A "is this a good college" thread for all college searchers...

[ctinct]

Originally Posted by erincon23

Purdue -- the only thing I can offer is an observation from my brother, who is a mechanical engineering grad from Purdue. He currently is a consultant, and goes to many college campuses to meet with their engineering departments. He doesn't feel that the Purdue engineering program is very good -- says it doesn't work toward real-world experience, and that the director of the program told him that what they actually do is prepare the students to go on to grad school rather than to get an actual job after a 4-yr education. We looked at Purdue for acoustic engineering -- one of the few programs in the country -- and were very impressed. For ME, though, my brother recommeded U of Colorado Boulder.

I am not certain what acoustic engineering is, but my older daughter went to univ. of Miami, and I remember her telling me their music dept. was very good, and I know there was some sort of sound engineering major. Beautiful campus, great beaches. Expensive, though. Many people think it is a state school, but it is actually private.


Ok, my turn. Impressions of Gettysburg and Ithaca?

[j's m]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Are you flying him first class??? I just did a search from Newark to Minneapolis for "spring break week" and the flights are coming in around $300. We can usually get flights in the $200 range, round trip out east.

No, Southwest out of Philadelphia, I think flying out Wednesday, flying back Tuesday. I think I did do it for like next week, maybe I should try again a few months out. Although I went to visit it would be the next week.

[ctinct]

Originally Posted by Robinrs

I'm curious as to what criteria you're using to help pick the right college for your kids?

Location?

Tuition?

Size?

Reputation?

Major?

How difficult or how easy it is to get into?

Everyone's criteria is so different so the "right" college is quite personal.

In our case, we started with location. Daughter wants to stay in the northeast, although her #1 pick is a little further than she would have liked. We started out by visiting a small, medium, and large school. She got a feel for size and decided at least 2500 students or so, so not too tiny, but she found out she would prefer not to attend a large school. (Although she may have to attend our state university, depending on financial aid. It's a fairly large school, but hopefully she'll find a niche.)

Next she looked at schools that have a good reputation in her intended area of study, although as we visited, she learned about another major that she really became interested in, so all her potential schools have at least those two majors. The thing about majors is....they change. Often. So unless your son has a unique program in mind, any number of schools should have the basic depts.

Once we nailed down size, location, and majors, we looked at reputation, then the extras. Some of dd's wishes were a school with school spirit (I know, not a very important thing in the grand scheme of things, but it is to HER), and lots of clubs and opportunities for volunteering. She also thinks she wants a Greek system, although she really has no experience with that.

As far as cost, we picked two financial safeties. One was out of state that she wasn't crazy about (we haven't visited though. Everyone on College Confidential says a visit sells the school.) It's big, but we knew she was guaranteed free tuition because of her standardized scores. It's kind of off the table because she was also given free tuition at our state school, although our state school is quite a bit more expensive than the other school as afr as fees, room, and board. (Alabama). Sorry for digressing. My point is, have at least one financial safety school that your son would be at least ok attending. After that, we did not really pay attention to price. They are all so expensive. We did try to pay attention to % of need met; however, be aware that loans are considered aid, so some schools will expect you to take a boatload of loans.


Also, it is REALLY important to visit. Sometimes there is a vibe about a place you just can't get no matter how many books you read. We visited a number of places that, while my daughter thought they were very nice, she just did not see herself fitting in. She said they would be great schools for someone else; in fact, she recommended one or two of them to a few of her friends. It turned out that her favorite school is one I dragged her to. I thought it would be a fit; she thought it was too far. We are anxiously waiting for an admittance decision and praying for a good aid pkg.

Good luck with your search.

[MrsPete]

Originally Posted by nuttylawprofessor

Seven kids from my NJ public high school went to East Carolina. I couldn't figure out why. Then someone let me know it ranked highly on Playboy's list of top party schools. It was a lightbulb moment on several levels.

Yes, they're particularly known for their Halloween bash. They also have the highest percentage of STD among all the UNC system. It's not a bad school, but it does attract its share of students who come for reasons other than academics.

Originally Posted by Robinrs

Can I ask why you don't want him to have a car at college? Mine will probably NEED one.

If things work out as I anticipate, my daughter probably won't have a car her freshman year (possibly sophomore year too). Why? She's going to live on campus, so she'll be able to walk everywhere she needs. They have a bus system that students can ride all over campus and to nearby restaurants and shops, so a car won't be a NEED. And we've talked about going up to visit /bringing her home once a month -- the school I think she'll attend isn't so far away that that'd be problematic. When she's a junior/senior, though, she'll be doing student nursing, which will mean she needs transportation to the hospital -- she could continue to use the bus, but once transportation is a daily need, I don't see that as reasonable.

Oh, and I neglected to mention one of the big reasons: The school has little land for parking lots, and they sell decent parking spots to the upperclassmen -- but the freshmen parking lot is literally MILES down the road. So freshmen must take the bus to the parking lot. Forget spontaneous trips here and there! And they have to pay $350/year for the priviledge of parking miles away! Anyway, we've already promised her that we'll buy her a new car (and give her old one to her younger sister) for graduation if she earns a scholarship that'll pay most of her education. She's already said that she might prefer to wait 'til after her freshman year to get her car -- she sees no point in allowing it to sit in the parking lot at home growing older.

[punkin]

My DD18 does not have a car at school due to the parking issues as well.

[Robinrs]

Originally Posted by MrsPete

Yes, they're particularly known for their Halloween bash. They also have the highest percentage of STD among all the UNC system. It's not a bad school, but it does attract its share of students who come for reasons other than academics. If things work out as I anticipate, my daughter probably won't have a car her freshman year (possibly sophomore year too). Why? She's going to live on campus, so she'll be able to walk everywhere she needs. They have a bus system that students can ride all over campus and to nearby restaurants and shops, so a car won't be a NEED. And we've talked about going up to visit /bringing her home once a month -- the school I think she'll attend isn't so far away that that'd be problematic. When she's a junior/senior, though, she'll be doing student nursing, which will mean she needs transportation to the hospital -- she could continue to use the bus, but once transportation is a daily need, I don't see that as reasonable.

Oh, and I neglected to mention one of the big reasons: The school has little land for parking lots, and they sell decent parking spots to the upperclassmen -- but the freshmen parking lot is literally MILES down the road. So freshmen must take the bus to the parking lot. Forget spontaneous trips here and there! And they have to pay $350/year for the priviledge of parking miles away! Anyway, we've already promised her that we'll buy her a new car (and give her old one to her younger sister) for graduation if she earns a scholarship that'll pay most of her education. She's already said that she might prefer to wait 'til after her freshman year to get her car -- she sees no point in allowing it to sit in the parking lot at home growing older.

Awesome reasoning!

Most of the schools we've visited would require a car because they're so spread out. We'll have to see which one he eventually goes to and make the decision then.

[MrsPete]

Originally Posted by ctinct

Also, it is REALLY important to visit. Sometimes there is a vibe about a place you just can't get no matter how many books you read. We visited a number of places that, while my daughter thought they were very nice, she just did not see herself fitting in.

I'll second this! We recently visited UNC-Chapel Hill, which is THE SCHOOL in NC. So many kids are dying to get in there. The better students at our high school seem to have the attitude "if you can get in, GO" . . . and although I am sure my daughter's grades and extra-curriculars would get her in, we've decided that she isn't going to apply. It did nothing for either one of us -- we just can't see her fitting in there.

[erincon23]

Originally Posted by ZephyrHawk

I cannot comment on Western's fine arts program, or their general reputation as an educational facility. The only WMU students I know were unfocused heavy drinkers, but I don't think that should be seen as a reflection on the school as a whole. However, I can comment on the idea that your out of state student could 'stay down through the first summer and get in-state tuition'. It has been my experience that it is very difficult to get recognized for in-state tuition in Michigan. I know a number of people who had a very hard time getting recognized. This includes a life-long MI resident who spent a summer abroad and had to jump through many hoops upon her return to prove that she was, in fact, an in-state student. I'm not saying it would be impossible to do this, only that I would question the possibility very closely.

Thanks -- that's interesting. This suggestion about getting in-state tuition came from the director of admissions, and would be a key factor in allowing my son to go there. Even out of state, it's not as expensive as some of the private colleges he's looking at, but we certainly can't afford either the out-of-state tuition or the private colleges. In-state, we might be able to manage. We'll have to check that out further.

[MrsPete]

Originally Posted by Robinrs

Awesome reasoning!

Most of the schools we've visited would require a car because they're so spread out. We'll have to see which one he eventually goes to and make the decision then.

Yes, schools can be so different! The school that my daughter will probably attend is small in size and is encapsulated by a small town, so it will never grow. All the buildings are quite close together.

And although I've not been there personally, I've heard that you can just FORGET using a car on football game days. But the (free to students) busses will still run everywhere.

My daughter LOVES her car, and when we learned how difficult it is for freshmen to have a car on this campus, I thought, "This is where she says, 'Not for me -- let's go home!' " . . . but she didn't. Seeing the ease of bus use, she immediately said that she'd forego the car for a year if she could attend that school. And, of course, she's in a perfect situation: She'll still have her own car when she comes home because her sister won't have a license for another year.

My daughter's needs, your son's needs -- little in common!

[dejr_8]

Originally Posted by MrsPete

I'll second this! We recently visited UNC-Chapel Hill, which is THE SCHOOL in NC. So many kids are dying to get in there. The better students at our high school seem to have the attitude "if you can get in, GO" . . . and although I am sure my daughter's grades and extra-curriculars would get her in, we've decided that she isn't going to apply. It did nothing for either one of us -- we just can't see her fitting in there.

Remember, this is the school your daughter will be attending. Make sure you don't "influence" her decision because of your impressions about the school.

[Jeafl]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Which Augustana?--I am assuming not the one in South Dakota.

No, she goes to Augustana in Rock Island, IL, which is on the border of IL and IA. The Mississippi River is pretty much on the edge of campus.

Originally Posted by sunshine1178

Marquette alum here. It was a great school for me. Not as many choices of majors as a huge state u, so some of my friends transferred when they switched majors. Very well respected business, engineering, nursing, and physical therapy programs. Being downtown Milwaukee, there are lots of opportunities for internships. Community service is emphasized, but not required. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to my kids' friends. (No way they'll go where their uncool mother went!)

We visited Marquette and liked it. The only reservation my son has about it is that he isn't sure that he wants a big city atmosphere.

Originally Posted by nuttylawprofessor

Carnegie Mellon has tended to low-ball financial aid, but they're also willing to negotiate if you get a better package from a similar school.

I hope not. At $57,200 a year for tuition they better cough up with a lot of money in order to be competitive with the other schools.

[collegejunkie]

So...Drexel or AU anyone?

agnes![/QUOTE]

drexel is pretty techy, big on engineering. also merit money available if you applied/apply by the deadline. american is polisci heavy, and the location is really good for relevant internships if that's the area your child is interested in.

Originally Posted by Jeafl

I would love some input on Carnegie Mellon, Purdue, Marquette, University of Iowa and Valparaiso. My son is currently trying to decide between these. He got accepted at all of them, but is still waiting on the financial packages from a couple of them before making his final decision.

carnegie mellon is by far the best school on this list, but it's also very pricey. it's a really strong school. at my high school, it took the "ivy rejects" - not exactly bad considering that means it's all top-notch students. u of iowa has an awesome english/writing department. i've heard only good things about purdue. i don't know the other 2 - sorry!

Originally Posted by MUFFYCAT

History/Social Studies Education.That's why St Rose came up as one of the choices through the collegeboard search. I know Geneseo is an excellant school but she ruled that out because it's too far away and I know it's extremely hard to get into. She's looking at 3-4 hour commute- we live on Long Island.

i'm from long island, too. try binghamton. it might be slightly more than 4 hours away. cortland is also in the area. if you're willing to travel a tiny bit more (like an hour), you could try one of the contract colleges at cornell (reduced tuition for NY residents at 3 of the schools/colleges). ithaca college is also in that area. have you considered schools in the city? there are a ton.

[j's m]

Originally Posted by Robinrs

I'm curious as to what criteria you're using to help pick the right college for your kids?

Location?

Tuition?

Size?

Reputation?

Major?

How difficult or how easy it is to get into?

Everyone's criteria is so different so the "right" college is quite personal.

Merit Aid, reputation, location, size in that order

[collegejunkie]

sorry, my post got cut?? i don't know why. but the beginning said that i love to do college advising and i've been doing it privately for friends and family friends, so i'll pop in to help when i can.

[jbcheerchick93]

Originally Posted by agnes!

Anyone out there know anything about Drexel? Or American University?

If you're getting a lot of glossy brochures, you can check and see if your kids' counselors need any extras...sometimes what they have on file is waaaay out of date .

So...Drexel or AU anyone?

agnes!

Drexel is amazing if you want engineering with co-ops.