Anonymous wrote:DD is going to University of Iowa. I know, very non-elite for all of you DCUM-ers. But, they are top-ranked for her program, both sets of grandparents are there, and she has a strange love for the Midwest. Hurray for rolling admissions so we know the process is done!

Was at the Umd Iowa game 2 weeks ago. The Iowa people were so nice that I almost felt like we should let them win! The big 10 is awesome!

Anonymous wrote:Who knew? My DS heard back from Iowa and is strongly considering it as well. We don't have any connections to the Midwest but he's thinking people are probably much nicer than in this area!

They absolutely are nicer! I am from the Midwest and I do miss the civility.

Who knew? My DS heard back from Iowa and is strongly considering it as well. We don't have any connections to the Midwest but he's thinking people are probably much nicer than in this area!

Anonymous wrote:DD is going to University of Iowa. I know, very non-elite for all of you DCUM-ers. But, they are top-ranked for her program, both sets of grandparents are there, and she has a strange love for the Midwest. Hurray for rolling admissions so we know the process is done!

University of Iowa has some great programs! Hooray for going to the Midwest too!!

DD is going to University of Iowa. I know, very non-elite for all of you DCUM-ers. But, they are top-ranked for her program, both sets of grandparents are there, and she has a strange love for the Midwest. Hurray for rolling admissions so we know the process is done!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NYU really stands out to me on OP's kid's list. But nice to let the kids make the decision they feel is right for them. Congrats!
DD is going to a school that is such a total R E A C H that I'm actually a little concerned. But she'll never hear it from me.

NYU is notoriously stingy with financial aid, so I'm never surprised when someone opts not to go there.

They're trying to change that and have a big fundraising effort going on.

Perhaps. But way too much of their "funds" are going to making themselves a global brand -- and the costs of that are being passed along to the students and their families. NYU is not worth the money.

NYU has an extraordinarily low freshman retention rate which brings its overall ranking down.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NYU really stands out to me on OP's kid's list. But nice to let the kids make the decision they feel is right for them. Congrats!
DD is going to a school that is such a total R E A C H that I'm actually a little concerned. But she'll never hear it from me.

NYU is notoriously stingy with financial aid, so I'm never surprised when someone opts not to go there.

They're trying to change that and have a big fundraising effort going on.

Perhaps. But way too much of their "funds" are going to making themselves a global brand -- and the costs of that are being passed along to the students and their families. NYU is not worth the money.

I understand fraternity/sorority life is a big factor...

If you don't want a big Greek influence on campus, only look at colleges w/participation of 20% ish or less. It's published information.

Do GDS students get a special "you're in, no need to apply" letter?

Anonymous wrote:Good read! Someone start a 2015 thread..

For everyone other than GDS Students you must submit the application before being admitted to an Ivy, so you'll have to wait.

Good read! Someone start a 2015 thread..

Rice-academically similar to Duke, less on the local radar screen so likely easier to get into from DC area, no Greek life at all, every kid I know there has been super happy and has done well with graduate school admissions and jobs

Anonymous wrote:
I understand fraternity/sorority life is a big factor on Duke campus. Do you know of university or SLAC where Greek life is not very important? DS in 10th grade and an excellent student. He is interested in Duke, but has no interest in joining a fraternity. He wants a campus that is diverse and open-minded. Not sure that is my impression of Duke. We will visit, but interested i
n others experiences.


Take a look at Brown

Anonymous wrote:I understand fraternity/sorority life is a big factor on Duke campus. Do you know of university or SLAC where Greek life is not very important? DS in 10th grade and an excellent student. He is interested in Duke, but has no interest in joining a fraternity. He wants a campus that is diverse and open-minded. Not sure that is my impression of Duke. We will visit, but interested i
n others experiences.

Serious town and gown issues. But glorious chapel.

Anonymous wrote:I understand fraternity/sorority life is a big factor on Duke campus. Do you know of university or SLAC where Greek life is not very important? DS in 10th grade and an excellent student. He is interested in Duke, but has no interest in joining a fraternity. He wants a campus that is diverse and open-minded. Not sure that is my impression of Duke. We will visit, but interested i
n others experiences.

There are something like 60% of kids at Duke who don't belong to a sorority or fraternity. There are plenty of other social options, including specialty interest housing and a host of extracurriculars from A-Z. There are also active religious organizations on campus, if that's of interest. Basically, the school is large and diverse enough to satisfy many different sorts of students. Go and visit and decide what you think.