VT for Average Program vs Out of State for Highly Ranked Program

[Anonymous]

VT just accepted my kid for one of their average programs. They were also accepted months ago to an average out of state flagship, with a highly rated program for her major. The OOS school offered enough money to closely match VT’s in-state tuition. Travel to OOS school would require plane + 2 hour drive. We can afford both, but our college savings plan is the one for VA state schools, so we would get a penalty for the OOS. I was sort of hoping for a rejection from VT, so the decision would be easier. Any experience with this? Better progam far away, average program close-by? We are in NOVA.

[Anonymous]

Which one does your kid want to go to? I'd pick that one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which one does your kid want to go to? I'd pick that one.

She’s torn. She had commited to the OOS already, assuming VT would reject her.

[Anonymous]

Go to the admitted student days and focus on fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to the admitted student days and focus on fit.

Thanks. Yes, she will attend those. We are trying to have her weigh the pros and cons, but not steer her in either direction

[Anonymous]

What’s the major? I think that matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to the admitted student days and focus on fit.

Thanks. Yes, she will attend those. We are trying to have her weigh the pros and cons, but not steer her in either direction

We had our narrow and then make and excel with all the things that mattered to him. Color code the one that is stronger for each. Example location, food, distance from home, major, etc etc. and then add them up and see where the data comparison points. Also wear the t shirt for a day and see how they feel about a pretend commitment. The admitted student days are huge too. You see the likely classmates, you see the school now in the drivers seat. These exercises really helped and our son is happy as a clam at a school he could never have picked in January. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Multimedia Journalism at VT vs Journalism at Mizzou (yeah, will not be a high earner!). Interest in broadcasting. We are also trying to figure out which school will give the most AP credit. Double major/minor is also in play. Econ, Political Science, International Relations are all possible options.

[Anonymous]

You might think of other factors that aren't decision makers but combined with other things can tip the scales. For example, we visited an amazing OOS school for admitted day with our older kid, but it was 2 flights + 75 min drive from campus away. Enthusiasm began to wane when our evening flight back home got delayed.

That school's Thanksgiving break is Weds/Thurs/Friday. When adding in travel, it seemed like it'd be barely worth my kid coming home. VT gives students the entire Tgiving week off, and with a 3 hr drive to NC, she ends up with 9 days off with the weekends. It's a huge thing for a student to have a long break like that nearing final exam time. Granted, VT Fall break is only 1 day, but it's worth it for the long Thanksgiving.

Think broadly about fit, too. For my younger, he does a sport that isn't commonly found at many schools. I don't know that it was a huge decision point for him, but I suspect it played some role, and I can see how happy he is to still be participating. Think about how your student would plug into campus and whether one offers better opportunities based on their interests.

I know school is about academics, but these other non-tangibles can make a big difference with how well the student transitions & with mental health aspects.

I also wonder about department size? If VT's program is a lot smaller because it's not a huge attraction, that can sometimes be helpful with class sizes, opportunities for research, etc. Less competition for resources...

[Anonymous]

Priscilla Alvarez on CNN is a VT journalism grad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Multimedia Journalism at VT vs Journalism at Mizzou (yeah, will not be a high earner!). Interest in broadcasting. We are also trying to figure out which school will give the most AP credit. Double major/minor is also in play. Econ, Political Science, International Relations are all possible options.

VT grants a ton of AP credit. One of mine came in with 50 credits and the other 53 due solely to AP. That said, VT only allows 38 to be used towards their degree, so they each had to decline some. Wasn't a big deal because in both cases there was credit they didn't need because it duplicating something they were already using for the same purpose. My non-engineering student probably could graduate a year early if we planned for that - 38 credits is more than one year's coursework, and the AP covers most of his gen ed requirements not already being satisfied by stuff he needs for his major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Priscilla Alvarez on CNN is a VT journalism grad.

Hoda Kotb as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to the admitted student days and focus on fit.

+1
Also, what is an "average program"? I don't know what OOS school you're talking about, but VT is an excellent all-around school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Priscilla Alvarez on CNN is a VT journalism grad.

+1
As is Hoda Kotb! She's a proud Hokie and mentions this a lot in interviews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Multimedia Journalism at VT vs Journalism at Mizzou (yeah, will not be a high earner!). Interest in broadcasting. We are also trying to figure out which school will give the most AP credit. Double major/minor is also in play. Econ, Political Science, International Relations are all possible options.

Journalism is not a profession, it is a trade. Many journalists will tell you (DH included) to go with a solid major in English, history, economics and focus on learning to write and get journalism-based internships.