What kind of school best for dc who is somewhat helpless?

[Anonymous]

My dd does well in school but is constantly asking for guidance with everything like how to write an email and what to say on the phone and things of that nature. She does OK socially but she’s not the most adept. Do you think she would do better at a school where she could be quite successful and gain some confidence or a school where she will be around higher achieving people?

[Anonymous]

slac

[Anonymous]

I think Northeastern with the coop program would be a perfect fit - encourages them to develop independence while keeping safeguards in place to ensure they stay on track. A true gem of an institution

[Anonymous]

I don’t think the variable is the academic credentials and ambitiousness of her peers, I think it’s the size of the school.

I went to a selective, but small school known for its academic rigor in STEM majors. I probably fared better there than I would have at a large state school because I had a personal relationship with staff and peers. I wasn’t just a number navigating the bureaucracy. I had a really tough class and went to all of my professor’s office hours and he asked me point blank how I was doing in my other classes. I had a professor call and ask if I was ok when I missed class. The grad students in my department were mentors. There were only 75 women in my sorority, not hundreds.

That said, I am an only child and came to college having experienced a lot of independence - and quickly realized that is not the norm for most freshman. I was known in my sorority house as being “good at adulting”, so sisters would ask me to go with them to get their car inspection or call and make a Dr appointment for them.

Part of college is learning how to be independent and to trust your own judgment. A smaller school will probably be a better fit to help launch her into self sufficiency because she needs to learn how not to be helpless before she enters the workforce.

[Anonymous]

Start teaching your kid life skills now before they go to college.

I made my kids call offices, stores, etc.. to ask the question they wanted me to ask. I made them write emails to xyz asking for whatever they needed to know; I proof read it. They didn't want to do it, but I made them.

Teach your kid to advocate for themself now. You are doing a disservice to them if you don't do this now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the variable is the academic credentials and ambitiousness of her peers, I think it’s the size of the school.

I went to a selective, but small school known for its academic rigor in STEM majors. I probably fared better there than I would have at a large state school because I had a personal relationship with staff and peers. I wasn’t just a number navigating the bureaucracy. I had a really tough class and went to all of my professor’s office hours and he asked me point blank how I was doing in my other classes. I had a professor call and ask if I was ok when I missed class. The grad students in my department were mentors. There were only 75 women in my sorority, not hundreds.

That said, I am an only child and came to college having experienced a lot of independence - and quickly realized that is not the norm for most freshman. I was known in my sorority house as being “good at adulting”, so sisters would ask me to go with them to get their car inspection or call and make a Dr appointment for them.

Part of college is learning how to be independent and to trust your own judgment. A smaller school will probably be a better fit to help launch her into self sufficiency because she needs to learn how not to be helpless before she enters the workforce.

Would you mind identifying this gem of a school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dd does well in school but is constantly asking for guidance with everything like how to write an email and what to say on the phone and things of that nature. She does OK socially but she’s not the most adept. Do you think she would do better at a school where she could be quite successful and gain some confidence or a school where she will be around higher achieving people?

Mason.

[Anonymous]

Read the Colleges that Change Lives book.

I would recommend Juniata.

One of the qualities that they try to instill in their graduates is kindness. There is a great sense of community on campus. But they also give them opportunities to develop confidence and leadership skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Northeastern with the coop program would be a perfect fit - encourages them to develop independence while keeping safeguards in place to ensure they stay on track. A true gem of an institution

Give it a rest already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dd does well in school but is constantly asking for guidance with everything like how to write an email and what to say on the phone and things of that nature. She does OK socially but she’s not the most adept. Do you think she would do better at a school where she could be quite successful and gain some confidence or a school where she will be around higher achieving people?

That’s my sister. Went to Harvard lol

[Anonymous]

McDaniel College in Westminster, MD fits the bill.

[Anonymous]

I would urge her to try using chatgpt as a buddy or this type of thing. It might help her gain confidence quickly

[Anonymous]

*for

[Anonymous]

Tell her to always ask Google first before she asks someone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Start teaching your kid life skills now before they go to college.

I made my kids call offices, stores, etc.. to ask the question they wanted me to ask. I made them write emails to xyz asking for whatever they needed to know; I proof read it. They didn't want to do it, but I made them.

Teach your kid to advocate for themself now. You are doing a disservice to them if you don't do this now.

💯 same