Tell me about High Point University NC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son transferred after one year.

The Good:
- They truly do teach life skills. The president teaches a seminar to all freshmen on how to conduct yourself in business. This “life skills” mindset is weaved throughout the campus. There is even a lounge with half an airplane with seats it where you can do homework. We were told to expect professors to join you and engage in conversation to continue teaching life skills.

- The classes are small. Your professors know you. You can get time with them if needed.

- The school is easier to get in to, yes - however the classes are much more challenging than their reputation.

- Amenities and beauty. They pipe classical music between classes as you walk past perfectly manicured flowerbeds, a thousand fountains and drink stands with free refreshments. Incredible gyms, science labs. They have all the educational tools you could ever dream of. There are concierge desks all around campus that resemble hotel lobby’s. There is a steak house (more life skills there - with a strict dress code - have to make reservations, etc.) a swanky sports bar (no alcohol, duh) and a movie theater. There is a revolving door of free food trucks almost daily. They also built an outdoor skating rink.

- The President. Dr. Qubein is a celebrity and mingles with students. He is very magnetic and inspirational. He will learn your name and remember it. He’s sharp. He is a former a businessman, not an academic - hence the amazing advertising and beautiful campus. There literally is no ugly part of campus - much of it built with his own money.

The Bad:
- No football team. Okay whatever but a football team brings school spirit that no other sport can. There is a lack of connection as a student body and my guess is it’s because there isn’t one thing that holds it all together. The weekends are quiet and boring my son reported.

- It sits right in the middle of a VERY dangerous area. (Side note: No one ever talks about this on DCUM which makes me think that people are just passing along what they’ve heard with no experience). I always thought the gates (all posted with guards 24 hours) were part of the country club image. Nope, they are keeping your kids safe from what is on the outside. This may explain the food trucks coming on campus. High Point NC has a very high crime rate. Look it up for yourself. It’s a small town, so the high crime rate is very alarming. When you drive up to campus, the disparity between the campus and what sits across the street is eye catching. You don’t leave the campus at night - ever. Which leads me to my next point.

- Lack of things to do. Outside of the organized activities they create on campus (remember no football team) there is nowhere to go. Even leaving campus for a haircut is sketchy and taking your life into your own hands.

My son didn’t like the lack of independence he felt at HPU. He never found his people and said that it lacked freedom and cohesion. The academics were good and the campus was beautiful (think Disney World) yet he felt like he was in prison. It might be a good fit for students looking for a small student body with a quiet atmosphere and more organized activities but for him the lack of independence and cohesion killed it for him. The environment was too controlled. He didn’t feel like he was off at college. He liked the small classes and how nice the campus was but that wasn’t enough to keep him there. He needed connection.

Hope this helps someone.

This is 100% accurate! Please read if you are considering. A very well balanced and helpful reply!

Reading the description that PP wrote, it's pretty clear what you are getting for the extra $30k (?) per year... guards, drink stands, piped music, food trucks, and lovely landscaping.

you're getting CNU, but in a resort setting

Yep. That's what it sounds like. I'm not sure why someone would pay the extra $30k+ for that if CNU or others of similar size were an option. It does sound extravagant and indulgent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son transferred after one year.

The Good:
- They truly do teach life skills. The president teaches a seminar to all freshmen on how to conduct yourself in business. This “life skills” mindset is weaved throughout the campus. There is even a lounge with half an airplane with seats it where you can do homework. We were told to expect professors to join you and engage in conversation to continue teaching life skills.

- The classes are small. Your professors know you. You can get time with them if needed.

- The school is easier to get in to, yes - however the classes are much more challenging than their reputation.

- Amenities and beauty. They pipe classical music between classes as you walk past perfectly manicured flowerbeds, a thousand fountains and drink stands with free refreshments. Incredible gyms, science labs. They have all the educational tools you could ever dream of. There are concierge desks all around campus that resemble hotel lobby’s. There is a steak house (more life skills there - with a strict dress code - have to make reservations, etc.) a swanky sports bar (no alcohol, duh) and a movie theater. There is a revolving door of free food trucks almost daily. They also built an outdoor skating rink.

- The President. Dr. Qubein is a celebrity and mingles with students. He is very magnetic and inspirational. He will learn your name and remember it. He’s sharp. He is a former a businessman, not an academic - hence the amazing advertising and beautiful campus. There literally is no ugly part of campus - much of it built with his own money.

The Bad:
- No football team. Okay whatever but a football team brings school spirit that no other sport can. There is a lack of connection as a student body and my guess is it’s because there isn’t one thing that holds it all together. The weekends are quiet and boring my son reported.

- It sits right in the middle of a VERY dangerous area. (Side note: No one ever talks about this on DCUM which makes me think that people are just passing along what they’ve heard with no experience). I always thought the gates (all posted with guards 24 hours) were part of the country club image. Nope, they are keeping your kids safe from what is on the outside. This may explain the food trucks coming on campus. High Point NC has a very high crime rate. Look it up for yourself. It’s a small town, so the high crime rate is very alarming. When you drive up to campus, the disparity between the campus and what sits across the street is eye catching. You don’t leave the campus at night - ever. Which leads me to my next point.

- Lack of things to do. Outside of the organized activities they create on campus (remember no football team) there is nowhere to go. Even leaving campus for a haircut is sketchy and taking your life into your own hands.

My son didn’t like the lack of independence he felt at HPU. He never found his people and said that it lacked freedom and cohesion. The academics were good and the campus was beautiful (think Disney World) yet he felt like he was in prison. It might be a good fit for students looking for a small student body with a quiet atmosphere and more organized activities but for him the lack of independence and cohesion killed it for him. The environment was too controlled. He didn’t feel like he was off at college. He liked the small classes and how nice the campus was but that wasn’t enough to keep him there. He needed connection.

Hope this helps someone.

This is 100% accurate! Please read if you are considering. A very well balanced and helpful reply!

Reading the description that PP wrote, it's pretty clear what you are getting for the extra $30k (?) per year... guards, drink stands, piped music, food trucks, and lovely landscaping.

you're getting CNU, but in a resort setting

Yep. That's what it sounds like. I'm not sure why someone would pay the extra $30k+ for that if CNU or others of similar size were an option. It does sound extravagant and indulgent.

If cost is immaterial to you and junior needs a BA before you get them a job, it's a great option

[Anonymous]

I've never looked up HPU until now.

See: https://www.highpoint.edu/admissions/tuition-fees/

Seems kind of smarmy for a college to use the term "additional investment" when listing the additional cost of a single occupancy room or higher level accommodation. That's slick-salesman-speak... which comports with what others have experienced.

A legit college/university doesn't try to put a shine on the fact that they are charging more for X service/option. They just say X costs $X. Dorm/housing costs are not an "investment." Any college that refers to it that way should fail their own Econ 101 class. Not a good look.

[Anonymous]

My friend's DD goes there and loves it. Has ADHD and feels like the small classes and personal attention really helped her. Is doing well academically and socially. It may not be for everyone but is a good fit for her.

[Anonymous]

I have heard that they provide alot of personalized attention to kids with learning challenges - like ADHD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend's DD goes there and loves it. Has ADHD and feels like the small classes and personal attention really helped her. Is doing well academically and socially. It may not be for everyone but is a good fit for her.

This is a helpful perspective. Thank you for sharing.

[Anonymous]

It may not be for everyone but the two kids I know are happy there. No need to trash a school that is not your style. Let's all play nice here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son transferred after one year.

The Good:
- They truly do teach life skills. The president teaches a seminar to all freshmen on how to conduct yourself in business. This “life skills” mindset is weaved throughout the campus. There is even a lounge with half an airplane with seats it where you can do homework. We were told to expect professors to join you and engage in conversation to continue teaching life skills.

- The classes are small. Your professors know you. You can get time with them if needed.

- The school is easier to get in to, yes - however the classes are much more challenging than their reputation.

- Amenities and beauty. They pipe classical music between classes as you walk past perfectly manicured flowerbeds, a thousand fountains and drink stands with free refreshments. Incredible gyms, science labs. They have all the educational tools you could ever dream of. There are concierge desks all around campus that resemble hotel lobby’s. There is a steak house (more life skills there - with a strict dress code - have to make reservations, etc.) a swanky sports bar (no alcohol, duh) and a movie theater. There is a revolving door of free food trucks almost daily. They also built an outdoor skating rink.

- The President. Dr. Qubein is a celebrity and mingles with students. He is very magnetic and inspirational. He will learn your name and remember it. He’s sharp. He is a former a businessman, not an academic - hence the amazing advertising and beautiful campus. There literally is no ugly part of campus - much of it built with his own money.

The Bad:
- No football team. Okay whatever but a football team brings school spirit that no other sport can. There is a lack of connection as a student body and my guess is it’s because there isn’t one thing that holds it all together. The weekends are quiet and boring my son reported.

- It sits right in the middle of a VERY dangerous area. (Side note: No one ever talks about this on DCUM which makes me think that people are just passing along what they’ve heard with no experience). I always thought the gates (all posted with guards 24 hours) were part of the country club image. Nope, they are keeping your kids safe from what is on the outside. This may explain the food trucks coming on campus. High Point NC has a very high crime rate. Look it up for yourself. It’s a small town, so the high crime rate is very alarming. When you drive up to campus, the disparity between the campus and what sits across the street is eye catching. You don’t leave the campus at night - ever. Which leads me to my next point.

- Lack of things to do. Outside of the organized activities they create on campus (remember no football team) there is nowhere to go. Even leaving campus for a haircut is sketchy and taking your life into your own hands.

My son didn’t like the lack of independence he felt at HPU. He never found his people and said that it lacked freedom and cohesion. The academics were good and the campus was beautiful (think Disney World) yet he felt like he was in prison. It might be a good fit for students looking for a small student body with a quiet atmosphere and more organized activities but for him the lack of independence and cohesion killed it for him. The environment was too controlled. He didn’t feel like he was off at college. He liked the small classes and how nice the campus was but that wasn’t enough to keep him there. He needed connection.

Hope this helps someone.

Just curious. Was transferring difficult after High Point? Did your child do well there an able to find a better fit? DC was accepted today and it doesn't fit the typical characteristics of other schools their applying to. So a bit concerned it might be alluring but not exactly what their looking for.

[Anonymous]

After reading this, I’m wondering whether this would be a good fit for my kid with high-functioning autism. All that explicit teaching of social norms and life skills sounds good to me. It’s hard for him. He’s smart. But job interviews ? Soft skills? He struggles, which is typical for autistic kids.

[Anonymous]

My DD was accepted today with generous $$$ and is thrilled!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:25 years ago, it was a commuter school mostly. It probably changed.

How on earth do you think this is a useful comment? Do you vomit up stuff like this in real life?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD was accepted today with generous $$$ and is thrilled!

Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A school for thoroughly average kids whose parents are unusually wealthy.

below average kids, problem kids.

[Anonymous]

There were articles a few years ago about their unqualified professors and how they didn't pay any of them very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A school for thoroughly average kids whose parents are unusually wealthy.

below average kids, problem kids.

There is no support for this. GPAs and test scores are decent. We toured. It is pretty nice. Average will not get you here and unusually wealthy will get you somewhere else.