<p>donpon: We also looked at Skidmore for my son and got the message loud and clear - NO AID. So he didn't even apply. I sometimes wonder how these schools manage to attract any kind of diverse student body at all. Also, if they have no money to offer, does that mean that their alumni donations are low? Does that, in turn, mean that their alumni weren't thrilled with the place?</p>
<p>I attended Binghamton (graduated in 1979) and hated it. From what I can tell on the reviews at studentsreview.com it sounds like exactly the same place today. Yuk. We live close to Geneseo - have you visited there? My son applied there for a $ safety. I think it is a MUCH happier school than Binghamton. It has a much more attractive campus too (for a state school). Geneseo at least has a more diverse student body than Binghamton. Binghamton just has too many kids from the greater NYC area. Geneseo at least attracts more kids from upstate as well. I'm sure Geneseo would offer a very good education. U of Rochester might be better and from what I hear offers good aid and has slightly lower tuition (I think) for in-staters. Perhaps someone on line here would know more about that.</p>
<p>By the way, my son also didn't apply to Oberlin. The campus was beautiful and he is a musician so that would have been good for his EC, but the tour guide was wacky, and I am quite sure aid money is too thin for us.</p>
<p>Usually the more you pay, the more prestige you get and the more they will inflate your grades, so you will get into a better graduate school and then get a better job and then not have to beg in the streets and root through dumpsters.</p>
<p>"Usually the more you pay, the more prestige you get and the more they will inflate your grades, so you will get into a better graduate school and then get a better job and then not have to beg in the streets and root through dumpsters."</p>
<p>I dont think this is true...I go to an Ivy League school and I can only dream of having my grades inflated. I must be getting ripped off because my grades actually reflect my performance.</p>
<p>Well, some Ivies are more known for it than others. Harvard in particular has been known for inflation in the past few years, whereas there is pretty much none at Cornell.</p>
<p>I am at Marshall Business (USC) and I can tell you that paying for an expensive undergraduate education is worth it, at least in my situation. I'm not sure whether I picked a bright group of friends, but almost every one of my friends that are at Marshall are already set to make 40-50,000 out of college and about 60-70,000 3 years removed. They will have their loans paid off in no time and living comfortably. Pretty good deal I'd say.</p>
<p>so the more i read this thread, the more i think that it would probably be wiser to spend conservatively on my undergrad education, do well, and then spend the bulk on my masters....</p>
<p>unless of course i had the ability to go to a very very good school for undergrad, but skidmore is certainly not ivy, so i think geneseo might be the wisest choise</p>
<p>I went to a LAC before transferring to an Ivy League school, and I can say that the differences are quite big. most of which have already been covered in this thread. One thing that was missing from the LAC, however, was the name. I feel much more confident and proud with the Ivy name, and that is part of what makes me like my Ivy school better (but there are many other factors too). Maybe its because I am superficial, but what it boils down to is where you want to be and what you are willing to pay. So, DONPON11, if you think that spending conservatively is better, than go for it. I am sure you will still do fine in the work world!</p>
<p>Donpon-
Lottery tickets, eh?? And you really think you can resist the ponies in Saratoga??? Be sure whatever school you pick has a chapter of gamblers anonymous :) (Puleez know I am only joking!!)
Sounds like you have a level head on your shoulders and will make a good choice. Good luck!
PS - Happy birthday!</p>
<p>haha jym, based on the amount of texas holdem i plan to play next year, i think the schools gonna need two chapters of GA. And thank you for your kind words!</p>
<p>Donpon-
So, why don't you take a year off, become a professional gambler, make your fortune, and fund your 4 yrs at Skidmore?? Problem solved. :)</p>