Reply to Recommendations for schools within 3 hours of NoVa for my (below?) average kid?

Forum Index » College and University Discussion

Reply to "Recommendations for schools within 3 hours of NoVa for my (below?) average kid?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DD is a junior in Northern Va with average grades (3.3 GPA) and some AP classes. Will test in the 1000-1100 range on SATs. We are looking for a school within driving distance of home, so ideally within 3 hours. Not expecting any financial aid, and not really worried about cost (though I prefer to spend under $50K year). No intended major or even a great sense of what to do, although it will be humanities/liberal arts and not science or math. Not a lot of "impressive" stuff on the resume -- some sports, some clubs, not a standout in anything. DD is an OK but not great writer, etc. Even typing this, probably not even average for this area, but would be average in most of the country.

Definitely a late bloomer. I'm not worried about her long-term. She's a grounded person who has good social skills, and high emotional IQ, but is not a great student. She's organized and conscientious, but does have some anxiety, which is why I think she will be happier not too far from home.

I'm looking for recs for places to apply. We are open on size of school, though there need to be enough majors in the humanities/liberal arts that she can find her thing. Maybe also graphic design, as she has a good eye, but never really pursued it. A lot of the colleges I've seen are 65% female or higher, and I prefer something with better gender balance. Also looking for a school where a good percentage of kids actually finish, and where kids coming out of the school go on to jobs/grad school. I also prefer a school where kids largely live on campus, and the school is good at helping freshman get integrated and find success. I prefer her not get lost, and go to a school that will really help her thrive.

All of this makes me think she may do better in the right smaller school. She's interested in a bigger school like JMU, though from what I've read here, I don't think she would get in. She would enjoy getting to cheer on sports teams, etc. I don't think Greek system would be a good fit, so ideally a school where you don't have to do that to make friends.

Also on the wish list is a place where she could have a single room as a freshman, but still live in a more communal space to make friends. Part of her management of the anxiety is control over her living environment, so not having to deal with a messy roommate would be good, but she also needs to be with the people, if that makes sense.

Thanks for any ideas![/quote]

I have a "not quite a superstar" junior. We are looking at York College (Graphic Design is a good program here), Susquehanna University and Frostburg State. Hope that helps!
[/quote]

I speak from experience: Investigate Susquehanna’s GO program first. They have a required, expensive study-abroad program that is not included in tuition or room & board. You have to do it (either a short one or a long one) to graduate, and also take classes before and after the trip that relate to it. You are required to live on-campus all four years unless your parents live close-by. That is great in a lot of ways. Other than that, there are a lot of great things about it I would be happy to share. [/quote]

You have to live on campus but they also have good transportation options to help students get home from school on breaks, etc, which was important to our family. [b]The environmental science/ecology programs are great. [/b]Not too far away from Bucknell too so we visited both in one weekend but Bucknell is very selective.

[/quote]

If your student is interested in ES/ecology, they should also look at Juniata College (in the same region). My DD preferred the resources at Juniata. For example, they have a field station next to campus and you have the option to spend a semester living at the field station with a small group doing classes/research together.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics