DC can’t decide

[Anonymous]

JMU

[Anonymous]

1) W&M with fall study abroad option (I would not do CC)
2) SC
3) JMU

But really, I’d leave it entirely up to him.

[Anonymous]

JMU - he will love it!

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. I’m actually glad there are varying opinions becuase it clarifies to me that it’s not an easy choice.

If it were me going to school, I would take the WM and study abroad thing in a heartbeat. But he is not me. (Thank goodness.). He has different strengths and interests.

We’ve talked to the WM coach but becuase he’s on the bubble/walk on anyway, there’s not much interest to start. Which again, doesn’t bode well. But it’s a spring sport so he could probably tryout in spring. He would not want to go to Richard Bland cc and get an apartment for 4 months though. WM doesn’t have much for the Nova cohort, but they do have a 5 day January orientation. I’m trying to tell him to take the long view but, it makes him nervous.

DC is leaning very slightly toward SC. This one makes me the most nervous because of the distance, the culture (Greek, southern, party) and him being potentially lost at a big school. But, could be a good challenge.

After WM, I would choose JMU in his shoes, and he liked admitted students day, but I think for some reason it feels too safe or not challenging enough to him.

[Anonymous]

If he leans toward SC, then he should trust his instinct. Can’t go wrong with either JMU or SC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UofSC. Outside of this area JMU is unknown. Darla Moore is well respected. Every school is a party school depending on how social your child is

This

[Anonymous]

I think that there is a prestige tied to W&M in this area. Despite all of this back and forth on this board about which school is better between W&M and UVA, both schools have kept their reputation and prestige over the years. I know that back when I was looking for a job (out of college), many employers were impressed that I went there (it was often mentioned during interviews). No one cares how you started. The only thing that I would highly advise if your son does the spring transfer option is that he gets involved in a fraternity or a variety of activities immediately. Many people would have bonded already in the fall, so that will be the main challenge of spring admits

[Anonymous]

This is a hard choice! If it were me, I’d study abroad fall semester and go to W&M in spring. But if it was my kid, I’d let them pick whichever option felt right to them and would not push them in any direction based on my own preferences. I feel like as long as you can afford it, he should pick the option that just feels best to him.

I do understand why he wouldn’t want a Jan start but Why doesn’t your kid want to study abroad? It seems like a great option.

Also, FWIW, one of my close friends who is very liberal, kind of shy, and not southern went to u of SC and loved it! She said she got a great education and there are so many opportunities there in terms of clubs, Greek life, sports. It sounds like a good college experience to me. I don’t know about the business or pre-med program. My friend majored in international relations and has a great govt job now in DC area.

[Anonymous]

17:37 poster here. Hit reply before I weighed in on your question and then got interrupted. The parent of the W&M and JMU kids.

He has three good options. I haven't been to the University of South Carolina, but I've heard good things about the business school.

Has he visited all three schools? Our kids are happy at JMU and W&M.

[Anonymous]

A semester is no time at all. I would strongly favor the W&M option as it is definitely the strongest school.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely w+m. Take long view. Will be January in no time.

[Anonymous]

And did it again. PP again.

I think it is about "feel." Not really a bad option there. I don't know about South Carolina's pre-health/science but it has a great nursing school. JMU also has a good business school that is recruited from in the area. There are definitely parties but our kid there is not a partier and made great friends and has fun.

Our W&M transfer has had no problem meeting people and finding friends, and parties, by the way. I don understand his resistance to the spring start.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

My choice would be W&M, JMU, SCU, but I don’t think he would go wrong with any of them, so in the end it’s his preference that should drive the decision.

[Anonymous]

^dont know why I wrote SCU there, but you know what I mean and the point stands.

[Anonymous]

JMU and if not happy transfer.