Hidden Gems

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Denison, Grinnell and Vassar

Odd response. These are not hidden gems at all. They're well-known schools with competitive admissions.

Well, I know a kid that was rejected by TU, F&M and St Olaf, TU was dream univ for him. However he was selected by Vassar, and Grinnell.. he had a real tough time on which one to accept.. finally went with Grinnell

TU as in Trinity U in San Antonio?

That is so odd

Yes.. I checked with his parents, he was also accepted for Union and Denison, but rejected from Skidmore

How did that text go - "Hey Larla, no time no talk! trying to prove a point on the internet, where did your kid get rejected from? hopefully see you at pickleball soon!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For this region: Indiana/Bloomington, Colorado/Boulder, Arizona, Iowa, Oregon, New Hampshire. All are good state flagships, with solid programs, attractive campuses, nice towns, and a mix of in-state and OOS students. And each has an acceptance rate above 79% (... because some students don't have a serious shot at Harvard or UCLA or maybe even College Park). As a native Californian, it's surprised me how quickly people in this region (who aren't resource-constrained) are prepared to write off those fine state flagships based on either their stereotyped image of the state (despite university towns usually being political anomalies, wherever they're located), or the duration of the plane ride, or the assumption that a high acceptance rate must automatically mean sub-par education quality. And they instead start adjusting their sights to lesser state schools (esp in the mid-Atlantic or South), or to second-tier/regional campuses, or to financially weak SLACs -- all located within a state or two of DC. Californians think nothing of traveling a time zone or more away for college - why is that here in the DMV people seem to think that's something you'd only ever do for a "T20" school?

I think after covid some people don't like the idea of their kid being stranded 2,000 miles away. I pretty much agree with you though. We are looking at most of the schools you listed.

You mean their adult? Jesus Christ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's your favorite safety or low target?

A place you think is underrated, or an easier admit from here because of geography. A place with new and exciting growth, or an old reliable that doesn't get the ink. A school that blew you away during a tour, or you think will be impossible to get into in 10 years.

Lewis and Clark seems to be very good.

Portland may have a lot of homeless people, but it’s safe and lovely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For this region: Indiana/Bloomington, Colorado/Boulder, Arizona, Iowa, Oregon, New Hampshire. All are good state flagships, with solid programs, attractive campuses, nice towns, and a mix of in-state and OOS students. And each has an acceptance rate above 79% (... because some students don't have a serious shot at Harvard or UCLA or maybe even College Park). As a native Californian, it's surprised me how quickly people in this region (who aren't resource-constrained) are prepared to write off those fine state flagships based on either their stereotyped image of the state (despite university towns usually being political anomalies, wherever they're located), or the duration of the plane ride, or the assumption that a high acceptance rate must automatically mean sub-par education quality. And they instead start adjusting their sights to lesser state schools (esp in the mid-Atlantic or South), or to second-tier/regional campuses, or to financially weak SLACs -- all located within a state or two of DC. Californians think nothing of traveling a time zone or more away for college - why is that here in the DMV people seem to think that's something you'd only ever do for a "T20" school?

I think after covid some people don't like the idea of their kid being stranded 2,000 miles away. I pretty much agree with you though. We are looking at most of the schools you listed.

You mean their adult? Jesus Christ.

Most college students are still mostly dependent on their parents. And Covid was crazy with the almost immediate need to vacate AND relocate stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's College of Maryland, lovely little school. Gorgeous location on the water.

It’s my kid’s top choice after a visit this fall. Beautiful place, LAC offerings, and in-state tuition. And I keep running into people I admire who either went there or whose kids went there, so it feels like it is doing something right!

Are the students smart and motivated there? My DS liked it too, but is a studious kid and wants to be around other students who love to learn

Smart and motivated yes, for sure. But it’s not a super intense school, either. There are kids who could have gone to College Park but wanted a SLAC environment, or would have been happy at some small NE SLAC but don’t see the point of paying private prices when a similar experience is available for public price.

There are also kids who came out of high school with a 3.0 or 3.4 GPA for dozens of different reasons, but still want a serious school. My kid is one of those - smart, motivated, and curious but has taken some time to figure herself out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just can’t think of any UC school as a hidden gem.

Maybe Merced?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just can’t think of any UC school as a hidden gem.

Maybe Merced?

Not even close

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For this region: Indiana/Bloomington, Colorado/Boulder, Arizona, Iowa, Oregon, New Hampshire. All are good state flagships, with solid programs, attractive campuses, nice towns, and a mix of in-state and OOS students. And each has an acceptance rate above 79% (... because some students don't have a serious shot at Harvard or UCLA or maybe even College Park). As a native Californian, it's surprised me how quickly people in this region (who aren't resource-constrained) are prepared to write off those fine state flagships based on either their stereotyped image of the state (despite university towns usually being political anomalies, wherever they're located), or the duration of the plane ride, or the assumption that a high acceptance rate must automatically mean sub-par education quality. And they instead start adjusting their sights to lesser state schools (esp in the mid-Atlantic or South), or to second-tier/regional campuses, or to financially weak SLACs -- all located within a state or two of DC. Californians think nothing of traveling a time zone or more away for college - why is that here in the DMV people seem to think that's something you'd only ever do for a "T20" school?

Went to a state flagship as a oos and it can be lonesome. Many kids went there with their hs friends, and many went home on weekends. I was too far to go home. I would like to see my kids so prefer them to be closer.

[Anonymous]

My kid's college list year: (accepted and toured)

St Mary's
Washington College
Washington & Jefferson
Wooster
Allegheny
Sweet Briar

She liked Allegheny the best and seems very happy there. I liked them all. It was a nice problem to have!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid's college list year: (accepted and toured)

St Mary's
Washington College
Washington & Jefferson
Wooster
Allegheny
Sweet Briar

She liked Allegheny the best and seems very happy there. I liked them all. It was a nice problem to have!

Wooster is fantastic. It's profiled extensively in Ron Lieber's book, The Price You Pay for College, and the college guide, Colleges Worth Your Money. This school is the real deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For this region: Indiana/Bloomington, Colorado/Boulder, Arizona, Iowa, Oregon, New Hampshire. All are good state flagships, with solid programs, attractive campuses, nice towns, and a mix of in-state and OOS students. And each has an acceptance rate above 79% (... because some students don't have a serious shot at Harvard or UCLA or maybe even College Park). As a native Californian, it's surprised me how quickly people in this region (who aren't resource-constrained) are prepared to write off those fine state flagships based on either their stereotyped image of the state (despite university towns usually being political anomalies, wherever they're located), or the duration of the plane ride, or the assumption that a high acceptance rate must automatically mean sub-par education quality. And they instead start adjusting their sights to lesser state schools (esp in the mid-Atlantic or South), or to second-tier/regional campuses, or to financially weak SLACs -- all located within a state or two of DC. Californians think nothing of traveling a time zone or more away for college - why is that here in the DMV people seem to think that's something you'd only ever do for a "T20" school?

I think after covid some people don't like the idea of their kid being stranded 2,000 miles away. I pretty much agree with you though. We are looking at most of the schools you listed.

You mean their adult? Jesus Christ.

Adult chronologically and in a legal sense, still a child emotionally and behaviorally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For this region: Indiana/Bloomington, Colorado/Boulder, Arizona, Iowa, Oregon, New Hampshire. All are good state flagships, with solid programs, attractive campuses, nice towns, and a mix of in-state and OOS students. And each has an acceptance rate above 79% (... because some students don't have a serious shot at Harvard or UCLA or maybe even College Park). As a native Californian, it's surprised me how quickly people in this region (who aren't resource-constrained) are prepared to write off those fine state flagships based on either their stereotyped image of the state (despite university towns usually being political anomalies, wherever they're located), or the duration of the plane ride, or the assumption that a high acceptance rate must automatically mean sub-par education quality. And they instead start adjusting their sights to lesser state schools (esp in the mid-Atlantic or South), or to second-tier/regional campuses, or to financially weak SLACs -- all located within a state or two of DC. Californians think nothing of traveling a time zone or more away for college - why is that here in the DMV people seem to think that's something you'd only ever do for a "T20" school?

Gov jobs don't cover the OOS tuition rate. Hard to justify CU at $90 + travel expenses vs JMU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid's college list year: (accepted and toured)

St Mary's
Washington College
Washington & Jefferson
Wooster
Allegheny
Sweet Briar

She liked Allegheny the best and seems very happy there. I liked them all. It was a nice problem to have!

Wooster is fantastic. It's profiled extensively in Ron Lieber's book, The Price You Pay for College, and the college guide, Colleges Worth Your Money. This school is the real deal.

We really liked it. Every kind of kid, the campus was vibrant and very friendly, and it had the most coherent approach to student services we saw anywhere. They also made a great offer to DC that would have been less than in-state public. (Also FWIW to anyone who needs this, DC has a chronic illness and the health services were unusually good for a school of this size).

[Anonymous]

Scranton parent here. I'll agree that it fits the criteria of a hidden gem. I'm sure a lot of DCUM parents think they would never send their kid to Scranton. We have five kids (yep, Catholic) and so keeping costs manageable was a high priority. My DC got huge merit aid. They're in the business school and have had no trouble securing internships. (That was one of our concerns.) Super, super happy, with an intramural sport, friends, study abroad. It's a really nice school.

FWIW, first two kids went to Penn State. This one wanted a small environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Scranton parent here. I'll agree that it fits the criteria of a hidden gem. I'm sure a lot of DCUM parents think they would never send their kid to Scranton. We have five kids (yep, Catholic) and so keeping costs manageable was a high priority. My DC got huge merit aid. They're in the business school and have had no trouble securing internships. (That was one of our concerns.) Super, super happy, with an intramural sport, friends, study abroad. It's a really nice school.

FWIW, first two kids went to Penn State. This one wanted a small environment.

Are you in PA?