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<p>However, the prominence of drinking varies between colleges, and is associated with various college characteristics. See <a href=“http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/niaaacollegematerials/panel01/highrisk_05.aspx”>http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/niaaacollegematerials/panel01/highrisk_05.aspx</a> .</p>
<p>Pray share, or at least send a private message. It sounds like you and son are happy. When your husband visits the college (has he seen it yet?), he may be excited for your son and happily buy himself a DAD mug or t-shirt.</p>
<p>Doubtful, I’ve heard nothing but positives about the LACs I mentioned. I don’t know why you limited to just Williams & Amherst. We have many CCers quite content with Pomona & M_C (just ask Xiggi). Son’s g/f and her brother loved Carleton. Many posters have happily sent their snowflakes to the other East coast LACs mentioned. </p>
<p>I only have an N=1 for Fordham, so best to leave knowledge of that school to others, e.g. Blossom & Mathymom, who know what they are talking about. Personally, I would have been looking at the peer group; how many NMFs & NMSFs at Fordham vs. the other schools.</p>
<p>For a free ride, we didn’t look past our state flagship. Because of Bright Futures, that is a great value. Many of the brightest students son knew went there. They have a large Honors dorm, so he would have been among peers. It would have made a large U seem much smaller. </p>
<p>cuter, so happy you made a happy choice. Hurray! Good luck to your family. Now rest your mind for a bit and relax.</p>
<p>doubtful, OP didn’t mention having UMN on their list. I stupidly assumed it would be as Midwest/NMF. None of the schools she mentioned are free rides, though Alabama is the most generous. UMN gives more than most people realize. The CC NMF scholarship list only mentions the guaranteed $11,000-13,000/yr. But in practice, UMN separately awards NMFs (and other high-achieving kids) a scholarship that waives OOS tuition. So scholarship is almost full tuition, and is the best NMF offer out there for kids who want to be north, in a city, and attend a top100 school.</p>
<p>Bookworm – they are all absolutely great schools and we know kids at every one of them who love/loved them and have done well. This is solely my opinion, but I believe that many of these coastal LAC have grown in popularity as the college craze has grown. They are great schools-- I’m not criticizing – but I’m not sure they are greater than other regional gems like Macalaster, St. Olaf, Wheaton, Knox, Colorado College or Grinell to name just a few. Amherst and Williams have been nationally known as great schools for generations – perhaps more name recognition, more clout, more connections. As a midwesterner I am suspect of the great migration of kids to these lesser known ( lesser known, in general, in the midwest) coastal LAC. Not many in StLouis, KC, Chicago, Mpls, Denver, Omaha outside of CC members and small private school people ( us) know of these schools. For me, if I’m paying, I wouldn’t break the bank to send my kid to the coast for some of these places. Money not a problem? Go wherever you want! Fordham? I like Jesuit schools – men/women for others, AMDG. OP asking for opinions, we are all just chatting, this is mine and I by no means declare it to be the correct thing. It’s just my observations.</p>
<p>. My son picked a small, lesser known LAC over an Ivy. Liked the atmosphere of the school so much, felt he had come home. And he was right. Had the best 4 years of his life and still loves that school, has great friends, learned a lot and loved doing it. He also turned down Fordham with a $30K scholarship for that school.</p>
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No offense taken. They’re not for everybody. The emphasis some of them put on social matters above all else is unbelieveable.</p>
<p>DOUBTFUL, A few of the colleges you mention may be as good as the top LACs I mentioned, but not all. IMHO That is why it is important to know the comparisons. </p>
<p>When I mentioned “fit”, for some it is residential housing. For others, it is having separate colleges for engineering from LS&A. Another may like a work/study program. The OP’s son felt 1 school was a far better fit for him. He could write a list of pros & cons. He is willing to work and use his $$ to make it happen. </p>
<p>The OP’s family probably hopes they can write a post like cptofthehouse did, 4 years from now. I do hope the OP realizes she is now part of the family, and we will be waiting for periodic updates. </p>
<p>Cutter, congratulations on your decision. I am sure you are breathing a sigh of relief. Remember, if this choice doesn’t work out, for whatever reason, it is not the end of the world. I hope your son loves his choice!</p>
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<p>I am not siding with the H. I am actually siding with avoiding 5 years (maybe more) of listening to complaining, blaming, etc. </p>
<p>the wife may be totally right that they (technically) can afford this school, but if the H doesn’t think it is worth it, then anytime it appears that the money is needed for something else, there will be this “I told you so” dark cloud in the air. </p>
<p>This isnt the same about feeling grumpy about a smallish, one time expense…this is a long-term huge expense where the money could fund better retirement investments, or be set aside for some big emergency (future unemployment or need for assisted-living).</p>
<p>I know the OP prefers to retain some privacy in this decision. But I am interested in knowing if the dream school is east coast, midwest, or west coast.</p>