What would you do want for your child?for yourself?

[Anonymous]

I graduated from high school this year 2020. My parents and I disagree on the best path forward. I am trying to write this as objectively as possible, but which choice would you recommend to your child if they were in my situation and would your answer be different if it was for you.

Back Story: I went to public HS in Northern VA. It’s a good school, I graduated middle of the pack with decent grades. I knew my parents wanted me to go to college, but I wasn’t convinced this is what I wanted until right before junior year. I only did what I needed to pass classes before then. In 10th grade I took AP Spanish and I really liked it, and did well on the exam. So in 11th grade I took 2 more AP classes and in 12th grade I took 2 dual enrollment classes at NOVA and 2 AP classes. I did well on the SAT and ACT. I got accepted early decision to my 1st choice school, so I did not apply anywhere else, but I only got a partial scholarship $5000 and we do not qualify for financial aid. My parents are paying my tuition and expenses. With APs and DE, I will start college as a sophomore. As of right now, the school I will be attending has the option to stay home and take classes online or to go to campus and take classes online. No groups over 10 people. School is in the southern US. My parents would drive me and drop me off on campus in August, no breaks and I would be home for Thanksgiving.

Option 1 - Go to campus and take classes online, school will gradually move to hybrid and then in person as possible, but only for students on campus. Based on academic counseling and major I will be able to graduate in May 2023 if I take classes at least 1 summer. I also want to study abroad and do internships. I will be able to apply to Honors Program that will cover 50% of tuition and board starting Junior year if my grades are at least 3.5 GPA this year.

Option 2 - Stay home and take classes online. As of right now the cost savings will be just room and board because that has not been finalized and the cost of getting back and forth to school. Tuition will be the same as on campus. Everything else is the same as Option 1.

Option 3 - Take classes online at NOVA and get my Associates in May 2021. School may allow me to defer because I am already coming in as a sophomore and not a freshman. The tuition cost saving will be about $25k for the year. I would not have to take summer classes to graduate in 2023. I would be able to get an internship through NOVA for summer 2021 that I qualify for by getting by associates with them. If my school does not let me defer, I will need to reapply as a transfer student, I would be able to join the Honors Program at that time.

I know this is long but I wanted to try to give all the information.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of uncertainties that may change your choices—Given the uncertainties of Covid I would not be surprised to see most schools being online only before Halloween.

[Anonymous]

My opinion-take online classes at the 4 year school on
From home. The south is in trouble right now, so you should stay in a safer part of the country until they get things under control.

Congratulations on you high performance, and choosing goals for yourself!

[Anonymous]

What is the school's ranking? My answer is different for top 25 vs. a lower ranked school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My opinion-take online classes at the 4 year school on
From home. The south is in trouble right now, so you should stay in a safer part of the country until they get things under control.

Congratulations on you high performance, and choosing goals for yourself!

This. Obvious decision given the covid situation in the south.

[Anonymous]

You need to discuss this with your parents. I would want you to stay home and stay at your current school as hopefully you can return in the spring or fall. If you are unhappy at the school, then transfer.

[Anonymous]

Option 3. Backup wiould be Option 2.

[Anonymous]

First, congrats on your excellent school performance and merit scholarship! You are a strong writer; it’s a pleasure to read your post.

Second, to answer your question, I would recommend Option 1 for both myself & my child. I don’t believe there’s any equivalent substitute to starting college on campus, even if things are topsy-turvy this particular year. I’ve been chatting with my college senior DD about the effects of COVID, and we agreed that in a strange way, this upcoming fall will be an enduring bonding experience for incoming freshmen.

Third, if cost is a stumbling block, then I’d consider Option 2. I believe it’s important that you share your first year with your college cohort.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Anonymous]

The only fact you left out is what major you are considering. The level/name of school would matter too but given what you have written, I don't think it's so out of the ordinary that it will matter.

For STEM, I would chose option 1 and for everything else option 2. Sophomore year of STEM means dealing with important labs that are just not the same with DL.

[Anonymous]

you should go. there will always be obstacles, but you need to move ahead or you risk being very bored and later unmotivated

[Anonymous]

You are part of a cohort who are all going through the same thing. This is part of your shared experience. You should go.

[Anonymous]

I’m also a class of 2020 kid and my parents and I disagreed on the best option. Ultimately I decided to do virtual learning from home this semester. But you have to figure out what is the best option for you.

[Anonymous]

I would strongly encourage my child to do option 1, but would support their choice.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your responses.

My major is political science
I’m not really concerned about if the school is ranked. It is in a mid size city with a beautiful campus and decent academics. If I decide to go to law school the name and/or rank will be taken more into consideration.

[Anonymous]

OP, my opinion may differ from many here on DCUM because I'm a transplant to DC and wasn't raised in the competitive HS/college atmosphere so prevalent around here. I think option 3 sounds like a really wise choice, especially in this current situation. The financial savings is considerable ($25K is a lot of money to most of us!!) and you've clearly proven you have a good deal of self-motivation, which is great. I have several good friends who went the Associates route and then transferred to finish up their degrees who have done very well for themselves. And given you're interested in Poli Sci and NOVA can get you a good internship, that's another plus for that route.

Whatever you prefer, I hope you are able to bring your parents round. I really think it should be your decision. Parents (and I'm one now) can and should advise, but in the end, it's your life. And those of us who went to college 20 years ago did so in a different environment, so our wisdom only goes so far anyway.