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

[Green Tea]

Green Mountain-yes, he has already looked into that one too. He liked it.

 

[linnylu]

DS 16 is interested in Forensic Psychology. I have no clue how he even heard of it. Are there any schools known for this program? Anyone have any experience in the field?

 

[Green Tea]

Yes, Green Mountain College in Poultney and Sterling College in Craftsbury Vermont sound like this.

Sterling-Interesting and it IS small! The whole eco, sustainable, chickens, labs in the field is his type of thing.

His test scores will be okay. His grades aren't great. There will be the right place for him and thankfully he is interested in looking and investigating.

 

[hj0519]

DS 16 is interested in Forensic Psychology. I have no clue how he even heard of it. Are there any schools known for this program? Anyone have any experience in the field?

He should look for a solid pyschology program for undergrad (and probably one that offers some forensic pysch electives), and then go to grad school for forensic psychology. Most schools won't have programs that specialized for undergrads. He may want to look into schools with Criminology programs as well.

 

[EllenFrasier]

Does anyone have any information on Bryant and Stratton colleges? My son wants to go to the one in Albany, NY for Criminal Justice. We toured the school, but it seems really small and kind of shabby. The tuition is high there for what it is. I suppose if the education they get there is what counts - anybody ever go there?

 

[EllenFrasier]

CoA is on the radar. The Evergreen someone mentioned looked interesting too. I will look at Green Mountain now. Thanks for the ideas. There are so many small schools that it would be impossible to know about all of them.

We went to tour College of the Atlantic!!! Drove 8 hours to get there. We toured for two days, talked to advisers, bought dd a t-shirt and came home. Then she decided it wasn't for her. My impression of the school was that it was for kids that are free thinkers. Lots of kids wearing cornrows in their hair, artsy types. Dd is not like that. She is more of a country girl and it wasn't a good fit.

 

[MrsPete]

I brought that up earlier as well. Evidently we are the only 2 people on The Dis who have an average kid.

No, you're not. I have the 4.4 GPA, #26 out of 350+ in her class, great work ethic, super extra-curriculars kid . . . AND I have the strong-average kid coming along behind her.

I think we tend to talk about the superstar academic kids more because -- and this isn't fair -- more options are available to them. They're up for the big scholarships, they qualify for the tip-top universities. And, speaking only for myself, my superstar academic girl is a senior next year; thus, her college needs are more immediate.

With my strong-average girl, I'm working on choosing high school electives, and I'm pushing good work ethic from day 1 of high school. She's already listening to what her sister and I discuss about college, and she's gone along on a few college visits. Right now the only college-related thing I'm pushing with her is the idea that she needs good grades from the start. Once she's finished a semester of high school, THEN we'll start talking about how far away, how big, etc. I know my kid. She needs to get comfortable with high school before I start working on college.

We didn't spend a lot of time talking to the reps themselves at the college fair--first, it was crowded-second, I didn't really want a sales talk. I wanted to see pictures of the campus, see what their general admission requirements were, etc. It was mainly to see a name on a booth and see some pictures of campuses to start narrowing things down for DS.

I was very disappointed in our college fair and have no intention of attending another. We didn't learn a single thing that couldn't have been garnered from the internet. It was super-crowded. I won't go back again when it's time for my youngest.

Marine Biology...we have a person who graduated from Maryville College (TN) who then went on to University of Maryland (College Park) and is now a professor at USC. Her and her DH are both into Marine Biology in a big way, I believe. Heidleburg is the last name now, I think.

Marine Biology -- look into UNC-Wilmington, but be aware that admission to that program is tough. One of my best students (she's probably neck-and-neck with my above-described superstar academic daughter) is going to apply there next year, and she's nervous about getting in.

I'm at the point where I don't care where my son goes just make a choice. He is sick of all the mail he is getting.

My daughter LOVES that she's getting more mail than anyone else in the house. She made an off-handed comment to her younger sister the other day about how "someday you'll be getting all this self-esteem raising mail". As if that oldest kid of mine needed to esteem herself any more highly!

If he's going into teaching, the name on his diploma doesn't matter. What matters is that he passes the tests to become licensed. I would make one suggestion before he chooses: Consider the locations that each college might send him for student teaching. I live near a major university, so we get LOTS of student teachers, and I know that the college tries to place them all within a one-hour drive of the university for the convenience of the University Superviser, who has quite a number of student teachers to watch over.

Also, since he's near the top of his class, be sure to investigate Teaching Fellows Programs. The selection process favors guys, which is unfair but works in your favor! I don't know if it's the same in all states, but the money is great and Teaching Fellows go straight to the head of the line when it comes to getting jobs. A student who receives Teaching Fellows for four years must agree to teach four years in your state's public schools or repay the money.

We went to tour College of the Atlantic!!! Drove 8 hours to get there. We toured for two days, talked to advisers, bought dd a t-shirt and came home. Then she decided it wasn't for her. My impression of the school was that it was for kids that are free thinkers. Lots of kids wearing cornrows in their hair, artsy types. Dd is not like that. She is more of a country girl and it wasn't a good fit.

That's why you visit. Similarly, my daughter is currently crazy about Clemson. I've read a bunch of reviews online, and I'm convinced it's not "her". I'd never convince her of that, nor do I want to be the bad guy . . . so I'm going to take her and let her figure it out for herself. I tell my students (and my own kids) all the time: Figuring out what you DON'T WANT is valuable information, just as valuable as deciding what you DO WANT.

 

[Robinrs]

On the internet EVERYONE'S child is a genius!! Just reading some of the college forums you'd think Einstein was cloned a million times over... And IF they have one average kid, the other one is a mixture of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. It's a complete reflection on themselves.

No, you're not. I have the 4.4 GPA, #26 out of 350+ in her class, great work ethic, super extra-curriculars kid . . . AND I have the strong-average kid coming along behind her.

ding ding ding!!

My Mom, unfortunately had BOTH, too. My poor sister STILL resents me and I've been out of college for over 30 years!

 

[QueenRocks]

My daughter is currently a sophomore and is very interested in environmental science, ecology, wildlife science, and conservation, just to name a few. In the avalanche of college mail she received a brochure from SUNY - Environmental Science and Forestry which really piqued her interest. Now, she has a fully funded Virginia prepaid tuition plan and we always figured she would go instate, however this school seems to be right up her alley. Does anyone know anything about this school. She is not a genius, lol, but a good student with a 3.4 gpa. TIA!

 

[MnMomtoboys]

My daughter LOVES that she's getting more mail than anyone else in the house. She made an off-handed comment to her younger sister the other day about how "someday you'll be getting all this self-esteem raising mail". As if that oldest kid of mine needed to esteem herself any more highly!

If he's going into teaching, the name on his diploma doesn't matter. What matters is that he passes the tests to become licensed. I would make one suggestion before he chooses: Consider the locations that each college might send him for student teaching. I live near a major university, so we get LOTS of student teachers, and I know that the college tries to place them all within a one-hour drive of the university for the convenience of the University Superviser, who has quite a number of student teachers to watch over.

Also, since he's near the top of his class, be sure to investigate Teaching Fellows Programs. The selection process favors guys, which is unfair but works in your favor! I don't know if it's the same in all states, but the money is great and Teaching Fellows go straight to the head of the line when it comes to getting jobs. A student who receives Teaching Fellows for four years must agree to teach four years in your state's public schools or repay the money.That's why you visit.


Thanks for the info. Were also in the process of getting his Indian papers so that could help him even more.

I know Mn has a teaching program that gives him money and then he has to agree to teach in low income schools for a certain time. That can't be used until junior year so we haven't spent a lot of time checking that out. Right now its just been about scholarships and what school he is going to go too. Hopefully he will have a better idea this weekend. He hates making decisions but he doesn't have much choice, we aren't making this one for him.

 

[NotUrsula]

Admission to just about ANY undergrad marine biology program is tough; it's the sexiest of the animal biology research fields, and invariably the undergrads all want to work with cetaceans; all of the rest of the subfields are chopped herring by contrast (I know a lot of phycologists. )

PS: About forestry: I know a LOT of people who have undergrad forestry degrees that went in a totally different direction for grad school. Jobs in forestry are really hard to get unless you are willing to willing to work for the timber or landscape industry, and what few conservation forester jobs that are out there pay very little. Also, these days many forester positions come with an unpleasant reality that may require going about your duties wearing a kevlar vest. It is not a degree that I would recommend taking on ANY debt in pursuit of.

 

[pixie dust 112]

If anyone has names of a school like this, please share:

a very small student body, in the mountains or deserts, preferably private, outdoorsy/ecological, accepts classic underachievers. Lots of opportunities for hands on things-not strictly classroom.

Paul Smith's College in the Adirondacks:

http://www.paulsmiths.edu

 

[golfgal]

In the three schools we visited he would NEED a car. Two had assigned parking and one had eons of parking spots around the main buildings. All were in very wide spread out campuses outside of the city. One was only 4 years old and had a parking deck.

Would audio/music engineering be up his alley? A friend's son is going here next year for audio/music engineering:
http://www.belmont.edu/academicprograms/undergraduate/index.html

All I know is it is THE place he wanted to go..

It's in Tenn. so not TOO far from GA.

 

[pixie dust 112]

My daughter is currently a sophomore and is very interested in environmental science, ecology, wildlife science, and conservation, just to name a few. In the avalanche of college mail she received a brochure from SUNY - Environmental Science and Forestry which really piqued her interest. Now, she has a fully funded Virginia prepaid tuition plan and we always figured she would go instate, however this school seems to be right up her alley. Does anyone know anything about this school. She is not a genius, lol, but a good student with a 3.4 gpa. TIA!

I know a few peoplw who went here and they all loved it. You kind of get the benefit of going to Syracuse University for the price of a SUNY.

 

[golfgal]

My daughter LOVES that she's getting more mail than anyone else in the house. She made an off-handed comment to her younger sister the other day about how "someday you'll be getting all this self-esteem raising mail". As if that oldest kid of mine needed to esteem herself any more highly!

If he's going into teaching, the name on his diploma doesn't matter. What matters is that he passes the tests to become licensed. I would make one suggestion before he chooses: Consider the locations that each college might send him for student teaching. I live near a major university, so we get LOTS of student teachers, and I know that the college tries to place them all within a one-hour drive of the university for the convenience of the University Superviser, who has quite a number of student teachers to watch over.

Also, since he's near the top of his class, be sure to investigate Teaching Fellows Programs. The selection process favors guys, which is unfair but works in your favor! I don't know if it's the same in all states, but the money is great and Teaching Fellows go straight to the head of the line when it comes to getting jobs. A student who receives Teaching Fellows for four years must agree to teach four years in your state's public schools or repay the money.That's why you visit.


Thanks for the info. Were also in the process of getting his Indian papers so that could help him even more.

I know Mn has a teaching program that gives him money and then he has to agree to teach in low income schools for a certain time. That can't be used until junior year so we haven't spent a lot of time checking that out. Right now its just been about scholarships and what school he is going to go too. Hopefully he will have a better idea this weekend. He hates making decisions but he doesn't have much choice, we aren't making this one for him.

Do you know what percentage Indian you have to be to "qualify"? I tried finding this info for DS but kept running into dead ends. My Grandma was born on an Indian Reservation and was half or a quarter Ojibwa-not sure if we are too far out for that or not.

One thing to consider is if he sticks with education, where will he want to do his student teaching? Find out which towns the schools have agreements with. It would be nice if he could live on campus or at home during his semester of student teaching.

 

[Robinrs]

Would audio/music engineering be up his alley? A friend's son is going here next year for audio/music engineering:
http://www.belmont.edu/academicprograms/undergraduate/index.html

All I know is it is THE place he wanted to go..

It's in Tenn. so not TOO far from GA.

My son is interested in Television/Film but my great niece is majoring in audio! She lives in Chattanooga! I sent her the information, Thanks!

 

[Robinrs]

Another website I check often is www.studentsreview.com

Gives you an idea of how the students attending a school feels about it. Interesting reviews and comments!

 

[bballmom56]

DS 16 is interested in Forensic Psychology. I have no clue how he even heard of it. Are there any schools known for this program? Anyone have any experience in the field?

My DD is currently working on her master's in Forensic Psychology. Her undergrad degree was a double major in criminal justice and philosophy.

 

[bluesaturn]

DS 16 is interested in Forensic Psychology. I have no clue how he even heard of it. Are there any schools known for this program? Anyone have any experience in the field?

He should look for a solid pyschology program for undergrad (and probably one that offers some forensic pysch electives), and then go to grad school for forensic psychology. Most schools won't have programs that specialized for undergrads. He may want to look into schools with Criminology programs as well.

Agreed, he would need to pursue graduate education in psychology to become a forensic psychologist. I think there are master's programs, but he'd probably be better off getting a doctorate. And in most cases it will be a doctorate in a particular type of psychology (like clinical) with a specialization in forensic.
He should pursue a psych major and if he likes it he can look into forensic psych more while in college. You might find a school that offers like one forensic psych class, but I wouldn't really choose a school based on that. Going to a research university is always helpful for someone heading into grad school for psychology. You usually need research assistant experience to get into a good (funded!) grad program.

 

[Buckalew11]

Would audio/music engineering be up his alley? A friend's son is going here next year for audio/music engineering:
http://www.belmont.edu/academicprograms/undergraduate/index.html

All I know is it is THE place he wanted to go..

It's in Tenn. so not TOO far from GA.

My sister and I were just talking about Belmont today. My niece ( a HS Jr) is looking at Clemson, Belmont, ETSU and King. We were both saying how everyone we know who has attended Belmont loved it there.

My son is interested in Television/Film but my great niece is majoring in audio! She lives in Chattanooga! I sent her the information, Thanks!