<p>boston - I live in Bowdoin's backyard and I would have to agree that it may have a little more name recognition. But, if it does, it is truly just a little. Haverford is recognized as a top school by virtually anyone with real knowledge of higher education. I truly think you should go with your own first choice and find a way to communicate your wishes to your parents so that they can respect it. Otherwise, as a parent myself, I advise you to allow them to be disappointed in your choice. Their reasons are without foundation (other than the quicksand of name recognition). If you are confident of your own preference, go with it.</p>
<p>I can tell you that I say this as a parent who may well be in your own parent's situation. S has acceptances to a number of schools and his father and I have a clear preference. S hasn't decided yet, but if he chooses a different one from our choice, we will respect it. We will be a little disappointed (because of course Father (and Mother) Knows Best). But he is nearly 20 years old; all of his choices are good, as are yours. And it is his/your choice to make.</p>
<p>thanks everyone. your posts have been really helpful. In reality, haverford had been above bowdoin for pretty much the entire application/waiting process. when my decision came via email on wednesday i probably would have faxed over my acceptance of their offer that day. Parents are just making this more difficult that i think it has to be. To answer HCAlum's question about the ranking system I am using, I was not actually the one arguing that Bowdoin is ranked higher or is more presigious than Haverford, that was actually my parents, sorry for the confusion. I also got waitlisted at Georgetown, and although it is an excellent school, and definitely somewhere I am strongly considering going to grad school (I have an interest in Latin American Studies --- SFS would be a great fit for me for grad school, also i know haverford does a 5-yr masters program in conjunction with G'twon if i'm not mistaken) it is rather similar or at least the most similar to the school i did not like for my first year. my point is that my D is incredibly obsessed w/ name recognition, etc. and in reality, I'm almost positive I would choose both Haverford and Bowdoin over G'town and in turn have a much better experience than i would have had a Georgetown. If it comes down to it, I guess they're going to just have to be a little angry. Either way I think I'll come out with a great education so that's a bonus. As a first year student I was rejected and/or waitlisted and not taken off waitlist from my top 5 schools. I ended up choosing between two schools that, while certainly not my last choices, weren't schools I absolutely loved. So in this situation I'm really thrilled because I do have two excellent choices in both Haverford and Bowdoin.</p>
<p>its funny that you bump this, because i was going to comment but i got lazy. What i was going to say was: you should go to bowdoin! they have great food! lol</p>
<p>you have 2 great choices and i wish i'll have your situation in a year's time, but aren't you old enough and smart enough to make this choice on your own and not seem so wishy washy? you already had 1 year of college... i always considered the students at both of these schools to have a certain maturity and knowledge of themselves...</p>
<p>if you go with your instinct you should be happy. I had to choose between applying early to Bates and Bowdoin and I chose Bowdoin mearly because it was more prestigeous. In the end I knew Bates was a better fit for me because of the people/environment etc... In the end I was deffered and go to a different school now, but that's besides the point.</p>
<p>Boston, if you decide not to go to georgetown could you get off the waitlist and help a fellow SFS transfer out???<br>
Cheers mate, hope you are relieved of the stress you are in</p>
<p>Just wanted everyone to know that I've decided on haverford. Thanks everyone for all the help.</p>
<p>I was pretty sure it was where I would end up from the beginning, but parents and other things made the decision probably much more difficult than it needed to be.</p>
<p>Hope everyone is having a great summer and thanks again :)</p>