Advice from the Parents on Schools to Apply To

Parent Cafe
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<p>I know there are other threads bombarded with questions similar to mine. I really value the opinions of the parents on this thread, so I thought I'd come here to seek some guidance.</p>

<p>I'm in the midst of narrowing my college list down as I get ready to apply (I'm a senior), but am stuck in the narrowing process as I have a list of schools that are my favorites, most of them reaches, and a second list of schools that are better financially. Finances are of importance in my college selection; however, I do not want that to be the only cause of removal of the schools on my list.</p>

<p>Preferably, I'd like to get my list down to 12 schools, although 15 schools is more realistic at this moment.</p>

<p>Schools (With Some of My Thoughts for Each):</p>

<ol>
<li>Carthage College (EA)- Accepted; school is alright, but applied mainly because of free app and generous merit aid</li>
<li>University of Alabama (EA)- Applied; interested in Honor's College, like the sports scene, not sure if I like the location very much, being from the Midwest</li>
<li>Marquette University (RD)- Applied; school is alright, but applied mainly because of free app and decent merit aid</li>
<li>University of Wisconsin (EA)- Will Apply; like Madison, sports scene, opportunities, don't like large party scene and seemingly lack of intellectual-feel to campus</li>
<li>Knox College (EA)- Likely Apply; interested in programs offered, free app (doesn't hurt), unsure of location, decent merit aid</li>
<li>Beloit College (EA)- Likely Apply; interested in programs offered, decent merit aid</li>
<li>Cornell College (EA)- Likely Apply; interested in OCAAT approach, free app, unsure of location</li>
<li>Macalester College (RD)- Likely Apply; like general vibe I've heard that exists on campus, like urban campus feel but that it's in its own bubble, good programs, unsure of FA</li>
<li>Northwestern University (RD)- Likely Apply; like combo of academic programs, athletics, nearby Chicago, and beautiful Evanston, unsure of FA/selectivity (if I'll get in)</li>
<li>Amherst College (RD)- Likely Apply; like combo of academic programs (open curriculum) and location, unsure of FA/selectivity</li>
<li>Brown University (RD)- Likely Apply; really like open curriculum and location (Providence), unsure of FA/selectivity</li>
<li>Grinnell College (RD)- Likely Apply; like open curriculum, free app, general vibe I've gotten about school, unsure of location/amount of merit aid</li>
<li>Carleton College (RD)- Likely Apply; like academic programs and general vibe I've gotten about school, unsure about FA/selectivity</li>
<li>Bowdoin College (RD)- Likely Apply; like academic programs and for the most part the location, unsure of FA/selectivity</li>
<li>Wesleyan University (RD)- Likely Apply; like academic programs and for the most part the location, unsure of FA/selectivity</li>
</ol>

<p>Other schools I'm more questionable about:</p>

<ol>
<li>NYU Gallatin (RD)- Unsure; interested in Individualized Study program, like NYC although unsure if I'd be good living there, unsure of location with lack of campus-feel, unsure of FA/selectivity</li>
<li>Columbia University (RD)- Unsure; like location better than NYU, generally don't mind the core curriculum (although I'm a bigger fan of the open curriculum), unsure of FA/selectivity</li>
<li>Washington University (RD)- Unsure; like location in St. Louis, unsure of strength/professor interaction of academics, unsure of FA/selectivity</li>
<li>University of Chicago (RD)- Unsure; like location and intellectual vibe, unsure of "where fun goes to die", unsure of FA/selectivity</li>
<li>Vassar College (RD)- Unsure; don't know as much about, like general vibe though, unsure of location/FA/selectivity</li>
<li>Haverford College (RD)- Unsure; don't know as much about, like general vibe though, unsure of location/FA/selectivity</li>
<li>Tufts University (RD)- Unsure; like location for most part, decent academic programs, unsure of FA/selectivity/larger size</li>
<li>Northeastern University (EA)- Unsure; like co-op program, okay merit aid, unsure of academic rigor/quality, unsure of FA/selectivity</li>
<li>Oberlin College (RD)- Unsure; don't know as much about, like general vibe, unsure of location/FA/selectivity</li>
<li>Tulane University (EA)- Unsure; don't know as much about, free app, decent merit aid, unsure of academic quality/rigor, unsure of FA</li>
<li>University of Pittsburgh (EA)- Unsure; like Honors College and sports scene, unsure of larger size/location/FA</li>
<li>Macaulay Honors College (RD)- Unsure; don't know as much about, interested in "no cost" to attend, like location for most part, unsure of academic quality/rigor/FA</li>
</ol>

<p>A Little More about Me: I play five sports (cross country, soccer, wrestling, track, and cycling), act (musicals/plays), do music (concert band, jazz band, polka band, show choir, vocal jazz, etc.), enjoy politics, and am a vegan. Possible majors include Creative Writing, Education, English, Journalism, and Political Science. I especially like schools in the size of 2,000-7,000 students. I'm not looking for any more suggestions (unless there's one clear school that seems exactly right for me that's not on this list) and instead am looking for schools to cut.</p>

<p>If you have any insight on any of these schools or this list as a whole from your own experience with your kids, I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks! :)</p>

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<p>Assuming your stats are good enough to get into all of these schools, a few visits or two would narrow down your list considerably. What schools do you intend to see?</p>

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<p>I’ll only respond to 1 & 4:</p>

<p>Carthage–for students that live near us in far north suburban Chicago, this is a popular choice for–like you said–the merit aid, and also the proximity, at least to our town. Be careful, however, to compute the bottom line cost AFTER all aid has been factored in. A nice package for a high achiever will net you out the door around $20K/year total.</p>

<p>UW-Madison–whether it’s EA or RD (does UW-Madison even HAVE early action?), you will need stellar stats & great essays to be admitted. Socially & intellectually, there’s something for everyone here, so find your niche & go. In-state out the door around $20K, OOS maybe $35K. No frosh scholarships except for under-represented minorities, but departmental ones are available once you prove yourself.</p>

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<p>Wow, that’s quite a lengthy list. Frankly I just think you need to do some research and pair it down. You’ve got big schools, small schools, urban schools and rural schools, schools that are far away and schools that are nearby. Schools that are very selective and schools that are not as selective. Have you talked to your parents about what they can afford - knowing that might enable you to drop even more. For example, can you afford NYU - they aren’t known for being terrible generous with aid. Have you looked at the probability of acceptance based on your GPA and test scores, that might help you eliminate a couple more… You say you like the smaller schools but you’ve got a few big Us on your list. You are all over the country, are there any in locations that it would be prohibitally expensive or difficult to and from home? Are your parents on board with the concept of “anywhere in the US.” You are a senior, have you or will you be able to visit any of the schools and how important is that to you? </p>

<p>End up with a couple financial safety schools you are willing to attend, a few reachy reachy schools that are affordable possibilities and no more than a handful of match schools so you can compare aid and you’ll have pletny of choices in the spring. </p>

<p>BTW you are fortunate that you aren’t one of my kids because they have to be less than 10 with their apps.</p>

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<p>

Isn’t NYU on your second list? That’s in the wrong bracket… NYU has awful FA.</p>

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<p>I’m not a parent, but you can ask me anything about Grinnell if you want. I’m a current freshman and I’m pretty much in love with the school.</p>

<p>This thread might also be useful: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/grinnell-college/438138-why-grinnell.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/grinnell-college/438138-why-grinnell.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Are you primarily looking for merit aid or need-based aid? Once your parents run the EFC calculator, you can have “the talk” with them about what they are willing/able to pay. If you will qualify for need-based aid (especially PELL) then focus on those colleges that meet 100& need and cap or eliminate loans. Northwestern caps, and I believe Columbia meets need. U of Chicago meets need, but it is a place that you would need to visit. I believe Beloit meets need as well.</p>

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<p>another school in alabama if you are science oriented, could be UAB… depending on your gpa and test scores, good merit aid, wonderful sci/tech honors program. urban campus about 11K undergrads (17K total) Not a “sport” school though</p>

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<p>I think your list is awful long. Ask yourself if you had a choice, would you attend each and every one of these? Have you even visited most of them? There’s is nothing wrong with winnowing the list down to 5 or 6 realistic good happy-about-them choices. And geographics play a part in cost, don’t forget. My sons both applied to 4 schools, after visiting about 6 and researching about 10.</p>

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<p>Your list is way too long!</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>That is key! At most colleges, there is limited “stacking” (or none) allowed for need-based FA and merit scholarship. Based on family’s financial situation and student stats, typically one strategy will work better than the other.</p>

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<p>Have you organized your list by favorites? What are your top 5? Which school is your absolute dream? </p>

<p>By the way, you sound very organized, good for you. How do you manage all of these ECs? I was exhausted just reading the list! :)</p>

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<p>Cliffylove: I officially visited UW-Madison, Beloit College, Northwestern University, Amherst College, Brown University, Grinnell College, Bowdoin College, Wesleyan University, University of Chicago, Tufts University, and Northeastern University. Unofficially, I visited Carthage College and Marquette University. I plan on visiting several more Midwest schools (Macalester, Carleton, maybe Knox, others?) in November or maybe October. As for stats, I have a 3.96 UW GPA out of 4, class rank of 11 out of 100, and SAT of 800M, 580R, 630W (R and W scores should improve with my October 2011 attempt).</p>

<p>Jnm123: You got me. UW-Madison doesn’t have EA, they really only have rolling admissions; however, I like to think of it as EA because I want my application done as early as possible. I’m in-state for UW-Madison and a “double legacy” if that counts for anything. I like both Carthage and UW-Madison cost-wise and they’re close to home; however, I’m more interested in schools further from home. Whether those schools are a state away in the Midwest or on the East Coast is TBD.</p>

<p>Momofthreeboys: For the Big U’s on the list, I am interested in their Honors Colleges or Programs. I’ve narrowed down my location to Midwest and East Coast. Midwest would be less expensive; however, I don’t think travel cost will play a significant enough role in the end that it will cause me to eliminate an East Coast school from my app list for that sole reason. A few schools are fairly high reaches (Brown, Northwestern, Amherst, and Columbia, to name a few) but I have quite an interest in these schools.</p>

<p>Erin’s Dad: Sorry for the confusion. When I referred to “two lists” in the opening post I was referring to lists in my head; however, the lists I have here are sorted based on the likelihood of me applying to the various schools. Schools 1-15 I have either applied or am likely to apply to and Schools 16-27 I’m interested in learning more about (aside from stuff that I know from the college’s website), but am less likely to apply to because of one significant negative about the school. For NYU, I’m interested in the concept of the Gallatin School and the opportunities in NYC; however, cost could be the one significant negative that eliminates the school from my list. Any thoughts as to whether I should eliminate NYU?</p>

<p>Kudryavka: I’ve visited the Why Grinnell before, but thanks for the reminder! I will be sure to stop on over there soon!</p>

<p>MizzBee: Merit-based aid is ideal, but not a mitigating factor. It’s almost a must for my “financial safeties”; however, my “dream schools” only offer need-based aid. Such is my quandary. When it comes down to head-to-head which school will I apply to versus which one I won’t finances will likely be a component to the decision. If anyone has any more insight as to the quality of financial aid that these schools typically offer, I’d appreciate it.</p>

<p>Parent56: Thanks for the recommendation; however, I’m not really pursuing a science-related major and don’t really have time to add another school to my list.</p>

<p>Greenbutton/Appdad: I promise I’ll get to 15 schools max for applications! It will just take a little more research and analyzing.</p>

<p>Colorado_mom: As stated above, merit aid is preferable; however, many of the schools that I particularly like do not offer merit aid. I will likely have to drop a few of my schools that don’t offer merit aid from my list.</p>

<p>Crizello: My top 5, at the moment, are Northwestern, Amherst, Macalester, Brown, and Bowdoin. It’s too tough to pick one at the moment because I don’t want to have “all of my eggs in one basket”, I guess. As for managing ECs, I’m not perfect in terms of time management; however, I get things done!</p>

<p>Out of my Schools 16-27, I’m trying to learn more about some and eventually take some off the list. I’m particularly interested in learning more about Vassar, Haverford, and Macaulay, if anyone has more info on them, aside from what their individual schools websites provide.</p>

<p>Also, many of the schools in my Schools 16-27 list have some qualities that I like about them and some that I dislike or are unsure about. If anyone has any feedback on the truth or your own opinions on my various thoughts I’d appreciate it!</p>

<p>NYU & Columbia: I like the opportunities in the city and the vibrant life; however, I’m concerned about FA (particularly with NYU), lack of campus (NYU), and Core Curriculum (Columbia). When looking at the Core Curriculum, I don’t mind it too much, but I will say that I like the Open Curriculum better than the Core.</p>

<p>UChicago: I like the “quirkiness” of it and the general location. I’m unsure of the school based on its Core, its perceived exceptional academic rigor, and the “where fun comes to die” comments.</p>

<p>Tufts: Many people have recommended this school to me. I visited there and like it (8 out of 10, maybe); however, nothing popped out to me and said “this is it”.</p>

<p>Northeastern: I like the co-ops, but I’ve read some people on the Northeastern Forum saying that the school lacks academic rigor and quality.</p>

<p>To add to what I said in my first post, I want a school that will challenge me intellectually, in and out of the classroom, allow me to enjoy life outside of academics too, and a school that has an abundance of diversity (in every which way). Thank you everyone for your help! :)</p>

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<p>Any other thoughts?</p>

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<p>bbarty–even though your list is lengthy–whatthehell, it’s fun doing this ‘handicapping’, isn’t it? You’re darn organized, too. Are your folks helping you out here? I know as a parent I enjoyed helping out my D’s winnow down the lists.</p>

<p>If I were y’all, I’d finish up my visits (yeah, a couple small Midwestern LAC’s would probably about do it) and then really get down to the nuts & bolts of applications & financial aid. A word of warning–if cost is very important like you say, you will find out fairly quickly that while you could very well be admitted to a number of these selective schools, unless your parents’ EFC is WAY down–like near 0–you’ll be paying full freight to schools like Wash U & N’western & others, more than $50K/year. Yes, it’s nuts. Oh, familiarize yourself with the FAFSA & Profile when you have time, and tell your folks to do the same.</p>

<p>But you have a very interesting mix of schools (ha, you should have a fun time retrofitting your essays to match a particular school’s application–good thing you know how to write!), and should definitely get some merit somewhere along the line. But make sure that even with a merit scholarship, focus on the ‘out-the-door’ cost, bottom line. A $20K/yr scholarship at a $50K/yr school still costs thirty grand a year.</p>

<p>Finally, and I’m NOT being impartial because my D attends, but get that app in to UW-Madison as soon as it’s available. You have a good chance of being admitted, and after all the apps and all the essays and all the visits to these other schools, you might very well find out in the end that Madison is the best value overall, especially in-state.</p>

<p>Good luck to you!</p>

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<p>NYU will give you no aid beyond federal. I would drop it unless you just want to see if you get in.</p>

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<p>I’m a person who likes to keep his options open … but I gotta say, you take that approach to a whole different level. Twenty-seven possibles? Twenty for which you lack information on financial aid, a critical item for you? Yikes!</p>

<p>Still, I gotta admire you for posting in the Parents Forum. So here’s what I’d tell you if you were my child:
(1) You did very well getting into a school you like with adequate FA. Congrats on that.
(2) Decide what you don’t like MOST about Carthage College, and screen out any of the twenty-six others schools on your list that have those traits.
(3) From remaining candidates pick five “matches” and five “reaches” you like best.
(4) All the schools on your list are good schools, so don’t agonize over your decisions!</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>OP - You have LOTS of schools on your list. But gotta hand it to you… that’s lots more organization and research than either of my kids had. Now the chore will be to whittle it down - good luck!</p>

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<p>OP - are you sure you’re really the <em>student</em> in your household and not, um, perhaps the parent? Just wondering. </p>

<p>If you are planning on majoring in the arts, I would definitely pick the school that can give you the best financial package, end of story. They all sound like fine schools.</p>

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<p>Brown will meet all demonstrated need, so you do not have to worry about FA there. However, you do have to get in and that is the hard part.</p>