<p>I know this must have been discussed a million times, but I am having a hard time searching... Please direct me if you know of previous threads.</p>
<p>My second son is a HS junior and starting the college search. His brother is a junior in college and thriving at a perfect fit LAC. I always assumed that DS2 would also go to an LAC and have been quietly gearing up to support his search and selection. SO... it turns out DS2 is interested in programs that are offered at the state university, and he is very strongly leaning towards going there. This is great in many ways, but I have qualms. Small LACs have all the benefits we all know well, while big state universities seem to require much more emotional and intellectual maturity on the part of students (am I correct?). My son is sensitive and quiet, and I am concerned that he will get lost at a big university. But I am hoping to be convinced otherwise!</p>
<p>We are headed out the door to visit the big state u right now, and we are all hoping for evidence of a perfect fit for DS2 (they are waiting for me in the car as I finish this). Any words of wisdom much appreciated!</p>
<p>Let your son decide. My son hated the LACs we visited and will atend a big state U this fall… He preferred the ever changing buffet that a big school offers…course selection, major selection, student clubs, student activities, sports, student ghetto housing, etc. </p>
<p>The majority of the kids adapt and bloom where they are planted. I’m guessing yours will also.</p>
<p>I agree with Haystack-let him decide. It’s great that you can give him that choice, and if the state school has the programs he wants, that right there is a big advantage. I would have preferred my kids go to a big state U, having graduated from one myself, but knowing that we would have 3 in school for at least 3 years we were forced to look at LACs with merit money. I was worried that D2 would not be a “fit” with her choice, but she’s actually the one that has enjoyed her college experience the most so even though you might have qualms, I’m guessing your son will do fine wherever he chooses.</p>
<p>In my family Kid#1 with excellent grades and test scores went to tip-top LAC. Kid#2 with even better grades and test scores went to big Flagship State Univ. honors college.</p>
<p>I can tell you unequivocally one did not get a better education than the other. Both were very good.</p>
<p>Kid #1 is extroverted, people-oriented. Kid #2 is more introverted and task-oriented.</p>
<p>Kid #2 preferred what felt like more privacy at the Big U, paradoxically. Seeing Kid #1’s experience at Small LAC, where everyone knows everyone else (or so it seems), was just too invasive feeling for Kid #2.</p>
<p>There is a real truth to this in practical reality, but it wasn’t something I would have picked up on without seeing my two distinct personality kids follow the paths they did.</p>
<p>francie12…</p>
<p>I suspect that you may be visiting Iowa State or U Iowa? My son will be starting at Iowa State in the fall. We know lots of kids there. I work at U Iowa. Hope the visit went well.</p>
<p>I graduated from Northwestern U and my brothers from Iowa State. Depending on the major, you can have just as good an expeience at Iowa State as you can at a higher ranked school. My brother’s experience at Iowa State in his program was top notch, in most ways better than mine at NU. My son turned down 3 higher ranked schools for Iowa State…Tulane, U MN and U Iowa.</p>
<p>Good fit is the mantra for you. Your sons are not clones and different school types may work best for them. Whole new college search for you has begun, you have the experience from first son to help you, though.</p>
<p>I just wanted to update here for all those who offered their excellent advice. We went back twice to (yes, that’s it) Iowa State, interviewed and toured, asked a lot of questions, spent time. S came away loving it, decided and plans to attend. We are thrilled for him, and even though I’m a little dizzy, having been all geared up for an extensive LAC search and application, I have to acknowledge that this does look like the legendary “perfect fit.” So unless S wants to add another college (doubt he will) this college search is over almost before it started. He wanted to sign up on the spot, but they don’t start to take applications until July 1st. He’s already talking about saving to get a bike to get around the big (beautiful) campus. Wow, we’re done!</p>
<p>Wonderful resolution! </p>
<p>A very sensitive, quiet man that I know absolutely loved his State U: it was big enough so that he could find his own group of sensitive, quiet nerds with whom to discuss literature, gaming, and ideas, without being bothered by the cliques. Or rather, at a school that big, there really aren’t any popular-group cliques to bother the quiet, sensitive kids.</p>
<p>Looks from your description like his first choice is a safety – makes the whole search and application process easy and stress free.</p>
<p>Congrats to your S,francie…he’ll be able to really enjoy his h.s. senior year knowing he has already found his place.
My S1 knew by end of jr. year that he wanted big state u. It was a safety for him. He was admitted before Thanksgiving…made for a pretty stress free senior year. He absolutely loved his big state u. S2 followed suit and loved his big state u. as well.</p>