My daughter decided not to apply to UCs...any other ideas for schools?

Parent Cafe
41

<p>NMF = National Merit Finalist. USC gives 50% tuition scholarships to most/all NMFs that they accept. </p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>I know that all the abreviations here can get crazy. Sometimes we use them and forget that others might not know what they mean. LOL</p>

<p>As I mentioned, SLO is very nice. This is my niece’s second year there. Has your D visited? </p>

<p>I don’t know if you saw my below questions… :)</p>

<p>What does she want in a school outside of the classroom? lots of clubs, rah rah sports, nice rec centers, nice dorms, cool off-campus hangouts?? I know that may seem silly, but kids do consider these things. (Heck one of my kids seemed way too interested in the campus dining venues. We’d go on campus tours, and I’d be asking about academics and majors, and he’d be asking about meal plans - and he’s thin!!! Maybe he was just sick of my cooking and was looking forward to other foods LOL )</p>

42

<p>On the other hand, I’ve heard some say to go ahead and apply to schools that might have a high sticker price. You never know what they might offer in the end. Fortunately, our daughter doesn’t have a “must-have-dream-school” that she just HAS to attend. We’ve explained what our financial boundaries are. She’ll apply to a mix of schools, both financially and academically. Like my husband says, we’ll wait to see where she’s accepted, check out what they can offer and go from there. Believe me, I’ve tried to “have the talk” with her about finances, but my husband is adamant about waiting.</p>

<p>I think Cal Poly would be a perfect match for us in EVERY regard (even if it’s not her idea of a “traditional college campus with a football team”. Ya can’t have it all. As for other CSUs. I know this sounds kind of arrogant, but it just seems her GPA and ACT score deserves something more.</p>

43

<p>*Wow, 39 posts and you haven’t gotten the CC lecture on telling your child exactly what you will be willing to pay for college. That way you don’t have to say no in April and she can make choices in terms of applying knowing what’s affordable.</p>

<p>I think you need to insist on a financial safety, but considering the salary you give, it’s probably a CSU as opposed to a UC. I believe UCs would expect you to be full pay at $25K or so, and depending on savings, that might be more than you want to spend.*</p>

<p>Hmom5…LOL…well, in cases where EFC’s are high and parents can’t pay them, don’t you think it’s important that parents tell their kids ahead of time, instead of waiting until spring when the FA packages only cover the amounts over the EFC (that the parents can’t pay)?</p>

<p>I agree that the OP’s D may need one or two Cal States, but I concerned about this…if the D is refusing to apply to UCs, why would she find Cal States to be any more appealing? It would seem that anyone who didn’t want to apply to UCs would also not want to apply to Cal States either.</p>

<p>maybe the D has some image in her mind, and I know (as a California native), that many Calif state publics don’t have that “college image” look. I know a girl who went to UDelaware just because it captured the “look” that she had in her head as to what a college should “look like” (kids are funny!)</p>

44

<p>*I think Cal Poly would be a perfect match for us in EVERY regard (even if it’s not her idea of a “traditional college campus with a football team”. Ya can’t have it all. </p>

<p>As for other CSUs. I know this sounds kind of arrogant, but it just seems her GPA and ACT score deserves something more. *</p>

<p>Ok…it does sound like she has an image of something in her mind. :slight_smile: That’s kids for you. :slight_smile: Has she said that she wants a traditional college with rah rah football? </p>

<p>As for the CSU…I can see your point. No, it’s not arrogant. And…in many ways CSUs can lack the full college experience that your daughter may be looking for.</p>

45

<p>Wow! Was I OFF base! LOL Not even close.</p>

<p>Actually, I had answered this in my last post: “What does she want in a school outside of the classroom? lots of clubs, rah rah sports, nice rec centers, nice dorms, cool off-campus hangouts?? I know that may seem silly, but kids do consider these things.” I had just remarked that everything on your list was important to her.:slight_smile: That was one of the reasons Indiana University-Bloomington had appealed to her. But I can see there are a LOT of large schools out there with this criteria.</p>

<p>As for CPSLO, well, she’s not in love with the campus and buildings. But, I’m beginning to think with her elimination of the UCs now and perhaps lack of affordability of other schools…Cal Poly is starting to look better. She also told me that she’s considering grad school back East, so it might make sense to stay out here and do her undergrad. But, she still has IU-B high on her list. She’s eligible for a $36,000 scholarship ($9,000 a year.)</p>

<p>MomOf2collegekids wrote:</p>

<p>NMF = National Merit Finalist. USC gives 50% tuition scholarships to most/all NMFs that they accept. </p>

<p>I know that all the abreviations here can get crazy. Sometimes we use them and forget that others might not know what they mean. LOL</p>

<p>As I mentioned, SLO is very nice. This is my niece’s second year there. Has your D visited? </p>

<p>I don’t know if you saw my below questions… </p>

<p>What does she want in a school outside of the classroom? lots of clubs, rah rah sports, nice rec centers, nice dorms, cool off-campus hangouts?? I know that may seem silly, but kids do consider these things. (Heck one of my kids seemed way too interested in the campus dining venues. We’d go on campus tours, and I’d be asking about academics and majors, and he’d be asking about meal plans - and he’s thin!!! Maybe he was just sick of my cooking and was looking forward to other foods LOL )</p>

46

<p>LOL Oh, yes, she wants the “traditional college experience” with all the school spirit, clubs, some Greek, large rec. center, etc. etc. I agree that many CSUs are commuter schools. Great for folks going back for that degree or taking night classes. I realize that’s not the case with all of them, but a majority. That’s why I told her to apply to Chico because it’s more residential. Yes, in “my days” it used to be called “the party school”. But, now most of them can wear that label proudly if that’s what you’re looking for. My husband isn’t so keen on Chico, no matter what. Okay, I’m not either–but it’s just a safety, for goodness sakes! Arrghhh!</p>

47

<p>LOL. NOw that’s funny! I bet after a month of “cafeteria food” he yearned for Mom’s cooking!</p>

<p>Mom2Collegekids wrote:</p>

<p>(Heck one of my kids seemed way too interested in the campus dining venues. We’d go on campus tours, and I’d be asking about academics and majors, and he’d be asking about meal plans - and he’s thin!!! Maybe he was just sick of my cooking and was looking forward to other foods LOL )</p>

48

<p>20-25k EFC sounds about right for your income, barring exceptional assets. I’d run EFC calculators, and if they check out, expand to all need-based schools.</p>

49

<p>She does have two CSUs on her list. She already applied to them. Cal Poly is the better of the two. But, not as easy to get into. Impacted majors, for one thing. :(</p>

<p>Yep. She has that “look” in her mind when it comes to colleges. But, I’m telling her to look beyond the buildings. The only school she’s applied to in CA that comes remotely close to that “ivy covered brick wall school” is University of the Pacific. But, alas…it’s in Stockton and no matter WHO she speaks to, they always have to bring that up in a negative way. Grrrrr.</p>

<p>Another thing about CSUs, though…they actually have more “practical” majors. Many of them have Kinesiology or other majors that interest her. She’s not into politics, business, communication or any of the other fields a lot of kids who attend large, research schools are. On ther other hand, it goes right back to the fact that she feels she wants more than a CSU.</p>

<hr>

<p>Mom2Colleges wrote;</p>

<p>Hmom5…LOL…well, in cases where EFC’s are high and parents can’t pay them, don’t you think it’s important that parents tell their kids ahead of time, instead of waiting until spring when the FA packages only cover the amounts over the EFC (that the parents can’t pay)?</p>

<p>I agree that the OP’s D may need one or two Cal States, but I concerned about this…if the D is refusing to apply to UCs, why would she find Cal States to be any more appealing? It would seem that anyone who didn’t want to apply to UCs would also not want to apply to Cal States either.</p>

<p>maybe the D has some image in her mind, and I know (as a California native), that many Calif state publics don’t have that “college image” look. I know a girl who went to UDelaware just because it captured the “look” that she had in her head as to what a college should “look like” (kids are funny!)</p>

50

<p>My husband just said we can afford around $25,000 a year–total. He said if we can get a "cheaper rate’, by all means, go for it. :slight_smile: No exceptional assets here! Anyway, this is better than with one of our grown twin girls. She had to finance her own education with the exception of a couple grand from us here and there. She even earned her own semester abroad in NZ and Australia. She’s also paying off student loans. Back then we had absolutely no college savings and a new baby, to boot. (our current h.s. senior). So, our D is fortunate that we have anything. </p>

<p>Keilexandra wrote:</p>

<p>20-25k EFC sounds about right for your income, barring exceptional assets. I’d run EFC calculators, and if they check out, expand to all need-based schools</p>

51

<p>*She does have two CSUs on her list. She already applied to them. Cal Poly is the better of the two. But, not as easy to get into. Impacted majors, for one thing. </p>

<p>Yep. She has that “look” in her mind when it comes to colleges. But, I’m telling her to look beyond the buildings. The only school she’s applied to in CA that comes remotely close to that “ivy covered brick wall school” is University of the Pacific. But, alas…it’s in Stockton and no matter WHO she speaks to, they always have to bring that up in a negative way. Grrrrr.</p>

<p>Another thing about CSUs, though…they actually have more “practical” majors. Many of them have Kinesiology or other majors that interest her. She’s not into politics, business, communication or any of the other fields a lot of kids who attend large, research schools are. On ther other hand, it goes right back to the fact that she feels she wants more than a CSU.*</p>

<hr>

<p>Well, if she has an “image” in mind of what a college is supposed to look like, then at a minimum she needs to apply to some of those schools - as long as they have her major and could be affordable by some means of FA/merit/whatever. :)</p>

<p>Do any Calif schools have that look that she wants? I’ve been on many Calif campuses (private and public) and I can’t think of any off-hand. Some do have the “mission style” but that may not be what she has in mind, either. </p>

<p>It shouldn’t be this hard :slight_smile: Your D’s got great stats, she’s not being unreasonable, there has to be schools that would work. :)</p>

<p>At least your D isn’t like another D that one mom wrote about here on CC. That D was refusing to apply to any safeties and wouldn’t consider any financial limitations. Thankfully, that situation is working out (I think). Someone on the forum suggested that the MOM should be able to pick a couple of “mommy picks” for the D to apply to just in case none of the D’s picks worked out financially. </p>

<p>oohhh those impacted majors!! I remember when a high school friend wanted to get into the nursing program at CSULB - impacted. :(</p>

52

<p>I’ll second looking into the University of Pittsburgh. But have your D do it ASAP, as it’s a rolling admissions school, and merit aid may go to those who apply earlier. Total OOS COA is, if I’m remembering right, around $32k. That’s higher than your limit, but merit aid may bring it in range.</p>

53

<p>I’ll second or third a look at the Arizona schools. Merit $$ will be a slam dunk with her stats. ASU has her potential major:</p>

<p>[Home</a> Page | Kinesiology](<a href=“http://kinesiology.clas.asu.edu/]Home”>http://kinesiology.clas.asu.edu/)</p>

54

<p>Washignton State has some very interesting Kineseology related programs and a safety that a child is not willing to attend is not a safety at all.</p>

55

<p>It sounds like your DD is dreaming of an ivy covered camps with stately buildings and the college look and feel depicted in the media. </p>

<p>Nothing wrong with that and there’s a ton of them. If your EFC is about the $25K you can afford, why isn’t she looking at the many schools that fit this description with good need based aid?</p>

<p>Many of them won’t have the ‘practical’ majors but not sure if that matters for OT since it requires grad school. A most change their minds about what they want to do anyway. Maybe she wants to consider the E. Coast for undergrad and come home for grad school.</p>

56

<p>*My husband just said we can afford around $25,000 a year–total. He said if we can get a "cheaper rate’, by all means, go for it. No exceptional assets here! Anyway, this is better than with one of our grown twin girls. She had to finance her own education with the exception of a couple grand from us here and there. She even earned her own semester abroad in NZ and Australia. She’s also paying off student loans. Back then we had absolutely no college savings and a new baby, to boot. (our current h.s. senior). So, our D is fortunate that we have anything. *</p>

<p>:) Wow, you’ve been thru the parenting thing twice - twins much earlier and then your youngest! :slight_smile: Good for you! I bet your “baby” has kept you young (that’s what my dad said about being a father again at age 50 when he and my mom had my youngest brother! BTW…that “baby” has been my dad’s best friend for many years now - dad is now 89.) OK back to topic… :)</p>

<p>I agree with HMom that your D has a college image in mind - traditional brick buildings with columns and greenery. The image that we get from movies (I love that image, too!). It can be hard to find that look in Calif :slight_smile: but, those campuses do exist elsewhere in the US! :)</p>

<p>$25k per year is generous. That’s $100k total. That’s nothing to sneeze at! :slight_smile: With good merit, your D could have some fine choices! :)</p>

<p>Now that we know the “look,” the major, and the budget…</p>

<p>Hmmm…would your D have any objection to any Catholic U’s (such as the ones where many non-Catholics go to also)? I’m thinking like SLU, Marquette, or Creighton…</p>

57

<p>Some one recommended WWU in Bellingham WA, I would liken it to being more on par with a Cal Poly than a UC, but it is a really nice smaller public, somewhat a commuter school, but so many kids live around campus, there is a nice small college town feel. My DD did her BS & BA at a UC and did a masters at WWU because of certain fit issues and discovered she loved the town & the experience.</p>

<p>If you were to visit, then cross the border and check out UBC in Vancouver and UVic in Victoria, both have kinesiology programmes and even with international fees should be in your budget. An interesting alternate.</p>

<p>In SoCal, what about Chapman? Don’t know if they have the major, but a niece & nephew both got significant merit aid there to make the private school the same price as a UC.</p>

58

<p>^^^</p>

<p>I have a niece who graduated from WWU in Bellingham. She’s now a math teacher.</p>

<p>However, because of the economic climate…WWU has this posted on their website…</p>

<p>*During this uncertain economic climate, not all scholarships listed on this site will be available for the 2009-2010 academic year. Please check with the designated department for more information. We will continue to update this site when additional information is available. *</p>

<p>They haven’t updated their site for the 2010-2011 year; that’s not a good sign that scholarships will be available.</p>

59

<p>Why does everyone keep talking about merit aid when they seem to qualify for need based aid from better schools than they could get merit at?</p>

60

<p>^^^</p>

<p>I think we weren’t sure if they would qualify for enough need at other schools (that didn’t include a bunch of loans). Yes, they would qualify for good aid at ivies (and similar), but her stats aren’t high enough for ivies - she could apply though.</p>

<p>There seems to be this gap…elite schools that meet 100% of need without loans, and then others who meet need by loading the FA package with loans.</p>

<p>Which schools do you think that she could get accepted to, AND will give her good aid without a bunch of loans?</p>