The Case for Midsize Privates

Parents Forum
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<p>On this forum, some parents seem to favor their children going to a state school honors program on full scholarship rather than attending the prestigious private u. that may well cost a fortune. (Granted, some top privates do have very, very good financial aid programs while others do not)</p>

<p>The main argument is: top students and motivated young adults will do well wherever they go. Studies have shown that it doesn’t matter what school one goes to but rather what schools they applied for and were accepted at. Further, by enrolling in a state u. honors program, you will be surrounding yourself with people similar to selective schools.</p>

<p>For my freshman year, I attended a top university and this year, I’m going to be transferring to an extremely prestigious private school on par with my former alma mater. However, I’ve never bothered to argue against the above argument because I’ve always believed it to be true and I have several friends attending publics on full scholarships and they are certainly capable to doing well at any school. </p>

<p>Recently, I spoke to several of them about college life et al. They seem to like their school; however, I couldn’t help but notice the atmosphere is something I would not enjoy at all. There’s very little unity or sense of a whole at State schools. Many students commute and extracurriculars often suffer with many clubs that have little participation. </p>

<p>I was inspired to start this thread when I read a post by parent in another thread whose daughter described a pretty abysmal honors program where students were apathetic, were not interested in intellectualism and did not set a high standard. </p>

<p>Whether this is true to not (and certainly some public u. honors programs are very good), it nonetheless highlights something. Honors programs are usually a small select group and rarely reflect the entire institution. On the other hand, at a selective institution, most of the student body would be closer to the profile of the honors program students. Frankly, this difference really influences the atmosphere on campus. </p>

<p>Frankly, when I think about it, I would never be happy at such an honors program. For example, I’m a composer of classical scores and since I decided not to attend a conservatory or music school, my only option of being surrounded with vibrant musicians and other creative artists was to attend a private with a strong arts scene. At my former school, I also wrote a bit of music criticism for the school newspaper (a massive and important school institution) </p>

<p>Frankly, I don’t think I would have gotten what I wanted at one of these State honors programs. </p>

<p>I’m wondering what some parents think…bad experiences of your children at state u. honor programs? Great experiences that do not involve apathy (campus involvement or political)? Experiences that support going to a more unified campus? Experiences for a more isolated program like state u. select programs?</p>

<p>Obviosuly, I realize that not everyone will share my point of view; however, I do believe that a full ride at a lesser institution (even when it is part of an honors program that is small in size) is enough of a reason to give up a spot at say Yale or Stanford. (Schools with very generous financial aid)</p>

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<p>I didn’t go to a state school, but I do have many friends who did. (not honors program). Except for the Florida grads (state and U.) none of them want their kids going to their alma maters. They didn’t seem to identify with their school the way my friends at smaller institutions did, maybe because they were too large? Not sure. Surely a broad generalisation and purely anecdotal, but my experience.</p>

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<p>“There’s very little unity or sense of a whole at State schools.” You must not know anyone who went to Penn State or Ohio State or…(sigh).</p>

<p>Anyway, it seems like you are generalizing a lot. Different strokes for different folks. Some kids thrive at a huge univ where they have lots of interaction with graduate students, research etc. </p>

<p>Also, not all kids attend school for the “college experience” you seem to be describing. Some just want to get an education. </p>

<p>Not to mention, for most people, finances clearly dictate their choices and it isn’t a point of debate for them.</p>

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<p>Weenie hit it on the head.</p>

<p>I have tons of friends that graduated with me from the U of MN and we all speak fondly of the experience and the opportunities it gave us.</p>

<p>Our D will be attending the U of MN - Honors this fall. We told her we’d pay for 100% of the U but she’d have to pay the difference of a private. I will never be convinced that taking on $60-80k in debt to attend a Carelton or St. Olaf would have been a good financial decision.</p>

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<p>I think it absolutely comes down to money. It’s all very well and good to discuss the possible advantages that come from this elite college or that, but if parents are unable to take on the debt load, it’s a bit of an unrealistic conversation.</p>

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<p>For us it’s not about being unable to take on the debt load - we have plenty of money and would be ineligible for any financial aid.</p>

<p>Our issue is being unwilling to spend more.</p>

<p>We both went to the U of MN (where we met), got very good educations and now have very good jobs. Why pay double the amount when you can get a great education and experience at the state school? Every study shows they don’t net you more financially.</p>

<p>We just believe that college is what you make of it - just like most endeavors in life.</p>

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<p>Just because you can afford something doesn’t mean you should buy it.</p>

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<p>I’m not exactly sure what you mean, but as a product of two state schools, Rutgers and the University of North Carolina, and an administrator currently at a Big Ten institution, state schools, particularly the flagship schools, seem to have a sense of unity far exceeding many private schools. Let me mention some – LSU, Penn State, any Big Ten school, Ole Miss, Texas A and M, FSU, Nebraska and so on. The list is endless. Here in Madison the identity with the University extends for a lifetime. On football Saturdays the stadium, filled with mostly non-students, is a sea of red.</p>

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<p>Hmmmm…you obviously weren’t satisfied with your original private univeristy because you are transferring. Isn’t a bit soon to announce that your experience is a box of fluffy ducks? I’d say so.</p>

<p>Though I happen to prefer private universities and express my preference by paying for them, I agree with Slorg. Just because I can afford to drive a late model Jag doesn’t mean I should give up my used Subaru wagons. In that instance, I prefer the used Subaru over ANY luxury car.</p>

<p>the same can be true of university experiences. My father was an official BMOC on a Big 10 campus, president of his fraternity and the inter-fraternity council. You couldn’'t get him to go to a private U for love or money. Some of his children went to private universities becasue his wife happened to have that preference.</p>

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<p>I think that schools should be judge according to the Goldilocks principles: “Not too big, and not too small, but just right.” Of course, what is just right depends on who you are. Papa Bear could not have sat in Baby Bear’s chair, for instance.</p>

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<p>I transferred due to academic reasons…not because of social reasons or school fit. The program I was in was in serious trouble.</p>

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<p>I think it is mini who often makes the point of highlighting what educational (or other) experiences can be bought with money saved by going to a cheaper school.</p>

<p>For example, for many, it might be worth it to go to an honors college that they recieved a scholarship for, and then have $100,000 or more to spend on educating themselves any way they see fit. </p>

<p>It’s clearly a balancing act - is the “college experience” worth tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt? Maybe for you, maybe not for others. Of course, if money is actually unlimited, then go for it. But if not, remember that you pay for what you get - or, you pay for more than you get.</p>

<p>I would guess that if you had gone to an honors college, you might in fact be happy there. Most people are, and it’s important to remember that every place has pros and cons. But possibly you wouldn’t have been, because college is not a one-size-fits all thing.</p>

<p>Lucky us for having the means to even consider all of these options.</p>

<p>PS. I don’t mean to berate you too much. I’m at a fancy private school myself.</p>

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<p>Well said Marite.</p>

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<p>Oh…by the way…I’m not criticizing large public schools. I don’t have the firsthand experience at one; therefore, I’m not in a place to say its better or worse. I was really just hoping to get different points of view as it may be beneficial to juniors and seniors looking at schools. I realize that the financial issues are key for many people including myself…I am myself on a nice FA package and my family isn’t exactly poor. I would like to point out that there are some privates that DO have very good FA packages. It seems some families automatically assume that because they make this or that amount they automatically do not qualify. It sometimes doesn’t hurt to try. However, I do agree that many colleges have very problematic FA policies that do not exactly help out middle and upper middle class families. </p>

<p>With that said, I’m glad that my comments are generating some thoughts from parents and alum. </p>

<p>I also don’t believe that everyone will be happy at a midsized private u. However, there seems to be some people on this board who think that any honors program at the local state u. will be just as good as a good private. They argue that education comes first before experience. However, this argument is (for me) somewhat flawed. Not all honors programs are equal; some are really not that great. Furthermore, for me, the experience could be just as important to classroom instruction. The college experience is as much an educational process as the courses one takes.</p>

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<p>Its not the size of The Privates that counts; But the Quality.</p>

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<p>Damn…I was looking forward to a nice intellectual discussion of the merits of middle-sized private parts…</p>

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<p>I’m glad you two chimed in - I thought I was the only one with a dirty mind! ;)</p>