High School Class 2013: Picking Colleges..Check in Here!

[punkin]

Do kids have less of a change of being accepted to college if they go in as "undecided"? It seems most people's children on this thread know exactly what they're going to school for yet my daughter (class of 2014) is completely undecided and probably will apply that way. We're looking into NJ schools (in state) and wondering if there are some more likely to accept her if she applies as undecided than others.

Thanks.

My DD applied undecided and got accepted to all but one of the schools to which she applied. I don't think it matters in the least.

 

[tar heel]

I think the only place it matters is at technically oriented schools like Virginia Tech. At my son's liberal arts university, students aren't expected to declare majors as freshmen. They are admitted to the university, not to particular programs.

 

[PlutoPony]

There are a couple potential downsides to going in undecided when you really want a competitive major like engineering.... in order to graduate on time i.e. in 4 years in many engineering schools, you pretty much have to start out in E-classes from the first day. And at most schools there IS a difference between "regular" calculus or chemistry and "engineering" calculus, chemistry, physics, etc. Just be aware that not starting in your school to begin with may extend your college career

Also, the schools we've looked at did not guarantee that you'd be able to transfer into a different program, especially a competitive one like engineering. That's not to say you're stuck if you start in one university school / major and decide it's not for you, but typically the university schools that are difficult to get into to begin with are also harder to transfer into.

This definitely seems to vary by school so YMMV and ask at those schools you're interested in.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Thank you all for your quickly replies. No change of DD EVER wanting to transfer into engineering. Since she's little she's thought about marine biology, culinary school, an arts degree...it runs from one extreme to the other. I think we'll just have to take it on a school by school basis and see how it goes. Maybe an English or Business degree? It's almost like reading a good book -- I can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[tar heel]

Aren't we talking about applying as "undecided" instead of actually choosing classes. Those are pretty different topics.

There are a number of fields in which it's helpful to start taking classes immediately because of the number of requirements and prerequisites. Both of my older sons were in those kinds of programs: one in engineering and the other in studio art.

 

[PlutoPony]

Aren't we talking about applying as "undecided" instead of actually choosing classes. Those are pretty different topics.

Yes we're talking about undecided but the major / school you are admitted to can determine which classes you are able to take in some cases (maybe that's mostly in engineering?). If you're admitted to the engineering school as a freshman, you take engineering calc, physics, chem, etc. If you go in as undecided you are not able to take the engineering version of those classes and must take "regular" calc, etc. At least that's what we've been told at those schools with an engineering program.

 

[Tinijocaro]

So far we have:
U of Michigan-Yes

SUNY Stonybrook-Yes

MIT-Deferred

U of Buffalo-no answer yet as to admittance but ds has moved on to the last round to determine who gets the Presidential Scholarship-(full ride-tuition, room and board) I assume since he is being considered for this scholarship that he will also be admitted.

Waiting on Cornell, Harvard, U of Rochester, Columbia, Carnegie Mellon, and Case Western.

Case Western has an Arts Scholarship for kids who are not majoring in the Arts but who excel in the arts. DS will try for that one on trumpet-it is a $10,000.00 scholarship!

 

[Christine]

Yes we're talking about undecided but the major / school you are admitted to can determine which classes you are able to take in some cases (maybe that's mostly in engineering?). If you're admitted to the engineering school as a freshman, you take engineering calc, physics, chem, etc. If you go in as undecided you are not able to take the engineering version of those classes and must take "regular" calc, etc. At least that's what we've been told at those schools with an engineering program.

Agreed! You are lower priority for those classes so you do end up getting behind.

 

[ugadog99]

Yay!! Two acceptances in three days and one of them was an artistic acceptance!! Granted, it was for a school that is audition only for scholarship, but still, it's an artistic acceptance. Both came with some merit aid and now we wait for talent awards. (and artistic acceptance to one of them)

Academic only (so far): Otterbein University
Academic/Artistic: Brenau University/Gainesville Theatre Alliance

 

[marcyinPA]

We are still waiting to hear from DS's top two choices regarding the FAFSA info. How long does it usually take for colleges to send financial aid packages? He is getting antsy and wants to make a choice

 

[ugadog99]

With my older D we didn't receive financial packages until late March/early April. It's a nerve wracking time for sure!

 

[SideshowBob]

DD accepted to University of Virginia yesterday, but it is darned expensive ... we'll see how pans out over time. She did get Presidential scholorship for Stetson which cut it in half but cost still over in-state public schools by a good bit. Accepted for honors program at Florida State and think that will be same at Univ. of Florida but they are a very late one to notify. Still to hear from Amherst, Rollins and UNC.

Alas, she knows the financial part is the biggest piece as she opened her UVA letter and said "I got into UVA ... but I'll be going to UF".

I worked on FAFSA last night ... need the tax part for this year so still a while.

 

[Christine]

DD accepted to University of Virginia yesterday, but it is darned expensive ... we'll see how pans out over time. She did get Presidential scholorship for Stetson which cut it in half but cost still over in-state public schools by a good bit. Accepted for honors program at Florida State and think that will be same at Univ. of Florida but they are a very late one to notify. Still to hear from Amherst, Rollins and UNC.

Alas, she knows the financial part is the biggest piece as she opened her UVA letter and said "I got into UVA ... but I'll be going to UF".

I worked on FAFSA last night ... need the tax part for this year so still a while.

That's awesome. Being from Virginia, I can tell you that getting into UVA is quite an achievement.

 

[LisaR]

DD accepted to University of Virginia yesterday, but it is darned expensive ... we'll see how pans out over time. She did get Presidential scholorship for Stetson which cut it in half but cost still over in-state public schools by a good bit. Accepted for honors program at Florida State and think that will be same at Univ. of Florida but they are a very late one to notify. Still to hear from Amherst, Rollins and UNC.

Alas, she knows the financial part is the biggest piece as she opened her UVA letter and said "I got into UVA ... but I'll be going to UF".

I worked on FAFSA last night ... need the tax part for this year so still a while.

My DD got into Stetson with the same scholarship, but we found it to be just too expensive even with that large amount. Also, one of her professors at the community college has taught classes at Stetson and he told her it is a good school, but he did not feel the area was safe. I don't know much about it but we ruled it out for multiple reasons.

DD also got into honors at FSU, but we are still waiting to see if they offer any money. I like that the private schools tell you when you are admitted just how much you will get. The state schools seem to wait awhile before letting you know. Frustrating!

My DD did a summer program at UVA and fell in love. But after looking at the cost for out of state tuition, she decided not to apply.

Good luck to her in the decision making process!

 

[SideshowBob]

That's awesome. Being from Virginia, I can tell you that getting into UVA is quite an achievement.

Thanks, Christine! We used to live in Richmond and always loved the campus there at UVA and reputation. I wish that I still had the Virginia address for tuition purposes though .. ha-ha!

 

[SideshowBob]

My DD got into Stetson with the same scholarship, but we found it to be just too expensive even with that large amount. Also, one of her professors at the community college has taught classes at Stetson and he told her it is a good school, but he did not feel the area was safe. I don't know much about it but we ruled it out for multiple reasons.

DD also got into honors at FSU, but we are still waiting to see if they offer any money. I like that the private schools tell you when you are admitted just how much you will get. The state schools seem to wait awhile before letting you know. Frustrating!

My DD did a summer program at UVA and fell in love. But after looking at the cost for out of state tuition, she decided not to apply.

Good luck to her in the decision making process!

Thanks for info, LisaR! I was thinking the same about cost for Stetson ... amazing that they give you that much but still leaves a LOT. I have some hope that Rollins might provide a good bit, but we'll see. For Florida State she did get notified of some money recently (not huge, but anything helps) so maybe you'll hear soon. I think that ideally she would pick UVA (or maybe Amherst depending) but have to see what is in the cards. Best of luck to everyone else in this crazy process.

 

[Christine]

Thanks, Christine! We used to live in Richmond and always loved the campus there at UVA and reputation. I wish that I still had the Virginia address for tuition purposes though .. ha-ha!

Of course, if you still lived in Richmond you might get your chances downgraded by being in-state (although being outside of Northern VA helps). My son's friend, an in-state applicant, just got accepted to Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton but was deferred for UVA.

 

[tar heel]

Sideshow Bob - Good luck to your daughter on Carolina! As far as I'm (class of 1978, former pr staffer) concerned, it's the best school there is. My youngest son is a freshman and can't believe he even considered any other schools.

 

[SideshowBob]

Sideshow Bob - Good luck to your daughter on Carolina! As far as I'm (class of 1978, former pr staffer) concerned, it's the best school there is. My youngest son is a freshman and can't believe he even considered any other schools.

Thanks .. that is good to hear! That is the one school that she feels pretty certain two of her friends will be attending, so she added to her list. It is a beautiful area and seems like a great school.

 

[SideshowBob]

Of course, if you still lived in Richmond you might get your chances downgraded by being in-state (although being outside of Northern VA helps). My son's friend, an in-state applicant, just got accepted to Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton but was deferred for UVA.

Wowsa ... did not know that was the case. Good info.