We are right in the middle. Toured a bunch. Likely touring a bunch more. As if I need an excuse to travel.
Yale- WAY Up. I was hoping she’d not love it. The vibe is all her. Fantastic tour guide. Obviously gorgeous campus. She loved the residential colleges idea. We toured in April when all the flowers bloomed. It was stunning. It’s a hard reach for her. But she’ll shoot her shot I’m sure.
George Washington university- WAY up as well. She loved it. Urban feel was her jam and it’s a good target school for her. She’s considering international relations and you can’t beat the location for that! We spent the week in DC and had a great time so that helped. Our tour guide, IMO was very sorority party girl and I was surprised my nerdy introvert connected so well with her. It was a large group but my D26 chatted with her quite a bit. This school went up for us, the parents, as well. We’ve lived the last few decades in Maine in a rural area so I was wary of a city school but I loved the area as well.
Georgetown- about neutral. Pretty campus and beautiful neighborhood. I found everything a tad pretentious and the AO emphasized how ALL test scores must be submitted (in contrast to test optional at others) and it felt like they were weeding out applicants with the presentation. Then when we toured upper class dorms the empty beer cans covering the patio was a face palm moment. My daughter liked it but she knew she would. She was in love with the aesthetic.
Boston college- up to nearly as high as Yale. But likely just as hard to get into. The location did it for her. Pretty campus. Friendly tour guide. This is the only school she insisted we get a hoodie at the bookstore. I liked it but I think it’s yet another reach school. Sigh.
Boston university- down and off. Immediate visceral reaction during the tour for both of us. Loud. Hot. Impersonal. Boring presentation. Just not her vibe.
Wellesley- neutral for D26. I thought it was amazing. She thought it wasn’t urban enough. Sigh. It felt so nurturing. She wasn’t enthusiastic before touring. She wasn’t enthusiastic after. Sigh. I want to go back to school just to go there. Welcoming and warm. Just what I would want for her. Sigh. But she’s running this show. She likely will apply to appease me but unless she got some amazing aid offer I don’t think she’d go. Sob!!!
Drive through of Williams and Amherst. Not urban enough for Williams at all. She MAY tour Amherst to give it a fair shake. We have family in the area and I figure we can squeeze in a tour (along with smith and mount Holyoke) while we visit them. Not much effort for 3 tours. I don’t want her to brush off the convenience of having cousins within a 45 minute drive. But I suspect all 3 will be a “no”. She wants less mountains and snow, more city and sun.