<p>My rising senior son is a pretty good (in my book) student -- 3.7 GPA and 1950 SAT -- who is completely undecided, doesn't know what he wants to do, where he wants to go. He is intellectually curious, loves learning about new things, but just isn't grabbed by anything in particular yet. He's not an overachiever -- just does what is asked and not much more. He is drawn to larger, state schools -- Penn State, Delaware, UMass, Syracuse -- because he likes the rahrah school spirit, D-1 sports, and hustle-and-bustle of a big campus. I want him to get a good liberal arts education. Other than that...we are sort of randomly exploring. Every school we look at seems "pretty good" to him. It's not that he doesn't care, it's that he's so easygoing and his basic assumption is that wherever he goes he will probably be fine. While I love his calm attitude, it's not helping us narrow down the list!!</p>
<p>Going to American, UVA and JMA next week. We're located in North Jersey.</p>
<p>This may seem heretical on these forums, but an extremely undecided student may find community college to be a good starting point.</p>
<p>The reason is that entering a four year school puts the student on a four semester clock to decide on a major, both due to institutional requirements and cost considerations. Additionally, some majors have long prerequisite chains, so that an undecided student who become interested in such a major may not be able to enter such a major if s/he enters it too late.</p>
<p>On the other hand, a student doing “exploring” at a community college does it at lower cost, and without an institutional clock for deciding. Also, if one decides on a major with long prerequisite chains late, the result would be extra semesters at an inexpensive community college, not extra semesters at an expensive four year school or not being able to do the major at all. Community colleges can also be more accommodating to part time students who work as well. When the student eventually decides, s/he would then transfer to a four year school to complete a bachelor’s degree.</p>
<p>However, there are disadvantages. The lack of institutional and financial pressure may allow a student to just slide along “forever” without focusing on something and eventually transferring to a four year school to complete a bachelor’s degree. The other students in the school may not be as sharp as those in a good four year school. And there is no opportunity to take junior or senior level courses at community college.</p>
<p>Sounds exactly like my rising Junior son. I would not worry about it too much, if he is like most kids, he will bloom wherever he is planted…that is a good thing. Embrace the fact that he seems to prefer the D1 sports theme and realize that he can get a good liberal arts education at many of these places. In all honesty, I really don’t care where my son ends up as long as it is safe and he feels comfortable. My S seems to be most interested in D1 schools also…Alabama, Ole Miss, South Carolina. I’m all for any of these.</p>
<p>what is the problem here? Just narrow down the list based on something that makes sense to you then-- geography, cost, ease of getting in, whatever.</p>
<p>laurie: if you are the laurie good in Ncaldwell and want to continue here on CC, change your screen name…we are all anonymous and trust me, it’s better that way…</p>
<p>if not, welcome to CC!!</p>
<p>Sounds like the list is good to go though based on stats and interests…</p>
<p>Can you afford for him to fill out lots of apps? If so, let him. 9 months from now he’ll probably have a better sense about what matters to him in a college. </p>
<p>I find it’s really hard for some teens (especially boys) to think in terms of long-range planning. Next weekend is long range to them. Next April is too far out to bother with. ;)</p>
<p>Once the senior year ramps up, and friends start talking, then acceptances/rejections start coming, he’ll focus. He’ll find some clarity and be ready make a decision. That’s the hard part: deciding where to enroll. Deciding where to apply is almost easy by comparison.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone, all good advice and pretty much what I was already doing. I just thought I’d toss out a question here to see if anyone had any other thoughts. </p>
<p>@rodney, nope I’m not in NCaldwell…must be a different laurie!</p>
<p>Starting at a CC stinks for somebody who likes the college spirit aspects of college and not just a degree as an item of utility. He’ll figure it out and focusing on a liberal arts education is more dubious to me than being happy with any decent college.
The job market for liberal arts grads is absolutely terrible. </p>
<p>I also don’t like the idea of a good, intellectually curious student starting out at CC if he has other options. And it appears that finances are not a major criteria, since you’re looking both at privates and OOS publics. So in addition to the schools you’re looking at now, you might also consider BU, and University of North Carolina (if weather/south aren’t an issue.) Both will offer him the size he’s after and the quality of liberal arts education you’re interested in.</p>
<p>Hmmm. I’m not sure how one finds this out, but perhaps you can also focus on unis with good academic counseling? I remember the CTCL book said Beloit College (not a good match for your son BTW – too small) works a lot with sophomores to help them figure out their majors and career path. I would suppose if a school’s web site mentions academic counseling, it is a better sign than if it is absent. Maybe also schools where the first year program exposes the kids to a lot of things?</p>
<p>Nine months from now when he has to make is final decision is a long time away, so things could change. It is probably a blessing that he’s not rejecting schools because the squirrels are too fat, the girls/guys aren’t attractive enough, and H&M/Forever 21 is not nearby! Instead of being apathetic, he probably really is a kid who could be happy in many places. Embrace the lack of drama!</p>
<p>OP - you might find some of the posts pertaining to relatively unmotivated kids in the Parents forum applicable to your situation. At least you might feel less alone! :o)</p>
<p>Agree with looking at some of the other threads on motivating kids to become more engaged in the process; for instance, here is an excellent post by wrldtravlr from a current thread in the Parent’s Forum:</p>
<p>Perhaps introducing your son to collegeconfidential will help if he engage through forums and become more aware in the process of selecting schools. This could help, or not if he becomes trap by posters who schools often dominate the threads. Base off the little information given, it seems your son knows exactly what he wants. If you really want to try and push him towards liberal art colleges perhaps you should ask him to apply to a few that he would at least consider ( assuming that your paying) and visit every school that accepts him.</p>
<p>Depends on which liberal art one majors in. Math, statistics, economics, and physics graduates tend to do better than biology or humanities graduates.</p>
<p>Of course, one can get a “broad liberal arts education” around any major, although not all students do so (particularly humanities and social studies majors who avoid any contact with math and science courses). Interestingly, the more “pre-professional” majors (e.g. engineering, business) and the more STEM-oriented schools tend to have greater liberal arts breadth requirements than other majors and schools.</p>
<p>Also, with respect to the article, biomedical engineering tends not to have very good job and career prospects compared to most other engineering majors. It is odd that this major is so popular – most engineering majors do tend to have at least one eye on the job and career prospects of major choice.</p>
<p>laurie, your son doesn’t need to “narrow” down his list. Lists are for those enthusiastic about the college process and can’t decide. </p>
<p>Your son sounds indifferent. The second you ask him to cross some colleges off the application list, he’ll just grab a pen and cross out random colleges till he’s down to 5 or 6 or whatever ideal number.</p>
<p>If you’re concerned for your son, then make his list for him. It doesn’t sound like he’ll mind.</p>
<p>What about University of Florida? It’s a large state school, D1 athletics, Loads of school spirit. Maybe try takin him to a sports game? Weekend football at D1 schools is crazy. You can really get a feel for the spirit and the personality of the student body.</p>
<p>Not all business majors have high employment rates. Less than 80% of the marketing and management students at my school are finding full-time jobs and many of the full-time jobs they are accepting are not what they intended…copier sales, insurance sales, shift manager at Target and Menards, etc, etc.</p>