<p>Hi again marny - I’m sure we won’t be looking at RPI - just not D’s type of school - too technical. Rochester and Union, perhaps. About Williams - I don’t think it offers engineering, except maybe as part of a 3-2 program, and D isn’t considering those schools at this time. I haven’t heard of anyone not liking the Tufts campus - what did your D dislike about it? I think I’m going to have to search for that thread - it was probably before my time.</p>
<p>We did a geographical tour. So these are the places we just walked around. Rochester-D was not impressed. Syracuse-absolutely not. Colgate-gorgeous campus and we need to do more research on this school. Hobart and William Smith Colleges-gorgeous campus (but D is concerned about substandard academics). Vassar-D did not like Poughkeepsie at all, but the campus was very nice.</p>
<p>These are the schools we actually toured and spoke to admissions: </p>
<p>RPI-D was a little disappointed in the kids leading the tour and in the apparent hard sell of non engineering majors like psychology. She is strong in math and sciences and was more interested in engineering and sciences. They are apparently starting a theater department and that interests her even though it is not something she wants to pursue as a career. It is still on her list.</p>
<p>Bard-absolutely not. D considers herself very liberal, but not quite this flaky (her words).</p>
<p>Barnard- what can I tell you, my baby is in love with this one. The tour guide was intelligent and knowledgeable and the atmosphere was seriously academic. This school is still at the top of her list. The problem is her grades have been good, but not stellar and I am worried about the standardized tests because D is just not a good test taker (serious anxiety). It will definitely be a reach.</p>
<p>I’d like to join the group as well - DS is an 08 and on his way but DD is a 2010 and is just now starting the process…</p>
<p>Welcome Scualum!</p>
<p>Queen’s mom, Barnard is very high on my lamb’s list, as well. She did a writing program there this spring and was quite impressed.</p>
<p>Welcome Scualum!</p>
<p>Thanks Queen’s Mom. Which Rochester school did your D look at - RIT or U of R? Hmmm, most of the schools on your D’s list are not schools my D is considering at the moment. Thanks for taking the time to list them and your D’s impressions of the visits. </p>
<p>Good luck to your D with Barnard. </p>
<p>Hi zoosermom.</p>
<p>Queen’s Mom, S is somewhat interested in Syracuse (but we haven’t visited yet). What did your D not like about it?</p>
<p>P.S. I hear you about the standardized test anxiety…but we’re hoping lots of practice tests will help!</p>
<p>We looked at U of Rochester, not RIT. Many of these schools were not on my D’s list either (mainly because her list consisted of two reach schools and that’s all). We planned a trip to Niagara Falls and NYC and took in every school that was in the vicinity. I also looked at Skidmore while D and her father were at RPI, and I thought it looked very nice, but D did not have time to see it.</p>
<p>As far as Syracuse, D did not like the city at all. What we saw of it was run down and pretty shabby. I am sure there are some good neighborhoods as well, but it made a bad overall impression. The University itself is (not to understate it) absolutely HUGE and quite obviously sports oriented, while D is looking for something a little more intimate and academic.</p>
<p>
Sounds like your daughter’s not as liberal as she thinks she is! ;)</p>
<p>Thanks for clearing that up for me Queen’s Mom. You were very, very busy…lol. My D’s list also consists of two reaches - and they’re both big, big reaches! That’s why I’m trying to help her find some good safeties and matches. Hard to do without SAT scores, isn’t it? I’m nervous about the test scores too.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Which is just what S is looking for. 
Thanks for the feedback.</p>
<p>Hi LiMom!!!</p>
<p>My D has realized that she’s actually going to be a junior this year and has all the tests and stuff coming up. She’s a little overwhelmed. A problem that we face is that she is the ultimate homebody and doesn’t really want to go away. Although that will likely (?) change.</p>
<p>we’re going to see Seton Hall on Friday. I have misgivings about fit because she’s not a party girl, but they do have a program she wants and it’s close. Did I tell you guys that she has a boyfriend now and he is currently a consideration. Great kid, though and great influence on her.</p>
<p>Thank God D does not have a serious boyfriend at the moment. The last one graduated this year and she dumped him at the beginning of the summer. </p>
<p>D is also a homebody and does not want to leave home. Our state flagship is within driving distance and if she gets in, she says she’ll commute. She also says she doesn’t see a reason to pay top school prices for a non-top school as long as there are some cheap in-state safeties.</p>
<p>Part of the reason, she is stuck on Barnard is that it is in NYC where we have lots of close family and she has a lot of friends-instant support network.</p>
<p>Booklady-glad to help. That’s why it’s all about “fit” I guess.
Proud Dad-I guess you are right.
LiMom-It was a 2 week road trip. We did a lot more than just college visits. We had a ball, but by the time we did the Barnard tour, my younger daughter was NOT happy. Luckily a trip to the times square Toys R Us and a really expensive dinner at a place she picked smoothed things over (not to mention a Broadway show earlier in the week).</p>
<p>Ah Queen’s mom, I wish I had known you were in Times Square. I work there and we could have had a cup of coffee!</p>
<p>zoosermom-I used to work in the Paramount building…in a prior life. Times Square has sure changed since then. Of course it was starting to change when I was still working there. Next time we’re in the City, I’ll let you know. :)</p>
<p>Please do let me know, I’d love to meet. That goes for all of our group here!</p>
<p>When I first started at my job, I was recruited there from a lovely building in Rockefeller Center and when I got off the train in front of a strip shop, I was absolutely horrified. Boy has the area come a long way! The Conde Nast and Bank of America buildings have totally changed the area.</p>
<p>zoosermom - we can meet anytime we’re both free to get into the city…lol. </p>
<p>My D is starting to get overwhelmed too. Lots of work over the summer, and with everything else that’s going on (working, tutoring, volunteering), she’s starting to get stressed about whether she’ll be able to finish her work.</p>
<p>Also, I signed her up for an SAT course over the summer - and what a waste that has been. D’s still going, but I really don’t know why. The course uses Gruber’s reviewbook - and the math portion is so full of errors, it’s ridiculous. She said the English part is better - but I’m not confident about that.</p>
<p>Unlike your Ds, mine is anxious to go away to school - just not too far away. At the moment, she said as far south as Virginia and as far north as Mass. - basically the northeast. </p>
<p>How long has your D had her BF, zoosermom? It’s nice that you like him. My D and her BF have been together a long time - almost a year and a half, but he graduated and will be going away to school, so they’ve decided to break up at the end of the summer. He’s a nice guy, but he’s her first BF, and I think she would benefit by dating a few other guys at this point in her life. </p>
<p>Queen’s Mom - how old is your younger one? My S is almost 12, and he will be coming on our college tour with us later this summer - and I am afraid he will be bored out of his mind! We’re only looking at 4 or 5 schools, but still - S is not known for being cooperative in situations like this. We have used that Toys R Us to ensure his cooperation on occasion.</p>
<p>My younger D is 9.</p>
<p>Well, Queen’s Mom, I think your 9-year old D had a lot of patience to make it through all those visits…lol. I have doubts that my 16-year old would be that cooperative! Forget my S - he would have exploded after the third day, I’m sure. That’s why we’re only scheduling 2 days of tours (4 schools, I think). We may squeeze in a 5th on the third day - but D is saying that she thinks we should just come home - so we may just wait and see how she feels once we’re there.</p>
<p>bclintonk - I just wanted to thank you for posting those reports in the college visits section - they were very helpful. Will you be posting one for Swarthmore as well? I think my D will be considering Swarthmore, so I’ll be interested you hear what you have to say about it. </p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>LiMom, I’d love to get together. Any time you’re free!</p>
<p>Queen’s Mom, I’m jealous that you have a well-behaved 9 year old. I do not. Son had a raging melt down on Friday on our first official visit. He won’t be coming anymore.</p>
<p>We went to Seton Hall and, much to my surprise, my daughter loved it. The honors program is classics based and offers classes in medieval history, which are her two areas of interest. They have a five-year master’s program in Museum Studies (her undergrad would be Classics), which is very hard to come by. The school is about half an hour from our house. It was a pretty positive experience. I think (I hope this doesn’t sound bad) this might be a safety for her since her sophomore scores were above the 75th percentile, but that’s ok, right?</p>