For a Great, but not Over-Accomplished Student, Is there Any Reason to Look Outside Virginia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you pay out of state tuition rates when you can stay in state? Why would you pay $35,000 for tuition at UNC you can pay $14,000 for VT, etc.? If you get a decent offer from a university in Virginia, then you take it.

If talking about “sticker price,” you are right. Your view would be solid if it weren’t for both merit & need aid, which can result in net prices below the in-state public bargains.

[Anonymous]

DS from FCPS HS class of '23 applied to 12 schools only 2 of which were VA. CS major. Accepted WM and WL UVA. Chose UMD with merit. $2k more per year than UVA engineering, $5k more than WM.

[Anonymous]

all depends
not enough information

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's a big jump you're making there. There're a lot of schools between the Harvard/Duke level and the Virginia in-state options. Doesn't hurt to look outside, but yes the in-state tuition is nice at a lot of great schools.

I agree with this. DD probably would have been headed to JMU (maaaaybe VT) or lower VA school but unexpectedly got into her around T50 private reach school. She really did a turn around academically and absolutely loved every minute of college. She thinks had she gone to VT (where most of her friends ended up) or other instate college that she would have just coasted along like she did in high school. So there's lots more that goes into the college success equation.

I have students at instate colleges and wonder why you think they're "coasting". It's not as if OOS schools are somehow more rigorous than ours. In a lot of cases, it's quite the opposite.

Why do you think pp is doing anything but sharing her own kid’s experience and opinion?
But sure, we’ll pay full price if the choice is a private T50 where kid really wants to go over JMU. Any day. But that’s us. I don’t judge your kids at CNU or wherever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is a strong student with good academics but never really forced himself to get a bunch of leadership positions or create clubs he had no interest in just for college. As a result, we don’t think he’d say Harvard or Duke caliber, but he’s still looking for a good school. Given that VA has so many strong options, does it even make sense to look outside of UVA, VT, W&M, etc.?

Definitely it makes sense to look at OOS schools. UVA, VT, W&M admissions are fairly tough admissions. Last few years I have known families whose kids went into the admissions process knowing VT admission was a long shot but were able to get into similarly rated midwestern schools.

And it is not just kids with lower stats who run into issues - every year Virginia families post to this board shocked their kids did not get into UVA, VT, W&M with high GPAs and Test Scores. So again good to cast a wider net and secure a good OOS admission even if you prefer UVA, VT, W&M. Many OOS schools will also offer significant discounts for strong OOS applicants so the cost difference between OOS and VA schools can be much less than expected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you were buying a car, would you look at options or just get whatever your local dealer has.

Obviously the price is the difference. A BIG difference. Even if you can afford more, does it make sense to spend it when you could save it for grad school? These are such great schools of all different types in state VA. My kids applied elsewhere but in the end nothing compared.

+1. There are very few schools that justify the price to us. Virginia has a great variety of excellent options.

So without looking at the Harvard/Duke level, are there really any? That seems to be the question. Is, say WashU or Georgetown worth it over in-state UVA? Is Cornell or Rice worth it? Let alone schools at Harvard/Duke level?

My DC and I looked at a list and we decided there really aren't.

Older DC ended up at Rice and it was a perfect fit because it was a more gentle social experience with lots of advising -- you get what you pay for in that area. But my younger DC is more of an average all-around kid who could fit in anywhere, and other than the <5% acceptance rate schools there are none that would make DC pick anything other than in-state VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you were buying a car, would you look at options or just get whatever your local dealer has.

Obviously the price is the difference. A BIG difference. Even if you can afford more, does it make sense to spend it when you could save it for grad school? These are such great schools of all different types in state VA. My kids applied elsewhere but in the end nothing compared.

+1. There are very few schools that justify the price to us. Virginia has a great variety of excellent options.

So without looking at the Harvard/Duke level, are there really any? That seems to be the question. Is, say WashU or Georgetown worth it over in-state UVA? Is Cornell or Rice worth it? Let alone schools at Harvard/Duke level?

My DC and I looked at a list and we decided there really aren't.

Older DC ended up at Rice and it was a perfect fit because it was a more gentle social experience with lots of advising -- you get what you pay for in that area. But my younger DC is more of an average all-around kid who could fit in anywhere, and other than the <5% acceptance rate schools there are none that would make DC pick anything other than in-state VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is a strong student with good academics but never really forced himself to get a bunch of leadership positions or create clubs he had no interest in just for college. As a result, we don’t think he’d say Harvard or Duke caliber, but he’s still looking for a good school. Given that VA has so many strong options, does it even make sense to look outside of UVA, VT, W&M, etc.?

If he needs merit money or wants a different experience than where he grew up then its a good idea to explore out of state schools.

[Anonymous]

Virginians who can't imagine a reason for a student to go somewhere else ... you are the reason.

(btw, starting thread after thread about this just makes you look more and more small-minded)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virginians who can't imagine a reason for a student to go somewhere else ... you are the reason.

(btw, starting thread after thread about this just makes you look more and more small-minded)

Well, considering the original question excluded the Harvard/Duke level schools, it honestly feels like a fair question. As a PP asked, would Cornell full pay be worth it over UVA in-state? I think that’s actually a difficult question for middle class/upper middle class

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's a big jump you're making there. There're a lot of schools between the Harvard/Duke level and the Virginia in-state options. Doesn't hurt to look outside, but yes the in-state tuition is nice at a lot of great schools.

I agree with this. DD probably would have been headed to JMU (maaaaybe VT) or lower VA school but unexpectedly got into her around T50 private reach school. She really did a turn around academically and absolutely loved every minute of college. She thinks had she gone to VT (where most of her friends ended up) or other instate college that she would have just coasted along like she did in high school. So there's lots more that goes into the college success equation.

I have students at instate colleges and wonder why you think they're "coasting". It's not as if OOS schools are somehow more rigorous than ours. In a lot of cases, it's quite the opposite.

Why do you think pp is doing anything but sharing her own kid’s experience and opinion?
But sure, we’ll pay full price if the choice is a private T50 where kid really wants to go over JMU. Any day. But that’s us. I don’t judge your kids at CNU or wherever.

DP. Wow, you're charming. What a totally disproportionate and defensive response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virginians who can't imagine a reason for a student to go somewhere else ... you are the reason.

(btw, starting thread after thread about this just makes you look more and more small-minded)

And I’m guessing you’re not from VA? It’s a solid question. We have great and varied in state options. There is literally no reason to go out of the state unless you physically do not want to be in Virginia. And yes some people do not want to be in VA. But if they do not mind, there are amazing selections for all types of students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginians who can't imagine a reason for a student to go somewhere else ... you are the reason.

(btw, starting thread after thread about this just makes you look more and more small-minded)

And I’m guessing you’re not from VA? It’s a solid question. We have great and varied in state options. There is literally no reason to go out of the state unless you physically do not want to be in Virginia. And yes some people do not want to be in VA. But if they do not mind, there are amazing selections for all types of students.

You are so clueless about the opportunities outside VA. It is funny that some people are so oblivious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is a strong student with good academics but never really forced himself to get a bunch of leadership positions or create clubs he had no interest in just for college. As a result, we don’t think he’d say Harvard or Duke caliber, but he’s still looking for a good school. Given that VA has so many strong options, does it even make sense to look outside of UVA, VT, W&M, etc.?

No it does not sound that he has the energy or vision to go OOS. Try VT or JMU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginians who can't imagine a reason for a student to go somewhere else ... you are the reason.

(btw, starting thread after thread about this just makes you look more and more small-minded)

And I’m guessing you’re not from VA? It’s a solid question. We have great and varied in state options. There is literally no reason to go out of the state unless you physically do not want to be in Virginia. And yes some people do not want to be in VA. But if they do not mind, there are amazing selections for all types of students.

You are so clueless about the opportunities outside VA. It is funny that some people are so oblivious.

Well you’re quite wrong. I have lived just 13 years of my 54 in VA. I grew up elsewhere and went to a private SLAC in still a different location.