Child will be high school class of 2023 so we have some time.
Was hoping others could chime in with experiences from visits or what they love about the school they teach at?
My son has made it clear he will refuse to attend the college I am associated with (but again, he has a few years and I know minds change). Right now he’s saying he really wants a school by the ocean but location is only a small part of the right fit.
I know he will have a better chance at FACHEX versus TE so I was trying to find a more central place for inside info as many of the individual FACHEX schools “pages” arent as active.
For people who aren’t familiar with FACHEX, here is the list: https://telo.tuitionexchange.org/fachexschools.cfm
Will he be limited to FACHEX or will his list include anything outside that list?
While I can understand that you are trying to stay ahead of things, next year and the year after it will see a lot of changes in higher ed. as individual institutions grapple with the fallout from the pandemic. Some will collapse entirely. Some will alter their programs. Some will completely re-invent themselves. So for now, I would encourage your son to keep doing what he’s doing, and think about what he might like to study in college, and maybe when conditions permit, pay a few visits to whichever institutions are convenient to visit. But falling in love, or even developing a strong like, might not be the way to go yet.
Well aware. I think it will be interesting to see how these schools approach these upcoming challenges. He has many interests and isnt in love with any school yet and knows “the ocean” isnt the top priority.
Im just curious to hear about others experiences so when the time comes his junior year we already have a bit of knowledge in our back pocket.
FACHEX will not be his only options. As we all know, final grades, interest of majors and other possible scholarship/merit/etc will heavily weigh in on the decision. Until we have a more solid idea of grades, interests, etc, I dont want to look at too many colleges. Dont want to put the cart too far in front of the horse.
He will have the final decision (as long as the money works out) but the possibility of free tuition at a Jesuit school isnt a bad first place to start looking. I have a friend with a child at SLU right now. But other than that, seems most of the people I work with have kids who have chosen their home school and my son is giving me a pretty firm no (and I dont need much info on that one 
).
To be more clear. I wouldnt mind hearing opinions on the following schools. Basically the general vibe. Would a nonreligious and open to ideas but personally leans a bit right kid fit in there ?(he and I are a bit opposites in that regard but I value his own thoughts, Im not Catholic and teach at a Jesuit and I like the service aspect myself so I know most are pretty accepting). He loves sports and would want active clubs but also loves music as well. Some place where he could be academically challenged but not cutthroat either.
Spring Hill
Loyola’s (marymount, chicago, nola, maryland)
Santa Clara
U of San Fran
Regis U
College of the Holy Cross
Boston College
Canisius
Fordham
John Carroll
Xavier
Gonzaga
Seattle U