Anonymous wrote:West Virginia seems like a dream destination to me - peaceful, bucolic, nature!

+1
Beautiful state and setting for a college.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Until I learned more, this is exactly how I felt about Pitt.

Also on this list.: App State and U Kentucky

Pitt is nothing like WV - and Pitt is a darling of DCUM based on the rolling early acceptance process

Yes, but it seems it's only a "darling" based on the rolling EA. Posters are constantly touting that, so that their kids can then relax as they wait for their other decisions. It seems everyone uses it as a safety and no one actually goes there.
NP

It's location plus perceived selectivity. So a lot of snobbery.

In the case of Rutgers, some kids who want to get away from home for college go to Pitt and PSU instead. Rutgers discussions remind me of how people used to talk about UMD.

I am happy that state flagships are moving up in people's estimation. Big universities have a lot to offer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:West Virginia seems like a dream destination to me - peaceful, bucolic, nature!

My DC attends WVU. I would not describe Morgantown as peaceful or bucolic! But the school has a very non pretentious vibe and they have some great programs especially in the Engineering school. My DC loves the school spirit. This DC is a high achiever and received fantastic merit aid.

I think even medium high achievers can be a big fish in that little pond. That's not a slam on your DC.

Anonymous wrote:West Virginia seems like a dream destination to me - peaceful, bucolic, nature!

My DC attends WVU. I would not describe Morgantown as peaceful or bucolic! But the school has a very non pretentious vibe and they have some great programs especially in the Engineering school. My DC loves the school spirit. This DC is a high achiever and received fantastic merit aid.

Anonymous wrote:College preferences shift with various trends and social media is a factor that didn’t have as much influence on the past . Right now these three schools seem unappealing and dated to kids who are looking for lively towns, robust campus amenities and shiny facilities, and certain weather/vibe (hence why some southern schools are so popular at the moment).

Rutgers New Brunswick receives nearly double the number of applicants after going to the common app.

College preferences shift with various trends and social media is a factor that didn’t have as much influence on the past . Right now these three schools seem unappealing and dated to kids who are looking for lively towns, robust campus amenities and shiny facilities, and certain weather/vibe (hence why some southern schools are so popular at the moment).

We checked out WVU. We felt like the way the campus is really spread out was not conducive to a cool campus feel. Although their little people mover system was very fun! The new area up on the hill with all the athletics facilities was quite impressive. Downtown Morgantown was so depressingly depressed.

U Del for some kids don't have enough school spirit and their sports aren't great, but plenty do love it. It's viewed mostly a safety for DCUM families. WVU has an image problem. Viewed as a school anyone can get into and a huge party school. Finally, people don't like the Rutgers campus but the location is very convenient. Delaware's location is also great.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rutgers has a major image problem - do a college tour at Rutgers and Penn State on back to back days and just about every
kid (and parents) will prefer penn state, even though Rutgers is arguably the better school in many areas - engineering, business, etc

UDel gets more luv than Rutgers too, cute town small campus closer to a large liberal arts feel.

West Virginia is a great school hurt by the fact - no other way to say it - that it’s in West Va

My California son toured Rutgers New Brunswick and got accepted EA, but later got accepted ED2 by NYU. He would have laughed if I suggested UDel. He liked the diversity, the students, the extensive social sciences curriculum and the proximity to NYC by train.

For us, it was somewhat comparable to UC Davis, but with a more urban feel. I nicknamed Rutgers “UC New Brunswick”, although it appeared to be better state funded than UCs.

Rutgers NB hasn’t released an acceptance rate for the last 2 classes after switching to the common app, with NJ high school counselors reporting that kids that used to be high probability admits are now being rejected. It is now believed to be in the upper 30s to lower 40s.

Rutgers is reporting an increase in OOS applicants, and based upon our experience, it is believable, as the school is an appealing OOS option for California kids being shut out of more selective schools in the last decade.

+1 Rutgers is like UMD. Some old timers around here may scoff at it, but it's getting harder and harder to get into. Neither campuses are that appealing, but they do what they are supposed to do -- provide a good education to mostly in state students from various backgrounds.

I'm originally from out west so I knew nothing about either schools, but my nephew went to Rutgers (in state), and got a great job out of college. They are making six figures at 28.

My kid is at UMD (in state), and doing really well. They are at an internship earning $40/hour. UMD admit rate is hovering around 45% mark, and it's even tougher for LEP majors like CS. Some high stats kids from the wealthier schools are getting flat out rejected.

I think people scoff at these schools because they think "everyone gets accepted", and the campus isn't nice. But, IMO, with the current cuts to education, layoffs, and a softening economy, I think these big state flagships will become increasingly popular, even UDel and WVU.

Yep, snobbery. Ignoring the fct that most kids in the U.S. end up at a non-elite, non-selective school. It's ridiculous.

My B-average kid did not get into UDel but did get into Rutgers (go figure) and WVU. WVU gave a decent chunk of money - maybe it would have been half the price of Rutgers? More than half? But, my kid chose Rutgers and has really enjoyed it. And has taken Amtrak home more than a few times, one of the deciding factors was ease of getting to/from. (kid does not have a car and might not have one during college).

Anonymous wrote:Rutgers has a major image problem - do a college tour at Rutgers and Penn State on back to back days and just about every
kid (and parents) will prefer penn state, even though Rutgers is arguably the better school in many areas - engineering, business, etc

UDel gets more luv than Rutgers too, cute town small campus closer to a large liberal arts feel.

West Virginia is a great school hurt by the fact - no other way to say it - that it’s in West Va

My California son toured Rutgers New Brunswick and got accepted EA, but later got accepted ED2 by NYU. He would have laughed if I suggested UDel. He liked the diversity, the students, the extensive social sciences curriculum and the proximity to NYC by train.

For us, it was somewhat comparable to UC Davis, but with a more urban feel. I nicknamed Rutgers “UC New Brunswick”, although it appeared to be better state funded than UCs.

Rutgers NB hasn’t released an acceptance rate for the last 2 classes after switching to the common app, with NJ high school counselors reporting that kids that used to be high probability admits are now being rejected. It is now believed to be in the upper 30s to lower 40s.

Rutgers is reporting an increase in OOS applicants, and based upon our experience, it is believable, as the school is an appealing OOS option for California kids being shut out of more selective schools in the last decade.