<p>First post! I've been lurking for a few months, but as we travel deeper into the search for my D's college, I figured it was time to take the plunge and register.</p>
<p>Has anyone ever experienced after visiting colleges that a "safety" just feels like the best fit? We have only visited 4 colleges so far, with at least 2 more on her list to check out. One was a definite no (her opinion and my opinion). One we both loved, Bucknell, due to the fact that the campus is beyond beautiful, cafeteria amazing, etc. But certain elements I'm not sure jive with my d's personality (strong greek presence, for example). But one that we thought of as a safety, Juniata, for which her GPA (4.0 unweighted) is above average for, had the best feel to it. No greek presence, students and professors were so friendly, and down-to-earth. </p>
<p>We had never even heard of the school, but were recommended to check it out (believe it or not by a competing college at a college fair) for their reputation for a strong science program especially for females. We both left really liking everything. But I worry that she may be selling herself short, since she has the stats to get into higher ranked, more well-known schools. But we both left there really, really impressed, more with the people though than the actual physical school itself. So I guess I am asking, does fit trump prestige?</p>
<p>Fit most certainly trumps prestige in our book. S attended a school that I had never heard of before we started the college search (not that that means much) - but no one else in our neighborhood had heard of it either and I was dubious about whether it was worth even visiting. But S loved the place at first sight, and though he had the stats for more selective better known schools, he got a great scholarship, had a fantastic experience, found his future career and made life-long friends. Of course, I’m not promising that this happens to everyone who chooses fit over prestige and brand name recognition, or that it couldn’t have happened somewhere that would have impressed the neighbors - but I think kids with the self-knowledge and the self-confidence to go with what they know is best for them tend to do pretty well for themselves - in school and in life. So, if your daughter has found her fit, then hats off to her!</p>
<p>If your daughter loved Juniata, she could thrive there. She could excel academically, and garner a lot of special attention, in addition to being on a campus where she “fits” and is happy. </p>
<p>Juniata may not be Ivy status, but it is still a school with a lot of smart kids so she will not be an unhappy intellectual outlier.</p>
<p>A friend’s very bright daughter goes there, loves it, and does not regret turning down her acceptances to Case, Lafayette, Tufts and Lehigh.</p>
<p>Yes and we have only just started the search. His criteria is big sports but not a huge school. He thinks an urban campus- And it has to have engineering - it also has to have merit aid. Travel distance hasnt been established. If he is willing to go away, there are more choices. But we could stay in state and have an awesome option.<br>
There would be a ton more choices if a 3-2 engineering was considered or if a sporty atmosphere wasn’t important.
I don’t want it to take away our fun of visiting colleges or browsing cc.</p>
<p>Thanks for confirming for what I felt so far, was right.</p>
<p>We are planning on visiting Lafayette this summer (another on her list). We drove through Lehigh over Christmas break since we have family in the area, and she took it off the list immediately (campus is built on a hillside, which for some reason was a turnoff for her). It was at night, so it looked creepy. I had an uncle that went to Lehigh, and loved it, so I wish she would reconsider and do a formal visit. But sometimes first impressions are hard to get over.</p>
<p>Thanks for the great recommendation of Juniata as well. I can’t describe how welcoming the staff and students were there. I wasn’t prepared for how much we both were going to like it, and have been struggling with the possibility that the school that the lowest admittance criteria would wind up being her possible first choice. Thanks for confirming that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing!</p>
<p>We couldn’t find Lehigh and as we drove through the rather, hmmmm, sketchy? Area in our search, my daughter said: “If I have to go to Lehigh, I am not going to college.” she had had enough of the search by that point.</p>
<p>She ended up at what would have been considered a safety for her and she is happy. The sciences will attract the brightest kids, so even if the school is not top ten (or whatever she is exploring), there will be bright kids. After a while at my daughter’s school, she told me that she did not think she was as smart as I thought. Lol</p>
<p>Yes, absolutely. To me, fit is everything and I don’t think of the term “safety” if the school is the best fit. It implies that a school is less desirable than a “match” or “reach” but really these terms come from where the students stats are. There is so much more to a student and a school than that. I almost feel like a “matchmaker” when it comes to the college search- we do the visit, and then my kids decide which school they “love” most.</p>
<p>Your daughter loves the school. That’s great!</p>
<p>There is an informative college blog by Lynn O’Shaughnessy that I follow called The College Solution; she really knows her stuff. I think her children went to Beloit College and Juniata; don’t know if she has any info on it on there, but she would probably answer questions you have about Juniata from her blog.</p>
<p>Yes, for us. S1 had all the stats and a NROTC scholarship that would pay full tuition cost at any college (with NROTC) in the country that he could get accepted to. There were lots of great possibilities.<br>
He chose our big state u. which was def. “safety” school for him.
He got two merit scholarships in addition to NROTC. He had a great four years. Saying he loved it is putting it mildly. Three years post grad. and he still misses it but did end up with his “dream job” in part due to the mentor he found at big state u.</p>
<p>Lot of kids go to their safeties for something that trumps fit - money. There is no reason to doubt a choice but I do think it is really early in the process to be making decisions.</p>
<p>I am going to a safety college that I feel like is a perfect fit for me. I am absolutely in love with Appalachian State. I loved the campus, the beautiful mountain environment, the students and faculty I met, the town. All of it was great. It was instantly my top choice, even over universities that were more prestigious or higher ranked. </p>
<p>Because it is a safety for me, I had basically no stress when I applied, I was accepted into the Honors College, and I qualified for merit aid and a scholarship. Plus, I’m going to a school I love at a reasonable in-state tuition rate. </p>
<p>After attending orientation, I have absolutely no doubts. The best university for you doesn’t have to be the most prestigious or most expensive one you were accepted to.</p>
<p>Prestige is way overrated. It gains you nothing except bragging rights. Fit gains you a satisfying and happy four years and a rewarding result. IMO.</p>
<p>Just wanted to say…I really dislike the term “safety” because it implies a kind of desperation that is not at all necessary…I much prefer the term “likel admit.”</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great insight! I’m so glad I stumbled across CC.</p>
<p>Texaspg, yes we don’t have to make any decisions yet, but for Bucknell, her chances might be helped to apply early decision. But if she decides she still prefers Juniata at that point, or if they are evenly ranked in her mind, then obviously she wouldn’t apply ED to Bucknell. So, we have some time, but really only a few months before the ED deadlines.</p>
<p>Wrldtravlr, I will look up that blog. Thanks!</p>
<p>D3 has ended up at a music school she considered her “safety” even though she was accepted at more prestigious places. Ultimately, it was the fit with her studio teacher than determined her choice.</p>
<p>Other than the potential for increased merit aid at a school where your D’s stats are above average is the possibility that as a high-performing science student she may be invited to participate in research opportunities that could make a big difference for her later career.</p>
<p>momto2013 - if you have the time, you should spend sometime reading 2012 parents thread starting around June-July. It is amazing where some parents have started, which all schools the kids got into but how the final choices are made is the most interesting part. I would say about 50% chose schools that were not on their radar until October or November and the reasoning can be sometimes most unlikely but it fits their requirements in the end. </p>
<p>Even if you can’t visit, my advice would be to cast a wider net and review more schools online or via print materials. There is nothing wrong in applying to 10 schools even if you are set on just one. The unlikeliest colleges extend you the best merit and financial packages while those you love end up giving you zero money. An example is that University of Pittsburgh offered my daughter a full ride as OOS, an extra 4000 in scholarship and so all she needed was about 6k per year to attend if she wanted to go there. She only applied because they sent a free app.</p>
That’s the only reason I applied to UNC-Greensboro. I ended up discovering they have a great theatre program and I also got into their honors colleges with a good scholarship. It was my second choice for a while, really the only one that almost made me reconsider App. I applied to 11 colleges. People thought I was crazy, but it was really worth it to have a great range of options once acceptances came in</p>
<p>Our story is a little different. My kid applied to only instate colleges. We are from California. He is studying mechanical engineering and was a valedictory scholar in HS. He got into the most prestigious UC’s but turned them down for a Cal State school. The school he chose is Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and it is one of the top engineering schools in our state. However, since it is a Cal State school, many people in our community look down upon it or mistake it for a trade school. We live and network in a primarily Asian community and Asians tend to consider the UC’s superior to the Cal States.</p>
<p>People thought we were crazy to turn downs schools like UCLA and UC San Diego for Cal Poly. I think that one of the reasons why Cal Poly is 60% Caucasian in a state that is now a majority of other races is that the Asian community is a bit clueless as to how good this school really is. To further support my point, some UC’s are as high as 45% Asian. While Cal Poly is about 11% Asian. </p>
<p>We did the tours of all the schools and Cal Poly felt like a perfect match for our son. All of us agreed after only two hours into a three day Open House that Cal Poly was it. The school went from close to the bottom of our list to the top in one campus visit.</p>
<p>It all came down to teaching methodology, the people, and fit. The UC’s were overly focused on theory and professor research. Classes were huge, professors aloof, TA’s led most classes, few labs and too much book learning. Cal Poly had smaller classes, a hands on learn by doing teaching methodology, no TA’s all professors, labs galore, great friendly people, gorgeous modern campus and pristine natural beauty on campus and in the surrounding area. Not to mention one of the nicest college towns on the planet. Furthermore, Cal Poly grads are also among the most sought after new grads by employers in the region and starting salaries are often superior to the top public and private schools.</p>
<p>So we bucked the conventional wisdom of our local busybodies and chose Cal Poly. To heck with what others think. Fit is MOST important. Remember, your kid will be living life at college for 4 or more years. It should be a fun and nurturing environment.</p>
<p>Texaspg, I’ll check out that thread. We actually live very close to Pitt, and she is doing an internship there over the summer. I thought maybe doing that would open her mind to larger schools, but she is still adamant that she wants a smaller, more rural school. She feels Pitt would be perfect for grad school, but she wants more personalized attention for undergrad. </p>
<p>And she is stuck on staying in PA, for no logical reason, even though there seem to be some great schools in Ohio that meet her criteria closer to us. At her high school, most students go very local. Every year, a bunch go to Pitt, a handful Penn state, many to one of the local LAC’s, and the rest state colleges. I don’t think they are encouraged to expand their horizons much beyond that. I would love to cast a wider net, the problem is just convincing her that it is worthwhile.</p>