URichmond vs. "top" VA publics?

[Anonymous]

DC likes URichmond, UVA, and W&M. Obviously there is a big cost difference, and we are in the ineligible-for-aid-but-it-won't-be-easy-to-pay-full-freight camp. Did/would anyone choose URichmond over the public options, and if so, what is the justification? (Assuming one is admitted to all three, of course.) I don't want DC to get heart set on URichmond if we would end up telling him we can't justify the private option. Thanks for any input.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC likes URichmond, UVA, and W&M. Obviously there is a big cost difference, and we are in the ineligible-for-aid-but-it-won't-be-easy-to-pay-full-freight camp. Did/would anyone choose URichmond over the public options, and if so, what is the justification? (Assuming one is admitted to all three, of course.) I don't want DC to get heart set on URichmond if we would end up telling him we can't justify the private option. Thanks for any input.

No way. UVA is a top 25 school that is less expensive. No brainer.

[Anonymous]

Unless UR has some super special program that interests your kid I'd push for W&M or UVA - better reputations. AND cheaper!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it, but if your DS is interested in a smaller liberal arts college, W&M is probably a better option than UVA.

[Anonymous]

^^I mean, I wouldn't pay full freight for UR. AND, if he wants a smaller LAC, then W&M is a better option than UVA.

[Anonymous]

I would apply to all of them and be frank with him from the beginning that finances are something that need to be taken in consideration, and how much more expensive Richmond is than UVA or W&M if he doesn't get any kind of aid. See where he gets in and if he gets any merit aid at University of Richmond. Then sit down and see what the picture looks like when you have all the information.

[Anonymous]

Of the three, DS doesn't stand a chance to get in WM or UVA, and he loved UR at the visit, and we can pay. We think it would be a good fit and he and dad hope they'll take him since we aren't going for FA. Personally, I hope he doesn't get in and goes to a second tier public

[Anonymous]

Doe he want to live in Richmond his whole life?

[Anonymous]

Richmond is great for history majors - you spend four years living in the past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of the three, DS doesn't stand a chance to get in WM or UVA, and he loved UR at the visit, and we can pay. We think it would be a good fit and he and dad hope they'll take him since we aren't going for FA. Personally, I hope he doesn't get in and goes to a second tier public

I'm confused, are you the OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of the three, DS doesn't stand a chance to get in WM or UVA, and he loved UR at the visit, and we can pay. We think it would be a good fit and he and dad hope they'll take him since we aren't going for FA. Personally, I hope he doesn't get in and goes to a second tier public

I'm confused, are you the OP?

No, I am the OP. I think my kid has a good shot at UVA and W&M based on Naviance. Am curious whether anyone who had one of these public options still chose UR, and if so, why. By the same token, would you choose another OOS SLAC over UVA and W&M, and if so, would it have to be one of the "top ten" SLACs to make it worthwhile? For example, maybe UR would not be worth it, but Bowdoin or Carleton would be? I ask because DC really likes the SLAC vibe. Maybe as another poster said W&M is the best choice for him, but wondered how others thought about the VA public vs SLAC decision. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I went to UR and its a great school. I went to the Business School and majored in accounting.

However, I could not justify the expense now for my children. Its just too much money!

[Anonymous]

No reason to entertain the distinction until he gets into all three ~ unless you want to do ED, and if W&M has ED, it does sound like the best option for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would apply to all of them and be frank with him from the beginning that finances are something that need to be taken in consideration, and how much more expensive Richmond is than UVA or W&M if he doesn't get any kind of aid. See where he gets in and if he gets any merit aid at University of Richmond. Then sit down and see what the picture looks like when you have all the information.

This is the best option, I think. Admissions is such a crap shoot.

I also went to UR, and loved it (and would have hated UVa) - I was much better suited for a SLAC that the other options. That said, when I went, UR was on the "best deal" list - if the pricetage had been then what it is now, no way I'd have been there. They claim that they give a lot of aid, but I'm always skeptical that someone in OP's situation would benefit.

Not sure there's enough difference between Bowdoin and UR to justify saying you'd pay for one, but not the other. Plus, the cultures at the schools are vastly different - it seems to me that the type of student that is interested in one might not be interested in the other.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I cannot imagine why someone would choose UR over UVA, W & M maybe closer but with the cost difference, I would think W&M comes out on top by a lot. If your son really wants to be in Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth (a public school) might be worth a look but if he can get into UVA, you should really push for that, among the options the best school at the best price.