is this post just to brag?

Anonymous wrote:The majority of the decisions are in and DD has whittled them down to the below. The final price tag for all is within the range and just off by a few thousand (no huge difference).

I am just interested in some of the cons/pros some can give from their kid's experience at those places. We are trying to help her make a decision and I am sure there are arguments for and against each we have not thought of yet. My husband and I got our degrees in another country so this whole thing over here has been a constant learning process for us.

Major Biology

Carnegie Mellon
UVA
Chapel Hill
UofRochester
William and Mary

No advice -- Just wanted to comment that I liked your headline - "It's a wrap - Decision time" it really fits how I'm feeling. Good Luck with your decision.

Anonymous wrote:I feel like people who are saying UNC and UVA are interchangeable haven't been to UNC. UNC because of the size of Chapel Hill and its proximity to other areas is going to feel more like CMU than UVA. UVA is fairly secluded and then Charlottesville is small.

UNC also has a lot of programs with other local universities and medical centers - as does CMU. I think Bio majors have an option to live in a new dorm building at CMU because of the location of most bio classes. UNC is considered a first-year weed out bio program (bc of the strong pre-med interest), so your kid might want to know that.

I am in no way anti-UVA, it is an amazing school, I'm just pointing out differences that I know from having kids at UNC and CMU and having taught a summer at UVA.

I couldn't get either of my kids to apply to Rochester. Didn't like the area or the vibe.

This will apply to any college with a substantial pre-med population, which all these schools have.

William & Mary

My DC was a biology major there, was working in a lab by sophomore year (and the more research experience, the better for grad school), did an overseas research class one summer, a prestigious REU another summer, and an senior honors research project that was published. And then was accepted to 2 of the best PhD programs in the country.

The professors there are great. I have another DC who went to a top SLAC and my WM kid got as much professorial attention as he did, and developed real, long-lasting relationships.
I can't imagine a better college experience for a biology major who wants to go into research.

I feel like people who are saying UNC and UVA are interchangeable haven't been to UNC. UNC because of the size of Chapel Hill and its proximity to other areas is going to feel more like CMU than UVA. UVA is fairly secluded and then Charlottesville is small.

UNC also has a lot of programs with other local universities and medical centers - as does CMU. I think Bio majors have an option to live in a new dorm building at CMU because of the location of most bio classes. UNC is considered a first-year weed out bio program (bc of the strong pre-med interest), so your kid might want to know that.

I am in no way anti-UVA, it is an amazing school, I'm just pointing out differences that I know from having kids at UNC and CMU and having taught a summer at UVA.

I couldn't get either of my kids to apply to Rochester. Didn't like the area or the vibe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she can deal with the cold weather, I’d do U Rochester. Otherwise Chapel Hill. Good luck!

I concur! U Rochester is a research school, with a huge biomedical presence, so perfect place for an undergrad to do research. Majority of students at UofR go on to grad school, so are headed into research (or medical school)

DP: I'm curious why--UNC Chapel Hill has a higher ranking overall and in biomedical engineering than Rochester and it's warmer . Is there are a reason you prefer Rochester for this over UNC? Is it because Rochester has a smaller undergrad population? (Have a DD interested in bio/med coming up considering both of these for future college apps).

Congrats on those wonderful choices! You must be very proud

They are all such great schools so I think it's really personal to which campus she feels connected to.

If it were my DD, I'd be pushing for:
URochester (I'm from NY and I think this is an up and coming gem of a fine university), or
UNC (I went to Duke and I love love love that area and it's such a fantastic school-- certainly a different experience being a state flagship).

Best of luck. So exciting. So happy for your family.

Anonymous wrote:If she can deal with the cold weather, I’d do U Rochester. Otherwise Chapel Hill. Good luck!

I concur! U Rochester is a research school, with a huge biomedical presence, so perfect place for an undergrad to do research. Majority of students at UofR go on to grad school, so are headed into research (or medical school)

All are great options.

I would vote for W&M if her aim is a PhD--she'll get the most in-depth undergraduate research there and the closest relationships with professors.

Unless her interest in bio is more on the biomedical engineering side, then it would be UNC.

If she can deal with the cold weather, I’d do U Rochester. Otherwise Chapel Hill. Good luck!

Those are all great choices and she really can’t go wrong. You’ve said the finances are relatively equal as well. Let her drive the bus from here. If she asked you to get input from other adults, great, share what you’ve learned here. If not, use it to shape your own thinking, but share only if she asks. There is great value in her owning this choice and feeling like it is entirely hers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does your DD thrive best as a big fish in a little pond or is swimming with the sharks what excites her?

Good question, she is content being a medium size fish . While in a demanding magnet, the program kids are not cut-throat or hyper competitive (except for a few). So basically she enjoys the challenges and the cooperation in her current program.

Then I'd keep UVA and Rochester on the table!

Thank you all for the kind words and yes we are planning on attending the admitted student events as much as we can in person.

I appreciate the input and food for thought so far and will definitely take those to her for mulling.

Those schools could not be more different than each other (well UVA and UNC are very similar). I saw visit if you haven't and whatever one she vibes with is it.

If she's very outgoing and active, likes the social aspect, then UVA or UNC. if she's more of the quiet student, the others will probably fit better.