Minerva isn't a scam university, not at all, but it seems to be for students who don't want the group campus experience, and just need to network and get a diploma, because they've already developed their start-up, business, or investment thing. Basically it's the genius drop-out's answer to lacking a diploma. Keep all the research you did on it, and show it to her once she's cooled down. It's not for *most* kids, to be honest.

Tell her she needs to apply to at least 6 universities in addition to Minerva, with at least 3 safeties. Check that she's taking them ALL seriously. My kid got into some of his reaches but ultimately chose one of his safeties, because it was the best fit. He's very happy there. Some kids are shut out of all their reaches and targets and find out their safeties really count. So your job is to ensure she applies judiciously to a range of schools.

You don't mention finances, but also limit the applications to institutions you are willing to pay for. If you decide some colleges can only work with merit aid, be very clear that some offers will be contingent on aid.

Show her this:

“Employers are also more likely to embrace an online degree from a school that provides traditional, on-site coursework in addition to its online offerings. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 92 percent of employers view online degrees from brick-and-mortar schools as favorable, while only 42 percent would consider a candidate with an online degree from a university that operates solely online, “

(Excepted from a Northeastern University site)

That's a difficult position. She's clearly unaware of life generally. She'll hate you ten years from now if you let her go to whatever Minerva is. She's a poorly informed student - not the only one. I'd let her go through the application process. But in the meantime, visit other real colleges that have been around for longer than ten years. And hope that time, information, and the chatter of peers will do its work. Get some good acceptances.

If she still wants Minerva, you've got bigger problems.

OP, the difference between where my kid wanted to go this time last year and where she actually wound up committing is like a 180.

They mature a lot through the process. Keep her options open, express concerns clearly and respectfully, and trust the process.

That's a bit late for a college talk OP. No wonder she latched onto some weird university.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rising senior? The "college talk"...like no discussion previously? How do you know student's class ranking?

Her counselor is very gossipy is what I'll say.
And no, we really didn't speak of it, until she wanted to.

Ooh. Got it. I think I've heard of this place. I can understand your trepidation. A lot can (and probably will) happen in the next 11 months. Easy for me to say, but I wouldn't worry about it yet. Just make sure there are other school applications!

Anonymous wrote:Rising senior? The "college talk"...like no discussion previously? How do you know student's class ranking?

Her counselor is very gossipy is what I'll say.
And no, we really didn't speak of it, until she wanted to.

Anonymous wrote:Rising senior? The "college talk"...like no discussion previously? How do you know student's class ranking?

Not OP but our kid's transcript shows class ranking. We new right about the end of Jr year when he started applying for programs and they required transcripts

Rising senior? The "college talk"...like no discussion previously? How do you know student's class ranking?

DS had considered applying but ended up doing so. All of the classes are on Zoom and you never see the professors in person. It is like online school all over again. Have them study abroad instead.

DaFugg is Minerva University?

Let her apply. Maybe it'll reject. Or it won't, and then you can have that discussion and see if the school swoons you. Never heard of it, how does it function without a campus?

Just say yes and have her apply to other schools as a compromise. Looks like they only accept a handful anyway, it may be a moot point.

Is the owl their mascot? Is SCAM an acronym for something?

I cannot believe this. I finally had the "college talk" with my child, a brilliant student whose ranked 1st in her class. She wants to go to Minerva University. My first reaction was "What in the world is that?" I'm relatively well educated and had never heard of this place, but I gave it some research and a chance. Now, she is fighting me, because I don't think it's safe to go to a SCAM university without a campus and that makes you travel every year. Does anyone have any tips to get her back on track from this distraction?