<p>ACS and EmmyBet, you are so right about the value of campus camps, etc. My son had always wanted a big sports school–until a basketball camp at Rutgers convinced him that he wanted a small school, even if it had only Division 3 sports.</p>
<p>Now, if there could only be a camp which would persuade kids not to write off schools because one tour guide is a nerd or one student they spot is too preppie/hippie…</p>
<p>CIA - I think the people on the other thread got it right about the general academic level at Roosevelt: a real mix, and definitely people below your stats. But that is the case with what you might consider “safeties” - at some point you’ll apply to a school where you’re at the top of their pool. If you get in somewhere you’re more toward the middle, maybe you’ll decide that feels better. But I think Roosevelt is respected, and definitely pay attention to what you learn about your particular interests there. I don’t know much except about performing arts.</p>
<p>If you like the idea of DePaul (whose academics are a significant notch higher) and Roosevelt in terms of location, then you could be very happy at either place. Good luck! I went to college in Chicago and loved it (I came from the Northeast), although I did not live downtown. I lived in the urban neighborhood my D1 found “too noisy”! It wasn’t bad for me, though, even though they tore up the street outside my first floor dorm window the first three months I was there! I thought it was kind of exciting - but I will say I have very strong abilities to concentrate regardless of distractions.</p>
<p>yabe - oh, yeah, the things that turn them off! Actually, I haven’t had that experience so much, but I do suspect some of the things that have turned my kids ON about schools were cute tour guides and flashy power points … I don’t think my current applicant is fooling herself about anywhere, though, luckily. One of her great skills is a powerful BS sniffer (one of the big reasons she’s a 3.X kid!) and she’s very discerning. I think she’s been spot on about the schools she’s turned off about. Phew!</p>
<p>Thanks, Emmy! I found it interesting that DePaul and Roosevelt actually share a dorm. Not sure how that works, but if DePaul’s academics are a notch higher and for some reason I don’t get in/can’t afford it, I would still be able to socialize with people more like me. </p>
<p>That sounds sort of condescending to those who have lesser stats and I don’t mean it that way at all.</p>
<p>I understand your wanting to be “sensitive,” but your comment is completely reasonable. And you’re on the right thread - everyone here is having to weigh being very capable, but not “tippy-top;” having high scores/lower GPA, or the reverse; having had early stumbles but a rising trend; and/or having great potential but not putting it quite together yet. That is the nature of the 3.X student. And it is hard knowing for college where you want to be in the pack. </p>
<p>I would guess that many students at Roosevelt have seen their fair share of Cs in HS. But many of them might have grown up since then, or might also have had a lot of As in the subjects they’re good at and be pretty smart. It’s hard to know when there are more average stats just what the student body will be like. Keep asking, and you’ll get a good idea.</p>
<p>My D found herself pleasantly flattered at the school we visited where she is in the top 25% of applicants. They pretty much guaranteed her a bunch of scholarships (stats driven). But she wonders about the student body, how she’d really feel there, and has been checking around. </p>
<p>Yet there are no promises. The very first piece of advice we were every given about college applications is that you need to keep in mind the option of transferring. It sounds like putting the cart before the horse, but with your thoughtful approach to all of this, I think you’ll understand what I mean. Do your best, but don’t be surprised if you’re surprised - maybe you’ll think the Roosevelt students are awesome, after all, or you’ll enjoy being in the top of the pack. Or maybe you’ll meet people at DePaul (or vice versa) and realize you’d like to swap. Just keep doing your best to find out as much as you can, and then be open to the process. I admire you very much.</p>
<p>The problem is, as a 0 EFC student, most of the aid is sucked up (for lack of a better word) by freshman. Transferring probably won’t be a realistic possibility and so I have to be sure to get it right the first time.</p>
<p>Ah the pressure!</p>
<p>I certainly am no expert on the financial aid aspect. But I do know people who have transferred and afforded it, and have been offered nice awards as entering sophomores. And I would imagine transferring from a private back to your instate public would work financially for you, if you find you don’t like where you are and need a less expensive option.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to harp on the unpredictability, but you do have a good sense of humor and I know you can take it. Remember that aid varies - you might get pulled into a great place based on money and then receive far less there your second year than you would somewhere else. You’re not going to get any guarantees in this game. Just do your best, and try not to feel pressured. You’re doing very well with this very hard job, and you’ll figure things out as the year progresses.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the compliments!</p>
<p>It’s just difficult thinking of transferring. What if I make friends or fall in love with Chicago but the academics just don’t suit me? I could try to transfer to one of the other Chicago universities, I suppose, but still…</p>
<p>Have you visited Chicago? I believe it’s a new part of the country for you. I can imagine that you will enjoy it. There are many schools available there, and you have excellent chances at DePaul and definitely Roosevelt. There’s also Loyola and UI Circle, and a bunch more outside of town. </p>
<p>Sorry to make you worry. Don’t “what if” yourself too much. I’m sure there’s some great old saying about its being a waste of time … it’s too late for me to think of one, though!</p>
<p>CIA, George Mason would be an excellent fit. I know they are doing some summer tours before the fall semester starts. It has a lot of diversity and many new buildings going up and a lot of renovations to current buildings. They have guaranteed Freshman housing. They have great internship opportunities. They seem to have an active campus community. go visit, it just might be what you are looking for. Again, did you look at Longwood in Farmville. If you take your transcript they will do onsite admissions. With your scores and GPA you have a good chance of automatic admissions.</p>
<p>I had a funny note to add to our forum. We were in Fla. for a short trip and happened by Rollins College, which will accept students in this range. One funny fact they told us, was that Freshman aren’t allowed to have cars, but are welcome to bring their boat and dock it at the campus boat landing.</p>
<p>She is done with her essays and says she will be online at 12:01 a.m. to submit her application to the College of Charleston. She’s hoping the earlier it is submitted the better. At least she is done with the essay.</p>
<p>That boat vs. car difference is quite soemthing</p>
<p>On the boat topic - if you visit Eckerd College in the Tampa area on a Friday - you can tour the area/see the campus by boat. Not sure about Eckerd for S2 - but if we can time it to do the boat tour - that would be fun.</p>
<p>
Sorry I missed this the first time around. We didn’t get what I would call “enough” financial aid anywhere, but Rochester offered us more money than anyone else (however, since they also cost more than anyone else, it all kind of came out in the wash–the bottom lines after FA at the four private colleges that accepted our son were all within $2K of each other).</p>
<p>nightchef you are lucky the FA spread was only 2k for you. This was not our experience with private schools at all. We had HUGE spreads in our bottom lines. It is the bottom line that mattered to us, not just the sticker price. Also, terms for keeping merit aid were also very important to us.</p>
<p>I have 14 schools on my list. It needs to get cut down.</p>
<p>Virginia Commonwealth U (in-state)
DePaul (possibly my top choice)
George Mason (in-state, also high on my list)
Christopher Newport (in-state financial and admissions safety)
Duquesne
American (big reach)
St. Joseph’s
Xavier
Marquette
Radford (in-state admissions and financial safety)
Scranton
Elon (reach, but I already completed the application so…)
Dayton (EA, should find out in October!!)
Beloit (EA)</p>
<p>Please help me get this down to no more than 10!</p>
<p>CIA - I’m not sure how you put Beloit on the list. It’s a wonderful school. But it is very small, in a very small town and a good distance from any real urban area. Your living experience there would be very different from most of the others. My D has very remote and very urban schools on her list, too, so I"m not making a blanket criticism (I will say that the less urban schools are ones she has visited and likes for very different reasons, primarily because of programs, in spite of location). </p>
<p>I mention this just because I wasn’t sure you were completely aware of Beloit’s situation, since you love the Chicago and DC area schools so much. Anyway, you asked for something to take off the list, so there’s my suggestion!</p>
<p>I put Beloit on the list because, while I’d prefer an urban area, Beloit is pretty good academically and is only an hour away from Milwaukee and 2 from Chicago. You’re right though, it’s really not necessary. I am a bit concerned about the drinking on campus there (they say flat out that they will not enforce state laws…). The size was also a concern (only a little over 1000 students).</p>
<p>With so many schools, I can afford to lose one. Off Beloit goes.</p>
<p>Now to keep trimming that list down!</p>
<p>Ok, I’ve narrowed it down to 11. I just need to lose one more:</p>
<p>VCU
DePaul
George Mason
Duquesne
American
St. Joe’s
Marquette
Radford
Scranton
Elon
Dayton</p>