Good alternatives to UVA and William and Mary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son just isn't quite strong enough to get into either school. Is the realistic second tier choice Madison or Tech? My son is a junior now. Thanks.

Not on point, but can I really encourage you not to think in terms of second tier? What you're saying (whether to yourself or to your son) is that he already has failed, or isn't "good enough".

The first-tier college is the one which is a right fit for YOUR child in terms of academics, student body, location, price, and other issues that matter. Focusing on the fact that he isn't "good enough" for UVa, makes it seem like wherever he ends up makes him an also ran.

Signed, parent of a wonderful child who applied to all those "second tier" schools but ended up very happy.

Not to be mean, but there are first-tier and lower-tier schools. Doesn't mean a lower ranked school won't be a good fit or the student might not be happy. We can't all go to the top ranked schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to be mean, but there are first-tier and lower-tier schools. Doesn't mean a lower ranked school won't be a good fit or the student might not be happy. We can't all go to the top ranked schools.

PP here (happened to be online just as you posted!). I agree that in reality that's the case, having myself gone to what I'd consider a 2nd or 3rd tier undergrad but 1st tier law school.

I'm just encouraging the mom to think of it and phrase it more as "I have a bright child with a good but not great GPA, who think he might want to study engineering. We're interested in large-sized state schools/small liberal arts colleges/whatever. Any suggestions?"

You're right, it's probably just semantics, just in the pressure cooker of this area, I hope that OP and her family aren't feeling like also-rans because he's headed to Virginia Commonweath University rather than W&M.

[Anonymous]

Go someplace happy, where students aren't getting abducted (Uva), killed by lacrosee players (Uva.), massacred (V tech), decapitated (V tech), undergoing suicide epidemics (W@M). Surprisingly, Charlottesville has a VERY high crime rate. Clemson would fit the bill.

[Anonymous]

Ignore the last poster. Sounds like the same crazy person who's on a rampage to disparage Virginia schools and promote the University of Maryland. Sadly, all that poster does is reinforce my notion that the University of Maryland is NOT where I'd want to send my DCs.

[Anonymous]

Umd would be another good choice but almost impossible to get into these days. Clemson, Penn state, wake forest. Have become very popular as well.

[Anonymous]

Jmu seems like a lot of nice kids go there. Kind of strange how 81 runs right thru the middle of campus tho.

[Anonymous]

Catholic? What about Georgetown, Villanova etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Umd would be another good choice but almost impossible to get into these days. Clemson, Penn state, wake forest. Have become very popular as well.

this is a wind-up of course, but I'll take the bait. Penn State hs been scratched off our list because of the rampant alcoholism there.
And I don't think UMD/College Park is much better, esp. will all the riots after basketball games, and the grimy inner-city aspect of College Park would be too depressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Umd would be another good choice but almost impossible to get into these days. Clemson, Penn state, wake forest. Have become very popular as well.

this is a wind-up of course, but I'll take the bait. Penn State hs been scratched off our list because of the rampant alcoholism there.
And I don't think UMD/College Park is much better, esp. will all the riots after basketball games, and the grimy inner-city aspect of College Park would be too depressing.

UVA has a *HUGE* problem with alcoholism, especially at the freshman, oops I mean *first year* level. That said, my DD still has it on her list, though we are pretty sure it is too big for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Umd would be another good choice but almost impossible to get into these days. Clemson, Penn state, wake forest. Have become very popular as well.

this is a wind-up of course, but I'll take the bait. Penn State hs been scratched off our list because of the rampant alcoholism there.
And I don't think UMD/College Park is much better, esp. will all the riots after basketball games, and the grimy inner-city aspect of College Park would be too depressing.

UVA has a *HUGE* problem with alcoholism, especially at the freshman, oops I mean *first year* level. That said, my DD still has it on her list, though we are pretty sure it is too big for her.

I think you mean drinking rather than alcoholism.
Penn State was named this year as the number one party school in America. That sounds fine to me ... but I have read accounts that actual alcoholism has become a problem there. See you're out there in farm country and not alot to do but drink, unlike Charlottesville.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go someplace happy, where students aren't getting abducted (Uva), killed by lacrosee players (Uva.), massacred (V tech), decapitated (V tech), undergoing suicide epidemics (W@M). Surprisingly, Charlottesville has a VERY high crime rate. Clemson would fit the bill.

I have to agree with much of what you are saying.
I graduated from U. Va. , loved the school , but I do not want my daughter to attend. Even though I believe the tragedies that happened there could happen anywhere, it is more of the good old boy network there that I am opposed to.
Unfortunately many college towns have high crime/rape rates.

[Anonymous]

See you're out there in farm country and not alot to do but drink, unlike Charlottesville.

Right. Charlottesville is so very cosmopolitan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Umd would be another good choice but almost impossible to get into these days. Clemson, Penn state, wake forest. Have become very popular as well.

this is a wind-up of course, but I'll take the bait. Penn State hs been scratched off our list because of the rampant alcoholism there.
And I don't think UMD/College Park is much better, esp. will all the riots after basketball games, and the grimy inner-city aspect of College Park would be too depressing.

UVA has a *HUGE* problem with alcoholism, especially at the freshman, oops I mean *first year* level. That said, my DD still has it on her list, though we are pretty sure it is too big for her.

I think you mean drinking rather than alcoholism.
Penn State was named this year as the number one party school in America. That sounds fine to me ... but I have read accounts that actual alcoholism has become a problem there. See you're out there in farm country and not alot to do but drink, unlike Charlottesville.

oops! you are correct that is what I meant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

See you're out there in farm country and not alot to do but drink, unlike Charlottesville.

Right. Charlottesville is so very cosmopolitan.

Charlottesville*IS* very nice and quite cool, but State College is pretty damn cool, too. There is a LOT there. I agree that the drinking is a huge problem at all colleges, particularly the large universities, but if you have a kid with a good head on their shoulders who really wants to go to these schools I wouldn't let the drinking deter you.

I really wish they would lower the drinking age. I believe the big problem is the kids sitting in their rooms bingeing. Back in my day, we certainly drank in college, but we could go to a bar and have a beer in public and probably dance, too. It wasn't just sitting around getting s#!tfaced. Much healthier.

[Anonymous]

So we all agree...Clemson.