Choices, choices...

Parents Forum
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<p>mafool -- where did your son end up going?</p>

<p>side note: I can actually breathe today and feel like the oxygen is making it into my lunges. Woohoo! :)</p>

<p>I will keep you updated.</p>

<p>Maybe so, quareidfaciam. I've often wondered exactly what goes on as they choose. I suppose a lot of practice looking at applications/records/essays helps.</p>

<p>mythmom, thanks so much for your advice. I've read up on the GSP and, apparently, the classes are small -- relatively speaking to the general university, I suppose. The information states that many are capped at 15 and most have no more than 25.</p>

<p>I will check to make sure the Florence option is available for the sophomore year. He seems to not want to do it in his freshman year.</p>

<p>Thanks for the recommendations! We are looking forward to heading to NYC tomorrow. :)</p>

<p>Hi calmom -- thanks again. Ha -- I agree with the "Florence is cool" comment. I think he may be a little apprehensive about traveling abroad for his first year of college. Although independent, and apparently wanting to go to college out-of-state -- he does seem to have a little bit of apprehension about things. He hasn't really voiced much, but we're a real close family and I'm sure it's a little scary to move out on your own. Maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part that he feels that way. :)</p>

<p>I think he really wants to experience New York and the school environment his first year.</p>

<p>Good suggestion about searching the board. Thank you!</p>

<p>Thanks again -- I'll let you guys know what we thought when we return on Friday.</p>

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<p>Update:</p>

<p>We loved the information session about GSP!! My son really seems to be leaning toward NYU. I can see why he is excited. The GSP seems great, along with NYU and the New York atmosphere in general. I can see why he is excited about the prospect of going to NYU.</p>

<p>Here's a post from him on another thread:</p>

<p>
[quote]
Just got back to my hotel from the information meeting I attended for GSP today. I have to say that any uncertainties I was feeling about the program were laid at rest by the end of the meeting; I highly suggest attending one or at the very least visiting the school if you have the opportunity.</p>

<p>A lot of questions were asked by different people, including ones that I had not thought to ask yet.</p>

<p>To those worried about the perception of GSP to the other colleges, I think it's important to note something that was said by the dean of GSP. When asked a question about how GSP students were perceived by the student body, he noted that within every school of NYU there are jokes about the other schools. His examples were that people make fun of Stern students, talking about how they wear three piece suits to the gym. That people make fun of Tisch students, talking about how many piercings are necessary for admittance. Whatever students of NYU say about those in GSP, it is important to note that they are jokes, not said to attack the members of the program, but intended to amuse. Furthermore, I believe that the nature of college is one that is naturally more accepting than high school; frankly, I don't think most college students will care about whether you're in GSP or Stern.</p>

<p>Honestly, I don't really consider not being accepted into my college of choice (CAS, majoring in history) as an insult at all. The fact that the accepted students of NYU, including those accepted in GSP, were chosen from somewhere around 40,000 applicants speaks boldly enough of the quality of those accepted (once again, including those in GSP). Furthermore, it doesn't really bother me at all that for the first two years of my college experience I'll be participating in a program that is for those not accepted into their colleges of choice; the meeting I attended made me believe that the quality of the program was just as good as the alternative, attending a different school (in my case, probably Tulane) as part of the regular college. The opportunities presented to the students of GSP (especially the options abroad) have led me to believe that it is every bit as respectable as CAS, or any of the other colleges.</p>

<p>I haven't really made a decision yet, as I'm still waiting to hear back from a few schools, but after visiting NYU for the GSP information meeting, I can say that it is definitely at the top of my list thus far. I'm still waiting to hear back from Southern Cal and UC Berkeley, although I would probably only seriously consider Berkeley over NYU.

[/quote]
</p>

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<p>"Was he offered the freshmen in Florence option? I think that is the one big exception to the "back door" + overcrowded/red tape picture --- the opportunity to start studies abroad, living in Florence, as part of the much smaller program."</p>

<p>I think going to Florence for a year without ANY language study in advance simply makes one a fluff tourist. I have a stepnephew who did a similar program through Duke, and, other than having a taste of the grand tour (which I wholeheartedly endorse if nothing else is available), was a grand waste of 50 grand. (of course, his parents had the money to waste, so it really wasn't an issue, but he could have done it himself, without the university, for $25k less, and gotten a much better education.)</p>

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<p>They do intensive language study while they're there. They also -- obviously -- study a lot of art history. I can't imagine a year of that experience leading to you designating someone as a "fluff tourist." There are a lot of people who have money who are actually conscientious about how they spend it. I try not to pass judgment on others and their spending habits. :) Who am I to judge whether someone gained enough from their study abroad? Perhaps the experience was more beneficial than you think? I know my son will make the most of it.</p>

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<p>I've seen it firsthand, and I'll stand by my characterization. </p>

<p>(But any time abroad is better than none at all.)</p>

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<p>Well, thanks so much for sharing your view. I'll stand by my conclusion that it's best not to make condescending assumptions/generalizations about others and what they may or may not gain from their experiences.</p>

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<p>deenerbug, I suggest you let this one go...;)
I trust your son will make the most of whichever experiences he chooses.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the encouragement! </p>

<p>I'll take your suggestion.</p>

<p>It is so exciting -- the prospect of sending a child off to college -- although scary in some ways also. I'm so happy for him that he has so many opportunities. Sometimes I'm envious! Maybe I should apply to NYU. :)</p>

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<p>^^^I felt that way about at least half of the colleges we visited. I think I'll enroll somewhere after I retire. Really.</p>

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<p>Me, too. Carleton. I'm there. Or maybe Macalester? Then again, we really liked Grinnell! hmmm....</p>

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<p>deenerbug, glad your son likes NYC and NYU. If I were you, I'd definitely prefer send him off to Italy the first year. It would save a lot trouble to move in/out of the NYU dorm. A friend kid attended there, they have to bring the dorm stuff back and forth for the kid during the summer. The good thing is her kid was able to land well paid jobs during each summer with relative well known companies. Then in some cases was able to kept it as part time job during school year. ... A lot of oppertunities there, but the kid has to have good decipline to be able to keep the focus on school.</p>