Hello!
I am a current senior. I have been accepted into a school that my dad REALLY wants me to go to (McGill) and a few other schools. I have a top 5 (Kenyon, Midd, Bowdoin, McGill, and College of William and Mary), and I need to wait for RD to here back from the others. A downside of McGill is the class size. I already tried to let him know how I feel, and he keeps on letting me know that’s a horrible idea. Advice?
I would frame your argument in terms of his perspective. What is it about McGill that he likes so much (prestige? cost? location?). Once you realize that, then you can look at your top choice and demonstrate how it/they meet those factors, in addition to other aspects that you appreciate (class size, co-ops, study abroad, whatever). If you can address his concerns first, then move on to your thoughts, it may help.
Also, stay calm and choose your timing wisely (e.g., relaxed setting, not rushing off to work or school, etc.). Good luck!
You are only telling us your side of the story. What is his? When he says it is a horrible idea, what are his reasons? Is the cost to him the same for all five choices?
@gettingschooled and @mjrube94 he has the opinion that McGill is the best school in the world, and all other schools are inferior (he says Harvard is the McGill of the south). My dad (swiss born and raised) lived in Winnipeg for 26 years and my older half-sister went there. Money is not an issue. I’ve been talking to him in vacation in Mexico - but he doesn’t think my other top choices are good schools in terms of education and job placement (and yet McGill does not help with job placement after graduation). I do love Montreal, though.
All of your schools are fine…including McGill. Is this still your list? Because there are a LOT of reaches on there with an ACT of 29. Good that a few are test optional!
This is totally untrue.
Also with a 29 ACT (from your posting history) the other schools are reaches and you were lucky to get into McGill.
Are you sure money is not an issue? What’s McGill’s cost to your family? Most of US schools are 60k+/year. With 29 ACT it would be hard to get into many schools on your list. As an International student, competition is even more fierce.
Unless you are paying for your own tuition, you are going to have to convince your dad to let you go where you want to go. I would say wait until April to see where you get in then do a spreadsheet on pros and cons of accepted schools.
@oldfort I have lived in Massachusetts for the past 12 years. @TomSrOfBoston I’m in the top 20% of my grade and have the most leadership positions. I also go to the 2nd highest ranked high school in my state. I have more than enough money to pay for a US instituion (I have a huge college fund account). I’ve gotten into 2 other american schools so far.
@thumper1 I’ve edited it down.
@Metraux Clark University is not very selective.
From what I’ve read, the approach to college for Canadians schools is different from US schools. Would your dad be sympathetic to your wanting a broader education?
@TomSrOfBoston I’m aware. I also got a major scholarship. I’ve already have done chance threads - I am not asking for one here.
Is it “your” college fund, or money your dad has made that is in a 529 or some other type of account?
@intparent The account is a 529.
It is premature for this post. First see where you get in. Then determine with your dad what schools are affordable (a Mexican vacation does not necessarily equate to being able to pay full freight at a private college for 4 years + any grad school to follow). If it comes down to McGill and one or two excellent LACs visit them for accepted student day with your dad and make a deal that you will both keep an open mind about all the schools you see.
So it is not “your money”. My kids have 529s, but it is my money to spend as I see fit. I can change the beneficiary if I want to.
@happy1 I do agree with you about the college visit day. I have enough money in my 529 to pay for undergraduate+graduate in the United States. Money left over I’d have to transfer for someone else to use.
@intparent My parents told me that the money is in my name and they cannot take any out if they wanted to.
Huh- whatever did Tom… do to antagonize you??? Disagreeing with you? Not regarding you as highly as you regard yourself? Sounds like you want approval, not facts. A bit more maturity instead of accusations when people are helpful is in order. And I don’t get the being nice comment- your attitude seems to generate parental lecturing. YOU should be nice to posters willing to take time to respond.
Large class sizes may not be a deal killer if the academics are superb and the upper level courses (in your major) offset those large lectures. It does not matter if a lecture is for 30 or 300 students- you want small discussion groups and TA’s can be better than some small college professors for those. You need to look beyond the freshman introductory courses and at the program in your proposed major.
You need to discuss why you would rather attend lesser schools with your dad. Have a calm discussion, research and lay out your reasons for your favorites. Listen to his reasons.
@wis75 I wasn’t going to post anything before I saw his condescending remarks towards other people in previous threads. Like I said, I wasn’t looking for a “chance me thread,” just advice on how to talk to my father, and thank you for giving me some.