Help me compare Boulder to u of AZ

[Anonymous]

Surprised at all the unfavorable comments about both schools, which I think are both excellent options for my DS who wants to experience a different part of country for college. He ended up applying only to Boulder and we’ll see. The area is beautiful. He does consider it safety and I see the biggest drawback is they are not generous with merit. UMCP I also consider safety and while the school may be better and obviously much cheaper in state, he wants to go farther away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just a thought...not a lot of personal experience, but CU might have more of a marijuana culture. We found marijuana use really rampant (very striking) on our last vacation to CO. Also have a friend (not in DMV) whose child attends CU Boulder (from out of state) and describes their child as a pothead. Obviously, this will not describe everyone - but it's definitely more overtly used and accepted in CO than in most of the DMV.

I haven't been to AZ since they legalized and don't have friends with kids currently there.

Even before legalization, whenever I heard that someone went to CU, i just assumed it was for skiiing or pot (or both!!!!). Is there any other reason to go to CU? I can't think of any.

If that's your view of the world, you need to leave your bubble more often.

Really???? Why else does someone travel 1500+ miles to pay high out-of-state tuition to attend a very average state university? It's either skiing or pot. Or both (getting high after hitting the slopes). That's it.

I'd love to hear how your kid explained their interest, and would love to know whether your kid to tell you their white lie and keep a straight face. LOL

I am a DP than who you were conversing with, but college is a time to push boundaries and expand horizons. Just going to an in-state flagship puts you with a hundred kids from your highschool and similarly with all your rival high schools. You are in the same state, same media, same politics, same stores same everything. A lot of kids want to experience something else, and make their own path. CU is one of a number of schools that are "national" in stature where one can do this. Maybe ask why you want such a myopic existence for your kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Surprised at all the unfavorable comments about both schools, which I think are both excellent options for my DS who wants to experience a different part of country for college. He ended up applying only to Boulder and we’ll see. The area is beautiful. He does consider it safety and I see the biggest drawback is they are not generous with merit. UMCP I also consider safety and while the school may be better and obviously much cheaper in state, he wants to go farther away.

One caveat, which may not be relevant for your child, but might be for others: CU Boulder is not a safety for engineering and some other competitive majors. It is very common to be admitted to "Exploratory Studies" instead - that's what makes it a safety for a lot of people. It may not be very difficult to later get into the engineering program, but it is not a cakewalk, either. For students interested in engineering, CS, etc., look up what the requirements would be to transfer from Exploratory Studies, just to keep that in mind.

[Anonymous]

Former coworker is now CFO of large healthcare company. CU grad.really smart and cool guy. Pulls in 7 figures.