<p>Hello parents! S visited Carleton for 4 to 5 hours after his scheduled visit to Wash Uy. He is visiting CC coming weekend (kind of late). He seems to be favoring CC because of Block system. he may major in Chemistry and minor in Political Economics, wants to become a lawyer. He may think about MD. Did any of your children have negative experience with majoring in Chemistry at CC? Any info will be helpful. Me and my husband prefer Carleton (though it is quite cold there). We live in WY and not considering the proximity as an important factor. I feel Wash Uy is for highly organized high achieving kids. Carleton may help, bright but relax first study later kid, become a hardworking 'student' with their support system. Any info from parents whose kids attended these colleges will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.</p>
<p>A kid I know at Carleton had just that experience. Very, very bright, but not organized, not self-disciplined. He did very well while at home, but when he left that structure he really floundered and floundered badly at Carleton. To much partying, too much avoidance of work, all kinds of messing up. The college has hung in there with him with advising, counseling, encouragement, outlining clear expectations of improved performance… and slowly but steadily it’s working. He’s doing much better, the importance of what he’s doing there is finally coming into focus, and a kid that somewhere else may have just dropped out or been kicked out by now, is starting to excel again.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t expect your student would hit a slide as bad as this kid’s, but it was a good demonstration of a college, professors, RAs, etc. really working with this kid in a productive and positive way to turn things around.</p>
<p>I know another student at Colorado College. She’s a more organized person, and has been doing well there consistently. She just loves it there.</p>
<p>Thank you for your response. S also got in at Uy of Wyoming tuition paid, Florida state uy. 10k discount. FSU has pre law program. FSU costs $19K,Uy of WY costs$8K and WashU and Carleton cost$52K, Colorado College $41K. For a bright kid who needs a little support to not get distracted by Face Book or Text messages may be Carleton or Colarado college may be better. He wants to go to Law school with a science-chemistry major I am a little concerned if at state school if he would fall behind but also feel spending so much for him is it responsible? Or should I give part of that money to him as a nest egg? Please let me know if you have any suggestions.</p>
<p>Colorado College’s block system can be a challenge for a student who is not highly organized. Each class is just 3.5 weeks, so you have to stay on top of things. If you get behind, there is not much time to catch up. Kids taking science classes with labs can be in class up to 6 hours a day. Doesn’t sound like the optimal environment for a “relax first study later” kid looking at a chemistry major.</p>
<p>^ I could not agree more. The block system really requires the students to have a certain amount of intensity, focus and organizational skills. If a student has those qualities, they will do well under the block system.</p>
<p>Pre-law is not a legitimate major. You can major in anything and go to law school. Indeed, majoring in anything labeled “pre law” reduces your chances of getting into a top law school. Definitely do not factor the fact that FSU has a pre-law major into your choice.</p>
<p>FSU like many other Universities has a law track. They let the undergrads visit seminars and picnics held by their Law school and Law profs and admn would know more about the kid and that may help. Pre law has a coordinator who helps the students pick some courses related or helpful to get into Law School or take the LSAT. The idea is the student is somewhat assured a seat in their law school unless he/she performs poorly, in wchich case they do not need to get into a law school anyway. Goal oriented kids find their way to Harvard Law School from any institution but these law track etc., are meant for average college student I guess.</p>
<p>I disagree with #4 & #5 - I think Colorado C would be great for a disorganized kid. You don’t have to juggle chemistry with literature with math. My son decided to go to another school, but loved Colorado C BECAUSE he wanted the luxury of not having to shortchange one class for another. I know that Colorado College is highly known for its science (for a LAC).</p>
<p>Besides, our weather is MUCH better!</p>
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<p>I guess it’s helpful if you want to go to FSU Law. Otherwise, there are NO courses that will be helpful in getting into law school. They just don’t exist. </p>
<p>It’s quite common for schools to advertise “pre law” tracks to gullible high school students and their parents, who think “pre law” is like “pre med” and you need to take cerain courses or participate in certain ECs. It really doesn’t work like that and the OP’s son will probably get just as good pre-law advice at the other colleges on his list. Most colleges have advisors who help with law school applications. Being in the “pre law” track at FSU is of absolutely no benefit whatsoever for anyone who doesn’t want to go to FSU’s law school. </p>
<p>I’m really not trying to pick on FSU–I just want to make sure the OP understands that all of the other schools on his list probably have pre-law advisers who will be just as helpful to anyone applying to law schools. .(Here’s a link to some info about Carleton’s services: <a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/postgraduate/law/[/url]”>http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/career/postgraduate/law/</a> )</p>