her restriction…all around, not a great visit…but I wouldn’t tell anyone not to look at it; it’s a great school for certain kids…</p>
<p>It did make her realize that she didn’t want a school that had a “city as its playground” (her words)…really wants a campus where most of the activity happens there…actually eliminated the rest of the schools on her list that were in cities after that visit…</p>
<p>but she actually wants to live in DC when she is older!!!..</p>
<p>Thanks, all, for the continuing great information.
RM - if your husband is from Buffalo, he probably knows of the scheme, hatched in the 1820s, to put a Jewish homeland on Grand Island, in the middle of the Niagara river!
I know that this does not fit your criteria in terms of weather, but for the others who are willing to brave the elements - what does your Naviance data say about RIT? Just curious.
For anyone going to school in upstate NY: I strongly recommend buying a set of cross country skiis - it changes the entire perspective on weather!</p>
<p>DeskPotato - I’m laughing at what you wrote because they frequently do end up at either Chipotle, Panera or - Cheeburger - after a BBYO event! I would have to say his chapter’s events are probably about 80% social and 20% religious in content. But they do things like build a sukkah every fall, plan a Yom Ha’shoah remembrance event - and I’ll never forget hosting a group at our home and watching my son lead the group in havdalah in our driveway. It really moved me. I mentioned to him once what Rodney had told me about a Holocaust course at Elon followed by a January trip to Europe to visit Holocaust-related sites - and he said he would be interested in doing that if he went to Elon. Right now - he is involved in the planning of a fall convention. So, using those experiences as a backdrop - it would seem to me that a Jewish population of some size and a Hillel is important to him. I think right now he has been somewhat influenced by his older brother this past summer - who would put sports as criteria #1 - and who came right out and said there was no point in going to a school without D1 sports. I think I may have to muzzle S1 next summer.</p>
<p>rodney - thanks for the AU info. I’m thinking S2 might not fit due to his political apathy - but it is so close - can’t hurt to visit. It’ll be a nice trip down memory lane for DH (AU '79) if nothing else.</p>
<p>levirm - that was interesting - I didn’t realize RIT would be a match for a B student - but it is. In 2010 - our hs had 9 apply, 8 were accepted and 3 matriculated. In 2009, 8 applied and all 8 were accepted. One matriculated.</p>
<p>When I look at the graph - most accepted kids had weighted GPAs between 3.5 - 4.2, but there were a few lower ones as well. The average SAT score was about 1250 - 1300 and the average ACT was a 28. So, I do see this as a potential match for a B student.</p>
<p>For those interested, there are detailed recent Campusvibe reports on Pitt; Penn State; and SUNY Geneseo. The same parent did Penn State and Pitt and I found his or her comments very apt on both.</p>
<p>AU Business major: AU Business major has programs, but most of them appear to be in areas of Business that have some kind of concern attach-need foreign language (International Business options), not great to get a job in (Real Estate, Marketing and Finance), Accounting is ok but says need more credits than the typical 4 year program (more expensive), and does not have Sports Management (Rockville Mom is interested in) and I don’t see Actuary Science (my son is interested in). Also, I don’t think that AU Business is so highly ranked to be worth the extra cost of a private university.</p>
<p>That aside, there are pluses to AU. It has a very nice campus and a short bus or shuttle ride to Whole Foods and the Metro train. I actually checked out some of the professors on Rate My Professors.com when considering some summer classes and the small sampling of professors got excellent reviews. I think it is a great school for kids interested in Politics and Government.</p>
<p>I don’t think AU has all that Rockville Mom’s son is looking for but can understand going on the campus tour.</p>
<p>RIT: We have not visited this school but it has a huge number of professional options in many areas not commonly found anywhere. I hear it is an easier school to get into, but a tough academic choice once attending. I am not sure about the Jewish activities aspect.
I think it is worthwhile for anyone on this thread to look at the large number of majors-many very practical and good for jobs plus the internships available. I don’t think Rockville Mom will be happy with the cold winters at RIT.</p>
<p>At this point, we just have 3 schools my son is applying to : Towson, Salisbury and UT Dallas. These schools all offer both Accounting and Actuary Science–not sure yet which one is right for my son, but he wants (and I stress my son wants) to be sure that Accounting and Actuary Science are available until he is more sure of his major.</p>
<p>Jealous parent here: we do not have BBYO in our area…I was heavily involved in high school (in NY) and have great memories of the friends I made…</p>
<p>We find that USY is a different animal; unless you partake in the trips to regional stuff, you are really only involved with the kids in your own neighborhood…</p>
<p>a couple of years ago, I suggested that my daughter join a BBYO chapter in another county in NJ; her response: “that would just be weird, Mom”…</p>
<p>yeah, USY chapters are synagogue based (united SYNAGOGUE youth, heh) so its either a regional event (or an event at another chapter where the kid has friends they made at regional) or its kids from your own shul. Some kids do make very strong friendships with kids at other chapters, though.</p>
<p>And some info on recreation/intermural sports:</p>
<p>"Recreation and intramurals</p>
<p>You’ll find everything from basketball and racquetball courts to a dance studio in our Student Life Center. Another great feature—especially if you like to put miles on your running shoes—is the indoor track. Other campus athletic facilities include two more gyms, a swimming pool, an ice arena, and a weight-training room. A new $25 million field house was completed in 2004. Outdoor facilities include lighted tennis courts, playing fields, an all-weather track, and a fitness trail. If you have your own way to stay in shape or work off some steam, the chances are good that you can do it at RIT.</p>
<p>Intramural sports emphasize fun as well as fitness. Our extensive program includes co-ed teams in everything from basketball and flag football to inner-tube water polo and golf. Tournaments help to keep the competition interesting. More than 50 percent of our students participate in these activities each year, making intramurals one of the best ways to make friends at RIT. So join the action. The good times are waiting for you."</p>
<p>re bbyo – they have an on-line community - b-linked. have you/son checked it out to see if there are postings about colleges? (you have to sign in to access some parts of the site).</p>
<p>Thanks for that tip - I know my son uses that site but I have really not done so. Will check that out.</p>
<p>Just got my copy of the 2011 PR “Best 373 Colleges” and here’s a few tidbits I found interesting.</p>
<p>Elon was ranked #1 in the category “School Runs Like Butter”. James Madison was #18 in same category.</p>
<p>Susquehanna was ranked #20 in “Most Beautiful Campus” and #1 in “Easiest Campus to Get Around”.</p>
<p>James Madison was ranked #3 for “Best Campus Food”.</p>
<p>American was once again #1 for "Most Politically Active Students"and was also #15 for “Best Career Services”.</p>
<p>Salisbury did not fare too well - #15 on the worst library list, #1 for political apathy, and #10 for students study the least.</p>
<p>University of Miami came in #1 for the most “Race/Class Interaction”, while Gettysburg was #8 for the least amount of “Race/Class Interaction”.</p>
<p>Muhlenberg was ranked 6th for “Best College Theater”; Ithaca 2nd for “Best College Radio”.</p>
<p>Pitt was #8 for “Happiest Students”.</p>
<p>I know we all take these surveys and rankings with a big grain of salt - just found it interesting.</p>
<p>PS - for my NJ friends - what’s up with Rutgers? On the list for Least Attractive Campus, Least Accessible Professors and Professors Get Low Marks. Now I know why there are so many OOS kids from NJ everywhere we go! :)</p>
<p>rvm-one note about RIT-much easier to get into then it is to survive being there. Extremely tough school especially in the engineering dept. I have known some very smart and hard working kids who have struggled there. The trimester system kills them!</p>