"Good" college.

[Anonymous]

What are some ways to evaluate colleges?

My son is being recruited for football from a lot of D1 and D2 colleges. Many of them are small private colleges, some I have never heard of, some in other states. I've been using the acceptance rates to evaluate which ones are "good" schools. However, my husband has been telling me that isn't a very good bar in and of itself. (his theory for example is that a school can have a really crappy location that isnt desirable, resulting in fewer applications and a higher acceptance rate-not sure I agree because if a school is good enough, I feel like it can overcome location....but regardless...)

I'll accept that, but I am not sure how else to check them out? One time my son used his guidance counselor, but he goes to a HUGE high school, she is swamped, and the feedback she gave on the school he asked about wasn't that helpful. She did say "try not to focus on what people around northern VA say about any school-because the population around here is nutty about Ivys and this area is super snobbish about colleges".

When I can, I ask friends/neighbors/coworkers but I get vastly different responses from one spectrum to the other on the same school.

I'm kind of at a loss. Obviously, figuring out whether these schools have his major available is one screening tool.

[Anonymous]

Are you considering these schools for the aid offered? because it doesn't really make sense to send your child to a school you never heard of just so he can play football.

[Anonymous]

Any idea what he wants to major in? Department strength, employment rate after graduation, graduation rate, are all important questions too.

[Anonymous]

Op, you could put football aside for a minute and research which instate publics he would likely be admitted to -- then compare those stats with various privates. Look at the Common Data Set (google it) and read it carefully. If a private doesn't provide it, IMHO, that's a problem.

[Anonymous]

Forbes lists of colleges.

[Anonymous]

I would look at the 4 yr graduation rate, your son's intended major, rate of acceptance to graduate school if that is on the horizon.

I'd look at rankings like US News, Kiplinger's Value, and overall acceptance rate. Also, visiting the school is a must. At the end of the day, it is your son's decision, though.

[Anonymous]

You need to be clear how you define "good" first. What is your definition of "good" OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, you could put football aside for a minute and research which instate publics he would likely be admitted to -- then compare those stats with various privates. Look at the Common Data Set (google it) and read it carefully. If a private doesn't provide it, IMHO, that's a problem.

Excellent idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you considering these schools for the aid offered? because it doesn't really make sense to send your child to a school you never heard of just so he can play football.

I'm open minded about colleges, having moved to 3 different states. When I was in the Boston area, there were very good small private schools there that no one here in VA has ever heard of. Moving here to VA, I have learned of some good schools that I never heard of in MA. Same with NC. I dont want to write off a school just because I have never heard of it.

But yes, there's a large incentive to get a free bachelors degree when colleges are $60k annually! His ability to graduate without any debt is a big draw for him. And I think its very smart for him to think that way.

(and yes, he will only go to a school where he can play football. But there's plenty to choose from, so thats okay).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to be clear how you define "good" first. What is your definition of "good" OP?

I think that is the question I am trying to ask myself, exactly! I have zero issue with state schools-graduated from one in MA myself and I did just fine! He would get into any state school, he has very good grades.

I have been looking at graduation rates, most of these schools have high grad rates. I think because if the school has an acceptance rate that is high, I haven't been allowing him to apply or talk to the coaches.

[Anonymous]

I'd go for the best scholarship and best school combo. Does he know what he wants to study? check out th eschool's reputation for that major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you considering these schools for the aid offered? because it doesn't really make sense to send your child to a school you never heard of just so he can play football.

I'm open minded about colleges, having moved to 3 different states. When I was in the Boston area, there were very good small private schools there that no one here in VA has ever heard of. Moving here to VA, I have learned of some good schools that I never heard of in MA. Same with NC. I dont want to write off a school just because I have never heard of it.

But yes, there's a large incentive to get a free bachelors degree when colleges are $60k annually! His ability to graduate without any debt is a big draw for him. And I think its very smart for him to think that way.

(and yes, he will only go to a school where he can play football. But there's plenty to choose from, so thats okay).

I think your insight about name recognition of schools (3 different states and what schools are 'known' entities in different areas) is a good kick-starter for your son. Does he have an idea where he wants to end up after he graduates. A lot of kids may not be able to tell you if they want to be at an urban or rural college, or a small versus big school, but they can tell you that in 10 years they want to be in the Mid-West or the Mid-Atlantic or the West Coast. That may help you think about schools. If he says he wants to land in the DMV, then that can help you look at the D1 and D3 schools in this area with a different lens. I also agree that using the college ratings (US News, WSJ, etc.) can help give you a bigger picture of overall status of a school.

FWIW, we have two kids in college who play sports and one who will next year. It has been interesting over the past 8 years to hear the DMV parents talk. There is a lot of hype about certain schools that have very poor academic programs but the schools are D1 so, hey, they must be great!!! Not. Just because a school buys into the D1 tier doesn't mean that it is a good academic prospect. I hear you about the scholarships but remember that the sport is the hook and your son should be focused on getting into the best academic school he can with the best financial package he can get. It is a balancing act.

Finally, make sure he ends up at a school where he will be happy if he is not playing a sport. Unfortunately, kids get injured or something will happen with the coach/team/other that makes further participation a bad idea so you want your kid either happy where he is at or able to move to a different place if that is what is in his best interest.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

We have many friends who have kids who play sports in college. They talk about the "broken leg" test. If your kid was injured and unable to participate in their sport, would they still want to go to that school?

[Anonymous]

I think visiting and college confidential are both happy. Colleges can boost applications (lowering acceptance rate) many ways, including by waiving application fees. I'd definitely look at more than that stat. The common data set is a good place to start.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for the info about the Common Data Set! I thought I knew everything about this process.
This is SUPER helpful. And helped ease my fears about a couple of schools I never heard of--one that really suprised me, according to many of the important things for my son, this one was better than most he is being recruited by!

THANK YOU!!