Organizing First Trip to Visit a Few Colleges

[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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Not exactly how I would have put it but, yeah, C of C is the third most sought after public school in the educational powerhouse of South Carolina… I’m pretty sure a 3.7/4.0 isn’t disqualifying.

[Anonymous]

Opposite experience of one poster. First school can often overwhelm or they don't know what to look for, etc. and can often be a strike only because it is first.

So, I agree to be careful with the first one but just as much because they may not give it a fair shot as that they may fall in love.

[Anonymous]

If you are in DC you can visit small, medium, large, urban, suburban, etc. to get a feel for what type of school before you set up the trip.

-Suburban feel - American
-Traditional East Coast (Ivy League) feel (in terms of buildings) - Georgetown
-Very urban - GW
-Smaller Catholic - Catholic
-Big State - University of MD

If they haven't been to any of the nearby campuses, it can give them a general idea of what they may be looking for. (The only one I can't think of is a really small undergrad population nearby but someone else probably can.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Academic peers are important. So if the average SAT there is 1100 and your kid scored 1400 then no that’s not a safety it is just a bad fit. The safety schools should also be a fit too.