Organizing First Trip to Visit a Few Colleges

[Anonymous]

My senior mainly agrees with the type of schools I recommend for him. However, because they are mostly similar - land grant state flagships or large universities of the same vintage - visiting a lot of them may not have been a positive.

My kids started joking that all the schools were alike.

There was a grain of truth to it.

We were not able to go on student-led tours because we needed to use typical school break times to tour. So we were more focusing on campus buildings, college towns, and regional geography.

[Anonymous]

I think UMW is a good call for a visit, but it's an easy day-trip and much of the rest of what's along I-95 doesn't seem to make much sense, so I'd head down I-81 instead. Hit JMU for sure, maybe break east for Lynchburg and/or Sweet Briar, continue on to Virginia Tech, Radford, and maybe Emory & Henry. Then continue into NC at least as far as App State, Warren Wilson, and UNC-Asheville, maybe continuing to Western Carolina and possibly even UTK. It's all beautiful country and offers a nice mix of schools to check out.

[Anonymous]

My DC had similar stats when we started looking and we hit Dickinson, Gettysburg, F&M, Lafayette, Bucknell. Yes, those are options with that GPA. Not saying your child will get into all, but they are potentials. Lots of other SLACs in PA as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Liberal going south are you stupid or just bad parenting?

College of Charleston is in red county after 2024 election a red state is no longer safe wake the hell up

Oos to red states where book banning and Ben Sasse now at UF you can not be this dumb

I propose we assume heretofore that all posters:

(a) fully understand what’s happening in red states, and are making any/all decisions with this in mind, so therefore do not require posts like this; and

(b) also fully understand the nature of progressive politics on college campuses and are similarly making informed decisions and therefore also do not require posts that warn them in all-caps about wokeness.

Who’s in?

So in

[Anonymous]

For DMV or north, consider St Mary’s College of MD, Dickinson and Juniata. They are not pressure cookers and are strong in science.

Take note after each school , so your kid can remember their (not your) reactions. Those notes may also come in handy when writing supplemental application essays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think UMW is a good call for a visit, but it's an easy day-trip and much of the rest of what's along I-95 doesn't seem to make much sense, so I'd head down I-81 instead. Hit JMU for sure, maybe break east for Lynchburg and/or Sweet Briar, continue on to Virginia Tech, Radford, and maybe Emory & Henry. Then continue into NC at least as far as App State, Warren Wilson, and UNC-Asheville, maybe continuing to Western Carolina and possibly even UTK. It's all beautiful country and offers a nice mix of schools to check out.

Radford (95% acceptance) for a kid with a 3.7UW/4.0W?

[Anonymous]

This is OP. Thank you to everyone who provided helpful information (and the "Red State" troll for entertainment - I think we can figure out how to navigate related issues, thank you!)

These schools are all good leads for heading south for a few day. A few follow up questions:

In the early summer, if we are to go north, what are some additional options? This child is a skiier, so even though I know it's all about that, I have wondered about UVM (perhaps a reach) and, while there, Champlaign College as someplace to get a sense of a small college but in a nice city. I've also wondered about other New England flagships, such as UNH and URI, but I sense they might be expensive OOS.

DC says they want a big school, but I do believe smaller to medium might be a better fit. That's another reason UVM may appeal, but again it may be a reach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Thank you to everyone who provided helpful information (and the "Red State" troll for entertainment - I think we can figure out how to navigate related issues, thank you!)

These schools are all good leads for heading south for a few day. A few follow up questions:

In the early summer, if we are to go north, what are some additional options? This child is a skiier, so even though I know it's all about that, I have wondered about UVM (perhaps a reach) and, while there, Champlaign College as someplace to get a sense of a small college but in a nice city. I've also wondered about other New England flagships, such as UNH and URI, but I sense they might be expensive OOS.

DC says they want a big school, but I do believe smaller to medium might be a better fit. That's another reason UVM may appeal, but again it may be a reach.

What attracts them to a big school? Are they looking for the big football/basketball scene?

[Anonymous]

Might be worth considering Clark University in MA. It’s a small research university with the attitude of an LAC. Smart, engaged kids (I’ve known several who attended, and I like them all a lot). I think it would be a good target for your kid’s stats. It’s in a city, but they have a ski club and lots of outing adventures. Just hits a really nice sweet spot.

Also in the same town are Holy Cross (a reach?), WPI, and I think Assumption, which several recent posters have highly recommended.

[Anonymous]

UVM - get the application in early and you have a better shot (as with all schools).

[Anonymous]

For heading North - check out Hobart. We recently did a tour and were very impressed. With those stats you should get good merit. My DC was looking at smaller schools and St. Lawrence was on the list (as was Clark that someone else mentioned). It is not a short drive but if you are considering University of VT, it can't be materially different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Thank you to everyone who provided helpful information (and the "Red State" troll for entertainment - I think we can figure out how to navigate related issues, thank you!)

These schools are all good leads for heading south for a few day. A few follow up questions:

In the early summer, if we are to go north, what are some additional options? This child is a skiier, so even though I know it's all about that, I have wondered about UVM (perhaps a reach) and, while there, Champlaign College as someplace to get a sense of a small college but in a nice city. I've also wondered about other New England flagships, such as UNH and URI, but I sense they might be expensive OOS.

DC says they want a big school, but I do believe smaller to medium might be a better fit. That's another reason UVM may appeal, but again it may be a reach.

First, definitely check out App State on your southern swing--from what you've written so far, I really think that might be the one.

Second, the NE flagships all are pretty expensive OOS but it can't hurt to float in a few applications and see where the COA ends up. UVM/Burlington is great. I'd also check out UMass Amherst en route there. (I don't think URI is the answer for skiing. UNH? Maaaaaybe.)

[Anonymous]

I would try to visit colleges, preferably in-state, in different settings - urban, suburban, rural/college town.

Agree that student is more likely to fall in love with one of the first few campuses visited, so choose those wisely.

Be careful that many universities now have student housing ranging from opulent to spartan - and that student housing plus meals often dwarfs the tuition/other fees expenses (see recent WSJ article on this). Best if student does not pick the college based on accidentally visiting the most opulent/tre expensive housing option of that school.

Agree with not visiting a school one knows one cannot afford.

If student has a good idea of likely/intended major, then be sure to filter for schools where that department is strong and has a good breadth of upper class departmental electives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, with those scores and little rigger College of Charleston may be a stretch. South Carolina is definitely off the table. I would look more into the smaller schools for example, Furman, Stetson, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Carolina. All the competitive schools will be looking at rigger, and if your child doesn’t have it with a GPA like that, the choices will be limited, honestly.

Go on college confidential and look at the admit page for College of Charleston. The average is 4.0 with lots of APs.

BS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think UMW is a good call for a visit, but it's an easy day-trip and much of the rest of what's along I-95 doesn't seem to make much sense, so I'd head down I-81 instead. Hit JMU for sure, maybe break east for Lynchburg and/or Sweet Briar, continue on to Virginia Tech, Radford, and maybe Emory & Henry. Then continue into NC at least as far as App State, Warren Wilson, and UNC-Asheville, maybe continuing to Western Carolina and possibly even UTK. It's all beautiful country and offers a nice mix of schools to check out.

Radford (95% acceptance) for a kid with a 3.7UW/4.0W?

Right. Selectivity = quality. And no one should have safeties. Got it. Thank you for your contribution.