Is your child happy with their college choice?

[Anonymous]

My child did like Wooster when we visited. Seemed like a very supportive group of kids, from a range of mostly Midwestern places.

The food was seriously bad, much worse than the standard college fare.

In the end, she was put off by the Ohio location. The drive was very long from MoCo. It's a pretty straight shot, mind you, but would be challenging in the winter (i.e. it takes you through Western Maryland).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love this thread, except for the annoying rankings person.

I have a kid looking at Oberlin, Kenyon, Wooster, Grinnell, Macalaster. Plus WM, which he will be accepted to based on Naviance. Basically SLACs with merit money (donut hole family).

If you have a kid at one of these schools and they love it or hate it, why? What is a sketch of the type of kid who does well. I have a brilliant but quirky and socially awkward kid with drama and music interests. Small groups, not large crowds. Has a 504 for ADHD and may need some supports in executive functioning. Is that the sort of kid who would do well?

Also, if your kid looked at these schools but ended up somewhere else, where and why?

I don’t want to hijack, but I love hearing that kids are doing well at Oberlin, Grinnell and Juanita. It would be great to know what type of kid succeeds at these schools and why. .

Consider Lawrence. Lots of similarities to the schools you mentioned, plus very strong music and track record of merit aid.

[Anonymous]

Colby will not be as fun and happy in winter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colby will not be as fun and happy in winter

What is with the anti-Colby poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS did not get into his dream school and got wait listed from his second choice. The school he ended up attending is one I thought would be the best fit for him and strongly urged him to apply to. He did make the final decision to attend this school on his own. He absolutely LOVES it there. He was very nervous when we dropped him off and he even cried. But three weeks in, he told me he LOVES it. He admitted to me that he wasn't really excited about the school three weeks ago. But once he got there and started meeting people, and going to classes, he said he realized that this is where he belongs.

I always chuckle when parents say the whole DC was rejected from x and y, but is absolutely THRIVING at z! I don't mean to sound harsh, but how are parents shocked their kid loves a backup college? Freedom, sex, alcohol, thousands of attractive peers with raging hormones. Where ever they are, it's a 4 year long spring break with some lectures mixed in.

The only time prestige (or lack thereof) will maybe be noticed is during junior yr recruiting or when they're applying to grad schools. But happy during freshman year? Um, obviously.

Is that what you think a second choice college looks like?

[Anonymous]

No, that’s what PP thinks ANY (FT, residential)* college looks like to a kid that has just graduated from HS and left home.
And PP is not wrong. Even if sex and drink/drugs don’t top your DC’s fave ways to experience freedom, they’ll most likely be part of the experience. So will minor thrills like staying up/sleeping late, having most of your friends close by all of the time, and having fewer classes and assignments. Basically, for most kids in this situation, college years are inherently fun. Lots of freedom/resources and few responsibilities even wrt the overhead of daily living. What’s not to like?


*This, of course, is not how many people experience college. Going PT to a commuter school while living at home and holding down a job and/or raising kids is a very different undergrad experience.

[Anonymous]

My child--who started school without an interest in alcohol--is a little discouraged that it is so popular. When I asked how it was in her face (since I know the activities she is attending, and they are not parties) she said it is all everyone talks about the next morning. How drunk or high they got!

I am a bit sad about this. Do you think it is true at all schools? Is it who she is eating with?
(And don't tell me not to helicopter. We put a lot of energy into picking a school that would be a good fit for her, and I am disappointed that she is feeling this way. It is not a party school, has no frats, etc)

[Anonymous]

Beginning of freshman year it’s probably more in your face than later. Newfound freedom and no sense of workload. Plus kids haven’t sorted themselves out by interests, personalities yet. It’ll get better for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child--who started school without an interest in alcohol--is a little discouraged that it is so popular. When I asked how it was in her face (since I know the activities she is attending, and they are not parties) she said it is all everyone talks about the next morning. How drunk or high they got!

I am a bit sad about this. Do you think it is true at all schools? Is it who she is eating with?
(And don't tell me not to helicopter. We put a lot of energy into picking a school that would be a good fit for her, and I am disappointed that she is feeling this way. It is not a party school, has no frats, etc)

I think it is friends group specific. Certainly it is true among certain friends groups, but there are large numbers of college students who drink very little, or not at all.

She just needs to find her people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS did not get into his dream school and got wait listed from his second choice. The school he ended up attending is one I thought would be the best fit for him and strongly urged him to apply to. He did make the final decision to attend this school on his own. He absolutely LOVES it there. He was very nervous when we dropped him off and he even cried. But three weeks in, he told me he LOVES it. He admitted to me that he wasn't really excited about the school three weeks ago. But once he got there and started meeting people, and going to classes, he said he realized that this is where he belongs.

I always chuckle when parents say the whole DC was rejected from x and y, but is absolutely THRIVING at z! I don't mean to sound harsh, but how are parents shocked their kid loves a backup college? Freedom, sex, alcohol, thousands of attractive peers with raging hormones. Where ever they are, it's a 4 year long spring break with some lectures mixed in.

The only time prestige (or lack thereof) will maybe be noticed is during junior yr recruiting or when they're applying to grad schools. But happy during freshman year? Um, obviously.

Is that what you think a second choice college looks like?

My point was all colleges are fun as hell. Freedom is fun. Sex is fun. Partying and socializing is fun. So how could a kid not be “thriving” at first second or third choice? It’s fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS did not get into his dream school and got wait listed from his second choice. The school he ended up attending is one I thought would be the best fit for him and strongly urged him to apply to. He did make the final decision to attend this school on his own. He absolutely LOVES it there. He was very nervous when we dropped him off and he even cried. But three weeks in, he told me he LOVES it. He admitted to me that he wasn't really excited about the school three weeks ago. But once he got there and started meeting people, and going to classes, he said he realized that this is where he belongs.

Mine had the same experience. Was WL at 4(!) top choices. At summer freshman orientation at #5 choice expressed concern about the college and we talked about transfer options. 2 days later was totally sold and has loved every minute of it.

Would people please mention the schools by name?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS did not get into his dream school and got wait listed from his second choice. The school he ended up attending is one I thought would be the best fit for him and strongly urged him to apply to. He did make the final decision to attend this school on his own. He absolutely LOVES it there. He was very nervous when we dropped him off and he even cried. But three weeks in, he told me he LOVES it. He admitted to me that he wasn't really excited about the school three weeks ago. But once he got there and started meeting people, and going to classes, he said he realized that this is where he belongs.

Mine had the same experience. Was WL at 4(!) top choices. At summer freshman orientation at #5 choice expressed concern about the college and we talked about transfer options. 2 days later was totally sold and has loved every minute of it.

Would people please mention the schools by name?

Why would they? The op mentioned a name and in return some deranged Colby hater(s) pop up ad spew ridculous vitrol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS did not get into his dream school and got wait listed from his second choice. The school he ended up attending is one I thought would be the best fit for him and strongly urged him to apply to. He did make the final decision to attend this school on his own. He absolutely LOVES it there. He was very nervous when we dropped him off and he even cried. But three weeks in, he told me he LOVES it. He admitted to me that he wasn't really excited about the school three weeks ago. But once he got there and started meeting people, and going to classes, he said he realized that this is where he belongs.

I always chuckle when parents say the whole DC was rejected from x and y, but is absolutely THRIVING at z! I don't mean to sound harsh, but how are parents shocked their kid loves a backup college? Freedom, sex, alcohol, thousands of attractive peers with raging hormones. Where ever they are, it's a 4 year long spring break with some lectures mixed in.

The only time prestige (or lack thereof) will maybe be noticed is during junior yr recruiting or when they're applying to grad schools. But happy during freshman year? Um, obviously.

Is that what you think a second choice college looks like?

My point was all colleges are fun as hell. Freedom is fun. Sex is fun. Partying and socializing is fun. So how could a kid not be “thriving” at first second or third choice? It’s fun!

PP, you forgot the part about capitalists using state colleges to keep the working classes down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love this thread, except for the annoying rankings person.

I have a kid looking at Oberlin, Kenyon, Wooster, Grinnell, Macalaster. Plus WM, which he will be accepted to based on Naviance. Basically SLACs with merit money (donut hole family).

If you have a kid at one of these schools and they love it or hate it, why? What is a sketch of the type of kid who does well. I have a brilliant but quirky and socially awkward kid with drama and music interests. Small groups, not large crowds. Has a 504 for ADHD and may need some supports in executive functioning. Is that the sort of kid who would do well?

Also, if your kid looked at these schools but ended up somewhere else, where and why?

I don’t want to hijack, but I love hearing that kids are doing well at Oberlin, Grinnell and Juanita. It would be great to know what type of kid succeeds at these schools and why. .

My son is the one at Grinnell and loves it. He finds the faculty fascinating, even the ones that were not his favorites taught him a lot and he said were nice people. He loves the 'smartness' factor oft he student body, he loves the discourse among faculty and students. The faculty live in the same small town so it really is like family. Many of the support staff have worked at Grinnell a long time and are very invested in the students. The equipment manager for the sports teams has worked there for 30 years and invites the football team to his farm every august for a fishing derby - that kind of thing. He has always had nice roommates - if I could pick one word for Grinnell students it would be nice. I will ask what he does not like and get back to you on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love this thread, except for the annoying rankings person.

I have a kid looking at Oberlin, Kenyon, Wooster, Grinnell, Macalaster. Plus WM, which he will be accepted to based on Naviance. Basically SLACs with merit money (donut hole family).

If you have a kid at one of these schools and they love it or hate it, why? What is a sketch of the type of kid who does well. I have a brilliant but quirky and socially awkward kid with drama and music interests. Small groups, not large crowds. Has a 504 for ADHD and may need some supports in executive functioning. Is that the sort of kid who would do well?

Also, if your kid looked at these schools but ended up somewhere else, where and why?

I don’t want to hijack, but I love hearing that kids are doing well at Oberlin, Grinnell and Juanita. It would be great to know what type of kid succeeds at these schools and why. .

My son is the one at Grinnell and loves it. He finds the faculty fascinating, even the ones that were not his favorites taught him a lot and he said were nice people. He loves the 'smartness' factor oft he student body, he loves the discourse among faculty and students. The faculty live in the same small town so it really is like family. Many of the support staff have worked at Grinnell a long time and are very invested in the students. The equipment manager for the sports teams has worked there for 30 years and invites the football team to his farm every august for a fishing derby - that kind of thing. He has always had nice roommates - if I could pick one word for Grinnell students it would be nice. I will ask what he does not like and get back to you on that.

Thanks! It sounds like wonderful place.