How did your kids narrow down choices?

[Anonymous]

DS applied most places EA (didn’t ED anywhere) and now has a nice selection of good options, but no obvious front-runner. He applied to a pretty diverse group of schools became he really wasn’t sure what he wanted. (FWIW, he applied mostly to northeast publics, a couple midwestern publics, a couple small LACs, and a handful of international schools.)

We’re going to try to visit every school he’s considering, but so far he has liked almost every school he’s seen and not fallen hard for any. I think he’d be happiest at one of the LACs, but naturally it’s the most expensive school on his list, even with pretty generous merit. And because I know people will ask, the US schools are pretty much all in the 50-120 range as far as USNWR rankings.

So, those of you who’ve BTDT, what did your kid do that helped figure out the best fit? Did admitted students days make a big difference for those who went?

[Anonymous]

Admitted students days

[Anonymous]

It's still early in senior year. It doesn't feel like it to us parents, but to the students they have half the school year to go. There is a lot of soul searching during this time of senior year. More students will be going through the same thing and they will lean on each other, discuss and focus re: what they want next.

All schools were acceptable to you for your DC. Final decision for them imo, will be a gut decision and no need to make it before they have to.

[Anonymous]

Both my kids had strong gut favorites.

Without one, I guess he has no choice but to go on visits. Did he see all of them already?

If he has a bunch to choose from, he might want to wait until accepted students day in case some are scheduled on the same day.

[Anonymous]

Oh, p.s. ... he should find out if any of the schools are doing Zooms for his specific program. That was actually very helpful for one of my kids.

[Anonymous]

SHEESH, I meant he might NOT want to wait until Accepted Students Day.

[Anonymous]

Mine liked all schools visited too. In the end narrowed down to top 3, admitted students days solidified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine liked all schools visited too. In the end narrowed down to top 3, admitted students days solidified.

Thanks, this seems like a good way forward. I think he could get it down to 3-4. It’s nice to have options!

[Anonymous]

DD came down to two LACs that seemed pretty similar. She did repeat visits at both, one for a scholarship interview and the other just for a day-long visit that was offered. For both she got to talk with some students, meet a professor, see the campus again. She came away with a clear feeling that the vibe was right at one and not at the other. For, her those focused visits were better than an admitted student day (she did go to that for her 1st choice) because she really doesn't like big crowds and it was more of a normal on-campus day.

But, it helped that she had been very clear on what she was looking for going into the applications-- her list of schools were all very similar to each other. With a very diverse list I'd say go back to what were the top priorities -- certain academic programs, location, etc. to trim it down. Then see if you can schedule visits at a time more convenient to you than just waiting on admitted student days. At the school DD ultimately accepted they arranged a visit where she sat in on a class, met with a professor, and had lunch with a couple students doing the program she wanted.

[Anonymous]

This is one of the reasons why God invented dartboards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is one of the reasons why God invented dartboards.

True and funny. Our oldest loved the tour and the vibe (pre-COVID - and the first tour they took, probably a little too early in high school). While waiting to hear back from the schools where they applied, our DC did more research and thinking on their prospective major. The one they loved at the tour stood out for our student.

Next DC picked a popular school but alot changed after the acceptance in terms of mental health, etc. Our student was miserable, nothing to do with the school really except that it was far away. They transferred sophomore year.

It really is a crapshoot.

[Anonymous]

Can your child narrow down their choice to 2 or 3 schools? Perhaps a pro/con list would help. Then, attend the top 2 Accepted Student Days.

[Anonymous]

DC last year got into 5 out of 8 schools.

Two were $15k more than others per year, without much more benefit. Still far away too. Off the list.
One was the highest ranked but also the “nerdiest” and least of a fit for DC, good cost but only had a spring start offer. Off the list.

Down to the top two:
One had an honors college offer with it and was the cheapest by $10k, but it felt too close and familiar. But it was a good option. Went to admitted students day and felt good.
One felt right but they knew no one there and it was far away. It was middle of the road cost wise too. But after a visit, it was the top option.

Went to the top option and had been loving it.

[Anonymous]

1. Reputation in their major
2. Net cost
3. Location
4. Prestige
5. Vibe

[Anonymous]

Easy. Admitted Student Days were key. He thought he wanted to go to the most selective program he'd gotten into. Went to their Admitted Student Day, was completely turned off by the vibe on campus and the inflexibility of the curriculum. Then went to the Admitted Student Day of another school, same major (better ranked nationally but less selective in actual numbers because larger), loved the vibe on campus and loved the flexibility of their offerings. It ended up being a no-brainer. The others were not seriously considered.