<p>S was waitlisted at W&M and just got the call yesterday but says he doesn't want to go, I think because he can't play his sport at W&M but he can at Bing. he is holding out hope for admissions to BC (CSM) or Middlebury where he is also waitlisted.
To further confuse the decision process he is a GT to Cornell's ILR.</p>
<p>Since I don't know how the other waitlists will move should I push him to accept W&M on the theory that it's a better school and he will adjust over time or just let him go to Binghamton where the weather is bad, the classes are huge and the dorms are nice??? (obviously IMO W&M is just the opposite) He needs to call back admissions today. Advice???</p>
<p>Binghamton is a great academic school, and a great value for the $$. Not all the classes are huge, and if he's OK with the weather, perhaps you should let him make the decision since he is the one going to school. By the way, what does "GT" mean?</p>
<p>GT is guaranteed transfer to Cornell if he maintains a 3.3 his freshman year in classes required by Cornell. </p>
<p>I know it's his decision, but don't parents sometimes know more? I'm thinking reputation for grad school, internships etc.</p>
<p>In terms of graduate school, it's important that he maintain as high a GPA as possible wherever he goes to school. Cornell's ILR is the best of all worlds, yes? NY State tuition along with the Cornell name? What does your son think of ILR?</p>
<p>Actually, I would try to find out where it'll be easier to get the 3.3 GPA. I think that's the first time I've ever said go where your GPA will be higher, but if you're going to Cornell for in-state tuition, it's pretty much game over.</p>
<p>I am currently a high school senior and I am a Cornell ILR GT headed to Binghamton. I ended up choosing Binghamton over a lot of schools (NYU, Rochester, BU, and others) because I think it's a great option for the first year. The GenEd requirements at Binghamton apparently make it very easy to take the necessary classes for ILR or any school in Cornell. I hear it's the most popular option for any Cornell GT. As great as William and Mary is, if he is set on Cornell my suggestion would be to attend Binghamton. I think your son would get attached at W&M and it might not be as easy to maintain the high grades. </p>
<p>Although it is quite a difficult decision--giving up more academically reputable schools for this option. It's a hard decision, but I'm sure it will work out.</p>
<p>If he 100% wants to go to Cornell, I say go to Binghamton. There's no need to burn money on an out-of-state tuition when you're just going to transfer. And besides the fact, Bing is, from everything I've heard from friends, pretty great.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the advice!!
My worry is that he is sort of a stick-in-the-mud and tranferring does not appeal to him. I think if he goes to Binghamton and likes it, he won't want to go to Cornell :(
In your opinion, you would turn down BC and Middlebury for the instate tuition at Cornell? We're not made of money but expected we would be able to borrow/pay for his college so we would put his happiness ahead of our bank account as long as it makes sense academically.</p>
<p>The fact is that the outcomes will be almost no different once you reach the tier that Binghamton, BC, Middlebury, Cornell etc. are at.</p>
<p>Binghamton is a great place – remember, he's the one going to school. Plus, he's saving you a bundle by going to Binghamton or transferring to ILR after Binghamton.</p>
<p>Bird in hand ... go to W&M.</p>
<p>Yikes...well too late now. He turned it down so at least some other OOS male will be happy. In the end I didn't want to be responsible for the decision and possible subsequent unhappiness. So we'll see what happens with the other waitlists and if there are future decisions to be made. Thanks for your advice!</p>