Happy your DC found her place, PP. Best to you

This thread definitely went off the rails.

My youngest child attends Loyola MD. Up until the 11th hour she was set on Fairfield University.

Most of the schools that my youngest looked at were mid size mid tier Catholic Universities. I am not sure why she was attracted to these schools as while we are Catholic we are what I would call non-practicing.

As she is my third I have visited a lot of schools and have had two older children attend other schools.

We live in Fairfield County. My wife has always liked Fairfield University and has spoken highly of their graduates as she is a Nurse at a local hospital that has hired a lot of Fairfield University nursing graduates.

So we are from the area and had an understanding of the reputation of the school and are obviously familiar with the town.

Comparable schools were Marist, St. Joe’s in Philly, Providence, Loyola MD, and I’d say Fordham.

My DD applied during the Covid cycle and it is my opinion that cohort had an easier admissions cycle with strong financial aid offers.

Fairfield gave us a strong financial aid package.

Here is what I didn’t like:

The new management building was a hike from the freshman dorms and given the topography and the LI Sound I thought it was going to be an unpleasant walk during the winter months.

I was not a fan of the cohort of students. Too homogenous.

I like the idea of my kids getting out of the bubble (we live in an UMC Fairfield County Town - it’s not indicative of lives most people live). Fairfield was too close to home and worried it would turn into a suitcase school for my DD.

For the price of Fairfield I thought there were better values.

I thought my DD was decided on Fairfield until her and I were driving to school one morning and she told me to send the deposit to Loyola MD.

My daughter’s reasoning - she had gone to a second on campus accepted student event and felt that the kids were not very friendly or welcoming.

Unbeknownst to DD my DW and I shared a reservation that socially Fairfield University might be tough for our DD.

Loyola would not have been first choice for my DD. I liked Muhlenberg.

But I will say my DD and I visited Loyola during Covid and in what appears to have been some serendipity met one of the administrators that is now the president. He was down to earth, we talked about the risk Covid put on higher Ed - he made me feel very comfortable with the staff at Loyola and I had the sense that my DD would be in “good hands”.

Loyola has been a success for my DD. She has found her friend group - she is definitely out of the bubble - she can take Amtrak if we cannot drive her and she has met a mix of other kids from a variety of locales and SES backgrounds.

She is working on her academics, achieving success, and I hope feels good about herself and her choice.

As Loyola is D1 they seem to have good school spirit and attend and support their teams.

Loyola MD was cheaper then Fairfield. I was prepared to pay for Fairfield but will admit financially I was happy about the Loyola decision. Obviously our family spends money going down to Baltimore but we like the trips.

I did not mean to hijack this thread and have my post be a booster to Loyola. Rather I thought to share our experiences.

Of the schools with a similar vibe I found Marist to be the most expensive and not willing to work with you. Providence was surprisingly generous as my DD was initially wait-listed. Fairfield also was willing to work with us.

I hope you found this helpful and wish you and your family good luck on your college search.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:D liked it and it was strong consideration for her, but ultimately went to a very similar school but more urban. After in college we were talking about it one day and she said she was really glad she didn't go there because people really have nothing to do on weekends except drink.

Could you please share the name of the school?

not that pp but guessing Georgetown

Anonymous wrote:D liked it and it was strong consideration for her, but ultimately went to a very similar school but more urban. After in college we were talking about it one day and she said she was really glad she didn't go there because people really have nothing to do on weekends except drink.

Could you please share the name of the school?

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Fairfield and worked in a grocery store near Fairfield U. I was always relieved to see Fairfield U. students in my line because I knew they would be nice.

Solid school and beautiful campus.

This is the best feedback!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We toured and know people who attended.

-Beautiful campus, town & location--convenient to NYC and Boston
-Gives merit aid; whether that is significant enough is in the eye of the beholder. Don't expect the cost to be under about $36k/year
-Has a ''Country Club Republican'' vibe
-Very wealthy student body
-Strong in ''practical'' fields like nursing, finance, and health sciences (I know someone who graduated last May and is finishing their first year of med school)
-Supposedly kids are kind, willing to try new things, and inclusive

Agreed. This school is very popular with my Northeast, Catholic-ish circle. It has many good things going for it.

I would say it attracts very similar student body to Boston College and Villanova (obviously less selective, but in personality/background...similar). Providence College is also an easy comparison.

I went to BC and had never heard of it. Not sure why PP is getting hounded for being from CT and never having heard of it.

Plenty of no name schools out there willing to gaslight parents into paying their outlandish costs. No different than any “up and coming” neighborhood. The only people biting are the gullible or those with a vested interest.

I guarantee you you are in the minority if you went to BC and never heard of Fairfield. The schools have hundreds if not thousands of cross applicants. Fairfield is a common backup for BC.

Again, saying you haven’t heard of a college doesn’t mean the college isn’t good. It just means you’re uninformed yourself.

Yep. Brother and many of his Fairfield alum buddies went to BC for grad school. I can only guess the BC person is not Catholic, or at least not Jesuit. Jesuit-educated students would all know Fairfield.

SIL is Catholic, went to Georgetown. When they were living in Fairfield, she made snide comments about it, but yes, she did seem to "know it."

SIL sounds like a b@tch.

+1, what a waste of a Jesuit education.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We toured and know people who attended.

-Beautiful campus, town & location--convenient to NYC and Boston
-Gives merit aid; whether that is significant enough is in the eye of the beholder. Don't expect the cost to be under about $36k/year
-Has a ''Country Club Republican'' vibe
-Very wealthy student body
-Strong in ''practical'' fields like nursing, finance, and health sciences (I know someone who graduated last May and is finishing their first year of med school)
-Supposedly kids are kind, willing to try new things, and inclusive

Agreed. This school is very popular with my Northeast, Catholic-ish circle. It has many good things going for it.

I would say it attracts very similar student body to Boston College and Villanova (obviously less selective, but in personality/background...similar). Providence College is also an easy comparison.

I went to BC and had never heard of it. Not sure why PP is getting hounded for being from CT and never having heard of it.

Plenty of no name schools out there willing to gaslight parents into paying their outlandish costs. No different than any “up and coming” neighborhood. The only people biting are the gullible or those with a vested interest.

I guarantee you you are in the minority if you went to BC and never heard of Fairfield. The schools have hundreds if not thousands of cross applicants. Fairfield is a common backup for BC.

Again, saying you haven’t heard of a college doesn’t mean the college isn’t good. It just means you’re uninformed yourself.

Yep. Brother and many of his Fairfield alum buddies went to BC for grad school. I can only guess the BC person is not Catholic, or at least not Jesuit. Jesuit-educated students would all know Fairfield.

SIL is Catholic, went to Georgetown. When they were living in Fairfield, she made snide comments about it, but yes, she did seem to "know it."

SIL sounds like a b@tch.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:D liked it and it was strong consideration for her, but ultimately went to a very similar school but more urban. After in college we were talking about it one day and she said she was really glad she didn't go there because people really have nothing to do on weekends except drink.

I’m not sure why you would think that’s the case. It’s walkable to a town center with a bunch of restaurants. Kids go to sports games, club sports competitions, study, walk and do many other things. Like at any school.

Yea, and besides she didn’t go there herself so how the hell could she know? She sounds like a real peach. Fairfield was better off without her.

Yes, the walk to Super Duper Weenie, she really missed out!?! Fairfield is the definition of bedroom community, more decorator boutiques, and amenities for neglected pets than fun stuff. It has a train station and access to 95, that’s why it exists.

Just repeating what her friends that did go there were telling her.

Seemed like a reasonable addition to the discussion, don't know why this thread is so defensive.

Second hand information that isn’t accurate is (checks notes) really reasonable, huh? What a waste of a post.

Has anyone posted who says they have a kid currently at the school? Seems like every post is “I know someone…” or “I’ve seen the campus”This PP also knows someone and has seen the campus. That her DD is happy with decision based on reports from friends, is just as relevant.

It’s still a stupid a$$ comment from an immature and judgmental kid. I mean, the same could be said about every suburban or rural school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:D liked it and it was strong consideration for her, but ultimately went to a very similar school but more urban. After in college we were talking about it one day and she said she was really glad she didn't go there because people really have nothing to do on weekends except drink.

I’m not sure why you would think that’s the case. It’s walkable to a town center with a bunch of restaurants. Kids go to sports games, club sports competitions, study, walk and do many other things. Like at any school.

Yea, and besides she didn’t go there herself so how the hell could she know? She sounds like a real peach. Fairfield was better off without her.

Yes, the walk to Super Duper Weenie, she really missed out!?! Fairfield is the definition of bedroom community, more decorator boutiques, and amenities for neglected pets than fun stuff. It has a train station and access to 95, that’s why it exists.

Just repeating what her friends that did go there were telling her.

Seemed like a reasonable addition to the discussion, don't know why this thread is so defensive.

Second hand information that isn’t accurate is (checks notes) really reasonable, huh? What a waste of a post.

Has anyone posted who says they have a kid currently at the school? Seems like every post is “I know someone…” or “I’ve seen the campus”This PP also knows someone and has seen the campus. That her DD is happy with decision based on reports from friends, is just as relevant.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:D liked it and it was strong consideration for her, but ultimately went to a very similar school but more urban. After in college we were talking about it one day and she said she was really glad she didn't go there because people really have nothing to do on weekends except drink.

I’m not sure why you would think that’s the case. It’s walkable to a town center with a bunch of restaurants. Kids go to sports games, club sports competitions, study, walk and do many other things. Like at any school.

Yea, and besides she didn’t go there herself so how the hell could she know? She sounds like a real peach. Fairfield was better off without her.

Yes, the walk to Super Duper Weenie, she really missed out!?! Fairfield is the definition of bedroom community, more decorator boutiques, and amenities for neglected pets than fun stuff. It has a train station and access to 95, that’s why it exists.

Just repeating what her friends that did go there were telling her.

Seemed like a reasonable addition to the discussion, don't know why this thread is so defensive.

Second hand information that isn’t accurate is (checks notes) really reasonable, huh? What a waste of a post.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:D liked it and it was strong consideration for her, but ultimately went to a very similar school but more urban. After in college we were talking about it one day and she said she was really glad she didn't go there because people really have nothing to do on weekends except drink.

I’m not sure why you would think that’s the case. It’s walkable to a town center with a bunch of restaurants. Kids go to sports games, club sports competitions, study, walk and do many other things. Like at any school.

Yea, and besides she didn’t go there herself so how the hell could she know? She sounds like a real peach. Fairfield was better off without her.

Yes, the walk to Super Duper Weenie, she really missed out!?! Fairfield is the definition of bedroom community, more decorator boutiques, and amenities for neglected pets than fun stuff. It has a train station and access to 95, that’s why it exists.

Just repeating what her friends that did go there were telling her.

Seemed like a reasonable addition to the discussion, don't know why this thread is so defensive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:D liked it and it was strong consideration for her, but ultimately went to a very similar school but more urban. After in college we were talking about it one day and she said she was really glad she didn't go there because people really have nothing to do on weekends except drink.

I’m not sure why you would think that’s the case. It’s walkable to a town center with a bunch of restaurants. Kids go to sports games, club sports competitions, study, walk and do many other things. Like at any school.

Yea, and besides she didn’t go there herself so how the hell could she know? She sounds like a real peach. Fairfield was better off without her.

Yes, the walk to Super Duper Weenie, she really missed out!?! Fairfield is the definition of bedroom community, more decorator boutiques, and amenities for neglected pets than fun stuff. It has a train station and access to 95, that’s why it exists.

Just repeating what her friends that did go there were telling her.

Anonymous wrote:The PP who’s said they’ve never heard of it lives in FAIRFIELD county and we’re talking about FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY. they are really in a bubble if they’ve never heard of it.

Actually I lived in Riverside Ct until the end of 11th grade. This was in the 80s. I don't live there now you numpty.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We toured and know people who attended.

-Beautiful campus, town & location--convenient to NYC and Boston
-Gives merit aid; whether that is significant enough is in the eye of the beholder. Don't expect the cost to be under about $36k/year
-Has a ''Country Club Republican'' vibe
-Very wealthy student body
-Strong in ''practical'' fields like nursing, finance, and health sciences (I know someone who graduated last May and is finishing their first year of med school)
-Supposedly kids are kind, willing to try new things, and inclusive

Agreed. This school is very popular with my Northeast, Catholic-ish circle. It has many good things going for it.

I would say it attracts very similar student body to Boston College and Villanova (obviously less selective, but in personality/background...similar). Providence College is also an easy comparison.

I went to BC and had never heard of it. Not sure why PP is getting hounded for being from CT and never having heard of it.

Plenty of no name schools out there willing to gaslight parents into paying their outlandish costs. No different than any “up and coming” neighborhood. The only people biting are the gullible or those with a vested interest.

I guarantee you you are in the minority if you went to BC and never heard of Fairfield. The schools have hundreds if not thousands of cross applicants. Fairfield is a common backup for BC.

Again, saying you haven’t heard of a college doesn’t mean the college isn’t good. It just means you’re uninformed yourself.

Yep. Brother and many of his Fairfield alum buddies went to BC for grad school. I can only guess the BC person is not Catholic, or at least not Jesuit. Jesuit-educated students would all know Fairfield.

SIL is Catholic, went to Georgetown. When they were living in Fairfield, she made snide comments about it, but yes, she did seem to "know it."

I hear you but I would add that a LOT has changed at Fairfield since then.
For BC / Nova hopefuls who need a plan B, FU is a solid choice

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We toured and know people who attended.

-Beautiful campus, town & location--convenient to NYC and Boston
-Gives merit aid; whether that is significant enough is in the eye of the beholder. Don't expect the cost to be under about $36k/year
-Has a ''Country Club Republican'' vibe
-Very wealthy student body
-Strong in ''practical'' fields like nursing, finance, and health sciences (I know someone who graduated last May and is finishing their first year of med school)
-Supposedly kids are kind, willing to try new things, and inclusive

Agreed. This school is very popular with my Northeast, Catholic-ish circle. It has many good things going for it.

I would say it attracts very similar student body to Boston College and Villanova (obviously less selective, but in personality/background...similar). Providence College is also an easy comparison.

I went to BC and had never heard of it. Not sure why PP is getting hounded for being from CT and never having heard of it.

Plenty of no name schools out there willing to gaslight parents into paying their outlandish costs. No different than any “up and coming” neighborhood. The only people biting are the gullible or those with a vested interest.

Most “no name schools” don’t charge “outlandish costs.” They give large scholarships.

40K for a no name school is outlandish.

$40k for UConn instate in the middle of nowhere is outlandish.