<p>My son has been offered what amounts to a full ride to ASU… he hasn’t really seriously considered it, however, his grandparents and aunt live in Phoenix… and they’re suggesting he at least come for a visit … so we’ve bought a plane ticket and he is going down.</p>
<p>He is essentially down to deciding between University of Pittsburgh and University of Minnesota… this is a last minute trip to see whether ASU is worth consideration. He intends to major in Physics… ultimately PhD.</p>
<p>So… is Barrett/ASU worthy of consideration ?</p>
<p>What about U of A vs ASU straight up (i.e. - no honors)</p>
<p>jhuston - I'd say it's definitely worth considering. We went to a presentation by the Dean, and were so impressed with his vision and his description of the place. They seem to have ample money to make sure that the program works, and they provide a ton of personal attention. They really want these kids to enroll, and it looks like they continue to love them after they show up in August. My son is seriously considering the place. Our home state U is far more prestigious, but the honors program is not quite as comprehensive as ASU's. Also, Barrett is getting its own brand new space a year from this fall, which could be awfully nice. </p>
<p>I hope you'll report back on your son's trip.</p>
<p>U of A vs ASU without considering honors comes down to one's major of choice. In some areas ASU is better, in others U of A is better. Once you add in the benefits of honors though, I would take ASU over U of A in everything except those programs where U of A is at the top (astronomy being one).</p>
<p>It is definitely worth it to take a look at Barrett. It is so good that my son is giving it serious consideration, even though he really, really wants to go away from home and we live just 5 miles from ASU! We have been really impressed with Dean Jacobs and what he has brought to the program. BHC students are definitely treated well and given all sorts of opportunities.</p>
<p>ASU as a whole can be frustrating, which is why it's great to be in the honors college. It's been a good experience for me so far...everyone is so incredibly friendly and willing to help, my Honors professor is as good as the ones I had at the prestigious East Coast liberal arts college from which I transferred, and there are lots of study abroad opportunities! Consider Barrett for sure, and if you have any specific questions about it, send me a messeage via cc :)</p>
<p>I just ran across a site with the architects' drawings for the new Barrett campus, in case anyone wants a look: <a href="http://www.ikon5architects.com/content/view/39/80/%5B/url%5D">http://www.ikon5architects.com/content/view/39/80/</a> It looks like it will be just beautiful!</p>
<p>Rainmama - thanks for posting the link. I think the new facilities will be great. I am curious - has your son decided if he will attend ASU or is he going elsewhere? Or are you still in that difficult decision mode?</p>
<p>He's narrowed it down to 2: ASU and USC film school. We both absolutely loved our visit to Barrett. They do an incredible job personalizing a huge university. People were so nice, and the kids seemed so smart, yet grounded. But getting admitted to the film program at USC is probably one of those once-in-a-lifetime things, so it would be hard to turn down. I sent him the same link to the new campus and he accused me of cruelty :) He would love to live there.</p>
<p>Has your son decided?</p>
<p>Rainmama - yes, my son is going to ASU. The campus visit really sold him - as you said, the Barrett folks do a great job. Our son is majoring in Bioengineering and then planning to go to med school. The NMF scholarship was too good of a deal to walk away from since it provides a great opportunity to save towards med school tuition. He really liked ASU and I think it will be a great fit for him. I was also very impressed with all the kids we met and spoke with.</p>
<p>I don't envy your son's dilemma - it's a tough choice. Let us know what he decides to do.</p>
<p>Rainmama: Like C3Baker, our son, too, is going to Barrett at ASU. Our son, too, really liked his visit to ASU, and we think it will be a great fit for him for a lot of reasons. Our son plans to major in biochemistry and further plans to go to grad school, so the NMF scholarship made good sense to us. The people who work at Barrett and the students with whom we've had contact seem to really care for the college. Our son is enthused. Based on the "due diligence" we have attempted to do to learn about Barrett and ASU, we share our son's enthusiasm. Our son is a motivated, self-starting student.</p>
<p>Good luck to your son.</p>
<p>Nice to hear from both of you. I imagine it feels good to have that all settled :) My S is still weighing ASU and USC, and keeping me in suspense!</p>