Hi - looking for any college recommendations for my daughter for a large-to-mid-sized school with nice arts program (not for major, but for interest in pottery and other art - maybe as minor) and enthusiastic school spirit.
No need aid possible, stats are 3.6 UW gpa, 1330 SAT, strong arts EC + Mock Trial.
We are from NJ - would love within 8 hours and not too expensive (hoping for some merit if possible). Have a working list but hoped to access the wealth of knowledge of folks here …!
PS Was on CC 12 years ago w/my older son - have resisted revisiting this wonderfully addicting forum - but with two more weeks till EA couldn’t help but ask. See a few familiar names still here. Much appreciate any thoughts!!
Thanks so much. She’s not a fan of Rutgers (the classic ‘disregard the instate option’ approach) but will apply and I will stress the excellent arts program. Word amongst my friends is that high-stat kids are getting zero merit from RU which leaves the instate cost (about $38k) as equivalent to other outside state schools (and privates) if they throw some merit our way…
And thanks for the VA Tech suggestion. Based on stats (and reports from others families in our income range whose higher stat kids have applied and attended – looks like she wouldn’t get any merit $ from there. We can stretch & swing $25k a year but definitely not $40-$50k…
Also thanks for the U Maine idea! I was initially thinking that would be a nice fit for D - she loves the outdoors, mountains, hiking, etc., Maine is so beautiful, and that great match-instate-flagship tuition deal.
Then I read about the 96% admission rate and some posts here on CC about what an incredible party school it was, with (no offense to anyone from there) very low academic aspirations/standards and a v. low four year grad rate.
That got me nervous and I didn’t mention to D again. Would love to hear anything to the contrary though!
We’ve been looking for something similar for my D21, although no art interest. Also no interest in Rutgers, which would make my life so easy!
West Virigina U is very affordable; D is a bit scared off by the party school rep, but we may take a visit.
James Madison U comes highly recommended; I don’t think they are big on merit and it’s around maybe $40k?
Seconding West Virginia. West Chester? But some of the non-flagship New Jersey publics (TCNJ, Rowan, etc.) would certainly be less expensive and most likely be as good or better. I don’t know which ones have the best art programs.
Thank you both!! D does like Rowan although to me it seems so much quieter and less well-known than Rutgers. She will apply. James Madison is a nice school, several friends have attended/had kids there. Agree on it being over $45k and the rep is little to no merit. D will apply but I don’t have any hope of it being affordable.
A college counselor suggested Towson - large-ish, out-of-state, school spirit, relatively affordable, might get merit. Not sure if that might be option for yours NJWrestlingmom? They have a non-Common app so if D will do it, she’ll apply there.
Friend’s son is at West Virginia - he seems happy and doing well (freshman).
@Jolynne Smyth funny you say that! D21 was doing a search on Naviance and Towson came up a 100% match. We’ll definitely visit!
Rowan is high on her list; my son is a junior there (and my husband and I are alums). It’s a great school - big, but small classes, which is what D21 also wants. Beautiful housing and tons to do. JMU has some freshman classes with over 200, which is a big turn off for her. Rowan may lack a bit in the school spirit department (which to D means big football crowd), but she’d also likely qualify to apply to honors there, which is another huge plus at Rowan.
I am curious what her choice of major would be? A university to consider would be Ohio University in Athens Ohio. It has around 18k students. The campus is beautiful and in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. It’s a state school where your D would be in the top 25% and could probably get the cost down to where you are looking for it to be. They now have an Honors Program which I’m sure she would qualify for. They also have an Honor Tutorial College that depending on her situation might be something to be considered. While a state university it has a very artsy almost LAC type of feel to it. They offer the type of minor your D is looking for and while not a flagship university some of their programs are very well regarded (none are bad). They are in the Mid American conference and their football and basketball teams are typically competitive and near the top of their divisions. They have an excellent marching band (The Marching 110). It would be probably around 6 hours away from you.
A little out of 8 hour radius, but how bout University of Kentucky?
I’m in suburban Philly and it’s a 10 hour drive, but there are a couple of direct flights daily from PHL.
It’s not super expensive and your daughter should qualify for some merit scholarship. We are incredibly unartistic so no personal experience, but they do have a College of Fine Arts that will meet that criteria.
And there is a ton of school spirit. Big Blue Nation is all in! Of course, basketball is king there, but football was great last year and even in bad seasons it’s fun to see other SEC super teams (and their fanbase) come to town.
Thanks for the positives on Rowan, NJWrestlingmom! That is good to hear. I kept comparing it (negatively, somehow) to Rutgers but it’s obviously got a lot going for it - plus, D likes it after a visit and can’t bear the thought of Rutgers lol.
lvvcsf - thank you very much! That Ohio University description sounds like a very good fit for D! I will look into it further and probably add to her list!
houndsmom - we are NJ but just outside of Philly also so the 10 hours to U of Kentucky would be same for us. Had a less than stellar experience at U of Alabama for older son years back so am a little leery of southern schools. Assuming this would be a bit different though than AL. Good to hear the positives!!
D’s major is undecided as yet (thinking law school but that could change). She’s got some math ability (unlike me) so thinking data analytics or some kind of software engineering field could be an interesting and future-oriented field (have to see).
@“Jolynne Smyth” UK is a mix of Southern and Midwestern - Lexington is 1.5 hours south of Cincinnati OH. A lot of OOS kids come from Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.
FWIW we toured Alabama with D19 and liked it, but Kentucky feels very different (not better or worse, just a different vibe)
Thanks, houndmom! U of AL was just too big for my son & there was a huge Greek social life that I didn’t think worked for him (among other things).
Is there anything particular you noted that was different about U of K? Another factor is the network around the school. Wondering if Kentucky has some growth industries for internships, etc… That’s a bonus about U of CO where D would like to go - but it’s mucho $$ OOS and likely not an option on that basis…
My S14 attended UKY but his professional interests were in the Equestrian world, and well if you can’t find an equine related job in Lexington you may not be breathing. I think all state flagships have a good alumni network. I’m sure some people will disagree with me, but never underestimate the conversation starter around big time college sport teams.
Yes, the Fraternity/Sorority aspect of Bama hits you in the face. It’s there at UK, but not nearly to the same extent. My S checked out a few fraternities, decided it wasn’t for him, and it did not impact his social life one bit. He didn’t know anyone when he started, but made friends at orientation and in his dorm that were “keepers.”
Bama’s prospective student tour starts in the football stadium - UK tour mentioned basketball once (at least our tour guide). I thought both campuses were very attractive. UK just completed a big construction project - new dorms, student center, dining, Science building. And the library is very, very nice. I consider it walkable.
I think Kentucky’s undergrad population is 10K smaller than UA. However, UK’s campus feels very busy as it houses Law School and Med school - so corresponding hospitals, trauma, childrens’, etc. are right there. It’s kinda like if you pulled University City out of Philadelphia and stuck it in Kentucky.
Much appreciate any thoughts!!