<p>SO I have this long list of colleges to research further, and when I start reading reviews, or watching student made videos about them....well, very few seem like somewhere my D would want to spend any time!</p>
<p>Some seem so good 'on paper', but the reviews often paint a different picture. Some of it seems a bit like advice you hear about marriage; that the very thing you liked may be what annoys you later. </p>
<p>Many seem to have the 'must be in a fraternity/sorority' complaint, noting that everything revolves around them and you have to get in the 'right' one.</p>
<p>The more alternative type schools seem to frustrate those that aren't really alternative enough for the crowd.</p>
<p>Many are described as preppy and snobby, with a lot of emphasis on wearing the right clothes.</p>
<p>Many say there is nothing to do but sit around and drink or smoke pot.</p>
<p>Some say that they don't feel safe on campus and that safety issues are swept under the rug.</p>
<p>Some that have a more diverse crowd say that it causes separation and friction between different groups.</p>
<p>Some seem to have either a very conservative/Christian crowd or a very liberal/activist crowd, rather than a middle ground.</p>
<p>Did you/your kids have the same concerns when looking for their college, and did they end up being able to find the right fit?</p>
<p>S, who just completed his sophomore year, is very happy with his college choice. During the search process, we didn’t spend a huge amount of time focusing on reviews. We visited about eight schools that we thought might be appealing to him. We knew, for example, that he was academically focused and unlikely to be part of fraternity/football culture, so we avoided schools where the latter was prevalent.</p>
<p>He rejected outright 2 of the schools we visited, and applied to the other 6. He was fortunate to get into his top choice school. I strongly recommend campus visits rather than relying on reviews or materials prepared by the college.</p>
<p>Those reviews are totally misleading. Who goes on to those sites to write reviews?- the complainers, the whiners etc. The happy students don’t bother writing on those review sites. So the results are totally unbalanced. Every time I read reviews on those sites I keep thinking the reviewers are immature (not surprising!), didn’t do any work to choose schools to apply to, didn’t do any research ahead of time, or should just transfer if they are so miserable. </p>
<p>We used **other **sources (good guide books such as the Fiske Guide) to find information about schools, then we visited as many as possible in person, where we asked lots of questions and talked to as many people as possible. Actually we started out with a good college search engine to develop our first list of candidates and narrowed it down from there - [College</a> Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics](<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/]College”>College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics)</p>
<p>I was just about to post what #3 says. The reviews on many sites are not from randomly selected students, they’re from kids who were motivated enough to find the site and take the time/effort to post a review. Often those so motivated are the ones upset with their experience.</p>
<p>But while we’re carping… Why is it that you are doing the research on this long list of colleges? IMHO your D ought to own the search and do the legwork.</p>
<p>^I did a lot of research for my son and will do the same for my daughter. I don’t think 16- or 17-year-olds necessarily have the patience or perspective to do it themselves. Or they just go to the student review sites that feature the whiners and outrageous statements and make too much of what they read there.</p>
<p>Videos can be good, but visits are the best–especially when they afford the prospective student a chance to interact with current students and faculty and get a real taste of campus life. My son visited a number of campuses but it was the admitted students’ overnight at one of them that sealed the deal for him. He just saw himself there…and is already looking forward to going back for sophomore year.</p>
<p>I have two kids and both have been extremely happy with their college choices. The trick is to not worry about reviews so much and pay close attention to what your D wants. College hunting is the last great road trip(s) you and your child will take together – use it as a chance to know your D better and understand what she really wants, what makes her tick. And gut feeling does play a part in a college choice, so never discount that.</p>
<p>And the school that was perfect for my S (who is somewhat conservative and loves being in cities) was not what my D wanted (which was a small LAC experience). Visit schools, visit the top choices more than once if you can and try to find the best fit that is affordable and not just the highest ranked school he/she can get into. </p>
<p>I love the research! I just love this sort of project. I am not saying I am good at it…but I do get all immersed in it. D and her friends are just not that into the search yet, but when she is ready, I will hopefully have good info to offer her.</p>
<p>List you say? Just happen to have one here…</p>
<p>Agnes Scott
Berry
College of Charleston
Davidson
Duke
Eckerd
Emory
FAU Honors college
FSU
Furman
Georgetown
Guilford
Hendrix
Mt Holyoke
Muhlenberg
Oglethorpe
Rhodes
Rollins
Smith
U of Miami
UNC Asheville
U of Richmond
U of Tampa
Vanderbilt
Wake Forest
Washington and Lee
Wellesley
Wofford</p>
<p>I have been reading a lot about various schools here on CC and on the school websites, etc, but then also looked at the reviews. I do understand that the reviews will tend to be from the most frustrated students, or may not even be students from those schools! But, some of them certainly bring up points to consider.</p>
<p>That’s a fantastic list (and not just because my son’s college is on it :)). Has your daughter given you any inclination of what she is looking for? That might help us help you.</p>
<p>It seems the best fit will be:
small to mid-size
small classes with ability to get to know the professors
good for science (current interest is neuroscience, not premed)
not heavy on parties/drinking
less importance on fraternities/sororities
smart kids, academically minded, but not too intense or cut throat
encourages creativity
collaborative environment
a good lead into grad school
not isolated, things to do nearby
leans more liberal than conservative (but not too extreme)
has enough majors/minors to allow for changing her mind
will allow the freedom to take some classes that are not in her major just for the experience
Close to home, or easy travel a big plus (We are in North Florida)</p>
<p>I encourage your D do to an overnight at Smith. I almost applied ED there if it weren’t for my mom wanting to have more options/see where else I could get in. I didn’t end up choosing Smith, and sometimes I wish I did. I was interested in neuroscience and emailed back and forth with the department head there. He was great. I didn’t do an overnight because Smith was too small for me and felt too much like the suburb I grew up in and I wanted a city environment (I attend college in Cambridge, applied to 3 colleges in this area) and my current institution gave me way too much money to say no to. But the campus culture at Smith is great. I got a STRIDE scholarship, which is 2 years of stipend and research with a professor. Maybe your D will be in the running for that. </p>
<p>My happiness at my institution depends on factors out of the institution’s control (I was sexually assaulted last semester. I understandably would not have been in the same position had I gone to an all women’s college). </p>
<p>That list looks great though. Don’t discount gut feeling, as some posters have said. It makes all the difference. </p>
<p>This will be a bumpy/somewhat stressful ride, but you will enjoy it (maybe when it’s all over LOL) :)</p>
<p>I woud encourage your D to look at Amherst College, Skidmore College, maybe W&M (although it is rather fratty in my experience), and maybe Barnard! Good luck!</p>
<p>And go with your gut for sure! I knew within minutes whether or not I felt comfortable on a college campus and within an hour on campus on your own you get a pretty good idea of if it is right for you!</p>
<p>My guys (2 so far, 1 to go) love their college choices (different colleges). They searched based upon fit, then visited to see how they felt. Usually those who complain about their schools are complaining about things my guys don’t care about. Things they do care about (not interested in domination of frats, etc) they eliminated in the search.</p>
<p>sally 305, the toxic waste site goes back 150 years or more, I posted that because it was the schools take (spin) it is a very serious problem at the school and most people are not aware of it. it is not “cleaned up” they have taken steps perhaps to make it less dangerous…but it is much more than spilled milk that can simply be cleaned up.</p>