@phoenixmomof2 I’ve heard that you cannot live in the brand new engineering dorm/LLC and also be part of Barrett. Its one or the other. If this is the case, I would advise S to choose the engineering dorm/LLC. Plus, Barrett adds alot of extra work - very meaningful and fulfilling work - but extra. This would be difficult for engineers. I also wonder if the Barrett credential is even important for engineers.
Would love opinions and thoughts.
ETA: S has not yet been accepted to Barrett, so the point might be moot for us.
@phoenixmomof2, my son is a total nerd, so that work! My D goes to a small LAC and they prioritize registration by year, similar to your D’s school, but there are no scholars/honors program. But all students get one class priority, so that keeps kids happy. Luckily, my D really has no problem getting classes she wants.
We were talking about music artists that you wish you had seen or saw a while back, and a briefcase jogged my memory of a fantastic and fun concert I was able to see (besides Bob Marley, who I was able to see!)… I saw the Blues Brothers in concert. They had the absolute best musicians in their band, and they put on a fabulous show, with John Belushi doing flip-flops across the stage. It was a fun time.
@STEM2017 - Moot or not… I’ve heard from a few parents that they have felt Barrett wasn’t worth it. But, for some, especially the more Liberal Arts type students, it’s a big benefit. Living at Barrett, as far as I know, is a requirement. To be honest, we never looked much at it because it’s just too close to home. And, for my kids, too big. They have a good reputation for engineering, so Barrett may be unnecessary, as you pointed out. Do the engineering students live on the PolyTech campus? That’s much different from the main Tempe campus.
I can’t answer a lot of questions about ASU in general, but could help with the Phoenix area. Anytime you have questions. ASU was never on my kids’ radar, so I honestly don’t know a ton. The gal who cuts my hair has a DS at ASU PolyTech campus and LOVES it.
Congratulations to everyone. Sounds like a lot of great news with all the students. Again, wishing everyone the best of luck in whichever path they choose.
@STEM2017 Congrats. I think ASU gets a bad rap, but we never made it out there for a visit. Hoping for Barrett.
@micgeaux Echoing what others said, but also I was unaware of any merit awards at Duke. If true, I’d definitely call.
Semester grades are in, and D17 actually pushed her GPA up .03! Big whoop…but I guess I can now fire up the gyro blades to make sure midyear reports go out.
Congrats to all here. Lots of great news for your amazing kids!
My D is starting to hear about the 2016 kids not returning to their colleges for 2nd semester Freshman year now. She is really starting to worry she is not going to make it in college. I keep reminding her that she is so much smarter and a much better student than many of those kids. But the uncertainty is real.
Here is another crazy story. A good friend a work has a 2016 D that was a D2 volleyball recruit. Her college search was extremely difficult as playing volleyball was a priority for this kid. She got a spot with some $ at St Josephs College in IN and is having an amazing first year. Loves the volleyball, her friends, the teahcers, classes, everything.
And then this week this is released: http://wlfi.com/2017/02/01/saint-josephs-college-board-of-trustees-to-discuss-financial-future/ There is a real possibility the school won’t exist next year. Understandably the mom and student are completely freaking out. Neither of them can fathom having to scramble to find somewhere to go next year where they can afford and she can still play VB. What a stressful and scary situation to be in.
@stlarenas, tell your D these kids probably didn’t look at fit when choosing a college. They never visited, picked because the parents said to, counselor pushed it, etc. The other thing I saw with some of D15s cohort was homesickness. Some kids thought they wanted to be away from home, but then found they couldn’t handle it and came back to the in-state school.
@STEM2017 I, too, would be happy if my child chose a school with warm weather and palm trees. D17 wouldn’t even consider anything in the southwest, so Alabama is my only hope.
Update on D15: I was able to find her Fall 2016 grades online, although I only remembered that I could check her portal after we sent her back. She tanked fall semester, so she’s lost her scholarship and is out of Honors College.
We had a long Skype session last night. H and I went into it thinking that she should withdraw immediately and come home at least until next fall. We talked with her about last semester (anxiety spiking, pressure to get all As to maintain her scholarship, depression meds not working, suicide of her mentor.) We also talked about winter break attempts at wellness: she got an adjustment to her meds that seems to be helping, she practiced exercises that her counselor at the school health center had recommended, and she started meditation to mitigate her anxiety. She also told us about her first few days of class this semester and she seemed very animated and enthused – which we’ve not seen in a long time.
We decided to float a trial balloon. She’ll stay in school for now; send daily updates to me (her suggestion) on what she’s done that day – i.e., gone to counseling, exercised, met with a professor, etc. – as well as how she’s feeling; and get her grade for each course from her professors one week before the deadline to withdraw from the semester without penalty, so we can all talk and decide if staying is what’s best for her.
Are we stupid/delusional/crazy? I really don’t know. I do know that she’s over 18 and, with student loans and the college account her grandmother established for her, she could finish four years without the scholarship (although it may now take 4 1/2.) I’m very stressed – I hate feeling as if there is nothing I can do!
@NerdMom88, is there any way for her to regain her scholarship? I am sorry for her health and stress problems. I am glad to hear she is offering suggestions and solutions so that it is not all you. It sounds like she is trying to work some of the issues out herself. Adulting is hard!
(class of 2016 parent)