Let us pick for you…list acceptances

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Major: PreMed (Public Health/Data Science), wants to be a doctor.

Vanderbilt
UVA (In-State)
Northwestern
UCLA
UCB
VTech (Eng) (In-State)
VCU (PreMed, President's Scholarship/FREE degree)
UMass-A
PSU

Vanderbilt/Northwestern/UCB/UVA/UCLA will do better for premed than the others, unless they got into the BS/MD guarantee at VCU.
Undergrad school does matter for med placement. Used to serve on admissions and it counts in part.

I would recommend avoiding the UCs for pre-med. UCLA and Berkeley are only slightly above the national average for premed acceptance rate to medical school, which I think is underperforming for their level of selectivity. I'd question teaching and support in core classes and advising. You can certainly do better with the amount you pay for OOS. I'd also say do not do engineering (VT) as it is a difficult path to medicine.

UMass-A and PSU are not at the level of your other schools unless there is a special program and I would eliminate them.

Vanderbilt and Northwestern would likely be somewhat above UVA in % of premeds getting accepted, but UVA may be in-state for you and cost would factor.

That leaves VCU. If you really have a "free" option there, I would strongly consider that if your kid is comfortable with the school. Medical school admissions are largely stat driven (MCAT + GPA), so you could certainly go on to medical school from there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brown
Duke
Penn

undecided--probably social science--major, no financial aid

Ivy is Ivy. Prefer Penn overall but Brown probably slightly more prestigious.

uh no. Brown only got into the T10 this year when they played around with rankings and cut out almost all the academic factors. It has never has been T10 before--it is not quite the same tier as the other two.

And even with their higher ranking, Brown saw their applications drop this year. It's like the Northeastern of the Ivies. They play around with the data to game the rankings. There are plenty of schools with more "prestige" in the real world.

absolutely concur

Brown ranks 4th in WSJ for private university salaries in Technology. Penn is 11 and Duke 12. In software, Brown ranks 5th, Penn 13 and Duke 15.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Calpoly
Oregon
JMU

This is probably one of the most interesting groups….two West Coast schools and a Virginia regional. Are any of them in-state? Is there a particular program of interest?

DD's mother went to Calpoly, and her brother (DD's uncle) went to Oregon for law school. We live in Fairfax so JMU is a gimme app. All my inlaws are back in California so she would have some support but it is far. Calpoly is obvioulsy the better of the three schools but still hard to decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:W&M
IU- Kelly School of Business

Business - Major

Finance not an issue. Would try to transfer out to a better undegrad business program after first year but if likes the school, might just stay. Who knows!

Thanks in advance.

William&Mary every day of the week, no hesitation! Much more rigorous and much better known in the right circles. Look at the WSJ article--WM is a top 5 public for hiring.

What do you mean by the "right circles"? Having said that I, too, would choose W&M, especially if you are planning to stay in this area after college.

What if you would like to transfer to another business school in second year. Like Stern, Ross tec..Which one would be more helpful in getting transferred to? W&M or IU-Kelly? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Boy, academic and social, but not a partier

ND $$$
Georgetown SFS $$$$
Bing $
Denison $
Davidson $$
Wisconsin $$
LSE $$

Politics, Econ. Maybe middle eastern studies, but possibly policy or journalism or higher ed so can’t look took narrowly.

Georgetown will be full fare even when my second kid starts in two years, which seems crazy even if it’s possibly the best academically. ND would come down. The others are manageable from the jump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accepted:
Georgetown
Pomona
Boston College
UVA
William & Mary (Monroe scholar)
GW

Waitlist:
Princeton
Brown

Male. Govt/history/politics/IR-related. In-state VA. Doesn't qualify for any aid. Willing to pay if a distinct advantage over other options.

GEORGETOWN. ignore the DC bubble that craps on it, Georgetown is the best on the list

I think Georgetown may be best on the list but not sure it is a "distinct advantage". For "Govt/history/politics/IR-related. In-state VA" W&M with the Monroe Scholarship is really strong as is UVA.

Yes!! That's our problem. VA has such great options--any other state GU would be a no-brainer for this field. Weighing $85-87k vs $38-40k is tough. I think GU has a good ROI though. Keep toying with go there for grad and save $ undergrad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accepted:
Georgetown
Pomona
Boston College
UVA
William & Mary (Monroe scholar)
GW

Waitlist:
Princeton
Brown

Male. Govt/history/politics/IR-related. In-state VA. Doesn't qualify for any aid. Willing to pay if a distinct advantage over other options.

GEORGETOWN. ignore the DC bubble that craps on it, Georgetown is the best on the list

I would take Pomona in less than a heartbeat over Georgetown, and it certainly has a better reputation if you care about that, but different strokes

It is definitely the hardest admit--though they all are very selective. But, some people don't want the hassle of the flights to and from west coast. It also adds up $$$$ if you are already full-pay to throw transport on top of it. As a parent that has seen it play out with nieces/nephews/neighbors when some unfortunate, unexpected events have come up ---the distance was a huge deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:W&M
IU- Kelly School of Business

Business - Major

Finance not an issue. Would try to transfer out to a better undegrad business program after first year but if likes the school, might just stay. Who knows!

Thanks in advance.

William&Mary every day of the week, no hesitation! Much more rigorous and much better known in the right circles. Look at the WSJ article--WM is a top 5 public for hiring.

What do you mean by the "right circles"? Having said that I, too, would choose W&M, especially if you are planning to stay in this area after college.

What if you would like to transfer to another business school in second year. Like Stern, Ross tec..Which one would be more helpful in getting transferred to? W&M or IU-Kelly? Thanks

I would say W&M.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Boy, academic and social, but not a partier

ND $$$
Georgetown SFS $$$$
Bing $
Denison $
Davidson $$
Wisconsin $$
LSE $$

Politics, Econ. Maybe middle eastern studies, but possibly policy or journalism or higher ed so can’t look took narrowly.

Georgetown will be full fare even when my second kid starts in two years, which seems crazy even if it’s possibly the best academically. ND would come down. The others are manageable from the jump

Davidson for the win. It’s an amazing school! DS picked it over both ND and Georgetown and could not be happier. Congrats to your DC!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brown
Duke
Penn

undecided--probably social science--major, no financial aid

Ivy is Ivy. Prefer Penn overall but Brown probably slightly more prestigious.

uh no. Brown only got into the T10 this year when they played around with rankings and cut out almost all the academic factors. It has never has been T10 before--it is not quite the same tier as the other two.

And even with their higher ranking, Brown saw their applications drop this year. It's like the Northeastern of the Ivies. They play around with the data to game the rankings. There are plenty of schools with more "prestige" in the real world.

absolutely concur

Brown ranks 4th in WSJ for private university salaries in Technology. Penn is 11 and Duke 12. In software, Brown ranks 5th, Penn 13 and Duke 15.

Yes, I would say Brown underperformed on USNWR previously, not the converse. The neu of T10 is U Chicago for sure! Now they game admissions. I haven't seen anything to indicate that from Brown. I think apps are slightly down this year because they were highest for the last 2 years. People looked at that and thought it wasn't worthwhile applying. I would venture they'll be up next year, but the test requirement may keep things a little cooler. For undecided, I think Brown's open curriculum would be great if student has ideas about various interests. If not, then something with a stronger core and choose by social environment/weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accepted:
Georgetown
Pomona
Boston College
UVA
William & Mary (Monroe scholar)
GW

Waitlist:
Princeton
Brown

Male. Govt/history/politics/IR-related. In-state VA. Doesn't qualify for any aid. Willing to pay if a distinct advantage over other options.

GEORGETOWN. ignore the DC bubble that craps on it, Georgetown is the best on the list

I think Georgetown may be best on the list but not sure it is a "distinct advantage". For "Govt/history/politics/IR-related. In-state VA" W&M with the Monroe Scholarship is really strong as is UVA.

Yes!! That's our problem. VA has such great options--any other state GU would be a no-brainer for this field. Weighing $85-87k vs $38-40k is tough. I think GU has a good ROI though. Keep toying with go there for grad and save $ undergrad.

DP. Oooh, that is tough. In states are very strong and 1/2 price. Gtown has cache, but would it be the best experience? I would talk to lots of students. I'd be very tempted to go Pomona. Sounds like such an ideal. I guess you go on a lot of visits and ask a lot of questions.
All great choices. Congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accepted:
Georgetown
Pomona
Boston College
UVA
William & Mary (Monroe scholar)
GW

Waitlist:
Princeton
Brown

Male. Govt/history/politics/IR-related. In-state VA. Doesn't qualify for any aid. Willing to pay if a distinct advantage over other options.

GEORGETOWN. ignore the DC bubble that craps on it, Georgetown is the best on the list

I think Georgetown may be best on the list but not sure it is a "distinct advantage". For "Govt/history/politics/IR-related. In-state VA" W&M with the Monroe Scholarship is really strong as is UVA.

Yes!! That's our problem. VA has such great options--any other state GU would be a no-brainer for this field. Weighing $85-87k vs $38-40k is tough. I think GU has a good ROI though. Keep toying with go there for grad and save $ undergrad.

What does your kid want to do? Overall reported "ROI" for a school is heavily influenced by the majors and employment fields pursued by graduates and the cost of living of where graduates settle. For instance, Georgetown has one of the highest percentages of alumni working in Finance (just behind Penn) according to the WSJ and many of those may be in high cost areas like NYC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Boy, academic and social, but not a partier

ND $$$
Georgetown SFS $$$$
Bing $
Denison $
Davidson $$
Wisconsin $$
LSE $$

Politics, Econ. Maybe middle eastern studies, but possibly policy or journalism or higher ed so can’t look took narrowly.

Georgetown will be full fare even when my second kid starts in two years, which seems crazy even if it’s possibly the best academically. ND would come down. The others are manageable from the jump

LSE might be interesting. Very different experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Boy, academic and social, but not a partier

ND $$$
Georgetown SFS $$$$
Bing $
Denison $
Davidson $$
Wisconsin $$
LSE $$

Politics, Econ. Maybe middle eastern studies, but possibly policy or journalism or higher ed so can’t look took narrowly.

Georgetown will be full fare even when my second kid starts in two years, which seems crazy even if it’s possibly the best academically. ND would come down. The others are manageable from the jump

I'd narrow it down to either Davidson or LSE (unless he wants the big college experience, then Wisc) based on your finances. Great choices, congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Boy, academic and social, but not a partier

ND $$$
Georgetown SFS $$$$
Bing $
Denison $
Davidson $$
Wisconsin $$
LSE $$

Politics, Econ. Maybe middle eastern studies, but possibly policy or journalism or higher ed so can’t look took narrowly.

Georgetown will be full fare even when my second kid starts in two years, which seems crazy even if it’s possibly the best academically. ND would come down. The others are manageable from the jump

Davidson for the win. It’s an amazing school! DS picked it over both ND and Georgetown and could not be happier. Congrats to your DC!

That would be my pick too.