<p>My brother attends a school that I like, but it would be a safety school for me. It is a very small school, so I have met staff members enough that they know my name and who I am related to when I go up there. I already know I will qualify for a significant scholarship that leaves this school very affordable for me. But honestly, it is definitely a safety school. I cannot stand the dorms, but would put up with them if I had to. I like the staff and a lot more. I even like the food service. But I do not think it would be the best thing for such close in age siblings to be at the same school when the school is so small. And I really do not like the dorms. I know their dorms are particularly bad because they had summer camps this summer, where there were students from several other colleges. And I had to ask, if these dorms were typical. They all said they had never seen dorms so bad. They all had nicer, cleaner, etc, dorms. Everyone I met, though, was an east coast person, so maybe one needs to go east to get decent dorms.</p>
<p>The point is, it feels like I would be using people or whatever, if I apply there, knowing I would only go there if I did not get in some place else. This school will remain at the bottom of my list, because there would be no point in me applying anywhere else if this were higher up. I can afford it and I will be admitted. I am above the 75th percentile in just about every area, from class ranking to SAT scores.</p>
<p>But I need to apply early to get the scholarships that would make this school a good safety school. Once they give them out, they are gone. I feel like I would be an awful person because they would offer me a scholarship that someone else, later down the line, would have qualified for, but won't get because they offered the max.</p>
<p>Plus, then I visit more in the future, and see the staff members, and know I had turned down the admission. </p>
<p>Am I being overly sensitive and worrying too much? Or are these realistic concerns and perhaps it would be good manners to just not apply? It is possible I would end up there, just unlikely.</p>
<p>Yes, you are being overly sensitive. It is to your credit that you are concerned, and care about the people at this school, but they will know a soon as they look at you’re credentials that you are less likely to attend than a student who has a less stellar resume. Apply and evaluate the offer - if they give you a scholarship, it is because they would be delighted to have you attend, but they know that most kids who can get the scholarships also have other, perhaps better, offers on the table.</p>
<p>My d had a very hard time turning down two incredible offers from safety schools because thepeople were just so nice and demonstrated such interest - flying her out, and meeting her at the airport, etc. They ended up wishing her the best, and understanding her decision.</p>
<p>If the teachers and faculty know you and care for you, then they’ll want you to learn and perform at a stimulating environment, and the college you’re describing doesn’t sound like it would fit that bill. They’ll be fine with your decision. They won’t hold a petty grudge over your lack of attendance when they’ll have plenty of applicants.
Go ahead and apply. It won’t be rude at all.</p>
<p>Everyone needs to apply to safety schools, including financial safeties. The colleges know this and expect it, and hence accept more students than they can fit, by estimating their yield based upon past years.</p>
<p>Everyone applies to several schools in case they don’t get into “someplace else.”</p>
<p>That said, you need another safety since you’re not too hot on this one. Besides, those who need safeties SHOULD apply to more than 1 safety, so you’d still have a choice if it comes down to only safeties as your choices.</p>
<p>No need to feel guilty, everyone should apply to a couple of safety schools – and some end up going to them. Every schools keeps track of their yield (% of accepted students who actually attend) so they already factor students like you into all of their stats. If every accepted student went to a college, the school would be severely over-enrolled. I do agree that if you become 100% certain you will not attend, it would be nice to let the school know as soon as you can.</p>
<p>You aren’t using people at all. Whatever school I visit, even if I don’t care for it a lot, I have great conversations with people. Applying to colleges is simply that. Building connections with people and scrutinizing your options.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t apply if you know for certain that you’d never go. Now if you would attend if it were free, or you would if you didn’t get in anywhere else, or you would if yu could live off campus, or whatever, then go for it and for sure don’t feel bad. But have another “sure bet” school on your list that you would actually like to go to if your fave doesn’t work out.</p>
<p>If the dorms were not so bad, they would be a much bigger possibility. I visited when my brother was considering the school. I loved it. I was for sure on my list. But once he got to his dorm, it was awful. Other parents and students were talking about their shock in how awful it was. It was nothing at all like the model dorm room they showed on the tours. Later, I was able to see other rooms in other dorms, so I have pretty much seen all that is there. His was the worst, but others were not much better. I have visited several other schools now and can confirm this is the worst I know of. Other students have said older sibs or friends have way better dorms. </p>
<p>That being said, I love the staff, I love the programs, I could major in exactly what I want. I could get more of what I want academically there, than any other school I am currently considering. The dorms are really the only thing keeping me away. Otherwise, they might have made #1. My other concern is the part about being one of the top students upon admission. Based on posts I have read here, that could be an issue. I might find myself feeling unchallenged and such. I really like school now, and I am a competitive sort. My first high school, before we moved, was a small one, and I was top of the class basically, and I did not like it at all. It might seem fun to be the top of the class, but it really is not much fun when you are the only one getting stuff and you just don’t fit in. The teachers move slower and you never feel like you should even bother to be at class. That is how I felt at my first high school. The new high school, in a bigger city we live in now, graduating class is several times bigger, I am in all AP classes and such and it is just completely different and I like it a lot better. People were very nice at my first high school, but I did not fit in at all.</p>