Help me plan our spring break visits

[Anonymous]

You can also take the Acela to New Haven. Avis has a rental car office right in the train station. We’ve used it multiple times.

[Anonymous]

She decided her priority is UVM and she wants to see Dartmouth so we are going to go to Grandmas and leave other DC and take her to those too. Keeping in mind merit and proximity, any recommendations for a third we might throw in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She decided her priority is UVM and she wants to see Dartmouth so we are going to go to Grandmas and leave other DC and take her to those too. Keeping in mind merit and proximity, any recommendations for a third we might throw in?

Add middlebury to the list?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She decided her priority is UVM and she wants to see Dartmouth so we are going to go to Grandmas and leave other DC and take her to those too. Keeping in mind merit and proximity, any recommendations for a third we might throw in?

While it would add an 60-90 minutes to the trek to from Boston to UVM, what about either Clark University or Umass-Amherst? Both offer merit aid and would be another likely or target for DD’s list.

I think you have a good plan to break up the school visits and to prioritize the schools that give merit and that are likely/target and then add the more competitive/no merit schools nearby to the trip. If the plan is looking solid start booking the campus tour dates now if they are open - especially UVM. You can cancel if you need to change it, but once it fills up you are out of luck.

[Anonymous]

McGill

[Anonymous]

Conn College for merit. Wrong direction but it’s not too far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is she open to women’s colleges? Holyoke is likely a safety to target that offers merit. Nearby Smith might be a target to reach. I’m just guessing based on schools you’re looking at. Then UMass is there as well.

My sister went to Holyoke and I am DYING for her to apply to all three but she refuses to even consider an all-women’s college. My sister STILL has friends who are like family from 20 years ago. I think my DD would love Mt. Holyoke but she’s adamant and she’s a very strong personality - she knows what she wants.

Maybe compromise and say you would like to at least visit and then tie that day with something she wants to do that is relaxing.

[Anonymous]

I’d either add Clark for merit or Skidmore (no merit though).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d have my husband rent a car one way to Burlington via Ithaca, maybe Hamilton, and Skidmore. He flies down to DC in morning from Burlington. After you know he’s back, you fly up to Burlington in afternoon. DD spends day alone in Burlington but other child is confirmed cared for. Then you and DD do train route back. Or DH drives your car and you drive it back, depending on whether you like driving.

That's a good idea!

I also just thought we could all go to my mothers in Boston, leave other DC there and both take DD to Dartmouth, Conn, Wesleyan and UVM. Lotta driving and a little backwards but it might work.

That’s a good idea. IMHO Conn College (and maybe Dartmouth) doesn’t fit in with the other schools on her list. But I guess it’s good to explore different options.

Do you think that Ithaca College fits in ?

Regardless, OP seems to be open-minded to options an taking advantage of proximity.

I am VERY open minded - I’d like her to look at everything from Clark/UMass to UVM to Brown. She’s similarly open minded (Syracuse/Ithaca to Dartmouth) but has a random strong opinion on some schools; like Brandies is a hard no. Rochester hard no. Amherst hard no. Won’t consider women’s colleges. And some of her hard no’s are silly like she heard from someone that the food is terrible. But once my kid makes a decision like that she’s never in her entire life changed her mind so I’m taking her word for it.

Make sure you eat at UMass - the food is great. Also, my DD said she didn't want a women's college, but she really liked Holyoke (not Smith or Wellesley though).

[Anonymous]

To do this planning well, you’ll need to check your days and then make sure there is availability for the days you want. Go from there.

We did Binghamton - Colgate / Syracuse on same day - Rochester - Hobart / Cornell on same day - Skidmore - back to Syracuse for a second visit

We had a blast! Gorgeous country roads were fun to drive. We worked in coffee shops and restaurants to get a feel for the towns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d have my husband rent a car one way to Burlington via Ithaca, maybe Hamilton, and Skidmore. He flies down to DC in morning from Burlington. After you know he’s back, you fly up to Burlington in afternoon. DD spends day alone in Burlington but other child is confirmed cared for. Then you and DD do train route back. Or DH drives your car and you drive it back, depending on whether you like driving.

That's a good idea!

I also just thought we could all go to my mothers in Boston, leave other DC there and both take DD to Dartmouth, Conn, Wesleyan and UVM. Lotta driving and a little backwards but it might work.

That’s a good idea. IMHO Conn College (and maybe Dartmouth) doesn’t fit in with the other schools on her list. But I guess it’s good to explore different options.

Do you think that Ithaca College fits in ?

Regardless, OP seems to be open-minded to options an taking advantage of proximity.

I am VERY open minded - I’d like her to look at everything from Clark/UMass to UVM to Brown. She’s similarly open minded (Syracuse/Ithaca to Dartmouth) but has a random strong opinion on some schools; like Brandies is a hard no. Rochester hard no. Amherst hard no. Won’t consider women’s colleges. And some of her hard no’s are silly like she heard from someone that the food is terrible. But once my kid makes a decision like that she’s never in her entire life changed her mind so I’m taking her word for it.

Make sure you eat at UMass - the food is great. Also, my DD said she didn't want a women's college, but she really liked Holyoke (not Smith or Wellesley though).

OP again. Current thinking is to make her see Mt. Holyoke and go there first.

We will go to my mothers, leave younger DC, drive to Mt. Holyoke. UVM next, Dartmouth last (I want Dartmouth last becuase if she hates a school becuase she's tired I want it to be Dartmouth, lol). Any suggestions of how to do this, where to stay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d have my husband rent a car one way to Burlington via Ithaca, maybe Hamilton, and Skidmore. He flies down to DC in morning from Burlington. After you know he’s back, you fly up to Burlington in afternoon. DD spends day alone in Burlington but other child is confirmed cared for. Then you and DD do train route back. Or DH drives your car and you drive it back, depending on whether you like driving.

That's a good idea!

I also just thought we could all go to my mothers in Boston, leave other DC there and both take DD to Dartmouth, Conn, Wesleyan and UVM. Lotta driving and a little backwards but it might work.

That’s a good idea. IMHO Conn College (and maybe Dartmouth) doesn’t fit in with the other schools on her list. But I guess it’s good to explore different options.

Do you think that Ithaca College fits in ?

Regardless, OP seems to be open-minded to options an taking advantage of proximity.

I am VERY open minded - I’d like her to look at everything from Clark/UMass to UVM to Brown. She’s similarly open minded (Syracuse/Ithaca to Dartmouth) but has a random strong opinion on some schools; like Brandies is a hard no. Rochester hard no. Amherst hard no. Won’t consider women’s colleges. And some of her hard no’s are silly like she heard from someone that the food is terrible. But once my kid makes a decision like that she’s never in her entire life changed her mind so I’m taking her word for it.

She might want to rethink Brown then. Food and housing get the most complaints on the parent page!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d have my husband rent a car one way to Burlington via Ithaca, maybe Hamilton, and Skidmore. He flies down to DC in morning from Burlington. After you know he’s back, you fly up to Burlington in afternoon. DD spends day alone in Burlington but other child is confirmed cared for. Then you and DD do train route back. Or DH drives your car and you drive it back, depending on whether you like driving.

That's a good idea!

I also just thought we could all go to my mothers in Boston, leave other DC there and both take DD to Dartmouth, Conn, Wesleyan and UVM. Lotta driving and a little backwards but it might work.

That’s a good idea. IMHO Conn College (and maybe Dartmouth) doesn’t fit in with the other schools on her list. But I guess it’s good to explore different options.

Do you think that Ithaca College fits in ?

Regardless, OP seems to be open-minded to options an taking advantage of proximity.

I am VERY open minded - I’d like her to look at everything from Clark/UMass to UVM to Brown. She’s similarly open minded (Syracuse/Ithaca to Dartmouth) but has a random strong opinion on some schools; like Brandies is a hard no. Rochester hard no. Amherst hard no. Won’t consider women’s colleges. And some of her hard no’s are silly like she heard from someone that the food is terrible. But once my kid makes a decision like that she’s never in her entire life changed her mind so I’m taking her word for it.

Make sure you eat at UMass - the food is great. Also, my DD said she didn't want a women's college, but she really liked Holyoke (not Smith or Wellesley though).

OP again. Current thinking is to make her see Mt. Holyoke and go there first.

We will go to my mothers, leave younger DC, drive to Mt. Holyoke. UVM next, Dartmouth last (I want Dartmouth last becuase if she hates a school becuase she's tired I want it to be Dartmouth, lol). Any suggestions of how to do this, where to stay?

We stayed at Hotel Coolidge in White River Junction. It was affordable and had charm, though others might think it run down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d have my husband rent a car one way to Burlington via Ithaca, maybe Hamilton, and Skidmore. He flies down to DC in morning from Burlington. After you know he’s back, you fly up to Burlington in afternoon. DD spends day alone in Burlington but other child is confirmed cared for. Then you and DD do train route back. Or DH drives your car and you drive it back, depending on whether you like driving.

That's a good idea!

I also just thought we could all go to my mothers in Boston, leave other DC there and both take DD to Dartmouth, Conn, Wesleyan and UVM. Lotta driving and a little backwards but it might work.

That’s a good idea. IMHO Conn College (and maybe Dartmouth) doesn’t fit in with the other schools on her list. But I guess it’s good to explore different options.

Do you think that Ithaca College fits in ?

Regardless, OP seems to be open-minded to options an taking advantage of proximity.

I am VERY open minded - I’d like her to look at everything from Clark/UMass to UVM to Brown. She’s similarly open minded (Syracuse/Ithaca to Dartmouth) but has a random strong opinion on some schools; like Brandies is a hard no. Rochester hard no. Amherst hard no. Won’t consider women’s colleges. And some of her hard no’s are silly like she heard from someone that the food is terrible. But once my kid makes a decision like that she’s never in her entire life changed her mind so I’m taking her word for it.

Make sure you eat at UMass - the food is great. Also, my DD said she didn't want a women's college, but she really liked Holyoke (not Smith or Wellesley though).

OP again. Current thinking is to make her see Mt. Holyoke and go there first.

We will go to my mothers, leave younger DC, drive to Mt. Holyoke. UVM next, Dartmouth last (I want Dartmouth last becuase if she hates a school becuase she's tired I want it to be Dartmouth, lol). Any suggestions of how to do this, where to stay?

If budget isn’t tight:
Hotel Northampton far and away for UMass and Holyoke if you have a car. Great hotel.
Dartmouth - either Hanover Inn or Six South is very nice and right in town
UVM - plenty of hotels in town

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d have my husband rent a car one way to Burlington via Ithaca, maybe Hamilton, and Skidmore. He flies down to DC in morning from Burlington. After you know he’s back, you fly up to Burlington in afternoon. DD spends day alone in Burlington but other child is confirmed cared for. Then you and DD do train route back. Or DH drives your car and you drive it back, depending on whether you like driving.

That's a good idea!

I also just thought we could all go to my mothers in Boston, leave other DC there and both take DD to Dartmouth, Conn, Wesleyan and UVM. Lotta driving and a little backwards but it might work.

That’s a good idea. IMHO Conn College (and maybe Dartmouth) doesn’t fit in with the other schools on her list. But I guess it’s good to explore different options.

Do you think that Ithaca College fits in ?

Regardless, OP seems to be open-minded to options an taking advantage of proximity.

I am VERY open minded - I’d like her to look at everything from Clark/UMass to UVM to Brown. She’s similarly open minded (Syracuse/Ithaca to Dartmouth) but has a random strong opinion on some schools; like Brandies is a hard no. Rochester hard no. Amherst hard no. Won’t consider women’s colleges. And some of her hard no’s are silly like she heard from someone that the food is terrible. But once my kid makes a decision like that she’s never in her entire life changed her mind so I’m taking her word for it.

She might want to rethink Brown then. Food and housing get the most complaints on the parent page!

Oh good I'll tell her, lol! She can apply to Brown if she wants (and believe me, I'd be thrilled for her if she gets in). BUT, she wants to use her ED on Brown and I think there's a 0-2% chance she will get in. And, if she wins the lottery and gets in, it will mean big loans. Which we are willing and able to do, but I'd much rather see her at a great school where she gets a lot of merit aid.