<p>Son is very happy at Pitzer. On the plus side, he was well-matched with his roommate, has made many friends, and although he went in undecided as to major, is contemplating majoring in an area that he had never even considered before a first semester class. Pitz was not his first (or second, or third, or . . …) choice (he paid for less than studious ways in hs) but he tells me that he cannot imagine a more perfect school for him. He especially likes the very small atmosphere and noncompetitive, artsy milieu at Pitzer with the availability of classes at the other 4 Claremeont colleges.</p>
<p>On the negative, he has been very sick twice this year–H1NI 1st semester, and a mystery stomach virus since mid-January that is only now subsiding. He’s had a fast course in hygiene, sleep, diet, and organizing by priorities in a pinch.</p>
<p>To flesh out the “returns,” a good friend left after 1st semester–“to find himself”–but it was pretty clear that he fell short when grades emerged–a sobering shock to my happy-go-lucky child.</p>
<p>Daughter is THRILLED with her university. She got into her major. She discovered that she is WAY smart (she was a miracle admit). She joined a sorority (at first she wasn’t going to rush) and loves it. Has made lots of good friends (in and out of the house). And she is a factor on a sports team. </p>
<p>From the kid who didn’t want to go to this university (she wanted a tier 4 anywhere but here), didn’t want to join (her sister made calls to get her a tryout) a team (nationally competitive), and didn’t want to join a sorority…Well, she is developing into quite a WONDERFUL young woman who is happy. (Mom is kvelling). After those teen years, this is a joy.</p>
<p>Please note: I am not happy because she is doing things that the family suggested she do. I am happy because she is using her brains and talents and is happy with her life.</p>
<p>My daughter is extremely happy with the University of Miami. The academics have been top notch. Professors teach their own classes (hardly any TAs) and are very accessible to the students. Miami has made her feel like an individual, not a number. There are lots of opportunities for research and clubs, etc. She loves the warm weather and her major is Marine Science/Biology/Chemistry, so proximity to the ocean is key. </p>
<p>She has found her fellow students to be very interested in academics and the partying has not been out of control. She has had somewhat of a rough spot with roommates. Her first roommate (who ended up switching to another room so her friend didn’t have to be stuck with a new unknown roommate) had the cell phone permanently attached to her ear. No matter the time of day or night, if my daughter was sleeping or studying, she would be on the phone having loud conversations. Her next roommate ( the unknown new student the other girl was trying to avoid) is much better, but still attached to her phone and laptop. She is from India and has friends call her at 2 or 3 a.m. because they don’t quit get the concept of time zones. My daughter says she also is addicted to facebook and as soon as her alarm rings she rolls over and grabs her laptop and is on facebook before she barely has her eyes open. Both of these girls hardly talk to others as they are so obsessed with talking to their old friends from back home.</p>
<p>I do not know if this addiction to cell phones and social networks is universal or if she just got unlucky with roommates. She has met some other great kids and will be rooming with a friend from the Marine School next year.</p>
<p>D is happy at the University of Virginia. Aced her first semester courses in engineering, Deans list, will apply to the biomedical engineering program, and just interviewed for an internship at the UVA hospital. Duke was her first choice, but wasn’t doable for financial reasons–UVA’s gain, Duke’s loss. She’s happy and now thinks she fits in better with the students at UVA.</p>
<p>My d is at UC Berkeley. Went in “very undecided” and is now “mildly undecided”. She considered band but decided it was too time consuming (I’m more disappointed than her). Has really enjoyed her classes and profs with no complaints re: large classes especially since so many students don’t come to the lectures and she always does. Only downside was chem with all the pre-meds. It was a bit much for her and the thought of a bio major went bye-bye. Has a wonderful group of friends I have had the privilege to meet and feed recently. Has a few friends lined up for an apt next year. She has basically moved into and helped create her own world. While looking forward to a break this summer from classes she is already missing her college friends and it is only Feb! Her hs friends are all over the place geographically; types of schools; etc and all seem to be very happy where they are whether it was their first choice or 3rd choice. They all went with a great attitude and are flourishing.</p>
<p>crzymom college level chem did in one of my girls too. The concepts she had down pat but the math was where she had her problems…she also has decided that a bio major is not for her.</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at one of the Colleges That Change Lives schools. He struggled some with academics first semester, but ended up with a B- average. He likes his professors.</p>
<p>He is having more trouble socially. He has made a few friends and gets along very well with his roommate. However, most of the guys in his dorm spend their free time either drunk or stoned. Plus the school and town are too small to attract bands like a bigger place would, and he likes music. He is also a sports fan and thinks he would enjoy being at a college with a big-time sports program.</p>
<p>I think the school was a good choice for him for his first year so he could get a handle on the academics. But I think there is a high probability that he won’t go back for sophomore year.</p>