That’s what I was hoping to hear. Thank you!
Thank you!
I’m not sure how distance from home makes a difference when talking about arriving on campus halfway through the year.
Who cares if she gets “labeled” as an introvert? It’s what she is. She not a racist, a rapist or a murderer. She’s a confident person, who has traveled abroad that simply enjoys time alone and finds people like you exhausting.
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Congratulations to your daughter! Although I would lean toward Bates for the fall start and general vibe based on my preferences, if your D is seriously considering Colby I would ask these questions about the spring start. (My D applied to Middlebury where starting in the spring is an option when you apply and these were the questions she had.)
How many students start in the spring?
Are spring students housed together?
Are they housed with first years who started in the fall or could they end up in dorms that are mostly upperclassmen? (This happens at Middlebury where spring first years frequently end up in rooms vacated by juniors who study abroad second semester.)
Is there an orientation program for spring-start students?
Will I be able to take pre-med courses in France that will keep me on track when I get to Colby?
Can I speak with current students who’ve done the Global entry program, particularly pre-meds?
One positive for starting in France is that she may not want to take any time abroad as a junior since she’s planning to be pre-med. I’ve heard that many pre-meds feel that they can’t finish their undergrad requirements by graduation if they go abroad. This may not be accurate, just what I’ve heard from friends whose students are pre-med.
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All great advice. Thank you!
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She sounds like a terrific person – can’t wait to hear what she decides. It’s hard when there are no bad options.
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Will any pre-med required courses for applicants taken abroad be accepted by medical schools?
With a delayed entry into Colby, getting on track for the required/recommended chemistry/biochemistry courses may represent the greatest challenge (commonly five courses).
Note: Cross-posted with @thumper1.
I would recommend speaking to someone who does pre-med advising about how coursework fits with GES. This is a great question.
Yes, students starting in Jan have an orientation (winter COOT). They return for Jan Plan, which is more relaxed and social, and that may make a difference.
There is no freshman housing at Colby - it’s all mixed – so no, she’s not going to end up having a different experience because of her return.
FWIW, there is a lot of fluidity in the social life at Colby. (And in the comings and goings over the 4 years - very much not just a junior year thing.) One of my kid’s closest friends for his first 2 years was a kid who was 2 years ahead of him. He met a bunch of people at the beginning of junior year when a number of his friends, all spring athletes, went abroad. And a few weekends ago, he hosted friends who were 2 years behind him who came to town for a concert. And I would have described my kid as an introvert! I say this because my gut reaction, based on my own college experience, would have been that starting a semester late might be hard. But it doesn’t seem that it is so cliquey or socially static at Colby as what I experienced and/or that not finding your place in September matters. And fwiw, I suspect that ANY freshmen who begins at any college in Jan will miss the worst of the first year high jinx. Not a bad thing…
Now it could be that this remains a turn-off. But I would not assume that it will be terrible.
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Agree 100%.
OP’s daughter needs to get beyond her comfort zone to grow. Experience life. Take a chance. Enjoy a term abroad !