Anonymous wrote:I went to high school in Falls Church and did not go to UVA or W&M because 1) I hated the suburbs and wanted to go to an exciting city rather than regress back to the country, and 2) I didn't want to be surrounded by high school classmates and other NOVA types. My parents forced me to apply to at least one of UVA or W&M -- I chose UVA and got in, but turned it down.

I truly do not understand why people go to college in the middle of nowhere, though I know many disagree with me. To me, you grow up, you move to the city like an adult. Going to schools out in the country is like going to 4 year summer camp, complete with sharing rooms and showers and eating at mess halls. At my city college, we all got single rooms and bought our own groceries, and matured very quickly. We were finally free!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Univ. of Cal system (Berkeley, UCLA, etc.) is indeed in financial trouble. They are actively soliticing OOS who will pay full freight. You have a significanlty better chance of getting in to any of the U.C. schools applying from OSS. The Univ. of Cal also takes a much great no. of OSS than VA schools do and that no. was recently increased even further by the legislature.


So for a B/B+ Maryland student, what's the lowest ranked U of Cal system school would you have your kid attend (so worth the cost, travel, decent reputation, but not Berkeley or UCLA)?

Anyone have recent experience or suggestion for VA resident looking for U of Cal system school at about a VT--JMU level by way of comparison, if that makes sense?

Poster at 05/30/2013 08:59 here. I think rankings wise, UC Santa Cruz would be the closest equivalent to VT/JMU. It's strengths are a beautiful campus, strong physical and mathematical science programs, and heavy recruiting from silicon valley. A family member of mine went there and liked it, but ultimately transferred to a more liberal arts focused school. UC Riverside and UC Merced are ranked lower, although some students will just go there for 2 years and then apply to a higher tier UC. Also, some community colleges have a guaranteed transfer to UC program provided the student meets a certain criterion - http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/guarantee/.
Thanks for the info. Do you agree that it would be easier to get into these colleges out of state? (Which seems fair since my kids may not get into VT, maybe not even JMU, because of our in state status.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Univ. of Cal system (Berkeley, UCLA, etc.) is indeed in financial trouble. They are actively soliticing OOS who will pay full freight. You have a significanlty better chance of getting in to any of the U.C. schools applying from OSS. The Univ. of Cal also takes a much great no. of OSS than VA schools do and that no. was recently increased even further by the legislature.


So for a B/B+ Maryland student, what's the lowest ranked U of Cal system school would you have your kid attend (so worth the cost, travel, decent reputation, but not Berkeley or UCLA)?

Anyone have recent experience or suggestion for VA resident looking for U of Cal system school at about a VT--JMU level by way of comparison, if that makes sense?

Poster at 05/30/2013 08:59 here. I think rankings wise, UC Santa Cruz would be the closest equivalent to VT/JMU. It's strengths are a beautiful campus, strong physical and mathematical science programs, and heavy recruiting from silicon valley. A family member of mine went there and liked it, but ultimately transferred to a more liberal arts focused school. UC Riverside and UC Merced are ranked lower, although some students will just go there for 2 years and then apply to a higher tier UC. Also, some community colleges have a guaranteed transfer to UC program provided the student meets a certain criterion - http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/guarantee/.
Thanks for the info. Do you agree that it would be easier to get into these colleges out of state? (Which seems fair since my kids may not get into VT, maybe not even JMU, because of our in state status.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Univ. of Cal system (Berkeley, UCLA, etc.) is indeed in financial trouble. They are actively soliticing OOS who will pay full freight. You have a significanlty better chance of getting in to any of the U.C. schools applying from OSS. The Univ. of Cal also takes a much great no. of OSS than VA schools do and that no. was recently increased even further by the legislature.


So for a B/B+ Maryland student, what's the lowest ranked U of Cal system school would you have your kid attend (so worth the cost, travel, decent reputation, but not Berkeley or UCLA)?

Anyone have recent experience or suggestion for VA resident looking for U of Cal system school at about a VT--JMU level by way of comparison, if that makes sense?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to high school in Falls Church and did not go to UVA or W&M because 1) I hated the suburbs and wanted to go to an exciting city rather than regress back to the country, and 2) I didn't want to be surrounded by high school classmates and other NOVA types. My parents forced me to apply to at least one of UVA or W&M -- I chose UVA and got in, but turned it down.

I truly do not understand why people go to college in the middle of nowhere, though I know many disagree with me. To me, you grow up, you move to the city like an adult. Going to schools out in the country is like going to 4 year summer camp, complete with sharing rooms and showers and eating at mess halls. At my city college, we all got single rooms and bought our own groceries, and matured very quickly. We were finally free!

I totally agree - especially for students coming from private schools were they had something like a small college experience already. A lot of these small liberal arts colleges look like they could be Georgetown Prep, SSSA, Episcopal or Landon.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This discussion about NOVA students and difficulty with getting into in state schools reminds me of what's going on in California now (I have family out there). With the budget shortfalls, universities are having to cut enrollment drastically. Middling schools are now only accepting 25%-50% of applicants, so California students are flocking to colleges in Arizona and Oregon.

Does that mean that the CA colleges are more likely to accept out of state applicants who will pay OOS tuition? This would be welcome news in our house b/c DD is dying to go to USC.

As the California state schools have struggled, USC has thrived because it is flush with cash. USC is probably the most diverse school in the US News top 25 with less than 40% Caucasian students and more International students than any other school. USC also has more Catholic students than Notre Dame. Because of the problems with the state schools, the demand for USC in-state is higher than ever, so it's easier to get into USC if you apply from the East Coast.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This discussion about NOVA students and difficulty with getting into in state schools reminds me of what's going on in California now (I have family out there). With the budget shortfalls, universities are having to cut enrollment drastically. Middling schools are now only accepting 25%-50% of applicants, so California students are flocking to colleges in Arizona and Oregon.

Does that mean that the CA colleges are more likely to accept out of state applicants who will pay OOS tuition? This would be welcome news in our house b/c DD is dying to go to USC.

Anonymous wrote:I went to high school in Falls Church and did not go to UVA or W&M because 1) I hated the suburbs and wanted to go to an exciting city rather than regress back to the country, and 2) I didn't want to be surrounded by high school classmates and other NOVA types. My parents forced me to apply to at least one of UVA or W&M -- I chose UVA and got in, but turned it down.

I truly do not understand why people go to college in the middle of nowhere, though I know many disagree with me. To me, you grow up, you move to the city like an adult. Going to schools out in the country is like going to 4 year summer camp, complete with sharing rooms and showers and eating at mess halls. At my city college, we all got single rooms and bought our own groceries, and matured very quickly. We were finally free!

Anonymous wrote: I think DC is probably not headed to an Ivy but will be in the range for UVA and W&M. If your DC is in that range but looking or attending out of state, can you tell me what he/she thinks the out of state schools offer that neither of these schools does? What makes them worth paying all of the extra tuition and traveling farther from home? Is it a different social scene, size, or wanting a more urban school? DC will not be a recruited athlete and does not have a particular major in mind, so those are not limiting factors for us. Appreciate any thoughts to help us build a list of out of state schools to visit knowing that there may be several good options close to home. I understand he will need to apply to some out of state schools since the top in state schools are so competitive. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:The Univ. of Cal system (Berkeley, UCLA, etc.) is indeed in financial trouble. They are actively soliticing OOS who will pay full freight. You have a significanlty better chance of getting in to any of the U.C. schools applying from OSS. The Univ. of Cal also takes a much great no. of OSS than VA schools do and that no. was recently increased even further by the legislature.


So for a B/B+ Maryland student, what's the lowest ranked U of Cal system school would you have your kid attend (so worth the cost, travel, decent reputation, but not Berkeley or UCLA)?

Anonymous wrote:I think every kid should be required to go to college at least 500 miles from home. The main benefit of those four years is the opportunity to live independently and explore who you are and broaden your horizons. That doesn't happen when you come home (or know you can) any time you want.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This discussion about NOVA students and difficulty with getting into in state schools reminds me of what's going on in California now (I have family out there). With the budget shortfalls, universities are having to cut enrollment drastically. Middling schools are now only accepting 25%-50% of applicants, so California students are flocking to colleges in Arizona and Oregon.

Does that mean that the CA colleges are more likely to accept out of state applicants who will pay OOS tuition? This would be welcome news in our house b/c DD is dying to go to USC.

My understanding is that California Publics are taking more OOS to make up up for budget cuts, but it's still challenging to get in. USC is actually a private school, though.

This is correct. USC is completely private and very expensive - it cannot be compared to the Univ. of CA. system. It is, however, a party school and located in a crummy area of Los Angeles. Lots of Greek Life. A family relative went there and now has $100K in loans and no job. But being in-state or OOS won't help you there, although just applying from anywhere else but Los Angeles will be a help.

The Univ. of Cal system (Berkeley, UCLA, etc.) is indeed in financial trouble. They are actively soliticing OOS who will pay full freight. You have a significanlty better chance of getting in to any of the U.C. schools applying from OSS. The Univ. of Cal also takes a much great no. of OSS than VA schools do and that no. was recently increased even further by the legislature.

The Cal State program is yet another tier of Callifornia Universities. Those universities take Californians first. We were told (MD) not to even bother trying because those universities are all "oversubscribed" by Californians.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This discussion about NOVA students and difficulty with getting into in state schools reminds me of what's going on in California now (I have family out there). With the budget shortfalls, universities are having to cut enrollment drastically. Middling schools are now only accepting 25%-50% of applicants, so California students are flocking to colleges in Arizona and Oregon.

Does that mean that the CA colleges are more likely to accept out of state applicants who will pay OOS tuition? This would be welcome news in our house b/c DD is dying to go to USC.

My understanding is that California Publics are taking more OOS to make up up for budget cuts, but it's still challenging to get in. USC is actually a private school, though.

This is correct. USC is completely private and very expensive - it cannot be compared to the Univ. of CA. system. It is, however, a party school and located in a crummy area of Los Angeles. Lots of Greek Life. A family relative went there and now has $100K in loans and no job. But being in-state or OOS won't help you there, although just applying from anywhere else but Los Angeles will be a help.

The Univ. of Cal system (Berkeley, UCLA, etc.) is indeed in financial trouble. They are actively soliticing OOS who will pay full freight. You have a significanlty better chance of getting in to any of the U.C. schools applying from OSS. The Univ. of Cal also takes a much great no. of OSS than VA schools do and that no. was recently increased even further by the legislature.

The Cal State program is yet another tier of Callifornia Universities. Those universities take Californians first. We were told (MD) not to even bother trying because those universities are all "oversubscribed" by Californians.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This discussion about NOVA students and difficulty with getting into in state schools reminds me of what's going on in California now (I have family out there). With the budget shortfalls, universities are having to cut enrollment drastically. Middling schools are now only accepting 25%-50% of applicants, so California students are flocking to colleges in Arizona and Oregon.

Does that mean that the CA colleges are more likely to accept out of state applicants who will pay OOS tuition? This would be welcome news in our house b/c DD is dying to go to USC.

My understanding is that California Publics are taking more OOS to make up up for budget cuts, but it's still challenging to get in. USC is actually a private school, though.