Last minute Merit scholarship yesterday has us undecided at the 11th hour. Deadline is tomorrow.

One of my friends daughters started in architecture and seemed to be doing well keeping up with the very intense pce, but sophomore year decided it was too much (or got sick and overwhelmed) and switched to engineering. So I would also factor in which school would be better for him if he transferred out of architecture.

I went to a nationally ranked program (Columbia) and it didn’t help a bit in finding a job in Los Angeles. I’d gotten all sorts of awards on graduation, so it wasn’t as if I was a slouch. More of my response is on your other thread. It think the two schools in question have quite different philosophy’s and that’s really what you should be considering.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful replies. The schools are pretty different. I know which I would prefer but holding my breath here. And my tongue.

Why hold your tongue? It’s really a family decision and your input should count. Talk it through. Maybe you see positive or options he can’t see right now - easier to get home, clubs, a project, Thanksgiving on the beach/skiing, a sport he likes. You can talk about the financial options, how much each would cost now and in the future. I don’t think you need to say ‘You must take this option’ but why shouldn’t he know your preferences? I think my kids wanted to hear me say “Yes, I think this is the right school for you because…” And they wanted to hear me say I could afford it.

When you first posted and didn’t name the schools, I thought how different can they be? Yep, they are different. I think Syracuse will be more “northeast” with more kids from New England, more interest in rowing, lacrosse, prep school type sports. Basketball is on suspension for a while. Miami is more urban, more ethnic. Great Cuban food, fashion, club scene. Sports at UMiami are modern, sleek, clean. Years ago my brother visited the football facilities and said he’d never seen anything like it (and he’d been to a lot of facilities). It is a major focus of the school, the alums, and the community. Miami is an international airport (to the world, not just Canada) and port. It’s an international city with a lot of crime. It’s still in the south, and you have to order your iced tea unsweetened and breakfast comes with the option of biscuits, grits, or toast.

It isn’t irreversible. I know so many 2014s who have already changed schools, and others who are planning to. They are kids. They change their minds.

Thanks. Great points, twoinandone. We’ve talked so much, too death almost so today I might get my head bit off by my son as he is trying to finish AP work before tomorrow! Lol.
Maybe I’ll start my own pros/cons list and share it without any more discussion.

Lot of kids do transfer. But typically the best deals for merit scholarships are for freshmen, not transfers.

@CapeCodLady8 I agree, pro/cons. Get your thoughts down first and then you will feel more able to add constructive input without seeming to be leading him.

These kids are totally stressed out with AP tests right now!!

Update:

After a wonderful trip to Miami and a few days to take it all in, my son chose to stay with his decision to go to Syracuse. Wishing I could jump up and down and rejoice, but it is bittersweet. The good news is he’s decided. I really wish we didn’t have to go through all of the last minute angst. Miami did apologize for the very late offer. I have a lot of respect for them and the university and would highly recommend it.

Thanks for all of your thoughts and support!!

@CapeCodLady8 Is it bittersweet because you may feel Miami is a better fit for him?

I would guess it’s bittersweet because Miami did offer him a sizable chunk of change, @collegemom2boys. Congratulations on the final decision, though! It’s great to have one and it sounds like a great opportunity for your S.

Ya know what is good about this? it makes his choice of Syracuse all the better…he had good alternatives and he stil chose Syracuse…it places a higher value on his choice…and makes him feel like the decision was a conscious one. Congratulations!

Agree, he won’t ever look back and question his decision since he thoroughly researched and visited both schools. Great job in guiding him and allowing it to be his decision.

Thanks for the update! The kids I know at Syracuse are really happy there.

Thanks for the update and congrats! Seems like Syracuse has a great program, worth slogging through the winters.

Glad he’s happy with his choice. Good luck to him!

Congrats on the decision! He will see my S at orientation!!

Thanks, everyone! Your kind responses really warmed my heart. It was bittersweet, I guess, because Miami was tough to turn down. And we’re going to try not to look in the rear view moving forward. Scholarships included.

Good luck to your son, Cameron. That’s great!

We have to get going on the paperwork and such as we were in freeze frame not knowing what was going to happen.

Appreciate all your kind replies and personal messages. Thanks again !

I think your son made a sound decision. Syracuse has a solid reputation with firms all over the country; he’ll get a wonderful education and a head start on his career.

From your lips to God’s ears, momrath!! Thank you!

First, congratulations to your son for choosing and feeling good about his choice!

I wanted to clear up a misconception from a previous poster: “Miami is an international airport (to the world, not just Canada) and port. It’s an international city with a lot of crime. It’s still in the south, and you have to order your iced tea unsweetened and breakfast comes with the option of biscuits, grits, or toast.”

Miami is not the south. There are no grits. There is no sweet tea. We went to grad school at U Miami and currently live in Atlanta. There is no comparison in terms of similarity of culture. For anyone considering UM and worried that it will be too “southern”, don’t worry; it’s not. In fact, it reminded me more of living in Boston or Milan than Atlanta, lol.