Just a question for all the parents. After seeing all the colleges shut down and do work remotely, I would have to imagine that there may be a likelihood that schools will continue this way in the fall. I feel this way for a few reasons. First, many already cancelled their graduations, and 2. Overnight summer camps (or any camps for that matter) are not too promising.
That being said, my child hasn’t committed to any college yet. She knows where she wants to go. It’s out of state. I feel that perhaps for the first year, in light of this crazy health situation, wouldn’t it be prudent to choose something in state and closer to home? Whether they can go back to campus to reside or not? Or, does it not make a difference.
I’d love to hear some other opinions and comments.
That’s a really tough call. I think it feels that way right now since there are so many unknowns. How far is the out of state option? Would it be difficult to get home quickly if necessary?
I would have a hard time paying tuition for an out of state option or private school. In my opinion, the purpose of paying the higher tuition for those options is to have the full experience and immerse themselves in the environment. If school is closed and they are taking classes online, what is the point of paying the higher tuition?
I have a S21 and we are narrowing his list to a place that has a direct flight home. Even in normal circumstances, that is important if there is a family emergency or if he wants to come home for a long weekend.
Is it possible to reserve a spot at more than one place and then make the call later this summer when you have more information and an idea of what is happening?
@kanfly , That’s what I’m leaning towards. Depositing at 2 places. Our in state option is commutable… meaning no dorm necessary. I just feel like I’d rather be safe than sorry.
It’s still technically against the rules (and ethics) to put down a deposit (accept offer and indicate student will enroll) at two schools. If you are talking about putting down a housing deposit at more than one school, that is ok.
Your HS guidance counselor will likely not support a double deposit, nor will your HS send final transcripts to two schools.
Have the schools in question changed their decision date to June 1? If so, does that give you enough time to decide?
@Mwfan1921 Thanks for bringing that to my attention! I had no idea. I just thought it was a deposit for the school, not the housing deposit.
In that case, if you are unsure, it’s probably best to be safe and stay close to home. I would find out what the procedure would be to transfer if that is a possibility in the future.
I’m so sorry for the position that you and all of the seniors/incoming freshmen are in right now. It’s hard to imagine!
As a parent with two kids in out of state colleges when this hit; it was stressful, but doable for us. One was in a day’s driving distance; he had a car and drove home, but while everything was still in flux, we knew that we could go and pick him up within a day if needed. My older child was at college across the country, in LA which was more stressful due to the higher numbers there. Yet, it was doable getting her home on short notice. Honestly, it’s the thought of travel bans/airports shutting down that was the biggest concern for us; as in her getting stranded out there.
Among my kids’ peers at home, going out of state is not the norm. I can say that my son’s experience through this wasn’t that different from those that went close to home (our state flagship is in our city) or in state. They were happily at college, they had to change spring break plans, then they had to abruptly come home. The only difference was the length of the drive. My D, being a long flight away, was different and felt much more stressful (compounded by the fact she was in LA specifically).
But every family is different. It depends on the kids’ independence level, comfort level, and the parents’ comfort level. Finances are a huge factor, and time flexibility to hop in the car and go get them, factors in too. Also, we have 1-3 years in at our OOS schools, enough to value them and the OOS experience, and want to continue there, even if online, and again, finances matter here too.
My hs senior was an ED admission to a small private LAC about 1 1/2 hour flight or 12 hour drive from our home. Like pretty much every other college now, they are going to virtual instruction for I think the rest of the semester. No idea about the fall yet but I’m kind of thinking that if it’s still virtual at that point we will see about doing a gap year or gap semester… I don’t see the point of paying private school prices for online education.
My daughter is going to the University of Oregon. It is close, several hours away, but the University is not taking steps to make the dorms safe for the students living there. The University says its “up to them” to keep themselves safe. We are certainly paying enough for the University to take extra measures. Is anyone else feeling disturbed about what they are hearing from the colleges their students are planning on attending?