Anonymous wrote:UVA and William & Mary
Wasn’t too surprised (for her) about UVA but was surprised about W&M. I asked her to apply to both for IS tuition. She intentionally half-assed her essays to both; more for UVA than W&M. When she found out she didn’t get into UVA, she just chuckled.
She never had a thing for UVA. Knows a lot of students who have attended and didn’t like most of them. She was top 5% in SAT at her school (top 20 out of 400) with tons of leadership EC’s. Heard too many stories about the test banks in the Greek houses, the “girls with pearls”, and the rampant cheating. I know UVA has their “honor code” but it’s more that students won’t report each other because of the expulsion policy, so it’s “don’t ask, don’t tell”. Interestingly, all her friends at the main VA schools (UVA, VA Tech, JMU, VCU; not so much at W&M) have described the cheating as widespread.
W&M is the one that surprised me. It was more the tour guide gated being there and the horrible dorms.
Anonymous wrote:Duke. The fratty vibes, the pretense; we just did not mesh well with the atmosphere, and we had also heard while there that there is somewhat of a long tradition of sexual assault and racist incidents at the school.
Anonymous wrote:Princeton, you would have needed the jaws of life to pry the stick out of the guide’s ass
Anonymous wrote:My daughter looked primarily at lower-tier Virginia schools (i.e, not UVA, W&M, Tech). After touring, she hated:
JMU--central campus is gray and dismal looking, campus split by a highway. Just didn't feel as warm as other campuses.
Longwood. We were hoping this was a hidden gem, but alas their Open House was amatuerish and the students we met seemed very provincial.
Mixed feelings about VCU School for the Arts. She (and I) didn't like that the arts program was scattered among several buildings at the edge of the campus. I worried about her safety traveling around at night; she was expecting more cutting-edge facilities and equipment. But she loved the vibe of the art students and the main part of the campus.
Pro Tip: If there's a school you really want your kid to love, don't go on dismal day. It's amazing how much weather affects their opinion.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Vanderbilt, William and Mary,
Princeton, university of Chicago,
Do you hate beautiful campuses?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:William and Mary for my daughter, that sample dorm room they show you on the tour.... ugh not homey at all. Was a shame because if they hadn't shown the dorm room it would have climbed to do the top of the list. Loved the campus and the vibe though my daughter noticed not alot of cute boys lol.
Also Georgetown, not that we were going to get in, but we went a few times just to explore and the last time we were there almost stepped on a dead rat in the middle of the walkway. That was enough to scare my son away once he read that rats and roaches are a big problem there. I'm sure that happens everywhere but it was a turnoff lol
So both you and your son applied? If you both got in, was the plan to be roommates?
Why are you so offended by that that you need to point it out on every thread? I get it... Your kid does everything on their own and is paying on their own too....or you are paying but it's still only their experience alone...or it's your experience to an extent too, but only you know the acceptable way to talk about it.... Just stop. Parents using those words does not mean their children aren't highly independent and capable. You protest to the point it makes me think you have some regrets about your hands off strategy....
Ok, I'll tell you how it worked for us. Our kids were practical. Each knew that wherever he or she ended up would be fine, and that if not they'd just transfer or whatever. They were looking for a college, not a spouse. So, each came up with short (four or five) and reasonable lists of where they wanted to apply, knowing in advance what we were willing to pay for (no second tier overpriced private liberal arts schools, for example). Once they made their lists, we suggested a couple additions here and there of similar schools. If the kid said they weren't interested, we were fine with that (one UVA applicant wouldn't even consider WM, for example, and another thought in the reverse). Only one of our kids had any serious interest in extensive college touring before applying, so we took that kid and a couple friends interested in the same/similar schools on a road trip, dropped them off on the campuses, and went our own way and didn't take the tours ourselves. Then, when each kid chose where to apply, they did the applications completely by themselves -- including essays, with zero input from us. Then, once accepted, they made the decision where to go themselves. So, in a very real sense, "we" didn't apply and "we" certainly didn't get in or not get in. "We" offered a few suggestions, to be sure, and "we" drove them around when requested, and "we" paid the tuition. I really think this is how it's supposed to work, sorry.
TL; too preachy
Anonymous wrote:Boston University- no discernible campus.
As for the W&M droppers- I have a kid there now. Loved the campus within a few minutes of being there. Tour guide was fabulous. She had lots of interactions with other undergrads while on the tour- seemed like a friendly place. As it turns out- it is the perfect place for my kid!! That said- I have a friend whose kid hated the Colonial Williamsburg proximity. There is a place for everyone.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:William & Mary. Campus seemed to lack energy and students seemed miserable.
+2 Great way to describe what my kid felt. Absolutely HATED the feel of W&M.
Anonymous wrote:not this year, but UVA. Bubbly sorority girl tour guide totally turned my daughter off. I'm sure there is a crowd that isn't like that, but she was really completely turned off.