Parents of HS students, why don't more kids do the 2+2 prgm to get into UVA/WM/VT (comm col first)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think most kids are desirious of the moving away from home and having a college experience like on TV and movies.

When you commute to CC, you are still dealing with your parents rules and watching your friends move on. It takes a very practical 18 year not to be affected by it. Also, as a parent, people are always asking you where is Jimmy going next year? You also have to be a pretty grounded parent, too. A lot the last two years of high school are college trips and talk.

Plus, it has got to be hard to make friends when everyone else has established relationships from living together freshman and sophomore year.

I have a high school senior, and the above is exactly why I want my son to go to a 4 year school for Freshman and Sophmore year, even if it means a less selective one.

[Anonymous]

I transferred from one top 25 school to another. It's really hard to acclimate to the social scene and make friends at the new school. I played a sport which helped a little, and all the transfer students bonded during our own little orientation, but it was still difficult and I feel like I missed out on the social and professional benefits of college connections and friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here,

Thanks for all the detailed reports and for the personal accounts and thoughts on why it does/doesn't work. I appreciate that this DCUM discussion was actually productive!! (and didn't devolve into some of the usual debates).

This has really given me something to think about re: the feasibility of actually getting the UVA or WM degree in the end vs. getting a degree at another university/college.

I have never worked harder, anywhere, than I did at William and Mary. Maybe it has changed now. But it will be an adjustment from cc.

I taught at William and mary and the strongest student in my seminar was an older former military guy who started out at community college. He is now a very successful lobbyist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is seriously talking about doing two years at NOVA and then finishing at UVA/W&M/Tech. We have no money and are low income, so he's thinking it will be the cheapest way to go. He has high SATs, his weighted GPA is higher than 4.0 with a lot of APs under his belt, and he has quality extracurriculars. I had wondered if he could get into a good private college that would be able to give him aid, but even a top student has a lot of competition, it seems.

Worth applying (you can often get waivers of the application fees based on income if you ask) to schools other than NVCC and then make a decision based on the options that present themselves. No reason with all that hard work to self-limit to just the NVCC/UVA/W&M/Tech path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is seriously talking about doing two years at NOVA and then finishing at UVA/W&M/Tech. We have no money and are low income, so he's thinking it will be the cheapest way to go. He has high SATs, his weighted GPA is higher than 4.0 with a lot of APs under his belt, and he has quality extracurriculars. I had wondered if he could get into a good private college that would be able to give him aid, but even a top student has a lot of competition, it seems.

Worth applying (you can often get waivers of the application fees based on income if you ask) to schools other than NVCC and then make a decision based on the options that present themselves. No reason with all that hard work to self-limit to just the NVCC/UVA/W&M/Tech path.

You can check it out, but please know there are other expenses: sometimes you get aid with tuition but not housing, books, etc.

I think that there is a website which lists local opportunities for scholarships--like American Legion, DAR, etc. You can apply for more than one, and might be surprised at how many opportunities are there. I have a neighbor who didn't even need the money but got a scholarship for several thousand a year. Ask the counselor.
The applications frequently require essays--but it is worth a try--even if you decide on Nova, he could use the money for books, etc.

[Anonymous]

http://collegeaccessfairfax.org/scholarships/

Here is a link. There is also information on FCPS website or at your school career center.

I cannot vouch for these links--they appear to be honest. Do be careful of scams.