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

[punkin]

There are strange people in cyber space. I have no problem discussing colleges in general and even specific colleges, but I do have issues telling everyone where my DD18 finally decided to go to college. So I will say, we looked at Eckard and DD decided not to go to Maryland, but you will never see me be precise about where she actually is.

This thread is visible to anyone, not just the posters. Who knows what whackos there are out there.

 

[ctinct]

Why delete the name of the college? I thought that was the whole point here, to discuss the schools?

As I said, I really should have posted to the kids going off to college in 2011 thread, but this thread was active today and the other one was not. It popped up first, and I know Agnes reads this one too. Perhaps I should have pm'd her, but I thought the disparity in financial aid offers was interesting and others might like to learn about it also, especially since there has been much discussion on private vs public cost. My post is more about the financial aid aspect rather than the school itself.

That said, I have no problem discussing what I know about a particular school, but in most posts about our children, most of us tend to be a little vague. There are some really wacky, deranged people out there, and it would not be so hard to track someone down from posted info. I once figured out who another poster was from another board I used to frequent from the stuff she posted, and I didn't even know her. She lived in the town next to me. I'm sure in other posts I have probably mentioned the state of the school my daughter is waiting on (the city would give it away for sure and maybe even a shortened version of its name, so it might be possible for someone to figure out which school I'm talking about if they searched all my prior posts. Heck, I may have even written its name, but I'll probably not mention it publicly again, unless she cannot attend. If anyone wants the name of a smallish liberal arts school in PA with a very warm, welcoming feel to it, pm me. And although I think I know which school Agnes! is talking about, that info is not mine to share; it's hers. I hope I was able to make some sense here.

Schools I can talk about a little bit from visiting: Providence, SUNY Binghamton, UScranton, Roger Williams, UCONN, Ithaca, Clark, Assumption, UVA, URichmond, William and Mary, Amherst, Marist, and he-who-must-not-be named in PA.

 

[bluesaturn]

I went there and didn't love it. The kids I ended up spending time with were mostly from NY / NJ / Baltimore area and not my cup of tea. I think because they were familair to me (being from NJ), I naturally befriended them - but never really developed any lasting friendships.

I joined a sorority - but we rushed first semester freshman year back then and I joined a house that really didn't suit my personality. I never fit in there.

The only upside? I was so unhappy my freshman year that when I was flipping thorugh the student paper and saw an ad for the Disney College Program I decided - hey, why not? It has to be better than this.

I was accepted into the Disney College Program that following summer, LOVED it - did it again the following summer and met my two best friends in life while working there. Best decision ever.

So I guess I can kind of thank Maryland for that

I kinda of agree. Socially I didn't love it, but academically it was perfect for me and just what I needed. There were some great things about the school, but it never really gave me the warm fuzzies. It really depends on what a student is looking for in their college experience. I know a lot of people that absolutely loved it!

To the original poster that asked, where are you from? I think kids from out of state have a very different experience than locals.

 

[Cinderella94]

I kinda of agree. Socially I didn't love it, but academically it was perfect for me and just what I needed. There were some great things about the school, but it never really gave me the warm fuzzies. It really depends on what a student is looking for in their college experience. I know a lot of people that absolutely loved it!

To the original poster that asked, where are you from? I think kids from out of state have a very different experience than locals.

I am very local less than an hour away. Not to toot my own horn, but I've done really well in high school. 15th/401 in my class, 10 total AP classes over the years, 4.2 or something GPA. So I like working hard. I also applied and have gotten into Penn State, U Del, Washington College, and then College Park. I loooooooooove Penn State, but the in-state tuition at College Park keeps looking better and better. I love the (sometimes overly-in your face ) school spirit that you immediately feel on the Penn State campus, and I feel like I need a bigger school so I'm probably going to cross Washington college off my list (we went to see it, definitely not a big school!). But my final decision hasn't been made yet. Any insights?? What would you say the difference is between the out of state and local student experience?

 

[bluesaturn]

I am very local less than an hour away. Not to toot my own horn, but I've done really well in high school. 15th/401 in my class, 10 total AP classes over the years, 4.2 or something GPA. So I like working hard. I also applied and have gotten into Penn State, U Del, Washington College, and then College Park. I loooooooooove Penn State, but the in-state tuition at College Park keeps looking better and better. I love the (sometimes overly-in your face ) school spirit that you immediately feel on the Penn State campus, and I feel like I need a bigger school so I'm probably going to cross Washington college off my list (we went to see it, definitely not a big school!). But my final decision hasn't been made yet. Any insights?? What would you say the difference is between the out of state and local student experience?

I think out of staters get more into CP as a college town, and really enjoy the living outside of DC thing. If you grew up living outside of DC, it's not really that big of a deal you know? Also, if you're from Maryland you likely know people from high school and earlier that are also at UMD. So you might (or might not) find yourself hanging out with them more, and that might be a good thing or a bad thing.
I think local people just have more preconceived notions about the school (good or bad) and that influences their experience. I think out of state people tend to come in more open minded. But I know tons of in state people that absolutely loved it and had a really good experience, so again I think it depends on what you are looking for.
I PM'd you too!

 

[Cinderella94]

I think out of staters get more into CP as a college town, and really enjoy the living outside of DC thing. If you grew up living outside of DC, it's not really that big of a deal you know? Also, if you're from Maryland you likely know people from high school and earlier that are also at UMD. So you might (or might not) find yourself hanging out with them more, and that might be a good thing or a bad thing.
I think local people just have more preconceived notions about the school (good or bad) and that influences their experience. I think out of state people tend to come in more open minded. But I know tons of in state people that absolutely loved it and had a really good experience, so again I think it depends on what you are looking for.
I PM'd you too!

Okay great, thanks! I haven't gotten it yet but I'll give it a minute to show up . Yeah, I had always told myself (and my parents) during HS that I'd NEVER go to CP; I guess I just thought there were a ton of parties always going on and that's really not my thing. And yeah, a lot of my friends are going there next year, which I think would be a good thing for me. I love Penn State (and Delaware, I love the college town thing...and the area around UMCP is not the best or safest, in my mind) but I don't want to have $100k in loans when I graduate, especially since I have no idea what I want to major in yet so who knows how much money I'll make.

 

[bluesaturn]

Okay great, thanks! I haven't gotten it yet but I'll give it a minute to show up . Yeah, I had always told myself (and my parents) during HS that I'd NEVER go to CP; I guess I just thought there were a ton of parties always going on and that's really not my thing. And yeah, a lot of my friends are going there next year, which I think would be a good thing for me. I love Penn State (and Delaware, I love the college town thing...and the area around UMCP is not the best or safest, in my mind) but I don't want to have $100k in loans when I graduate, especially since I have no idea what I want to major in yet so who knows how much money I'll make.

Yeah, it's really not that bad of a party school. I know it has that kind of rap in Maryland, but it's not as much a party school as people believe. I would actually think Penn State and Delaware were worse. I think Penn State was on the list of top party schools actually?

The area around CP isn't too bad, but you do have to be smart. Most of the crime comes from people being really stupid and making themselves victims (not locking their doors, wandering around drunk, etc.). But it doesn't have a good "college town" which is a drawback. Many people think that's the top thing the school needs to fix, create a better town. But the good thing is, it's really easy to hop onto the metro and head into DC. And there is a very active nightlife in downtown College Park.

 

[golfgal]

Yeah, it's really not that bad of a party school. I know it has that kind of rap in Maryland, but it's not as much a party school as people believe. I would actually think Penn State and Delaware were worse. I think Penn State was on the list of top party schools actually?

The area around CP isn't too bad, but you do have to be smart. Most of the crime comes from people being really stupid and making themselves victims (not locking their doors, wandering around drunk, etc.). But it doesn't have a good "college town" which is a drawback. Many people think that's the top thing the school needs to fix, create a better town. But the good thing is, it's really easy to hop onto the metro and head into DC. And there is a very active nightlife in downtown College Park.

Every school is a party school, they are college kids . Even the "dry" campuses have parties somewhere. How much you chose to partake in the party scene often determines how well you do in college.

 

[disneygals]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
College Confidential Post

Hello all.

I just got my first financial aid award back, from D. My FAFSA EFC was around 8000, and even that is a stretch for my family. D, after a 20K presidential scholarship, work-study, and various loans, expects a payment of 22,000/year and a total cost of 26,000/year. Yeahhh I don't think so.

End CC post.

This is a post from College Confidential from someone else; not me. I intended to copy post it on the 2011 College thread, but I found this post first and I'm feeling a bit lazy today. Anyhow, I think it will be of particular interest to Agnes!, because I'm pretty sure it is the same college her daughter got excellent aid from..

This is kind of my point with the college search...you really can't go by what "someone you know" got because there are so many variables which will affect what your kid will end up with.

In our case, we would only hope that a private would give enough money to get down to state school prices (still approx $80 times 3 kids= $240k!!!). For someone else that's not enough.

The key thing that is a shock to people is that just because your EFC is low, it doesn't mean a college WILL give you the money to go there. I have learned so much from college confidential in the last year and most of it is not happy.

I have no problem with our state schools, it's just that the majors/minors that my kids have wanted Musical theater/ballet are not making this easy. (not available or too far away etc)

 

[Robinrs]

Every school is a party school, they are college kids . Even the "dry" campuses have parties somewhere. How much you chose to partake in the party scene often determines how well you do in college.

I "partook" and "partook" in the party scene!!! I still graduated on time at 20 with two majors. It seriously depends on the person.

I participated in a broadcast employment forum in my college a few years after I graduated. The JANITOR recognized me and told the class she was the FIRST one to show up during club hours and the last to leave!!! Surprisingly, that endeared me to the current students and they hung on to my every word.

 

[bluesaturn]

Every school is a party school, they are college kids . Even the "dry" campuses have parties somewhere. How much you chose to partake in the party scene often determines how well you do in college.

I am aware. However, at some schools partying is more pervasive to the campus culture. UMD has a reputation in the state of being all about partying, likely because it is the largest state school. However, I think some other schools in different states take their partying a little more seriously. I am at a large public flagship in a nearby state right now, and partying is obviously more pervasive in the culture here. That definitely doesn't mean everyone parties every night, it's just more rampant.

 

[agnes!]

Every school is a party school, they are college kids . Even the "dry" campuses have parties somewhere. How much you chose to partake in the party scene often determines how well you do in college.

I am aware. However, at some schools partying is more pervasive to the campus culture. UMD has a reputation in the state of being all about partying, likely because it is the largest state school. However, I think some other schools in different states take their partying a little more seriously. I am at a large public flagship in a nearby state right now, and partying is obviously more pervasive in the culture here. That definitely doesn't mean everyone parties every night, it's just more rampant.

I think I'd also put UVA near the top of any list of party schools. It's kind of funnyy...a friend of ours stayed there overnight as part of a department/professional-group event and the students, the tour-guides, simply *everyone* openly acknowledged to the students and to any parents who were around that UVA is a party school. I have also heard this on our campus tour as well and that is truly the school's reputation. And yeah, I know all college students will party to some degree but the amount of drunken college-students staggering around the streets near campus on a Friday night is mind-boggling.

agnes!

 

[frndshpcptn]

Yeah, it's really not that bad of a party school. I know it has that kind of rap in Maryland, but it's not as much a party school as people believe. I would actually think Penn State and Delaware were worse. I think Penn State was on the list of top party schools actually?

The area around CP isn't too bad, but you do have to be smart. Most of the crime comes from people being really stupid and making themselves victims (not locking their doors, wandering around drunk, etc.). But it doesn't have a good "college town" which is a drawback. Many people think that's the top thing the school needs to fix, create a better town. But the good thing is, it's really easy to hop onto the metro and head into DC. And there is a very active nightlife in downtown College Park.

I also think that UMD still has somewhat of a repuation as a party school from when it WAS a huge party school back in the 1980's. It has definitely gotten much more academically proficient since then.

When I was an undergrad (in the mid-late '90's), I went to parties on the weekends - but didn't really drink and never really liked the bar scene (even thought I went every Thursday and Saturday night). I don't think the party scene at UMD was any different than Penn State or Delaware.

As for the town - I had a car by second semester Freshman year - so I drove out of CP often. We went to Montgomery County for shopping / Movies and to DC for dinners out.

I fell in with a crowd / sorority that was, on paper, like me - but in reality I just never found my groove there. I'm not an active alumni, but I did enjoy living in the DC area for a while. I go back to visit - but usually stay in Bethesda and visit the campus one and then spend time in DC proper / Georgetown.

 

[punkin]

DD is at a school that does not have a "party" reputation (in fact it was on a recent list of stone-cold sober schools), but even there, the kids who want to party manage to find parties.

 

[golfgal]

I think I'd also put UVA near the top of any list of party schools. It's kind of funnyy...a friend of ours stayed there overnight as part of a department/professional-group event and the students, the tour-guides, simply *everyone* openly acknowledged to the students and to any parents who were around that UVA is a party school. I have also heard this on our campus tour as well and that is truly the school's reputation. And yeah, I know all college students will party to some degree but the amount of drunken college-students staggering around the streets near campus on a Friday night is mind-boggling.

agnes!

I would be curious to see the percent of kids that are partying to this degree though. If the campus has 50,000 student and there are 5000 staggering around the streets while it may seem like a lot, it would be the same as a 1000 student campus with 100 kids staggering around the streets, same percentage, just fewer numbers.

 

[bluesaturn]

I also think that UMD still has somewhat of a repuation as a party school from when it WAS a huge party school back in the 1980's. It has definitely gotten much more academically proficient since then.

This is exactly it. Maryland used to be kind of a leftover/safety school. People from MD didn't want to go to UMD. So people remember the partying from back then and it's pretty different now. It's probably even different from when you went there, because it became really hard to get in starting in the mid 2000s.

 

[agnes!]

I would be curious to see the percent of kids that are partying to this degree though. If the campus has 50,000 student and there are 5000 staggering around the streets while it may seem like a lot, it would be the same as a 1000 student campus with 100 kids staggering around the streets, same percentage, just fewer numbers.

In my experience there are many students drunk in public on a regulr Friday night (and not necessarily just in bars...in restaurants and on the streets). Not sure about any statistics, but UVA has a definite reputation among DD & her peers as a work-hard, play-hard school.

agnes!

 

[punkin]

This is exactly it. Maryland used to be kind of a leftover/safety school. People from MD didn't want to go to UMD. So people remember the partying from back then and it's pretty different now. It's probably even different from when you went there, because it became really hard to get in starting in the mid 2000s.

I definitely remember when I was applying to school in the mid-1980s (from NYC), Maryland was a safety school for solid mid-B students. No one wanted to go there.

In Maryland now, though it has a very decent reputation and a B student in state has very little chance of admittance. Out of state is even worse.

 

[kbeverina]

I think I'd also put UVA near the top of any list of party schools. It's kind of funnyy...a friend of ours stayed there overnight as part of a department/professional-group event and the students, the tour-guides, simply *everyone* openly acknowledged to the students and to any parents who were around that UVA is a party school. I have also heard this on our campus tour as well and that is truly the school's reputation. And yeah, I know all college students will party to some degree but the amount of drunken college-students staggering around the streets near campus on a Friday night is mind-boggling.

agnes!

I can vouch for that. I liked going to parties and went to a lot of them. We walked everywhere, especially the first two years living on campus. You can walk to all the fraternities, bars and most apartments.

I was blown away my first visit to UVA--just the amount of open drinking out on the streets everywhere you looked. We usually went to one frat, maybe two, on a given night, but, at UVA, we went from house to house to house. It was just very open, whereas at Tech you wouldn't see that spilling out like a huge block party. It was also a lot easier to get into these places, not as much carding going on. It's hard to explain, but at Tech we kept the partying inside and UVA it was just crazy.

 

[LisaR]

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.

Edit: Should have read two pages further and I would have realized that WWC was mentioned numerous times. Sorry for the repeat.

I haven't read past this post but wanted to comment before I forget.

I don't much about the school but have you looked into Warren Wilson College? We know someone that went there and LOVED it. VERY hands-on, outdoorsy, and small. We got a DVD from them and it is definitely not for everyone. My DD had a look of horror on her face while watching it but it was just the perfect fit for the person we know that attended.