So, the message here is if you cannot get into an extremely selective school, and/or are seeking a different experience than your Large State U provides, just don’t bother going to college at all?

Whoever is doing the “social media efforts” for colleges that change lives is doing a great job —- Look at all the free publicity on this forum

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:P.S. I’m sure a response will be, “you just didn’t get into an Ivy, so you rationalized your decision to attend a CTCL school.”

I applied to four colleges and got into them all, including an Ivy. I just could not see myself there and happy.

Then why did you apply? I don't believe you . . .

Haha. You weren’t the only one. My HS counselor was aghast. I applied following his advice. This was a million years ago, keep in mind. I was a 1st gen college student and my parents didn’t really have any input except, “do what you think is right.” The HS counselor took a cookie cutter approach to giving advice. This was a big public HS. I found my small college on my own and he suggested I apply to the state school, a mid-sized private, and the Ivy he thought I might have a chance of getting in. I did have the opportunity to visit all four campuses. The state school was too huge and overwhelming for me at the time. Also, very strong frat culture. Didn’t like that. The mid-sized school was okay, but the students seemed too conventional and, I don’t know, there was just no excitement for me. Remember, this is 16-17 year old me going on these tours. The Ivy seemed depressing to me. I didn’t like the other parents on the tour bragging about their kids. It left a negative impression. And the campus seemed
Comes and unwelcoming. I felt like Goldilocks when I visited the CTCL campus and talked to the faculty and students. I felt “just right.”

The HS counselor wanted to blow out his brains. Luckily my parents were supportive. And as I mentioned before, I ultimately ended up at the same place my Ivy-educated spouse did. It just...worked for me.

This doesn't sound like "cookie-cutter" "big public HS" counselor advice at all. You're making this up.

I agree that there is some BS going on in this thread. Too many oh so convenient and immediate responses from the CTCL boosters that sound way too similar and are basically the CTCL talking points. I’ve been on DCUM long enough to remember how a certain DC area private school was busted on here for sock puppeting from their marketing person and this sort of has the same stink to it.

I think you've got that backwards. This thread actually is about people's experiences with CTCL schools and not trying to "refute" anyone's own personal anecdotes. You are the ones trying to derail the OPs thread by consistently bringing up the same "argument" over and over again as if being repetitive and boring will make people pay any more attention to your arguments against any of the CTCL schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:P.S. I’m sure a response will be, “you just didn’t get into an Ivy, so you rationalized your decision to attend a CTCL school.”

I applied to four colleges and got into them all, including an Ivy. I just could not see myself there and happy.

Then why did you apply? I don't believe you . . .

Haha. You weren’t the only one. My HS counselor was aghast. I applied following his advice. This was a million years ago, keep in mind. I was a 1st gen college student and my parents didn’t really have any input except, “do what you think is right.” The HS counselor took a cookie cutter approach to giving advice. This was a big public HS. I found my small college on my own and he suggested I apply to the state school, a mid-sized private, and the Ivy he thought I might have a chance of getting in. I did have the opportunity to visit all four campuses. The state school was too huge and overwhelming for me at the time. Also, very strong frat culture. Didn’t like that. The mid-sized school was okay, but the students seemed too conventional and, I don’t know, there was just no excitement for me. Remember, this is 16-17 year old me going on these tours. The Ivy seemed depressing to me. I didn’t like the other parents on the tour bragging about their kids. It left a negative impression. And the campus seemed
Comes and unwelcoming. I felt like Goldilocks when I visited the CTCL campus and talked to the faculty and students. I felt “just right.”

The HS counselor wanted to blow out his brains. Luckily my parents were supportive. And as I mentioned before, I ultimately ended up at the same place my Ivy-educated spouse did. It just...worked for me.

This doesn't sound like "cookie-cutter" "big public HS" counselor advice at all. You're making this up.

I agree that there is some BS going on in this thread. Too many oh so convenient and immediate responses from the CTCL boosters that sound way too similar and are basically the CTCL talking points. I’ve been on DCUM long enough to remember how a certain DC area private school was busted on here for sock puppeting from their marketing person and this sort of has the same stink to it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:P.S. I’m sure a response will be, “you just didn’t get into an Ivy, so you rationalized your decision to attend a CTCL school.”

I applied to four colleges and got into them all, including an Ivy. I just could not see myself there and happy.

Then why did you apply? I don't believe you . . .

Haha. You weren’t the only one. My HS counselor was aghast. I applied following his advice. This was a million years ago, keep in mind. I was a 1st gen college student and my parents didn’t really have any input except, “do what you think is right.” The HS counselor took a cookie cutter approach to giving advice. This was a big public HS. I found my small college on my own and he suggested I apply to the state school, a mid-sized private, and the Ivy he thought I might have a chance of getting in. I did have the opportunity to visit all four campuses. The state school was too huge and overwhelming for me at the time. Also, very strong frat culture. Didn’t like that. The mid-sized school was okay, but the students seemed too conventional and, I don’t know, there was just no excitement for me. Remember, this is 16-17 year old me going on these tours. The Ivy seemed depressing to me. I didn’t like the other parents on the tour bragging about their kids. It left a negative impression. And the campus seemed
Comes and unwelcoming. I felt like Goldilocks when I visited the CTCL campus and talked to the faculty and students. I felt “just right.”

The HS counselor wanted to blow out his brains. Luckily my parents were supportive. And as I mentioned before, I ultimately ended up at the same place my Ivy-educated spouse did. It just...worked for me.

This doesn't sound like "cookie-cutter" "big public HS" counselor advice at all. You're making this up.

Okay.

NP: This sounds entirely plausible to me. I went to an enormous hs in the midwest about 25 years ago and this was exactly the kind of advice I got as an AP track student--4 colleges they recommended. Flagship state school and then said I should choose an Ivy because of my SAT scores and then he showed me a chart of SAT scores/GPA ranges of nearby private schools that matched my profile and might give me scholarships. I also applied to Carnegie Mellon because I liked its name, the brochure, and once went on a family trip to Pittsburgh as a kid. There was no internet so counselors actually had to walk you through this if your family didn't know anything. And there was tracking so they had a smaller group of college prep kids to focus on. My counselor was pissed that I got into Carnegie Mellon and didn't go too (it was too expensive and far away for my parents taste). I was at a school where maybe 30-40% of kids went to college at all (including community college) and if you were in the top group--or an NMSF the counselor wanted you to go somewhere famous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:P.S. I’m sure a response will be, “you just didn’t get into an Ivy, so you rationalized your decision to attend a CTCL school.”

I applied to four colleges and got into them all, including an Ivy. I just could not see myself there and happy.

Then why did you apply? I don't believe you . . .

Haha. You weren’t the only one. My HS counselor was aghast. I applied following his advice. This was a million years ago, keep in mind. I was a 1st gen college student and my parents didn’t really have any input except, “do what you think is right.” The HS counselor took a cookie cutter approach to giving advice. This was a big public HS. I found my small college on my own and he suggested I apply to the state school, a mid-sized private, and the Ivy he thought I might have a chance of getting in. I did have the opportunity to visit all four campuses. The state school was too huge and overwhelming for me at the time. Also, very strong frat culture. Didn’t like that. The mid-sized school was okay, but the students seemed too conventional and, I don’t know, there was just no excitement for me. Remember, this is 16-17 year old me going on these tours. The Ivy seemed depressing to me. I didn’t like the other parents on the tour bragging about their kids. It left a negative impression. And the campus seemed
Comes and unwelcoming. I felt like Goldilocks when I visited the CTCL campus and talked to the faculty and students. I felt “just right.”

The HS counselor wanted to blow out his brains. Luckily my parents were supportive. And as I mentioned before, I ultimately ended up at the same place my Ivy-educated spouse did. It just...worked for me.

This doesn't sound like "cookie-cutter" "big public HS" counselor advice at all. You're making this up.

Okay.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:P.S. I’m sure a response will be, “you just didn’t get into an Ivy, so you rationalized your decision to attend a CTCL school.”

I applied to four colleges and got into them all, including an Ivy. I just could not see myself there and happy.

Then why did you apply? I don't believe you . . .

Haha. You weren’t the only one. My HS counselor was aghast. I applied following his advice. This was a million years ago, keep in mind. I was a 1st gen college student and my parents didn’t really have any input except, “do what you think is right.” The HS counselor took a cookie cutter approach to giving advice. This was a big public HS. I found my small college on my own and he suggested I apply to the state school, a mid-sized private, and the Ivy he thought I might have a chance of getting in. I did have the opportunity to visit all four campuses. The state school was too huge and overwhelming for me at the time. Also, very strong frat culture. Didn’t like that. The mid-sized school was okay, but the students seemed too conventional and, I don’t know, there was just no excitement for me. Remember, this is 16-17 year old me going on these tours. The Ivy seemed depressing to me. I didn’t like the other parents on the tour bragging about their kids. It left a negative impression. And the campus seemed
Comes and unwelcoming. I felt like Goldilocks when I visited the CTCL campus and talked to the faculty and students. I felt “just right.”

The HS counselor wanted to blow out his brains. Luckily my parents were supportive. And as I mentioned before, I ultimately ended up at the same place my Ivy-educated spouse did. It just...worked for me.

This doesn't sound like "cookie-cutter" "big public HS" counselor advice at all. You're making this up.

*cold, not “comes”. Trying to type on my phone. Please excuse typos.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:P.S. I’m sure a response will be, “you just didn’t get into an Ivy, so you rationalized your decision to attend a CTCL school.”

I applied to four colleges and got into them all, including an Ivy. I just could not see myself there and happy.

Then why did you apply? I don't believe you . . .

Haha. You weren’t the only one. My HS counselor was aghast. I applied following his advice. This was a million years ago, keep in mind. I was a 1st gen college student and my parents didn’t really have any input except, “do what you think is right.” The HS counselor took a cookie cutter approach to giving advice. This was a big public HS. I found my small college on my own and he suggested I apply to the state school, a mid-sized private, and the Ivy he thought I might have a chance of getting in. I did have the opportunity to visit all four campuses. The state school was too huge and overwhelming for me at the time. Also, very strong frat culture. Didn’t like that. The mid-sized school was okay, but the students seemed too conventional and, I don’t know, there was just no excitement for me. Remember, this is 16-17 year old me going on these tours. The Ivy seemed depressing to me. I didn’t like the other parents on the tour bragging about their kids. It left a negative impression. And the campus seemed
Comes and unwelcoming. I felt like Goldilocks when I visited the CTCL campus and talked to the faculty and students. I felt “just right.”

The HS counselor wanted to blow out his brains. Luckily my parents were supportive. And as I mentioned before, I ultimately ended up at the same place my Ivy-educated spouse did. It just...worked for me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe I am reading a post from an in-state Virginia resident saying that that would rather have their kids go to a CTLC school instead of W&M. What a mistake.

Should students automatically go the highest ranked school they can get into, regardless of whether or not it's a good fit for them? That could end badly.

Most kids at my kid's CTCL couldn't get in to W&M. We didn't apply, and i could tell you he wouldn't have gotten in. But if he somehow had, we wouldn't have sent him, because W&M doesn't have the kinds of support he needs.

I'll also point out that instate, the cost of attendance at W&M is $37,389. With merit aid but not financial aid, our CTCL will cost exactly the same before adding on disability specific services, but my kid's not a particularly strong student (3.01 GPA, 23 ACT). The kids I know with stats anywhere close to W&M instate costs will pay far less at the CTCL.

$39,994 for 2019-2020 for total cost of attendance.

It is high, but W&M does freeze in-state tuition for four years, which helps. They also have quite good options for lower to lower mid income families with their Promise program. (UVA has something similar).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe I am reading a post from an in-state Virginia resident saying that that would rather have their kids go to a CTLC school instead of W&M. What a mistake.

Should students automatically go the highest ranked school they can get into, regardless of whether or not it's a good fit for them? That could end badly.

Most kids at my kid's CTCL couldn't get in to W&M. We didn't apply, and i could tell you he wouldn't have gotten in. But if he somehow had, we wouldn't have sent him, because W&M doesn't have the kinds of support he needs.

I'll also point out that instate, the cost of attendance at W&M is $37,389. With merit aid but not financial aid, our CTCL will cost exactly the same before adding on disability specific services, but my kid's not a particularly strong student (3.01 GPA, 23 ACT). The kids I know with stats anywhere close to W&M instate costs will pay far less at the CTCL.

And why shouldn't they pay less? W&M is better and you get what you pay for.

Anonymous wrote:P.S. I’m sure a response will be, “you just didn’t get into an Ivy, so you rationalized your decision to attend a CTCL school.”

I applied to four colleges and got into them all, including an Ivy. I just could not see myself there and happy.

Then why did you apply? I don't believe you . . .

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe I am reading a post from an in-state Virginia resident saying that that would rather have their kids go to a CTLC school instead of W&M. What a mistake.

Should students automatically go the highest ranked school they can get into, regardless of whether or not it's a good fit for them? That could end badly.

Most kids at my kid's CTCL couldn't get in to W&M. We didn't apply, and i could tell you he wouldn't have gotten in. But if he somehow had, we wouldn't have sent him, because W&M doesn't have the kinds of support he needs.

I'll also point out that instate, the cost of attendance at W&M is $37,389. With merit aid but not financial aid, our CTCL will cost exactly the same before adding on disability specific services, but my kid's not a particularly strong student (3.01 GPA, 23 ACT). The kids I know with stats anywhere close to W&M instate costs will pay far less at the CTCL.

$39,994 for 2019-2020 for total cost of attendance.

No, some of the CTCLs are approaching $80K a year and you have no idea what the merit aid/financial aid package will be when you apply. Being in the CTCL means nothing special when it comes to aid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe I am reading a post from an in-state Virginia resident saying that that would rather have their kids go to a CTLC school instead of W&M. What a mistake.

Should students automatically go the highest ranked school they can get into, regardless of whether or not it's a good fit for them? That could end badly.

Most kids at my kid's CTCL couldn't get in to W&M. We didn't apply, and i could tell you he wouldn't have gotten in. But if he somehow had, we wouldn't have sent him, because W&M doesn't have the kinds of support he needs.

I'll also point out that instate, the cost of attendance at W&M is $37,389. With merit aid but not financial aid, our CTCL will cost exactly the same before adding on disability specific services, but my kid's not a particularly strong student (3.01 GPA, 23 ACT). The kids I know with stats anywhere close to W&M instate costs will pay far less at the CTCL.

$39,994 for 2019-2020 for total cost of attendance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe I am reading a post from an in-state Virginia resident saying that that would rather have their kids go to a CTLC school instead of W&M. What a mistake.

My husband went to a big public school, top 25 in the USNWR. I went to a CTCL school. Same major. We both liked college and we both have PhDs now.

He will tell anyone who asks that he thinks my school provided a better education and he recommends CTCL colleges and their ilk to anyone who asks. Not for every kid, but for those who want a more personalized experience.

No one is saying that any school is ‘better’ than W&M or UVA. But the point, lost on you through 14 pages, is that college is not one size fits all and some people, obviously not you, might not WANT to go to the most prestigious college they get into. And, in some cases, some of these colleges might give some students a better education than some prestigious schools.

The only person speaking universally about any of this is you.

This! Yes!

I am one of the PPs who wrote about my personal experience at one of the CTCL colleges. My spouse went to an Ivy.

How and where did we meet? While pursing the same advanced degree. At the same university.

Same result, different pathway.

My spouse is much more conventional than I am, and his traditional undergraduate experience was a good fit for him. My CTCL school was a better fit for my academic free-spiritedness. We each talk about how we would’ve withered at the other’s institution.


This idea of “fit” is a real thing.

Same point could be made comparing a CTCL school to one that didn’t make the list, again making the point that the list is pointless.

DP: I don't know. We looked long and hard at all the SLACs in the 35-80 on the USNWR rankings for some good "likelies", and nearly every school that ended up making the cut for DC was on that list. (And we didn't go to the CTCL event--didn't even really know what it was until after schools DC was interested kept being on it). So for us, it captured something--though not quite sure what.