if it were you, not your kid: what would your school list look like and why

[Anonymous]

I loved my NE SLAC. If I did it again I’d probably apply to Richmond, Columbia, BU, GW, Duke, JMU, something in California like Santa Clara or USC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved my NE SLAC. If I did it again I’d probably apply to Richmond, Columbia, BU, GW, Duke, JMU, something in California like Santa Clara or USC.

Columbia/Duke and JMU are too far apart on the reach/safety spectrum. No one who has a prayer at the former is attending the latter, even as a safety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would pick a warm weather College with tons of women and a good party scene

This is the right answer. Go Sun Devils!

[Anonymous]

My list was totally different than his until
After we visited his list. Completely changed my mind. I am sure I was influenced by watching his happy face but I also realize he is not me and my opinion of schools is 30 years old.

We had just one disagreement. I made him put a school that is closer to DC and has a big DC network. But similar to his others. Alas, he did not get in so that saves a potential fight.

[Anonymous]

I have all the degrees I want, so I'll go someplace with where I can pass/fail my way through all the interesting humanities courses under a shade tree for the next ten years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would pick a warm weather College with tons of women and a good party scene

This is the right answer. Go Sun Devils!

Did you see the letter going allegedly kicking someone out of ASU for being on OF? I think it was probably fake but it was funny anyway.

I also avoided schools that were small but doing it over I might pick the 5Cs— combo of small and big and great weather which I think mellows people out more.

[Anonymous]

In this order:

1) Howard
2) Spelman/Morehouse
3) Tulane
3) NYU

[Anonymous]

Duke alum. Knowing what I know now, I’d apply to SLACs and Stanford (just for kicks!). I’m blown away by my DCs school and wish I’d had a college experience more on line with his.

[Anonymous]

I would have gone to Davidson. I have a kid there now and it’s my idea of perfect. Small classes, engaged students and professors, beautiful campus, and great little town by Lake Norman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved my NE SLAC. If I did it again I’d probably apply to Richmond, Columbia, BU, GW, Duke, JMU, something in California like Santa Clara or USC.

Columbia/Duke and JMU are too far apart on the reach/safety spectrum. No one who has a prayer at the former is attending the latter, even as a safety.

Irrelevant comment. We’re all playing pretend here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Duke alum. Knowing what I know now, I’d apply to SLACs and Stanford (just for kicks!). I’m blown away by my DCs school and wish I’d had a college experience more on line with his.

Can you share what school he’s at?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved my NE SLAC. If I did it again I’d probably apply to Richmond, Columbia, BU, GW, Duke, JMU, something in California like Santa Clara or USC.

Columbia/Duke and JMU are too far apart on the reach/safety spectrum. No one who has a prayer at the former is attending the latter, even as a safety.

This is not true. There are many reasons to choose JMU as a safety, first of which is being sure that you will get in! But distance from home, a beautiful campus, and excellent food and student life can make it very desirable. Also, if you are a student good enough to make Duke a reach, you should be good enough for not just the honors college at JMU, but have a real shot at a decent scholarship.

[Anonymous]

State flagship and rush a sorority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would have gone to Davidson. I have a kid there now and it’s my idea of perfect. Small classes, engaged students and professors, beautiful campus, and great little town by Lake Norman.

Duke alum here. I agree 100%!

[Anonymous]

Though these would have been completely unrealistic when I was applying to college - we were LMC and I went to the closest 4-year university to our home - today I'd try UC Santa Cruz, U of Vermont, or Fordham. Yes, it's all over the place in terms of location, but each of those places/campuses seem special to me.

My kid, who prefers close to home (we are currently in the Midwest) and a good STEM program, has at the top of his list: Northwestern, UMichigan, & U of I. Will see if that changes in the next year or so when he starts applying.