<p>NEM - did you access the newspaper online? You’re very thorough in your research - how many schools are you doing this for? I’m very similar to you - in fact I do research in my job. I spent a lot of time researching colleges and getting to know as much as I could - however, as you say, nowhere is perfect and nowhere should or could be.</p>
<p>Our children are about to enter the “real world” and they’re going to have to navigate around an ever more complex and stressful world. There won’t be the hand-holding that’s happened up to this point. I’m feeling strongly now that my d needs to get away from the rather cloistered world of her private school and start being proactive and challenged. The economy is resulting in cutbacks in all things and through life she’s going to meet challenges in all forms - she might as well get used to them now!</p>
<p>Thank you for the news about the OOS. I think that’s great! I’m sure it’s because of revenue but I can’t help but think it will make for a more diverse student body and I admit I’m biased coming from out of state myself.</p>
<p>PackMom: thanks for your info as well. I am a little nervous about the process and as NEM pointed out, I’m not sure whether my d has an advisor yet. She wasn’t clear after she spoke on the phone (duh!) so we’re calling today to clarify the situation. I am feeling a little worried that she isn’t attending orientation and speaking to someone face to face and also because she’s leaving on Wednesday and that will be it. Again, I don’t really want to be involved in this, I’d much rather she took control and organised it herself but it’s hard (no impossible) to sit back and not intervene when you can see trouble looming.</p>
<p>Stillnadine, the expansion of out of state students is NOT across all NC schools. There was specific permission granted for UNC-A to increase their OOS student body by about 5%. The reason for this was not given, other than “diversity” is always good. Well, they did not want to be as diverse last year as next year, so I do think $$ is the reason, but that is MY opinion.</p>
<p>JaneAusten, I think that you are doing the right thing by helping your D. How else could she register? I hope that she has a great time in England! As far as the newspapers, I don’t have time to read them all, but I am not getting the answer to my question about why such a low graduation rate (by my standard it is low). I decided to read the newspaper to see if any answers to that question are buried there. I was looking for the archived papers, but was unsuccessful. Reading the area and student papers was not my own idea. I was interested in another LAC closer to home. Another CC poster sent a PM to me with links to area newspapers. The papers told a story about what we felt was a serious financial problem. At that time they were looking to sell their art collection, and some land, and they cut several sport teams! If that CC poster was not kind enough to send those links to me I would not have known about how their low endowment would directly impact my child. I am very grateful to that poster!</p>
<p>stillnadine, to answer your Q about how UNC-A came onto my radar…well we have relatives that we visit in NC. We visit them at least annually (H and I go more often that we go as a family). The size of this public, the area (I have heard Asheville is a wonderful place to visit), the cost, and the individual attention from professors placed this school on our radar. My son is definitely seeking a smaller school. Oh, and having an airport nearby is a definite plus!</p>
<p>LoL, I read the(online) student newspaper of my kids’ schools all the time. It keeps me up to date with what’s going on there, gives us something to talk about since boys aren’t the best telephone conversationalists. In a weird way, it makes me feel closer to my kids to read about what’s happenning around them on campus.</p>
<p>JaneA, I think you are smart to help your D with the reg. process. I helped both
S’s think through their class selection for their first semester…nothing wrong with that.
She’ll be in full control from there on.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your comments NEM and PackMom - sometimes I feel as though my child needs more of a push than others! Although listening to you both and friends, I realise that they’re not all super self-directed and hugely competent!</p>
<p>Detective work is good. I to found out about a school that was in trouble and in fact was put on the Standard and Poors watch list. It’s important information to know.</p>
<p>D is going to the Glastonbury Music Festival while in England and 1 see they’re predicting a monsoon for the four days of the festival - she’s going to be living, sleeping, dancing in mud all that time she’s there I think!..it’s going to be a whole new experience for her.</p>
<p>Mud can be fun!</p>
<p>Remember that the whole college thing is new to her, and she won’t be at the orientation, and someone has to get her registered! It isn’t so much about “self directed”, but more inexperience with college life. I would not be concerned about your helping her to register, but I don’t understand why an advisor did not speak with her at length, rather than a student, regarding her course schedule, and perhaps mapping out a 4 plan if she has identified a specific major. That is what would concern me.</p>
<p>I agree! My h is contacting the school this pm. to try and clarify the adviser and other questions we have - I don’t want her handicapped by the fact she’s not at orientation.</p>
<p>I wonder if the advisor will speak with a parent. Let us know what happened! If you feel more comfortable, please send a PM to me. I think that if she has a major an advisor should begin to map out a 4 year plan with her, and certainly should review the classes she plans to take!</p>
<p>If she knows what she wants to major in, you can look up the four yr. plan on the UNCA website.</p>
<p>Thank you NEM and PackMom for your help. I think we’re on the right track now after speaking to the school. PackMom, that pointer about the major four year plan was useful - I searched the site and found the info. This would definitely have been easier if d could attend orientation but that’s not to be. After speaking to the school (d is 17 so no prob talking to us) we have much more information and in fact we were pretty much on track anyway as it turns out. I think my d could have been a little more proactive on the phone with the senior but as noted, she is new to all this to. Nothing beats speaking face to face with people however and being at orientation would have made things MUCH clearer.</p>
<p>She will have an advisor when she gets to the school…and can change that person if he/she doesn’t work out but she won’t meet the advisor until she gets there. Another question is Spanish. At orientation I believe she would have taken a placement test but can’t do this prior to attending. D is fluent in Spanish after her semester in Spain but worried about her written Spanish - so I think I’ll register her for intermediate and again she can drop/add if necessary.</p>
<p>As a side-note I spoke yesterday to a lady in Philadelphia who’s son goes to Asheville. He loves it and can’t find anything wrong with it. His sibling is at McGill. Apparently he has loved everything about Asheville - his roommate was from NJ and he’s found the campus extremely diverse in types and welcoming to everyone and with an awesome outdoor programme.</p>