Deciding on college

[Anonymous]

DC's top 2 choices are a large public and a small private that would cost about $100K more over 4 years (which we are fine with). DC has mild ADHD/EF issues and we think the private college is the way to go but DC want's the large campus/ sports vibe and is ready to commit to the public school. How much should we push for the private school? I get the "we just let them go to the public, potentially not do well and learn a lesson" POV but can't come to terms with it. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

We are struggling with a similar dilemma. Our child has severe ADHD/EF issues and the small, more expensive private is one of those known for their services for kids with LDs. But is that worth the extra $60k that we don’t have right at this moment vs the state school we can pay in full?

I need to appeal to the private school because the “scholarship” from them is talent based and I know they have more money in that pot as other kids turn them down. If they could throw another $5-10k/year our way (which I can almost guarantee isn’t “real money” just discounts), that would absolutely be the pick.

[Anonymous]

Our ADHD kid with an EF tutor we still pay once a week is at a large OOS flagship and doing fine. 1. Receives services through the office of disabilities and 2. We pay the EF tutor to help keep them on track. 3. freshman year all the schools have LLCs (Living Learning Communities) where they group kids with similar interests to make a smaller community within the large school. Could by by major or an interest in cooking or LGBT or arts or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our ADHD kid with an EF tutor we still pay once a week is at a large OOS flagship and doing fine. 1. Receives services through the office of disabilities and 2. We pay the EF tutor to help keep them on track. 3. freshman year all the schools have LLCs (Living Learning Communities) where they group kids with similar interests to make a smaller community within the large school. Could by by major or an interest in cooking or LGBT or arts or whatever.

Is the EF tutor online? Any recs on how to get one? I wish I had done this for my daughter earlier, but she was also in a program in high school that was supposed to help her with these things and it just didn’t go as planned.

[Anonymous]

Is this a reason for normal kids to forgo slacs. Are they filled with kids that have learning and other issues? We have a HS in our county that is known to be good for that type and I know many kids where it’s not a good for because they are heteronormative.

[Anonymous]

Not sure ALL schools have LLCs, but it is a nice option where available. At the state school I mention in my above post, there is an arts dorm/community that my child is interested in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this a reason for normal kids to forgo slacs. Are they filled with kids that have learning and other issues? We have a HS in our county that is known to be good for that type and I know many kids where it’s not a good for because they are heteronormative.

It is very school dependent. The school I am talking about has a special program kids apply to and parents pay extra for on top of the tuition. It is NOT a selective LAC.

[Anonymous]

Did they visit both? My child did and felt really overwhelmed by the public and ended up going with the SLAC instead. It was less about services and more that they also felt they would stay more engaged with the material/subject and the professor of classes were smaller.

[Anonymous]

We have a similar issue: UVA, William and Mary, and SLAC. I feel like William and Mary is the obvious solution but I think it feels like the compromise choice.

But we have to let them decide, right?

Interested in the EF coach. Can PP explain and/or recommend?

[Anonymous]

FFS, “normal kids.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a similar issue: UVA, William and Mary, and SLAC. I feel like William and Mary is the obvious solution but I think it feels like the compromise choice.

But we have to let them decide, right?

Interested in the EF coach. Can PP explain and/or recommend?

I wish “let them decide” was an option for us, but the money matters for us. I wish we had unlimited funds, but we don’t.

[Anonymous]

I would let them go to the larger school and spend the extra money on EF coaches/tutors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a similar issue: UVA, William and Mary, and SLAC. I feel like William and Mary is the obvious solution but I think it feels like the compromise choice.

But we have to let them decide, right?

Interested in the EF coach. Can PP explain and/or recommend?

My kid is still in high school, but our college counselor (who specializes in students with disabilities) recommends Focus Collegiate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this a reason for normal kids to forgo slacs. Are they filled with kids that have learning and other issues? We have a HS in our county that is known to be good for that type and I know many kids where it’s not a good for because they are heteronormative.

What an uniformed and biased suggestion. Just because a kid has a learning difference doesn't make for any "type. " What does that even mean? My adhd kid is headed to a T10 this Fall and will be accessing resources. But, maybe T10 is not your type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this a reason for normal kids to forgo slacs. Are they filled with kids that have learning and other issues? We have a HS in our county that is known to be good for that type and I know many kids where it’s not a good for because they are heteronormative.

OP. No. Kids with special needs such as these are a small fraction of most colleges. Some schools are good at providing these services and some aren't. Just because a SLAC is good at it doesn't mean all students there require these services.