<p>I'm curious to hear from/about students who attended a college where they were well above the median or even the 75th percentile of the other students, stats-wise. I'd like to know whether these students felt challenged and satisfied with their college experiences, or whether they regretted not going to a school that was a better match in terms of test scores and GPA. Colleges can be appealing for many reasons--location, school spirit, financial aid, etc.--as well as academic fit. Should a prospective student favor academic fit over these other things in order to have a fulfilling and beneficial college career?</p>
<p>[Please don't flame me--this is a sincere question and will help us weigh my son's various choices fairly. Thank you!]</p>
<p>I am right about at the 75th percentile for my school. I would say that most classes where I attend are between mildly and somewhat challenging. To be honest I would say for me it’s the other factors that I dislike. The city is horrible, there are very few students my age, those that attend tend to think they are the best and the brightest of the places they came from when infact most are not. Financial aid fit is probably even more important than academic fit the only exception to that is top notch engineering schools imho (more or less Mudd, MIT and CalTech) where the extra loans have a very good chance of paying off long run. Honestly I would give academic fit a 6 or 7 out of 10 as far as weight goes. Your son’s enjoyment of his college experience will really depend on how well he knows what he wants and his ability to apply that to his choice in college.</p>
<p>Yes, I think it’s probably the top consideration in picking a college. Financial considerations may preclude the best academic options and as you note, for some students there are other considerations, but barring those constraints I think it’s important for students to find their level of intellectual challenge and inspiration. Some well-resourced Honors programs at less selective schools may also provide that kind of academic fit.</p>
<p>UTPG1234–I’m sorry you’re not having an optimal experience, but I bet you’re getting a lot out of it, even if you don’t realize it now. Did you make your choice for financial reasons? If so, do you still recommend this route? It sounds like you rate financial reasons highly, yet are not completely happy with how it turned out for you. (Forgive me if I read your response wrong.)</p>
<p>gadad–What you’ve recommended is my gut reaction to the question. However, I wondered if “being the big fish in a small pond” (ie, getting extra attention from professors in terms of research opportunities perhaps), might make up for a less than optimal academic fit. Any thoughts on that? </p>
<p>I am happy with the academic experience and the financials. I guess idealy I would have liked to go to a school with a older student on average or perhaps one in a bit bigger city (Don’t get me wrong I like cities that are mid sized). Overall that is why I say academic fit is not the end all be all of fit.</p>