Safety Schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on the kid's stats, ECs etc.
I'm guessing the schools you listed are safeties for everyone because the admissions requirements are low.
I think for the people on this board, regionally, it might be places like James Madison, George Mason, St. Mary's, Towson, U of Del, Penn State - and then some privates.

I doubt PITT is a safety school for most, it is going the way of Case and Michigan anyway, where soon we will see yield protection.

+1

Pitt is more competitive now

Except every kid we know with mediocre grades and an unimpressive resume got in last year.

This is more or less correct. I am very pro-Pitt, but the quality of students hasn't meaningfully improved over the past five years or so. The campus is a dump compared to private options in the northeast, and top students in the state prefer PSU about 60:40. (Note that because Pitt is less than half as big as Penn State, the median Pitt student has better stats than the median penn st student) If Pitt wants to attract better students, they need to invest in the campus, community, and programs to overcome the perception gap with schools like UVA, PSU, Michigan, Wisconsin, CMU. (I think they can do this but it will be hard)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Offering another perspective, one of my now adult children transferred from a higher ranked college to a lower tier college for reasons I won't get into. She was doing fine at the higher ranked school, but found that in the lower ranked school, she was one of the most capable students in every class. As a result, she was a more confident and competent student. Feeling better about herself, she connected with her professors in a way she hadn't at the higher ranked school and wound up preferring that experience to the higher ranked, more competitive environment. Every kid is different, and the "best" school for your kid might not be the best for mine. In fact, the one you think is best for your kid, might not be the best for your kid either.

A perfect example of Malcom Gladwell's "big fish in a small pond" scenario. Our DD is interested in some of the "safety" schools mentioned in this thread for that very same reaaon (she also needs some merit aid). She could probably get into a Top 50 (maybe a Top 20) but doesn't need the added pressure.

One of the reasons why US has bee declining for the past few decades.

[Anonymous]

Some people on this thread are do obnoxious! Calling Georgia a safety school, bashing JMU, ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people on this thread are do obnoxious! Calling Georgia a safety school, bashing JMU, ridiculous.

Folks DC Urban Moms College Forum appear to only measure the input of - how many people does the college reject - and not the output.

[Anonymous]

For my child, safeties were Oregon State, Lewis and Clark and Sarah Lawrence. All awarded merit, but child ultimately picked a target/reach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Offering another perspective, one of my now adult children transferred from a higher ranked college to a lower tier college for reasons I won't get into. She was doing fine at the higher ranked school, but found that in the lower ranked school, she was one of the most capable students in every class. As a result, she was a more confident and competent student. Feeling better about herself, she connected with her professors in a way she hadn't at the higher ranked school and wound up preferring that experience to the higher ranked, more competitive environment. Every kid is different, and the "best" school for your kid might not be the best for mine. In fact, the one you think is best for your kid, might not be the best for your kid either.

A perfect example of Malcom Gladwell's "big fish in a small pond" scenario. Our DD is interested in some of the "safety" schools mentioned in this thread for that very same reaaon (she also needs some merit aid). She could probably get into a Top 50 (maybe a Top 20) but doesn't need the added pressure.

One of the reasons why US has bee declining for the past few decades.

?

[Anonymous]

“Elon really values applicants that drink their kool-aid. May look to be a safety based on stats but may not work in practice if it’s a throw away app.”

Can you elaborate? DC can’t visit Elon, but has identified it as a safety they like (based on online tours, etc). Any insight welcome!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Elon really values applicants that drink their kool-aid. May look to be a safety based on stats but may not work in practice if it’s a throw away app.”

Can you elaborate? DC can’t visit Elon, but has identified it as a safety they like (based on online tours, etc). Any insight welcome!

Check the Common Data Set - Section C. Ranks on a scale (Very important, Important, Considered, Not Considered)

Level of Applicant's Interest (i.e campus visits) is noted as "Considered". Not exactly "drink the kool aid" level unlike other schools (Tulane).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For my child, safeties were Oregon State, Lewis and Clark and Sarah Lawrence. All awarded merit, but child ultimately picked a target/reach.

Safeties for what stats? I have a 3.4 with most rigorous classes, but 1500 SAT and good ECs, but not prize worthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD graduated this spring from Coastal Carolina and was accepted into a competitive grad school with a scholarship based on her GPA. I think CCU gets bad press on this board but my DD thrived there with smaller class sizes and caring professors.

Glad your DD did well there. I think what may be a safety got one kid might be a great fit for another.

My DS is a sophomore at Coastal and had a great first year. There are a lot of negative people on this forum who put down CCU but have no first hand knowledge or experience with the University.