Just a little clarification about South Carolina’s IB program. There are several tracks but they all require study abroad to a varying degree. You’re also required to have a second major in a business discipline like accounting, finance, marketing, etc. It’s a portable degree geographically and industry wise.
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Seems like the main problem is not choosing a college, but managing the family relationship damage.
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Yes, it’s a really strong, nationally-known program - perhaps OP will specify but I understood IB as in finance related to mergers and acquisitions, not International Business. If International Business, UoSC is a no brainer!
I’m just going to bluntly say that there is no way I would allow this situation for my children - period full stop. You’re taking a difficult, stressful situation and layering on some pretty toxic family dynamics. I would have a serious sit down now with your spouse to get on the same page as you are potentially creating some pretty seriously screwed up dynamics between your children and your children and you. I don’t think twin number 2 is “entitled” or doesn’t realize life isn’t fair - I think they’re reacting to an extremely unfair situation created by the grandparents. You had the choice to spend $30,000 on each kid and they could choose based on budget.
The grandparents could decide if they wanted to contribute to their grandchildren’s education - equitably - not based on some half-assed assessment of colleges where I have little doubt their “criteria” is out of date at best, and probably just flat out wrong.
I seriously suggest you stop looking at this as whether x or y school is worth whatever and realize that this power dynamic with the grandparents is extremely unhealthy and nothing of what they’ve proposed is reasonable or equitable.
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Totally agree. But I am the middle men who is just trying to help.
Clearly the second student sees the eliteness of UNC vs IU - not looking at the sub schools.
Why else would one give up the chance to assuredly study what they want.
The bothersome thing here is the family believes a certain school necessarily brings a certain outcome.
Your family already knows this is not true from the engineering side.
I wish both cousins well - but this is not a good way to pick a school.
Btw - multiple parents have come on here and dismissed the UF online class thing. So they might look more into that - is it even true? It might be an ‘option.’ But is it required ? Enough have raised doubt to question it. So if the student likes UF, I’d validate that b4 eliminating the school.
I think Terry and Warrington are equally solid. UGA Honors can certainly be a differentiator. UGA Honors is now the top rated in the country, for whatever that’s worth.
From my understanding UF has a lot of sections for business classes (especially introductory) online. Many students like online. Students have also option to attend lectures or not attend lectures and see recordings.
Twin 2 is fine with that. But with current situation does not care about any school but UNC. Totally indifferent. Never visited UNC (only communicated with current fresmen who graduated from the same HS and attend now). Never visited IU. Visited both UGA and FL and did not like either to commit.
Frankly, I am not sure what family is going to do to untangle this mess. Twin 2 may just commit to UNC without parental approval and hope that grandparents will somehow change their mind. There is a concern that Twin 2 can decide to attend UGA or FL and not fully apply themselves to studying due to not liking where he end up… As people said Twin 2 doesn’t have winning solution in this messy situation.
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This is correct - but when people say, UF is online, they make it seem like it’s only online. Thisis a choice they are making - no different than some kids who prefer asynchronous vs. regular attendance.
Twin 2 has a messy solution - but if Twin Two doesn’t apply themselves no matter where they attend, then yes, it’ll be tough.
Really it’s self created - it’s easy to keep the grandparents out of this and all the schools being discussed are excellent - so no matter which door is picked, the student will get an outstanding education.
I think you and your spouse need to sit down with twin 2 and tell them in no uncertain terms that UNC is unaffordable and off the table as an option. Many people do not attend their first choice college for many different reasons (finances being a common one). Twin 2 needs to get over this disappointment, move forward, and get excited about one of the many excellent options in hand. FWIW I’d lean heavily towards selecting a college that is affordable without grandparents contribution which would free up twin 2 in case interests change, grandparents finances change, etc.
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Adding to my prior post – sorry, but committing to UNC without parental support should not be an option. Student is dependent on family to finance education and cannot just decide to do what they want. Other than perceived prestige, UNC, which sounds kind of affordable for just one year and does not have a guaranty of b-school admission, sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. I would let twin 2 know you will not write a check for UNC as there is no plan to fund four years there.
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