Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 22:13     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
Anonymous wrote:In the early stages of pondering possible good college fits for my (current sophomore) DD. I know - early days! But curious to hear what the DCUM hive mind thinks. I am from California, so back in my day pretty much everyone just applied to CA schools, so this universe of East Coast and a bajillion other schools in between is very foreign to me. Also, my DD is VERY different from me - so schools I would have wanted (big city!) are not going to appeal to her. Anyway - she is very smart - will probably be a 4.0 (UW) plus multiple APs (currently taking AP Calculus BC). Scored in the high 1400s on recent PSAT without any preparation so will likely do well on SAT if she cracks a book or two. Public school; Starting varsity (soccer) athlete; demonstrated musical ability/interests; is an incredible (won several contests as a child; can draw a perfect likeness/portrait on demand) artist. On the other hand, she likes STEM classes a lot - though I still don't know if that will be her ultimate bent.

She doesn't particularly like cities/urban bustle; probably wouldn't like super cold climate; not in to partying (e.g. Greek life) at all. Very down to earth, studious kid (and would not like either rich blue blood east coast or Southern belle/debutante drama). Doesn't like crowds/I can't imagine she would like/thrive in big flagship university freshman classes of several hundred.

Thoughts that have come to mind for me (with very little research so far . . .just vague grapevine stuff): Rice, Cornell (except brrrr!), Pomona, Stanford (super reach, I know), William and Mary, Oberlin, maybe somewhere in Oregon/Washington (Gonzaga? Lewis and Clark?).

Would love to hear any ideas/thoughts/experiences/recommendations of colleges to think about . . . . that way we can start researching/planning college visits




What's the intended major?

For the sake of opportunity, i would definitely support the good test scores. Get above 34 or 1500. It opens a lot of opportunties for a white kid. The TO people are delusional. You're pretty close. Go for it. Get that number. It will definitely help

The BC Calculus is great

The soccer thing is a wash unless recruited.

I wouldn't really bother with Stanford and Pomona in early.

Cornell is obviously cold. And it's stressful. And fratty. Oberlin will also be cold. And super liberal. Make sure your kid is good with that

Rice is in Houston. Awesome school, but Texas. Stem-y. Engineering and pre-med. But absolutely terrific school

But Houston, Texas

University of Washington is good. But it's no Rice or Cornell or anything at that level.

The Catholic schools are a whole different discussion. It starts with Notre Dame. Then Georgetown

In any event, what's the major? There are 4000 colleges out there
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:54     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
dear OP. AGAIn, what are you comfortable spending per year. Many of the colleges and universities you have listed are VERY expensive. The first thing any college counselor should ask is "how much are you willing to spend" period
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:49     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
It’s too early. Stop.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:49     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
Anonymous wrote:I think people are being critical because the list is WAY too reach heavy. You are new to this but college admission is very competitive now. Look for a set of more realistic schools for an “average excellent” student. Focus more on fit than name recognition or ranking.


+1 on prioritizing fit
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:48     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Agree that a lot could change.

But fyi in the PNW I might recommend Reed and Whitman over the two you mentioned — maybe especially Whitman for a kid who doesn’t like urban bustle. Whitman is hard to get to, but that isolation gives it a vibe that’s really unique. A reasonably sized town with great restaurants etc., but also the wide streets and rural charm feel of a midwestern town. Wonderfully friendly, down-to-earth kids, arty and outdoorsy, smart and unpretentious. Great STEM, and also art everywhere on campus.

Don’t have a kid there and not an alum, though DC is applying.


Reed is definitely not down to earth.


PP, I suggested it bc it draws very smart kids, it’s got terrific STEM and also great arts, campus in a city but not too urban/bustling. Just seemed like potentially a better fit for the kid OP described.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:46     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
Where do you live now?
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:44     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
I say take a beat but see that sort of vibes she like as the next year goes by. Casually.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:43     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
I think people are being critical because the list is WAY too reach heavy. You are new to this but college admission is very competitive now. Look for a set of more realistic schools for an “average excellent” student. Focus more on fit than name recognition or ranking.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:39     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
I’d take her to a variety of schools (large, small, rural, suburban, city). She needs to look at safety schools as well as reaches. As she figures out what she wants, the list will narrow. I’d include a visit to Amherst, Smith, Mt Holyoke, UMass & Hampshire as they are all close to each other. Schedule a few tours and drive through the others. Take notes as her interests may change over time. Your ultimate list should include a rolling EA school and consideration of ED options. You want many schools she’d want to attend. Look at finances & decide if you need merit. This book was helpful for me, esp advice on when it was & was not appropriate for me to weigh in: How to Prepare a Standout College Application: Expert Advice that Takes You from LMO* (*Like Many Others) to Admit.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:31     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You are much too overly invested. Let her drive this train.


This. Your post comes off as manic.


NP. Calm the f down. It's an anonymous post on a highly charged subject (college). You can't tell anything from that, including how involved the kid is, whether kid is asking for input, etc. So just chill out and quick being such judgmental pricks. If you can't do that, just scroll on by.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:19     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
Anonymous wrote:In the early stages of pondering possible good college fits for my (current sophomore) DD. I know - early days! But curious to hear what the DCUM hive mind thinks. I am from California, so back in my day pretty much everyone just applied to CA schools, so this universe of East Coast and a bajillion other schools in between is very foreign to me. Also, my DD is VERY different from me - so schools I would have wanted (big city!) are not going to appeal to her. Anyway - she is very smart - will probably be a 4.0 (UW) plus multiple APs (currently taking AP Calculus BC). Scored in the high 1400s on recent PSAT without any preparation so will likely do well on SAT if she cracks a book or two. Public school; Starting varsity (soccer) athlete; demonstrated musical ability/interests; is an incredible (won several contests as a child; can draw a perfect likeness/portrait on demand) artist. On the other hand, she likes STEM classes a lot - though I still don't know if that will be her ultimate bent.

She doesn't particularly like cities/urban bustle; probably wouldn't like super cold climate; not in to partying (e.g. Greek life) at all. Very down to earth, studious kid (and would not like either rich blue blood east coast or Southern belle/debutante drama). Doesn't like crowds/I can't imagine she would like/thrive in big flagship university freshman classes of several hundred.

Thoughts that have come to mind for me (with very little research so far . . .just vague grapevine stuff): Rice, Cornell (except brrrr!), Pomona, Stanford (super reach, I know), William and Mary, Oberlin, maybe somewhere in Oregon/Washington (Gonzaga? Lewis and Clark?).

Would love to hear any ideas/thoughts/experiences/recommendations of colleges to think about . . . . that way we can start researching/planning college visits


Rice and Cornell parents super reaches, too?
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:19     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
Anonymous wrote:I would think again about the weather because most of the good small schools are in cold places. I went someplace cold but it didn’t bother me all that much because people bundle up and nothing was more than a 5 minute walk really.

Clemson is one southern smaller school but I don’t know how great it is for stem.

For stem one big question is if she wants more applied like engineering or comp sci or if she wants more like biology, chem, physics. Amherst is great for the old school sciences if you want med school or a science PhD. For engineering you need someplace like union or bucknell — not as many small school options for engineering. You might want to take her by Hopkins at some point to see if that feels too big.


Clemson is not a small school...
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:12     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
Bucknell is a great school.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:08     Subject: Re:Brainstorming college options for my DD
Stop trying to make OP feel bad, or manic, or overly involved. He/She is a parent visiting a thread about colleges right about the time they might start planning a spring break to begin looking at a few. That's hardly nuts, if you consider that it's best to see schools when they're in session. There are only so many school breaks that don't match up with the colleges on your list. And OP was just giving us all the information people would demand when being asked for school recs.

OP, I agree with the suggestion for William and Mary or Amherst, though Amherst is much more isolated. I'm sure there are dozens more schools that meet your criteria. You're doing the right thing in asking around. Also, find out if your kid's school will give you access to Naviance yet. That's one way to start narrowing down. I liked it that it says when a school is a reach or a safety, given your student's numbers, etc.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2023 21:04     Subject: Brainstorming college options for my DD
Anonymous wrote:Agree that a lot could change.

But fyi in the PNW I might recommend Reed and Whitman over the two you mentioned — maybe especially Whitman for a kid who doesn’t like urban bustle. Whitman is hard to get to, but that isolation gives it a vibe that’s really unique. A reasonably sized town with great restaurants etc., but also the wide streets and rural charm feel of a midwestern town. Wonderfully friendly, down-to-earth kids, arty and outdoorsy, smart and unpretentious. Great STEM, and also art everywhere on campus.

Don’t have a kid there and not an alum, though DC is applying.


Reed is definitely not down to earth.