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

[Anonymous]

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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

Now you're claiming it takes "energy and vision" to simply go OOS?
DP

+1 what a ridiculous comment by the PP. OP already said their kid isn't looking at the Harvard/Duke type of schools that are full of super smart and driven students. Even a choice like WashU with lots of good academic options could be interesting to explore over the in-state schools without having to be type A all the time.

[Anonymous]

Don't want to attend university with bunch of rednecks.

[Anonymous]

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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.

DP. Many of us grew up in VA, then moved elsewhere for work, and after many years, decided to move BACK to VA. Why? The number one reason is because of the quality of VA's universities. Of course there are opportunities outside of VA. Just as there are many opportunities within VA, that cost far less. And you do realize that people can *move* wherever they want after college, right?

No offense but I wouldn’t move 5 miles for VA’s universities.

Good for you, it’s too crowded and our schools are too competitive. Glad there’s one person we don’t have to worry about getting in our way.

[Anonymous]

Many reasons.
One of the main reasons for my kids was to get out of VA and explore.
One in Boston, one in LA, one in Chicago area.
It was great choice for all my kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't want to attend university with bunch of rednecks.

LOL! Have fun in whatever state you choose then. You’re adorable.

[Anonymous]

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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.

I assume you're talking about the VA pp "wondering" why we think her kids are "coasting" at a VA school, when on one said anything remotely like that and a pp was was merely responding with their own personal experience.

Nope. Nice try, charmer.

[Anonymous]

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

And I’m guessing you’re not from VA? It’s a solid question. We have great and varied in state options

We have lived in VA for 26 years. Mostly a commuting decision. All of our kids, with our blessing, went out-of-state. Yes!! Happy they did.

[Anonymous]

We are considering the same question, but now live in Texas. DC will be an auto-admit (top 6% of public HS), and says UT-Austin is #1 choice. Undecided major. DC can just take the easy route and apply to the flagships and be done, but then I’ll wonder if an opportunity was missed.

[Anonymous]

define "great"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are considering the same question, but now live in Texas. DC will be an auto-admit (top 6% of public HS), and says UT-Austin is #1 choice. Undecided major. DC can just take the easy route and apply to the flagships and be done, but then I’ll wonder if an opportunity was missed.

Is your DC in the same situation as OP: disregarding the Harvard/Duke level of schools but considering other slightly less competitive privates?