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

[SydSim]

My dd and I did the college rounds on Easter Break, and just as I suspected she LOVED Muhlenberg - so much so she would really apply ED. The campus is beautiful but small (but that's what she wants). She's a dancer and the Theater building/auditoriums/studios are great. She is really not into the greek life, but there are a few frats and sororities if the students want to participate in that. Our tour guide was amazing and didn't really try to hard sell the school, since it kind of did that on its own. Everyone we encountered was nice and my dd liked the "look" of the kids there as well. The freshman dorms are typical but all together in their own quad. The only thing I didn't care for was that they charge to use the washing/dryer machines. For the price of the university, you would think they would be free - in fact, every other college we visited they were free. The classrooms are nice and small - all looked state of the art to me. The bookstore is big and well stocked, the new dining hall was amazing -and smelled amazing as well. The sports complex - beautiful. And most importantly to my dd - 2 starbucks on campus lol. I would go there in a heartbeat myself too. It definitely is her #1 choice to date.

It's so interesting how colleges appeal differently to various people. Muhlenberg was high on our radar (for DD - a musical theatre kid). After visiting, I too thought that it was small and beautiful, and LOVED the dining hall. But the campus seemed a little too small for DD, and we had concerns about the lack of diversity (something that even one of the professors agreed with and stated that MU was working hard to increase their minority enrollment). And about the "look" of the kids there, I noticed a look as well, but I thought that every girl looked almost exactly the same.

It just goes to show that there is a college for everyone!

 

["Got Disney"]

I like College Prowler......has tons of info and student reviews also...try it out.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I agree that you pay for it one way or another.

My kids ended up chose the only school that we looked at where there was a charge for washers and dryers. I haven't kept track to see whether they have spent more than $60.00/semester. My daughter is at SUNY-ESF. Not only can she pay for the washers/dryers with a credit/debit card, but she can monitor the progress via website and receive a text when they are done. Technology is wonderful sometimes! Since she almost always uses her credit card for laundry, I can go back and see how much it's cost her for the year. In fact, knowing my husband, that's already in a spread sheet somewhere. I should check and see how much she's spent on laundry.

I was discussing this with a friend, and she said that her daughter discovered at SUNY-Buffalo that people would use the washers/dryers for an item or two, since it didn't cost them for each load, and it was, therefore, more difficult to get an available washer when needed.

So, either way, I wouldn't worry too much about whether the washers and dryers are free.

So your post inspired me and I just went and logged into the account and checked. My DD has spent $61 for the entire year(from August until now) on laundry. That's not too bad at all!

 

[goofyernmost]

One example, the twins got information from Champlain College in Vermont. Never heard of it. Does anyone have information on this school? We have pretty much ruled it out for DD because they don't have a golf program but the campus looks really nice

First, it's important, I think, to realize that this thread is over a year old.

Second, and more importantly...I am a Champlain College Graduate. I graduated back in the dark ages. 1968 to be exact. At the time it was a two year college and offered mostly business related curriculum. It was a no nonsense flat out course of study...no basket weaving...just business related courses. Ties and coats were required attire for men at the time.

Things, as usual, have changed since then. It now has full degree programs and has expanded the campus by about 10 times. No dress code and has adapted the ever popular out of this world tuition structure. Such goes life. Nice area though...lived there most of my life.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

I need to ask, I know that as parents you don't want your kids to come out owing a lot of money with loans but it seems like no one is giving their kids the option at all. A lot of people are saying that their kids are getting into their dream colleges but can't go because of not enough scholarship. Did you consider taking loans out at all Was it your decision or your kids to not take out loans and not go where they want

We are just going through this decision for my son. He was accepted to 5 school but has narrowed it down to PSU's Honors College and Cornell. (We let him decide were he wanted to apply to.) With the money we are providing him along with the scholarships he as received, he will be coming out of PSU with a minimum amount of debt, if any at all. However, Cornell is a different story. They are providing very little aid and any outside scholarships he receives comes off the aid Cornell is giving him .... not the tuition he is left to pay for! REALLY!!!!!

We left this decision in his hands. We went over financials with him last week and told him we needed a decision by today. If he was thinking about going to Cornell, we needed the week to figure out how to get him loans that were in his name only (....something that we don't think would be possible). He has been honest with us and told us that he sees himself at PSU for school .... but the opportunity to attend an IVY league school nags at him. We have 2 other children to put through school and co-signing for loans is not what we plan to do for any of our children. It is time to become an adult and deal with adult issues. His choice is PSU.

We are very proud of his decision. It was not an easy one for him to make, but in our hearts, we know he has made the right choice. He will understand this even more 4 years from now when he graduates.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Just read through the most recent pages - I find it odd that so many are asking about particular schools for their kids w/o mentioning what degree their children plan to pursue. Even really great "overall" schools can be a poor choice if they don't have a strong program in your particular field of study.

 

[Green Tea]

First, it's important, I think, to realize that this thread is over a year old.

I'm glad it has worked its way back to the top. The nature of a college isn't really going to chang much in a year, and there was a lot of helpful information and suggestions through out this thread.

 

[Green Tea]

Just read through the most recent pages - I find it odd that so many are asking about particular schools for their kids w/o mentioning what degree their children plan to pursue. Even really great "overall" schools can be a poor choice if they don't have a strong program in your particular field of study.

One beauty of a liberal arts college is that you don't have to know going in what you want to major in, just that you want to learn!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

My daughter goes to a SUNY and they tell you that the laundry, cable, internet etc. are free, but they are all line items on the bill each semester. So while my daughter doesn't need to put quarters in the machines. we do pay $60.00 a semester for laundry.

SUNY Cortland did that this year and it is more convenient but you're right it's not free. . My DD first 2 years there we paid for the laundry through her school cash account(Connections account).


My younger DD will be starting New Paltz in the fall. I'm sure it's the same there.

 

[pixie dust 112]

SUNY Cortland did that this year and it is more convenient but you're right it's not free. . My DD first 2 years there we paid for the laundry through her school cash account(Connections account).


My younger DD will be starting New Paltz in the fall. I'm sure it's the same there.

I have a neice and a nephew starting at New Paltz in the fall! My neice is a DISer (well it may be a few years since she's posted)!

Muffycat ~ after all our SUNY talk my daughter decided on Utica College, luckily with a scholarship that brings the cost down to about the same as a SUNY!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

One beauty of a liberal arts college is that you don't have to know going in what you want to major in, just that you want to learn!

Maybe, I don't know anything about that. I tend to think of college as a place where you train to eventually have a specific job. I know just within University of Missouri, if you are pre-med, you want the KC campus, if engineer, the Rolla campus, if journalism, the Columbia campus, if architect you go to K-State & pay out of state tuition

 

[punkin]

Maybe, I don't know anything about that. I tend to think of college as a place where you train to eventually have a specific job. I know just within University of Missouri, if you are pre-med, you want the KC campus, if engineer, the Rolla campus, if journalism, the Columbia campus, if architect you go to K-State & pay out of state tuition

That's one way of looking at the purpose of a college education - that it's merely pre-professional. However a classic Liberal Arts education seeks to instill a broad spectrum of knowledge, a love of learning, and the ability to research and learn independently throughout life. Neither view of college is wrong, just very different.

My DD19 is in a liberal arts college which doesn't require a declaration of major until the beginning of Junior year (though many students do declare earlier). She went there sure she was going to major in one thing, but is now double-majoring in two completely different disciplines. I am glad she got the chance to explore her interests and make a more informed decision rather than making a (very costly) mistake.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My DD19 is in a liberal arts college which doesn't require a declaration of major until the beginning of Junior year (though many students do declare earlier). She went there sure she was going to major in one thing, but is now double-majoring in two completely different disciplines. I am glad she got the chance to explore her interests and make a more informed decision rather than making a (very costly) mistake.

That's true of most schools, not just Liberal Arts. That said, if one gets to their Jr. year & decides they want to be an engineer or other degree that isn't strong at their school, they'll be in exactly the same boat as someone who declared early & decided later they didn't like it. That's why most undeclareds around here go to Ju-Co for 2 years to sort out where they're going in life.

 

[tar heel]

That's true of most schools, not just Liberal Arts. That said, if one gets to their Jr. year & decides they want to be an engineer or other degree that isn't strong at their school, they'll be in exactly the same boat as someone who declared early & decided later they didn't like it. That's why most undeclareds around here go to Ju-Co for 2 years to sort out where they're going in life.

Really? I can honestly say I don't know a single kid in my sons' classes who went to junior college. Do you mean community college? A lot of kids here do that, but it doesn't tend to be the top students. Both of my older sons actually did go to school knowing exactly what they wanted to do - one changed his mind after he got there. My third will go to school in August intending to double major in theatre and something else -- the something else might be chemistry or biology or poli sci or psychology. Thankfully, both schools he's still considering are liberal arts universities with strong theatre departments.

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I went to the University of North Carolina to become a social worker. Four years later, I graduated with degrees in journalism and history and a broad, liberal arts education. I was really lucky to get to explore lots of subjects and want the same for my kids.

 

[pixie dust 112]

I know lots of kids who go to community college, both borderline students and top of the class students. In our county, anyone who graduates from HS in the top 10% of their class can attend our Community College for free. Many students choose that option and then can afford to transfer to private colleges after they get their associate's degree.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I have a neice and a nephew starting at New Paltz in the fall! My neice is a DISer (well it may be a few years since she's posted)!

Muffycat ~ after all our SUNY talk my daughter decided on Utica College, luckily with a scholarship that brings the cost down to about the same as a SUNY!

That's great! Thank goodness for scholarships! I'm sure she'll like it.
Can you believe your older DD is almost done?? Feels like just yesterday we were visiting colleges for her!

My DD could have stayed home and went to Molloy for very little cost but she wanted to go away. Can't say I blame her. I think it's a great experience.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Really? I can honestly say I don't know a single kid in my sons' classes who went to junior college. Do you mean community college? A lot of kids here do that, but it doesn't tend to be the top students. Both of my older sons actually did go to school knowing exactly what they wanted to do - one changed his mind after he got there. My third will go to school in August intending to double major in theatre and something else -- the something else might be chemistry or biology or poli sci or psychology. Thankfully, both schools he's still considering are liberal arts universities with strong theatre departments.

Jr. College/Community College, yes that's what I was talking about. I know a number of top students, including those who declared early who started that way & almost ALL those (among my friends) who were undeclared did that.

As previously mentioned, it's practically a free option *here* for top 10% students, although that program wasn't available in my day

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I went to the University of North Carolina to become a social worker. Four years later, I graduated with degrees in journalism and history and a broad, liberal arts education. I was really lucky to get to explore lots of subjects and want the same for my kids.

I can certainly see the value in that, I'm just saying if you've got a kid who has no clue what career path they want to take, it might make more sense financially to let them sort that out in a more cost-effective manner. After all, they could do 4 years worth of Community College WAY cheaper than 2 years at University. In the end, a degree that started at CC & finished at North Carolina is every bit as valuable as one that started AND ended there.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Jr. College/Community College, yes that's what I was talking about. I know a number of top students, including those who declared early who started that way & almost ALL those (among my friends) who were undeclared did that.

As previously mentioned, it's practically a free option *here* for top 10% students, although that program wasn't available in my day


I can certainly see the value in that, I'm just saying if you've got a kid who has no clue what career path they want to take, it might make more sense financially to let them sort that out in a more cost-effective manner. After all, they could do 4 years worth of Community College WAY cheaper than 2 years at University. In the end, a degree that started at CC & finished at North Carolina is every bit as valuable as one that started AND ended there.

This is an option in my town. The top 10% of kids can go to the local community college for free, then transfer out for the last two years and some of the colleges have an agreement with the community college that allows the credits to be transferred. That being said, DD wants nothing to do with community college. She wants out right away.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

That being said, DD wants nothing to do with community college. She wants out right away.

Nothing wrong with leaving right away, especially if a scholarship is involved. Plus, typically speaking, the top kids will have some idea what they want to do in life & seem less likely to go into school with no major in mind (not to say they won't switch majors, but they at least usually THINK they know what they want to do ). But, the idea of one of my kids racking up $50,000-60,000 in student loans before declaring a major doesn't sit the best with me

 

[Buckalew11]

Several of the colleges DD looked into mentioned they are really *going after* transfer students these days! I think it is a good option for many kids.

Mine's just got her heart set on her college of choice for at least "4" years (she has actually done dual enrollment all this year as a HS SR bu, of course, lived at home). I say they'll be lucky to drag her kicking and screaming across that stage when she is ready to graduate!
I told her admissions councilor," If you let her in, good luck getting rid of her!" lol Yeah, she's going to make them a heckuva alum!