Flagship Avoidance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you convince DC that flagship state schools are not all that they seem? DC is at a small private and is obsessed with finding the “college experience” of football, social life, community etc but has always been in small classes, small social circles, easy access to resources etc.

sorry, no advice. My son went from a small private to virginia tech and loves it. He too wanted the big college experience. Glad I wasn't over bearing, but instead respected his decision. He’s also getting a great education and as sophomore has an excellent internship lined up this summer. VT has a tight alumni network and this has so far paid off.

[Anonymous]

I know it’s contrary to the ethos of this forum, but sometimes I wonder if all this choice does a disservice to our kids. In a way giving a permission structure for refusal to engage with one’s environment if it’s scary or different. Like, let them try the huge flagship public. It might give them a freedom they didn’t know in their small pond. Or maybe it’s really hard. But in that case there is also opportunity. To figure out how to make a big place feel small. Is it a fraternity? A smaller major or an honors college? ROTC, campus faith community, become an RA, work at the library, Greek life, whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know people from small private schools who wanted the state flagship for what it offers and are thriving there. Many chose the state flagship for a bigger social scene, a specific program that an LAC/private wouldn’t have, or because the in-state tuition was too good to pass up.

+1. My kid went from a tiny private to UVA and absolutely flourished. OP have you actually toured top flagships? I think your assumption is wrong for some of them. (And my kid was academic, a debater, not rah rah, not Greek).

[Anonymous]

My DC kid from a small private got into a great flagships for next year and couldn’t be more excited. Not sure what OP’s issue is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you convince DC that flagship state schools are not all that they seem? DC is at a small private and is obsessed with finding the “college experience” of football, social life, community etc but has always been in small classes, small social circles, easy access to resources etc.

This is a description of most public state flagship Honors Colleges.

I actually don't understand this point whatsoever. Honors Colleges only have small classes for the specific classes required by the Honors College...it's not like they offer their own sections for someone who wants to major in Engineering or Finance or the other very popular majors. Now, perhaps those upper level classes on their own are not huge.

I know just as many kids who dropped out of the Honor College because of the extra bullshit they had to do, as ones that remained in the Honors College.

The Honors College at University of South Carolina has what you describe or used to. There are Honors-only special courses as well as Honors-only sections of classes offered to everyone.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes a flagship isn’t the chance to be a small fish in a big pond, but a big fish in a big pond. Student government leaders and the kids who are the tops of their majors at big state flagships can expect a lot of special attention and to do very very well, especially if the school has a robust Honors College.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC kid from a small private got into a great flagships for next year and couldn’t be more excited. Not sure what OP’s issue is.

Could be unfamiliarity what some flagships offer today. UVA, for example, is much smaller than UCLA, Cal, Wisconsin, Michigan. My humanities kid had only small seminars at UVA from second year on. We had the same major so I read his syllabi. He got a far better education, more contacts with professors, better LORs, etc than I did out of my SLAC and with MUCH greater opportunities because of the varied experiences a flagship can offer. UVA is $40k instate. My SLAC is now ridiculous $96k.