Dilemma

[Anonymous]

OP here - DD applied where she wanted, looking for financial aid, but was headstrong about only applying to one state school. Her brother was accepted at the same school 4 years earlier with the same scores and a lower GPA with no APs, so she took a risk and lost. She knew my budget, we discussed many times and developed a spread sheet. This does not stop the dynamic with the ex painting me to to the bad guy. Sad part is he makes half my salary. Still I feel so sad for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have friends that had high GPA's in HS and wish they had started at community college first. In addition, I have friends that got a 2 year degree from community college and transferred to a 4 year school. Schools such as Mason have guaranteed admittance if you meet the requirements (for example, a 2.85 GPA).

I can't imagine most kids, especially those with a high GPA, who would choose to attend community college first, unless it came down to a matter of finances.

Many times, the kids who transfer from CC to 4-year universities need to attend an extra semester/extra session to get all of the necessary credits to graduate. A lot of people think it's going to be 2 years CC and 2 years at the transfer school, but that's not always the case.

As for the original question, I agree with the PP who asked why OP's DD was allowed to apply to the other schools in the first place.

Granted, I graduated from HS 20 years ago, and I know from my nieces that times have changed, a lot, but in my time, HS did not prepare most people for college. That is why my friends started off at community college, even with high GPA's. It had nothing to do with finances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here FWIW my DD Was a 3.9 student , APs and tried her best. does not test well.

Tell her it's a big ridiculous game and one way to game the system if she wants to go to her #1 school is to wait 1 semester.

You can't transfer with guaranteed admission after one semester.

With a 3.9 GPA?

The guaranteed admission program has very specific rules and you must attend CC for two years to qualify. (This is for the Virginia schools.)

I am not talking about the "guaranteed admissions program" I am talking about the game of admissions created by US News and World report. Her daughters SAT score is low, it will count against the schools admission criteria as measured by US News. Kids that enter the school in the 2nd semester do not have the SAT score figured into the score that determines rankings for US News. She can transfer after 1 semester because her grades are beyond good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here FWIW my DD Was a 3.9 student , APs and tried her best. does not test well.

Tell her it's a big ridiculous game and one way to game the system if she wants to go to her #1 school is to wait 1 semester.

You can't transfer with guaranteed admission after one semester.

With a 3.9 GPA?

The guaranteed admission program has very specific rules and you must attend CC for two years to qualify. (This is for the Virginia schools.)

I am not talking about the "guaranteed admissions program" I am talking about the game of admissions created by US News and World report. Her daughters SAT score is low, it will count against the schools admission criteria as measured by US News. Kids that enter the school in the 2nd semester do not have the SAT score figured into the score that determines rankings for US News. She can transfer after 1 semester because her grades are beyond good.

You are right about the whole starting 2nd semester and US News & World Report "situation". That is why it is much easier to get into a school as a transfer student as opposed to the 1st semester freshman - the schools do not have to post those students' scores in their rankings. However, I believe the better way to do it for the OP's daughter is to inquire whether the state school would accept her as a 2nd semester student and not necessarily as a transfer student from another school. This is the avenue a lot of schools are turning to - acceptance for spring semester of students who meet a lot of their criteria, but have low test scores. During the 1st semester when she would normally be in school she could stay home and get a job to earn some spending money for college. This would allow her to attend the state school at the lower cost without having to incur debt. Ultimately, you need to let your DD make her choice, even if she accepts that she will incur the debt. However, she should be given the encouragement and information to explore all of the avenues that could be taken without incurring debt first! Taking on student loans should be a last resort IMO.

With regard to your ex painting you as the bad guy - let it go. It sounds like your relationship isn't a great one, but that's not going to change over this issue. Be understanding and firm with your DD about what you're able to handle financially, but don't stoop to your ex's low tactics - your DD needs guidance now, not continuous fighting from her parents…leave her out of that!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, why not call the state school she really wants to attend and let them know they are her priority choice, would it be possible for her to start there in the second semester, either as a first semester freshman or as a transfer from a community college or from the more expensive private college. (If you transfer after one semester of, say, Oberlin, at least you gave only racked up a manageBle amount of debt.) Talk to someone who knows what they're doing and see if you can work something out. Be persistent! I would really try to work this out because your daughter got really good grades and it doesn't seem fair to screw her over on college choices, even though you tried to warn her about only applying to that one in-state school.

[Anonymous]

OP's dilemma is exactly why you see kids applying to 10-12 schools including reaches, safeties, and everything in between.

I feel for OP's DD. There are many colleges that offer rolling admission though it might be too late to get financial assistance.

Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your suggestions, my DD is resourceful and will work this out, I was temporarily shocked by my ex's attack, but I'll blow this off.

[Anonymous]

My son graduated HS with acceptable grades, nothing stellar. Did not get accepted to his first and second choices - both state schools. Went to CC in VA, read guaranteed admissions letters carefully, graduated from NOVA with 3.89. He was accepted to both of his choices, plus two schools that we did not even consider in our wildest dreams when he was in high school. He was also offered scholarships to the dream schools.

He grew up in CC when he started his program this year he knew what he wanted, and he knew how to get it. Saved us $50K too.

[Anonymous]

I gotta ask, how did he go to CC in VA if you lived in Chevy Chase? Same tuition?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I gotta ask, how did he go to CC in VA if you lived in Chevy Chase? Same tuition?

CC means community college, not chevy chase.

[Anonymous]

OP, it is not too late for her to apply to a few more schools that might be more affordable for you. Are you in VA? Christopher Newport and Mary Washington both have February 1 deadlines. In Maryland, I believe UMBC also has a 2/1 deadline.

Did your DD consider match/safety schools where she might get merit aid to bring the cost down? Some schools that are known for merit aid that have 2/1 or 2/15 deadlines include Goucher, Kalamazoo, Knox, Trinity (TX), Muhlenberg, Allegheny, Wooster, Earlham, Ohio Wesleyan.

Some state schools with relatively affordable OOS tuition and late deadlines: UNC Wilmington, UNC Asheville. Check the SUNY schools as well.