<p>my Towson relative did not put out the personal effort needed to stay afloat at Towson. also the school is big and urban, so don't expect staff to initiate problem solving there. Kids matriculate there from some of the best school districts in the USA in MD and NOVA, so most of them know how to function in challenging classes. You will get support if you initiate, but this is not a hand-holding college.</p>
<p>Regarding VCU...dicey lack of central campus and the recent disappearance of a freshman, probably due to an unsavory white man she was socializing with a little...he is now a suspect...is apalling to those of us in Virginia. our hearts go out to her parents as any of our children could be trusting and meet the unstable adult out there...However, Richmond is a wonderful city in many respects. VCU has a fabulous art and graphic art reputation and also a track for premed if you qualify that admits you to med school. The Fan district is interesting and the city is full of internship and job opps. You just have to be very careful.</p>
<p>Thanks again Faline- I have to agree with your assesment that there is no real campus at VCU-but there really is sort of one. We took an unofficial walk around campus the night we arrived in Richmond- and was not at all impressed. The next day, we took the "official" tour. There really is sort of a campus feel but not in the typical expansive campus feel that you get at U Md. or Delaware. We think our NY daughter has a decent chance of getting into VCU so it is definitely a place she is applying to. I think alot of kids want more of a campus feel and don't feel comfortable in an urban environment, but for the right kid, VCU could be a good experience.</p>
<p>Richmond is a complex southern capitol city, but keep in mind...it is also very close to the DC suburbs and population, and not that far from coastal Virginia where the second heavy population concentrate lives. A sophisticated student could have a rich education at VCU without that backwater feeling you can get in small towns. Right place for a self starter with an urban edge and common sense re personal safety. Lots of talent in Richmond and happening social and cultural options.</p>
<p>Sorry, my post on my daughter's colleges should have read that OOS students applying at JMU don't stand much of a chance if under a 1200 & 3.5.</p>
<p>Faline. I understand the frustration with the admit rates at W&M and UVA for all top students, in and out of state. We are very pleased that our daughter was accepted to W&M out of state. And although she did take the spot of a Virginia student we sure are helping to pay the expenses of those who do get in with the outrageous OOS tuition. OOS students are even charged more for some technology fees, building use fees..can't remember the others that showed up on the itemized list. I certainly don't have the numbers to back it up but if you took out the 30% of OOS students and the close to 2 1/2 times the tuition they bring to the budget you might notice a difference. Just a thought from the other side.</p>
<p>Of course I am ambivalent about the OOS issue. I was once an OOS resident applying to Wm and Mary. Kids like your D also uphold Wm and Mary's test scores because they are held at a higher standard and place admission scores near those of privates like Duke and Rice. Kids like your D offer a geographical and cultural mix for the student body which is desirable in many ways. But for those dual income parents working in NOVA for the feds or military wtih A students who are not admitted, I feel there is a lack of equity for a public university. Mainly, I hope your D is having a wonderful experience and making life long friends...they have an excellent and hard working faculty and a great heritage to share that is uniquely American and I suppose there is another "argument" for allowing other states in Wmsburg.</p>
<p>I've lived in VA since 1969 and have watched George Mason grow. It sort of parallels Stony Brook, without a medical school, but with a law school. My daughter transferred there and loves it. I can speak highly of Mary Washington as I have taken courses there myself since I retired from the Federal Government. It is in Fredericksburg, about 45 miles south of Washington. Campus very well kept. Profs give students a lot of attention.</p>
<p>By the way, Mary Washington has reasonable OOS costs.</p>
<p>Re Mary Washington, we're going to the Open House this Saturday -- I'd be happy to post my impressions. It will actually be the second visit -- S visited last year as a Sophomore, but that was more of a dry run for college visits.</p>
<p>I just bumped up a post from early Sept. Re: NC schools. I thought it would be helpful to have both posts near one another for anyone looking at schools in VA or NC.</p>
<p>Re: Mary Washington, my S is a freshman there this year and loves it. He's in their First Year Experience program which has specialty housing of only 45 freshmen in their own three story house. It was once the infirmiry for the campus and sort of has that "feel" to it, but it's nice that it's so small, and centrailly located as well. Although, the campus isn't big so nothing is far away. I was first surprised when he told me there were 100 students in his macro-econ class, but it turns out despite that, they have discussion and give & take. We met the professor at Family Weekend last Saturday and he knew who my S was and was telling me he asks to teach that size class. Right now the school's goal is to bring the ratio from 18:1 to 15:1. We've been very impressed overall.</p>
<p>FALINE2 - you really seem to resent the OOS students in your state university system - Do you really think that state U's should only admit state residents for undergrad?? there would be no diversity at all under those conditions - that would include no international students as well. My kiddo is one of the 18%'rs in NC state U system - why should she be excluded from experiencing going to a U in another state?? We pay 75% more in tuition than the NC state resident does - actually we pay about the same for her to attend school in NC OOS - as it would be in our own state - But........Just curious.</p>
<p>I'm from NC and here are the schools that I can suggest, but you should investigate more since I don't know much about what you want in a school....</p>
<p>NC State-fairly easy to get into instate, but I don't know about out of state, probably does have a sports medicine program or something along that line, you should check into it</p>
<p>UNC-Wilmington-good school, near beach, definitely has sports related majors, VERY pretty campus!!!, it's getting harder and harder to get into every year</p>
<p>Elon- I would definitely look into this one because it's actually cheaper (I believe) than attending a state school out of state, it's a good school but I'm not sure about the sports related majors, scholarships available</p>
<p>you could also try wingate, unc-charlotte, ecu, unc-asheville, and unc-appalachain</p>
<p>Good luck!!!</p>
<p>UMW Open House didn't go too well. It's a fine school, but just didn't <em>click</em> with my son. </p>
<p>He thought it was a little large for his taste. Also, he's decided that he wants to attend a school that has a football team and a real "Saturday Game" feel. Nothing wrong with that -- it just drastically alters the list of schools to look at, but there's still plenty of good options.</p>
<p>Hi Marny--I'm the Oswego alum from LI. Son is now a freshman at Quinnipiac. D is a junior with stats similar to yours and also does not want a cold/rural SUNY! Wanted to let you know that S had decent stats--1200 SAT and an uw B+, weighted A and was waitlisted at JMU and Wilmington, although offered admission to Wilmington in early May. We also loved Towson and it came down to Towson and Quinnipiac. We will be considering George Mason for D, but concerned about "commuter" reputation.<br>
One of the huge plusses about Towson is the location and access to internships--the adcom I spoke to said they have a very strong internship program--I think you can find the info on the website. I would love D to consider it, but she was with us during the visit with S and didn't love it. We won't be visiting schools until Spring and Summer as her options are more limited--she is not the same student as S is, although she is starting off her Junior year strong. I need to know her SAT scores so we can come up with a list. It seems the public OOS schools are becoming more and more competitive.
FWIW, S has 2 friends at High Point and they love it there--but they are athletes and have many friends with similar interests.</p>
<p>Have also heard good things about Wagner and Manhattanville, but close to home for us...</p>
<p>Hi chocholate. I sent you a pm. I hope you don't mind. Thanks.</p>
<p>Hi Chocolate- Of course I remember my fellow Oswego alumni. The past week has been quite busy and interesting. Made a trip to visit some SUNY schools and visit d # 1 at Cornell. Last Friday we toured Suny Delhi (technical college) Oneonta and Cortland. She didn't hate them and did decide to apply to them in addition to Albany, UB and Brockport. Delhi will be her absolute safety, so I know she'll get in somewhere. I was very impressed with the Cortland campus. I last saw it 30+ years ago when I was looking at colleges. All I remember was that it overlooked a cemetery and it kind of spooked me out. But the campus has expanded so much since then that the cemetery is only facing a small portion of the campus. As time goes on my d is becoming aware that a lot more kids she is friendly with are applying to the SUNY campuses. We even met a kid from her HS on the Cortland tour and he was going to see Oneonta on Saturday. So where as last Dec. when this thread started, I was extremely doubtful she would attend a SUNY school, I am beginning to think it is a real possibility. I think she will still give George Mason serious consideration if she gets accepted as she does seem to like that school alot but I am beginning to think that a SUNY may beat out West Chester or VCU. I also did the SUNY application this week-end as well as starting the GMU application. Also spent time sending the ACT scores to the various schools. That was a royal pain. You have to send each test result individually. So as she took the April and June test, each one was a "separate request". I forgot how time consuming it is to get the applications prepared. I'll keep you informed of our progress and results as our d's sound academically similar. She's taking the ACT one more time. As of now her composite is 21 which is like an SAT score of 990-1020. We are hoping for a 22 (or with a lot of luck 23) but we will see. We gave up on the SAT (she took it once) as her score was absolutely dismal. Again thanks to all the parents sharing info on VA and NC schools.</p>