Recommendations for a Midsized (6,000 - 8,000) School within Three Hours

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP - thank you for all the great suggestions. We have added TCNJ, Longwood, Rowan, UMBC and Duquesne to look at. I appreciate everyone's responses.

Add American!!! Very chill student body; he would be at the top score-wise, he would get great merit, and would have awesome journalism internships (and would be correctly advised to NOT actually major in journalism). Major in a subject you would cover (Econ, policy, politics etc) and work for the paper and free lance and build a portfolio).

[Anonymous]

The loved Millersville is a puzzle. What did he love there? I’ve been there and know some kids who went there but I still can’t describe it in any way, other than meeting some great professors there.
How about JMU? Temple U? York College of PA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP - thank you for all the great suggestions. We have added TCNJ, Longwood, Rowan, UMBC and Duquesne to look at. I appreciate everyone's responses.

Add American!!! Very chill student body; he would be at the top score-wise, he would get great merit, and would have awesome journalism internships (and would be correctly advised to NOT actually major in journalism). Major in a subject you would cover (Econ, policy, politics etc) and work for the paper and free lance and build a portfolio).

+1. Lots of great opportunities for communications internships here in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of the midsized schools with that range of undergraduates tend to be the most selective in the country (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Duke, etc.) The publics tend to usually be larger, and the SLACs are smaller.

So true! One of my kids put in their search criteria and it spit out Princeton. Not in a million years.

[Anonymous]

Slippery Rock

[Anonymous]

How about Lehigh? 7,000 undergrads, journalism and communications department, and about 31/2 hour drive. When we visited, we had a great tour guide, who raved about the teaching and interdisciplinary academic programs, but none of our kids applied, so I have only limited knowledge. Maybe someone else with more experience can chime in?

[Anonymous]

Roanoke or Bridgewater

[Anonymous]

Lafayette?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD wanted something very similar. Didn’t like the sweet LAC vibe that my husband and I kept showing her, didn’t want a tiny school or a giant one (no to UMD, eg). Didn’t need to be in the middle of a city but didn’t want to be in the middle of nowhere either. Needed friendly vibes, a range of kids (reacted negatively to any kind of striver/tool type of student body). Wanted a diverse school. Chose UMBC. Good luck!

I was very impressed with UMBC, and DC liked it too. But in the end DC went elsewhere because UMBC has a commuter vibe and an ugly campus. A lot of kids go home for the weekend, so it didn't have the social atmosphere DC was looking for. It's a very good school, not too intense, and kids get into great grad programs from UMBC. They have specialized programs for smart kids too.

[Anonymous]

Franklin & Marshall

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mary Washington, I know kids with anxiety that have done well there

+1

I do, too. Wonder is that is one fo the draws?

My kid with anxiety is looking at MW. Seems like a nice size. Not too intense, but friendly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about Lehigh? 7,000 undergrads, journalism and communications department, and about 31/2 hour drive. When we visited, we had a great tour guide, who raved about the teaching and interdisciplinary academic programs, but none of our kids applied, so I have only limited knowledge. Maybe someone else with more experience can chime in?

I wouldn't describe it as down to earth. Very Greek, huge party school, lots of wealth from the tri state area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP - thank you for all the great suggestions. We have added TCNJ, Longwood, Rowan, UMBC and Duquesne to look at. I appreciate everyone's responses.

Add American!!! Very chill student body; he would be at the top score-wise, he would get great merit, and would have awesome journalism internships (and would be correctly advised to NOT actually major in journalism). Major in a subject you would cover (Econ, policy, politics etc) and work for the paper and free lance and build a portfolio).

Thank you - American is too expensive. Even with their highest merit ($22,000) they have a COA of $68,000 and that leaves too much a gap. I know many students that love it there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The loved Millersville is a puzzle. What did he love there? I’ve been there and know some kids who went there but I still can’t describe it in any way, other than meeting some great professors there.
How about JMU? Temple U? York College of PA?

He thought Millersville had a beautiful campus, was less than a two hour drive, perfect size (6500 students), really supportive professors and counseling dept. It's just in the middle of nowhere, no college town, closest shopping is a 15 minute drive on one lane back roads.
York is on the list, thank you. JMU and Temple way too big.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Thank you - American is too expensive. Even with their highest merit ($22,000) they have a COA of $68,000 and that leaves too much a gap. I know many students that love it there!

I am not understanding this math