Help! DS has two favorites for ED1 and he needs to decide before 11/1!

After lots of college visits and research, DS has narrowed down his list to two schools - both with ED1 deadlines on 11/1. They have some similarities - size, focus on undergraduates, option for engineering, etc. But each has some major “pros” and each has some major “cons.” I’m choosing not to name the schools public ally as to be sure of anonymity.

School #1
Pros - location is great - driving distance from home which he prefers. Academic climate seems less intense and competitive and academic program offers more flexility to explore his many unrelated interests. Better recognized name in our area and most likely more job prospects/contacts after graduation in our area (where he thinks he’d live) as it has a really devoted alumni base
Cons - School’s social culture is focused on Greek life and while he’s not totally anti-Greek, he doesn’t like the idea of social pyramid-like feeling where he will see himself somewhere in the middle of it. Cold in the winter. Muddy in the spring.

School 2
Pros - Great school culture - inclusive, diverse, non-elitist. No frats or other selective groups (eating/finals clubs, etc). Beautiful campus, good food and nice dorms. Contained campus in good neighborhood in a major city with warm weather.
Cons - Four hour flight from home, more intense academics, more academically focused students (ie not interested in fantasy football league), less flexibility to explore engineering and/or combine his other interests. Very few students or alums from/in our geographic area

Basically he’s torn between feeling good outside the classroom which will then lead to feeling good inside of it or vice versa? Would love to hear from students or parents of students who found themselves in a similar situation.

Thanks so much!!
(PS- he still has one supplemental essay to write for each school so that cancels each other out!)

I would choose school #1. The pros are greater than school #2’s pros and the cons are pretty limited.

The pros for school #1 are very compelling. Having academic flexibility is crucial. Most kids change their majors and academic paths while in college. This will allow him to explore other interests. Being close to home and in driving distance is a significant benefit.

I wouldn’t shy away from a school since there is a Greek culture. Most schools with Greek culture have a lot of other ways to get involved on campus. I also would still be open minded about Greek life as it is a great way to connect with others and to be involved in the community.

School #2. A 4 hour flight assumes no complications such as delays and weather. And, with more intense academics and less flexibility, he may feel more stuck. Just because there is no Greek life does not mean that it is better socially. Sometimes it’s harder for those kids to make connections.

School #1 is the clear winner here!

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I agree. If you can’t pick based on pros, then eliminate based on cons. And requiring a 4 hour flight is a major con when the alternative is within driving distance.

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And if we wants to keep his options open, he does not need to apply ED with binding terms.

Do either have EA options?

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If his choice isn’t clear why ED?

Are the schools both reaches/have similar acceptance rates?

I assume you’ve run the net price calculators at both and they look affordable (if applying for fin aid)?

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Your son should finish up both supplemental essays and if he still doesn’t have a clear first choice - apply to both schools early action.

If he can’t finish both supplementals in the time he has remaining before the deadline, the one he can finish to his satisfaction could indicate what school he should apply to ED if he is set on ED.

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Agree with this. If he doesn’t have a clear first choice 5 days before the deadline he shouldn’t ED. There’s too much of a chance of regret later.

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Also in the camp of not using ED unless there is a very clear favorite.

That said, based on your list, I’d choose school #1. The big red flag for me on school two was less academic flexibility to combine his other interests.

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Neither have an EA option

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GC says he only has a chance of being accepted to Option #1 if he applies ED

Yes, both have similar acceptance rates, but he has a chance of acceptance to Option #2 in RD due to geographic “diversity”

And we are not applying for FA

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Unfortunately neither school has an EA option GC says almost no chance for him to be accepted to Option #1 in RD

Thanks for your thoughts!

Thanks for your input!

He really likes both school and would be happy at either. Option #1 will not be an option in RD according to GC

Seems like Option #1 is the best choice then (assuming he’s trying to maximize chances of acceptance).

ETA: it would help to know the schools we are talking about, especially if he is hesitant about the Greek life impact. Greek life can impact quality of social life at some schools if a student doesn’t participate…Colgate is an example of this. Whereas some schools it would be fine, like at Northwestern.

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#1 is still a major reach so a good possibility he doesn’t get accepted, even in early. But #2 would hopefully be an option in regular so I agree with you!

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One question about both. Do either have ABET certified engineering? Does he want to “explore” engineering or study engineering? If he wants to study engineering to be an engineer. I would eliminate either if their engineering program is not ABET certified. Many employers specifically require that. We eliminated W & L for that reason. Also, speaking of, that is a school which is very Greek centric. Something like 85% of students are Greek affiliated. I would find out what the Greek percentage is at each school. Even in schools that can seem Greek dominated, it is usually 25-30 percent of students. If it is the majority I would hesitate.

As far as ED, although ED can increase your chances significantly it really doesn’t matter if you’re going to be miserable. If there is hesitation and uncertainty on these major things I would not ED personally.

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If these schools have similar acceptance rates, it seems #2 will also be a high reach in RD (unless he’s coming from a state like South Dakota or Idaho, you may be overstating any geographic advantage).

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Agree with MWFan that it would help to know the colleges. Honestly, at some colleges avoiding frat life is easy-- it’s just one of many sub-cultures. But at others, it’s not only the dominant sub-culture, it’s often the only social option.

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Thanks. Both have ABET programs but #1 also offers a BA option in engineering which would allow him to also pursue humanities/social sciences.

I doubt that he’d be miserable at #1 and I also wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up joining a frat even thought today he says he’s not interested.

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