At the end of the day, she needs to be comfortable going to colleges that she wants to go to. If she really doesn’t like the OOS college, why push it? If she gets in and you make her go, she may resent the college (and you). Something to think about…
Well, as a lifelong resident of the Twin Cities, I like to think the University of Minnesota isn’t in the middle of nowhere 
Not wanting to apply to colleges that seem too rural has definitely come up with S20 and in preliminary talks with D22. And yeah, that’s where a lot of colleges are, so it helps to be flexible on that.
@Nicki20 are any of her “probably yes” schools early or rolling admissions? If she can get a for-sure yes before final application deadlines, I don’t see the harm in letting her skip applying to the sure thing.
Wait, the “middle of nowhere” school is TC? Yeah. Definitely not. It’s like smack dab in the middle of a major city. That’s what DS DOESN’T like about that school. It is one of his 5 choices though.
I think it only makes sense to encourage your child apply somewhere if there’s something they’re missing on their list. No safety - for instance. I am encouraging my D20 to apply to an in state school. While she currently has zero interest staying in state, I think it’s prudent to have the option in case she changes her mind in the spring when when the reality of moving away is a bit closer. If it’s time to commit and she still wants to be a plane ride away - it just cost me $45. There’s been a few schools that I think she’s written off for odd reasons, but it’s her journey and I keep emphasizing that there are 100+ schools she can be successful at - so why bother insisting on applying to one that she didn’t click with - for whatever reason.
@cshell2 to be fair, I don’t know which school they were talking about, I was just responding to “Isn’t every big ten school in the middle of nowhere?”
@myrna97 - Oh, ok. That makes more sense. Madison is another not in the middle of nowhere.
True! We just visited Madison and I definitely felt like it had a city vibe. For us, I feel like S20 would do better somewhere like of Ames or Eau Claire if he ends up leaving MN.
I think the “middle of nowhere” has a different meaning for us. Being in the Chicago area there are cities on top of cities. We have actually visited both Madison and Minneapolis/St Paul and the cities themselves are located to someone like us in the middle of nowhere. 10 miles outside of these cities there’s not a lot. In the cities themselves there is a lot to do. Both UW-Madison and UM-TC are both on her list and I wouldn’t be shocked if she ended up at UM-TC.
Madison was DS’s hard NO. We’re visiting Ames next month. Never thought we’d be looking so hard at Iowa considering no reciprocity, but with their auto-merit scholarships they’re turning out to be less expensive than Madison anyhow.
Yeah, Madison just didn’t appeal especially given that it would be a little more expensive. I know that for those who love it, they really love it though.
@Nicki20 Sure, just like anywhere, outside the city it’s … not the city but there are lots of things to do outside Minneapolis, although I agree it’s not as big as Chicago. No hard feelings about the different perspective.
Plenty to do on or around campus to keep her busy though - if she does end up going to the University of Minnesota I bet she will love it!
@Nicki20 If your D doesn’t think the UIUC is in the middle of nowhere, then I think any school should be on her radar. If you don’t mind paying the application fee, then I feel like it is a no-brainer. Anything can happen between now and next spring. No one is talking about making her go, right? I’m going to guess it’s Iowa, in which case Iowa City is way nicer than Urbana. 
She had the same comment about UIUC. Her impression was the city was like the drive. That opinion has changed. You are correct I was referring to Iowa City. No one is making her go anywhere. My suggestion for Iowa was more for the guaranteed acceptance. Of the other 5 Big Ten schools I have been to there all nicer than UIUC
I’m not going to force S20 to apply to anything, but there are some that I’m surprised he’s not applying to. Schools he really liked when we visited, like Tulane, that have just fallen out of favor and I’m not sure why.
When they look at a lot of schools, they tend to blur, the earlier schools lose appeal, newer ones rise to the top. In a few months, everything may resort itself again. And by the end of all the essays and apps, they may hate all of them for a few weeks. 
So the tide has shifted from “there is no need to know, do, request, plan” anything to with applications to “I cannot BELIEVE that classmate at school does not know, has not done, requested or planned” things related to college applications. Mom is looking smarter every day !??
Anyone else’s kid taking the ACT one last time this weekend? I’m a little worried that D20 has not been able to study for it like she should be and her current high scores will not improve much, if at all?
In addition, I got to see a draft of her first common app essay and while good, I suggested a couple of improvements and she got a little defensive. She’s very independent and does have a private counselor to help with her with the essay, applications, etc. but I wish she would allow her parents to give some input into the process.
I think she is very stressed this week and as busy as ever so I need to cut her some slack. I just feel that after all of these years of doing everything right, I don’t want her to miss the opportunity to shine in her applications.
This is our “first rodeo” so everything is more stressful as it’s becoming real.
My S is done with testing, but he has a lot of friends who are taking the ACT this weekend and they are STRESSED. OUT. It’s hard enough to deal with college applications and senior year courseload, but the added pressure of “last chance” standardized testing can be overwhelming.
I thought about one last try, but not sure it’s worth it especially since it’s doubtful he’ll study. He’s already been admitted to 4 of the 5 schools he applied to and unless he brings it up at least 3 points I don’t think it will make any difference in scholarships.
D had thought she was set on a school- they offered a non-audition dance major, they are test optional, they’re in her desired location, and they’re on the affordable end of the spectrum. Unfortunately a deeper conversation with the head of the dance department shed light that they don’t really offer ballet at all, which is a huge problem for D. They basically went from #1 to out of consideration overnight. Unfortunately we already paid for a cross-country visit two weeks from now, but I guess that has shifted to a vacation at this point. Sigh.
Ugh - sorry @milgymfam as another parent of a ballerina, I know how tough it is to evaluate dance programs remotely - especially ballet! My daughter’s list is in such flux right now - and really for the last 5 months - as she’s tried to narrow down exactly what she wants in a ballet program and trying to find THAT and the right academic fit for another major.