Anonymous wrote:Your kid needs to treat admitted student day/weekend as a serious opportunity to choose their home for the next 4 years. Would they like the school when the weather is bad? Would they like the school when the work piles up and everyone around them is tired/stressed out? Are the kids able to get into classes in their major easily or get into classes that interest them? Is it common/easy for students to explore and take classes outside their major? Are there social/extracurricular outlets that interest them (outside competitive Greek life and competitive student clubs)? Do they see themselves spending their weekends on campus?

+1 great advice

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid cannot decide so we're visiting schools in his top 5. What should he be looking for, questions to ask, things to note?

Doesn’t he already know what he wants in a college? How did he put his initial list together? He should review his criteria, prioritize it and evaluate how each school matches up. My kid was down to two and did a pro con list.

You realize that some colleges can be super similar in size, location, majors, etc? It gets down to less of a pro/con list and more of a feeling like this will be a better fit.

Yes, this. Pros and cons list plus general overall feeling - vibe.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask how many classes are online, ask how hard it is to get the classes you need for your major, ask about housing after freshman year.

Are there still schools with online classes post covid? I thought all classes were in person now.

Some classes are still online. My DS had one ( and only) at JMU last semester. It involved all group projects so required him getting together with other students every week, so he actually loved it, but the teaching and tests were online.

I have heard from friends that the Univ of Tennessee and Univ of Florida have a lot online.

I think VA Tech too, but probably not as much as some of the other large state schools. I’ve heard UF has a huge amount of online classes. Definitely something to be aware of before enrolling so as not to be caught off guard.

I have heard this about Math classes at Tech. Can anyone comment?

I think many schools that have large auditorium classes may offer a taped video of the lecture. So that is not an online-only class but hardly different in impact.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask how many classes are online, ask how hard it is to get the classes you need for your major, ask about housing after freshman year.

Are there still schools with online classes post covid? I thought all classes were in person now.

Some classes are still online. My DS had one ( and only) at JMU last semester. It involved all group projects so required him getting together with other students every week, so he actually loved it, but the teaching and tests were online.

I have heard from friends that the Univ of Tennessee and Univ of Florida have a lot online.

I think VA Tech too, but probably not as much as some of the other large state schools. I’ve heard UF has a huge amount of online classes. Definitely something to be aware of before enrolling so as not to be caught off guard.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend looking for campus events that aren't part of the admitted students day.

What I love about the large flagship where I got my grad degree and where my oldest attends now is the wide variety of events.

I have been to so many interesting lectures, concerts, theatrical works, etc. over the years. Many of them free and just walk-in. It's one of the major strengths of my flagship and all the info is on the web.

Also, I have experience with studying at 3 different flagships and this one has way more on offer than the other 2.

I think getting restaurant advice can also make a visit nicer.

Which one?

Michigan. I just love it. I'm not sporty at all - have only gone to a few football games over the years. Some of my favorites over the years: Armenian shadow puppetry, Indonesian gamelan orchestra, Indian musicology lecture on time signatures, Laurie Anderson concerts, Complicite doing a Murakami-based show, Shakespeare in the Arb (outdoor strolling show), lots of student plays and musicals, a Stravinsky appreciation conference, and students doing readings from their long-form journalism articles about Great Lakes Ecology (English class final project).

I was an MBA student long ago. During my years there I went to lots of student run conferences. These are mainly for current students but depending on the agenda they may be of general interest. Examples include: Net Impact/Students for Responsible Business, Women in Leadership Conference, Black Business Students Conference, Asia Pacific Business Conference. They are usually open to non-business students and the public although the ticket prices go up for general public.

Lots of famous and semi-famous people come through to give lectures. I like the departmental talks that aren't necessarily by famous people.

I moved from MoCo to Michigan and stayed here. I still go to Ann Arbor to do cultural things. It's a great local resource to keep in touch with the world.

Seems like a great environment, full of rich experiences.

Were you the poster who commented on Georgetown too?

Which thread? My husband got a grad degree at Georgetown while we were dating and living in the DMV. He lived near Georgetown and I lived in MoCo. So I did not experience the Georgetown campus environment like a student would. I don't think grad students always have the same experiences as undergrads. So I really can't comment on the amenities that Georgetown provided at that time. My connection to Michigan is ongoing since I am within an hour's drive. Three of the most fun things I mentioned are things I've done in the last 2 years.

Anonymous wrote:My kid cannot decide so we're visiting schools in his top 5. What should he be looking for, questions to ask, things to note?

For my kids it wasn’t about a specific major - it was about understanding how accessible things were (classes, clubs, housing, on-campus jobs, sporting events) and how easily they would feel part of the community. In one case, they did contact someone they knew from high school who attended the university to get the unofficial tour/scoop after the admitted student day event.

In terms of specific questions, it was more about being able to make an informed decision and potentially getting a smoother start if they go there. There was one more informal student panel where I remember the person saying something to the effect that this school had so many wonderful opportunities and mentioned their study abroad and summer research but also said that there was often a lot of paperwork especially where the school was offering a way to offset some of the cost. Their bottom line was that you might need to make an effort but it was attainable with that effort and worth it in the end. This gets back to understanding what’s on paper versus the reality of what the school offers for the things your kid is interested in doing, how much effort is needed and is it open to every one or really only 5 people. Beyond that since student organizations is one of the way students make friends, getting beyond the we have 1500 student organizations included the squirrel feeding club and the anti-squirrel feeding club to find out the real deal can be very important.

If your kid has the opportunity, sit in on some classes or panel discussions. Are the optional panel discussions with outside guest speakers well-attended? Are the kids engaged in class? (Not surfing the net on their laptops during the lecture). Do you hear continuations of the class discussion even after class is over?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend looking for campus events that aren't part of the admitted students day.

What I love about the large flagship where I got my grad degree and where my oldest attends now is the wide variety of events.

I have been to so many interesting lectures, concerts, theatrical works, etc. over the years. Many of them free and just walk-in. It's one of the major strengths of my flagship and all the info is on the web.

Also, I have experience with studying at 3 different flagships and this one has way more on offer than the other 2.

I think getting restaurant advice can also make a visit nicer.

Which one?

Michigan. I just love it. I'm not sporty at all - have only gone to a few football games over the years. Some of my favorites over the years: Armenian shadow puppetry, Indonesian gamelan orchestra, Indian musicology lecture on time signatures, Laurie Anderson concerts, Complicite doing a Murakami-based show, Shakespeare in the Arb (outdoor strolling show), lots of student plays and musicals, a Stravinsky appreciation conference, and students doing readings from their long-form journalism articles about Great Lakes Ecology (English class final project).

I was an MBA student long ago. During my years there I went to lots of student run conferences. These are mainly for current students but depending on the agenda they may be of general interest. Examples include: Net Impact/Students for Responsible Business, Women in Leadership Conference, Black Business Students Conference, Asia Pacific Business Conference. They are usually open to non-business students and the public although the ticket prices go up for general public.

Lots of famous and semi-famous people come through to give lectures. I like the departmental talks that aren't necessarily by famous people.

I moved from MoCo to Michigan and stayed here. I still go to Ann Arbor to do cultural things. It's a great local resource to keep in touch with the world.

Seems like a great environment, full of rich experiences.

Were you the poster who commented on Georgetown too?

Your kid needs to treat admitted student day/weekend as a serious opportunity to choose their home for the next 4 years. Would they like the school when the weather is bad? Would they like the school when the work piles up and everyone around them is tired/stressed out? Are the kids able to get into classes in their major easily or get into classes that interest them? Is it common/easy for students to explore and take classes outside their major? Are there social/extracurricular outlets that interest them (outside competitive Greek life and competitive student clubs)? Do they see themselves spending their weekends on campus?

Anonymous wrote:Eat in the dinning hall and just get the vibe. It’s your home for the next 4 years so it should feel like “your people “. God luck!

My son swore by this method. And area around the “student center” - often around the bookstore.

^Balanchine appreciation conference not Stravinsky. With various famous ballet artists who worked with him present for panel discussions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend looking for campus events that aren't part of the admitted students day.

What I love about the large flagship where I got my grad degree and where my oldest attends now is the wide variety of events.

I have been to so many interesting lectures, concerts, theatrical works, etc. over the years. Many of them free and just walk-in. It's one of the major strengths of my flagship and all the info is on the web.

Also, I have experience with studying at 3 different flagships and this one has way more on offer than the other 2.

I think getting restaurant advice can also make a visit nicer.

Which one?

Michigan. I just love it. I'm not sporty at all - have only gone to a few football games over the years. Some of my favorites over the years: Armenian shadow puppetry, Indonesian gamelan orchestra, Indian musicology lecture on time signatures, Laurie Anderson concerts, Complicite doing a Murakami-based show, Shakespeare in the Arb (outdoor strolling show), lots of student plays and musicals, a Stravinsky appreciation conference, and students doing readings from their long-form journalism articles about Great Lakes Ecology (English class final project).

I was an MBA student long ago. During my years there I went to lots of student run conferences. These are mainly for current students but depending on the agenda they may be of general interest. Examples include: Net Impact/Students for Responsible Business, Women in Leadership Conference, Black Business Students Conference, Asia Pacific Business Conference. They are usually open to non-business students and the public although the ticket prices go up for general public.

Lots of famous and semi-famous people come through to give lectures. I like the departmental talks that aren't necessarily by famous people.

I moved from MoCo to Michigan and stayed here. I still go to Ann Arbor to do cultural things. It's a great local resource to keep in touch with the world.

Anonymous wrote:You don't ask any questions, you let your kid experience them and make their own decision. Truly, don't be that parent

Let the student take in the experience. You’re really just there to observe from the background. No need to overthink or over prepare for these events. Register, show up, and let the student see how they feel afterwards. Often a clear favorite choice will emerge.