Anonymous wrote:Where does he ultimately want to live? I have twins and one would consider living in the south, attended a sleepaway camp that was in nc but very southern for years, etc. His twin has zero interest in every living in the south. I think this matters bc ultimately if your dc would love to be in dc or ny them SC wouldn’t be as great an option. If he’s drawn to the south and wants to settle there then this is a no-brainer. I think he should look at where his alumni network will be strongest and where he’ll have the most college friends and connections.

This is dumb and not true anymore. Everyone is so connected now that you can go to school anywhere and settle down/find a job/internship anywhere these days. I went to college in Chicago and of all my former classmates, I can think of 3 who actually still live in Chicago. Almost everyone (including me) has moved on--living all around the world. Where you go to college does not determine or even necessarily factor in to where you one day will live.

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Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t pay more for U of SC than JMU.

Why not if you have the $$ and kid wants USC?

Also, South Carolina has more name recognition than JMU. No one outside DMV area knows about JMU.

And everyone outside of South Carolina thinks that USC is in California

Duh. Sorry U of SC. Happy?

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Anonymous wrote:Where does he ultimately want to live? I have twins and one would consider living in the south, attended a sleepaway camp that was in nc but very southern for years, etc. His twin has zero interest in every living in the south. I think this matters bc ultimately if your dc would love to be in dc or ny them SC wouldn’t be as great an option. If he’s drawn to the south and wants to settle there then this is a no-brainer. I think he should look at where his alumni network will be strongest and where he’ll have the most college friends and connections.

Google before making inaccurate claims. https://uofscalumni.org/alumni_club/dc/

It’s silly to post an alumni club as any indication of where grads will have most career success.

Sure, there will be people getting jobs everywhere, but I agree with PP. it’s silly to think that a South Carolina grad will have as smooth sailing as a UVA grad or any number of prestigious privates in the DC job market.

The inaccurate claim suggested SC would not be “as great” an option in DC when compared to JMU. That claim is inaccurate because SC has a major alumni presence in DC. Why are you talking about UVa?

OK...it absolutely doesn't have as strong as an alumni network as JMU or W&M in DC. You posted a link to alumni club which literally every school under the sun has in DC. That is meaningless. No question you should pick either of those other schools if you know you will return to DC.

Similarly, don't pick either of those schools if you want to settle in Charleston or Atlanta if you want the strongest alumni network of those three schools.

Anonymous wrote:I would definitely choose W&M even with the Spring start, but that is me. I just think that is a short period of time and can be a good opportunity to gain some focus and perspective. If your kid isn't keen on it, I wouldn't push it too far.

Between JMU and South Carolina, I would probably go with JMU as I have heard very good things from graduates and the business school is good. I know South Carolina more for international business. If they really like the big time sports, South Carolina is in the SEC, and that is tough to beat, but they aren't typically competitive at the Georgia, Alabama level there. JMU may never make it to a top level conference. But I wouldn't choose college based on sports.

This

I would definitely choose W&M even with the Spring start, but that is me. I just think that is a short period of time and can be a good opportunity to gain some focus and perspective. If your kid isn't keen on it, I wouldn't push it too far.

Between JMU and South Carolina, I would probably go with JMU as I have heard very good things from graduates and the business school is good. I know South Carolina more for international business. If they really like the big time sports, South Carolina is in the SEC, and that is tough to beat, but they aren't typically competitive at the Georgia, Alabama level there. JMU may never make it to a top level conference. But I wouldn't choose college based on sports.

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Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t pay more for U of SC than JMU.

Why not if you have the $$ and kid wants USC?

Also, South Carolina has more name recognition than JMU. No one outside DMV area knows about JMU.

Really? I guess I should let all my DC's OOS friends know this.

Go to the west coast or Midwest or NE. See if more ppl have heard of South Carolina or JMU.

What a stupid argument. Of course *everyone* has heard of University of Whatever State. I’ve certainly heard of the University of New Mexico, but I couldn’t tell you the first thing about it…

The point is no one has heard of JMU if they don’t live in the mid-Atlantic.

I would say this is increasingly less true about JMU, that people don’t know it outside this area. It is getting better and better academically, it has been awarded an R2 research designation, and with its football team being so strong and being on ESPN College Game day, more and more people know about it nationally. Plus it is a relative bargain for OOS.

I would add that the Men's basketball team made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament after a stellar season that started with an upset of Michigan State. The Women's team went last year. And the Women's Lacrosse is nationally ranked, again.

SEC > Sun Belt

If we are looking at best fit for your particular kid, then JMU or UofSC; but if we are looking at the best school objectively (as a whole - not particular to your kid), then W&M.

I mean -- I'd pick JMU over USC. Doesn't sound like W&M is a good fit even though its a great school.

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Anonymous wrote:Where does he ultimately want to live? I have twins and one would consider living in the south, attended a sleepaway camp that was in nc but very southern for years, etc. His twin has zero interest in every living in the south. I think this matters bc ultimately if your dc would love to be in dc or ny them SC wouldn’t be as great an option. If he’s drawn to the south and wants to settle there then this is a no-brainer. I think he should look at where his alumni network will be strongest and where he’ll have the most college friends and connections.

Google before making inaccurate claims. https://uofscalumni.org/alumni_club/dc/

It’s silly to post an alumni club as any indication of where grads will have most career success.

Sure, there will be people getting jobs everywhere, but I agree with PP. it’s silly to think that a South Carolina grad will have as smooth sailing as a UVA grad or any number of prestigious privates in the DC job market.

The inaccurate claim suggested SC would not be “as great” an option in DC when compared to JMU. That claim is inaccurate because SC has a major alumni presence in DC. Why are you talking about UVa?

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Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t pay more for U of SC than JMU.

Why not if you have the $$ and kid wants USC?

Also, South Carolina has more name recognition than JMU. No one outside DMV area knows about JMU.

Really? I guess I should let all my DC's OOS friends know this.

Go to the west coast or Midwest or NE. See if more ppl have heard of South Carolina or JMU.

What a stupid argument. Of course *everyone* has heard of University of Whatever State. I’ve certainly heard of the University of New Mexico, but I couldn’t tell you the first thing about it…

The point is no one has heard of JMU if they don’t live in the mid-Atlantic.

I would say this is increasingly less true about JMU, that people don’t know it outside this area. It is getting better and better academically, it has been awarded an R2 research designation, and with its football team being so strong and being on ESPN College Game day, more and more people know about it nationally. Plus it is a relative bargain for OOS.

I would add that the Men's basketball team made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament after a stellar season that started with an upset of Michigan State. The Women's team went last year. And the Women's Lacrosse is nationally ranked, again.

While I think W&M is the best over all school choice, I would be concerned with the spring pathway option. One reason why a lot of people don't take it is because of the concern of having their kid live out of the country during their first time away from home (for a significant amount of time). While exciting, it can be challenging too. Also, this year, in particular we have a lot going on in the world (i.e. serious tensions between Israel and Iran, which will have a ripple affect with the rest of the world). The community college option is also not the most desireable since people most kids don't consider CC to be a true college experience (even though it is economical). Finally, the biggest thing that I hear from about spring transfers (or transfer students in general) is the difficulty in connecting with other students once getting on campus. Many students will have already formed their friend groups (especially during that first month of fall). After that initial burst of trying to make friends, many W&M students get busy with school (b/c W&M classes are rigorous). The kids who go to Verto might come in with some friends - but not all. Also, the classes that you take through Verto are very easy compared to what you will get at W&M - so many kids get stressed when they get to W&M.

Another option is to let your kid go to JMU or Univ. of SC first and after the first year if the experience is awful, have them transfer to W&M (much easier to come in as a transfer).

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Anonymous wrote:Where does he ultimately want to live? I have twins and one would consider living in the south, attended a sleepaway camp that was in nc but very southern for years, etc. His twin has zero interest in every living in the south. I think this matters bc ultimately if your dc would love to be in dc or ny them SC wouldn’t be as great an option. If he’s drawn to the south and wants to settle there then this is a no-brainer. I think he should look at where his alumni network will be strongest and where he’ll have the most college friends and connections.

Google before making inaccurate claims. https://uofscalumni.org/alumni_club/dc/

It’s silly to post an alumni club as any indication of where grads will have most career success.

Sure, there will be people getting jobs everywhere, but I agree with PP. it’s silly to think that a South Carolina grad will have as smooth sailing as a UVA grad or any number of prestigious privates in the DC job market.

Keep in mind that W&M isn't just academically inclined school that is significantly higher ranked than the other two options. Kids at W&M definitely have fun. If you have some initiative, you can find your people at any school. My kid is also deciding between W&M and a out of state flagship (though in our case this other school is ranked significantly higher than W&M). Still, I feel like W&M is an awesome school that gives students so many things that larger schools can't. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:I can speak to the W&M info (and misinformation) above (have two kids currently students at W&M).
1) We know several students who have done pathways and have loved it. There is a 5 day orientation in January for all the pathways and other transfers and the students we knew, fit in right away and were able to join the greek system early on.
2) I don't know of any of the D1 W&M teams that take walk ons. One of my children is an athlete and I know that their team actively does not take walk ons.
3) The business school is hard to get into (PP above who said that all you need is a reasonable GPA is wrong). Students need a very strong GPA to get into the business school, but can minor if they don't get in.

Personally, I'd do W&M over JMU over SC but your child needs to own this decision. FWIW, the students we know that did pathways really, really enjoyed the experience.

Just visited W&M and the tour guide (who is in the business school) said it is much easier for business school admit than what she hears at UVA where 50% will never be admitted.

Her quote was everyone she knows was admitted…if not as a rising Soph than as a rising Junior.

Anonymous wrote:Where does he ultimately want to live? I have twins and one would consider living in the south, attended a sleepaway camp that was in nc but very southern for years, etc. His twin has zero interest in every living in the south. I think this matters bc ultimately if your dc would love to be in dc or ny them SC wouldn’t be as great an option. If he’s drawn to the south and wants to settle there then this is a no-brainer. I think he should look at where his alumni network will be strongest and where he’ll have the most college friends and connections.

Google before making inaccurate claims. https://uofscalumni.org/alumni_club/dc/