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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Is UVA worth the high cost of attendance for out of staters? Other state schools are so much more reasonable - I understand the prestige of UVA but is it worth that much more? DS wants to go south to an [b]academically rigorous school[/b] but one that has good sports and a lot of school spirit. [/quote]
What field of interest? I'm sure you can take rigorous courses at any school. [/quote]

Yes, you can take rigorous courses at most schools. But for some[b] academically driven (or gifted) students, it’s also a question of classmates and peer group. [/b]

DS has been happiest with his six AP courses (with five more scheduled for senior year), in part because his AP classmates are (mostly) very motivated, well-prepared, and engaged in class discussion. Do things move quickly and they can dig in and a deeper level.

Sadly, this has not been his experience with his non-AP classes. He’s been frustrated because too many kids just phone it in, and the classes move slowly and are more superficial as a result.

We truly don’t know how this translates to college. DS knows he doesn’t want to be with gunner peers who are completely obsessed with grades and building a resume etc. He’s more of a work hard / play hard kid - a very social, academically motivated three sport athlete. So he wants to be with peers who are similar (not necessarily athletes, but academically motivated kids with big interests and lives beyond the classroom.)

UVA seems to fit the bill. Michigan, too. But like OP, we’re wondering whether they’re worth the high OOS cost. (Not sure about OP, but we’re also looking at private colleges that fit this profile, and we’d welcome all suggestions.) [/quote]

UVA and Michigan fit the bill and are worth it OOS if the student does not have any T25 privates or Top10 LACs that would give the same academically rigorous courses and peer groups. UVA and Michigan are not going to have the same academically intense peers as ivies/Stanford/JHU type schools (I have one at UVA and two at/finished with ivies--it is quite a contrast). The ivy subset can be overly competitive for many gifted kids, as gifted in general means 95th%ile, which would be below average at the most challenging schools but above average at UVA/Michigan level of school. Wanting top rigor is great as long as one knows what he or she is getting into[/quote]

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