Posting an update: accepted at Oberlin, Bard, waitlisted at UC Berkeley, accepted at Wesleyan. Wesleyan is looking like a strong choice: strong academics, studio art, film, history, computer science, economics – seems strong in all of his areas of interest. Oberlin also a top pick, and they gave more $, but the difference wasn’t that great. He was waitlisted for Brandeis “leaders and scholars program,” and I think that turned him off Brandeis a bit.
@1pushymama – Good choices for him. For me, his top three choices are way off the deep end of the political spectrum, but it’s him not me. And there have been those drug-related issues at Wesleyan in the last few weeks, although my guess is that stuff goes on everywhere.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/02/25/four-wesleyan-students-arrested-investigation-drug-hospitalizations
If it’s not cost-prohibitive he/you can go to the Admitted Students Days. That made the decision for my son, who didn’t commit until the last week of April. Let us know what he eventually chooses.
@1pushymama - love reading your updates. Your son has fine choices. Best wishes for a smooth final stretch.
@aleepatthewheel thanks for the info on drugs at Wes; that is disturbing, particularly since they cite statistics indicate that the incidents of drugs at Wes is 2nd highest of schools its size. In terms of the political spectrum, I think these schools are a fit to our family, however, one thing he liked about UCLA was that it didn’t “brand” him politically. He’s going to visit Wesleyan next week since we’ll be in the area for spring break. Thanks!
@1pushymama - Wesleyan sounds like a great fit for your son as long as you can swing the finances. I wouldn’t worry too much about the drugs. It could happen anywhere and it just hit the press for Wesleyan because of a bad batch. Your child can and will make his own choices. As the article stated:
Some experts on campus crime reports warn that those colleges that report the highest numbers of referrals for various violations may well not be those with the most significant problems. A college ignoring problems may not be high on such lists, they note.
Final results: Denied Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, Waitlisted: Brown. Son is happy with his choices.
@1pushymama, please let us know what he decides. He has great choices - congrats! I re-read the OP and he is really an interesting kid!
@1pushymama Just wondering if there are any updates. Interesting thread. Has your S decided to come east, perhaps to Bard or Oberlin? Or did he decide on one of the UC schools?
Thanks for asking. Son just got back from visit to Oberlin. He also visited UCLA. After asking many UCLA students and staff about the experience it became clear to him that as a liberal arts major he would have difficulty getting into classes there in some of the subjects that he’d like to explore (Computer Science, Art/Design) since they are in different “schools”. He liked Oberlin a lot but I think he will choose Wesleyan. I’ll let you know his final decision which I expect that he’ll make in the next couple of days. His main concern seems to be wanting a certain degree of rigor and academic seriousness.
Three great schools there, @1pushymama. I would think all three schools would offer academic rigor and seriousness. Congrats to your son!
And the verdict is… Wesleyan. He felt that the students he met there talked more about their classes and what they were doing in them than the folks he met at Oberlin. This most likely was a random result of his particular experience, but we are happy to support his choice. I am sure they are all great; excited to see how it works out for him next year. Thank you to all who helped us in the journey; wishing the best to other parents trying to figure it out!
I just reread this thread, and the updates. Looking back, I feel some of the long time posters offered excellent advice. About realistic reaches. I hope others with kids applying next year read this journey
Yes! Thank you again to all of you who contributed thoughts, ideas and suggestions!
If merit is important make sure he applies to schools that award a lot of merit aid. Wesleyan sounds like a great fit. D had very similar stats this year and she was admitted to 11 schools with merit aid offers from 15k - 25k per year for five of them. Your son needs to strike up a dialog with admissions officers at his top 3 or 4 schools. If you are looking for a full ride, I think it helps if the college thinks he will actually come. Essays are incredibly important, way more important than widely understood. Pretty big difference between 3.8 and 3.9. Getting into an Brown or Princeton will not be easy but your sons extracurricular awards are exceptional
One more update: Accepted Berkeley (off wait list). Most likely will still choose Wesleyan for same reasons as UCLA vs. Wesleyan.
Wow!
Thanks for the update @1pushymama, and congrats again. This thread has been really interesting and helpful.
Glad it’s been helpful. He’s sticking with Wesleyan 