My daughter...schools & chances

<p>TSDAD et al -</p>

<p>I live near GMU too. My comment was misunderstood. By nicer community, I mean academic community of students...more companionable, more kids remaining on campus on weekends, more tight knit, etc. I did not mean suburban vs. rural. JMU is really loved by many high school students here for its all-around quality.</p>

<p>Of course, environmental fit is important, but that's not what my post was about. We've lived in northern VA and we've lived in central VA, so my DS could cut either way, but we deliberately avoided some fine rural schools because DS is accustomed to more, and though he says he would be fine without them, we know that's not the case.</p>

<p>If I were looking at an urban/close-in suburban school for IR, I'd look at GWU, GT, and AU not GMU because I love the vibrant city atmosphere and campus life that just is not at GMU. Also I'm a GWU grad and hubby is AU grad, so we're biased.</p>

<p>Peace.</p>

<p>northeastmom,
my d was accepted to JMU and had the same concerns as you. It seemed very difficult to get to northwestern NJ without a car - would take much longer and cost much more than the 6-7 hr car ride. BUT one can bring a car after freshman yr (although JMU charges a fee to park it there). What we were told is that the shuttle runs basically are there for VA residents and don't work out too well for oos. Most oos kids rely on getting rides from upperclassmen from their geographic area with cars. I believe there's a ride board available.</p>

<p>If applying t JMU, I would suggest doing it early action. We knew a kid who was rejected with higher stats than my d but he did it as a last minute thing. My d got 2 early acceptances (JMU & Towson) and that really took the pressure off during the winter/spring months.</p>

<p>I have to agree on Towson and merit money vs. UMD. My D. applied to Towson as a safety and was offered pretty much a full ride there. She elected to go to UMD though. (She will be entering her sophomore year in the Honors program and loves it! - Its like a small school within the big school).</p>

<p>One thing about Towson, if I recall there was no essay on the initial application. When she was invited to honors she had an essay to fill out. It does not have the reputation that UMD does but kids I know that go there say they love it and the dorms are nicer. It is considered to be easier to get into than UMD. But like UMD it's getting harder to get into. I used to think of Towson as a teacher college but I was told that the art program there is very strong. And I know someone who went there for dance.</p>

<p>There is a huge difference between a school like James Madison (my D. also applied there and was invited to honors) and Mount Saint Mary's..The Mount is very small. JMU is quite large. The Mount also has a strong Catholic influence in the area.
Someone told me that JMU stood for Just Missed University of Virgina..ie all the kids that cant get into UVA apply there..(that wasn't very nice..sorta colored my perspective on the school.)</p>

<p>D. also was offered a $20,000 yearly scholarship to American U. I understand it has some interesting programs but is pretty pricey..20K was a drop in the bucket towards the total price. I dont think AU is that difficult to get into.</p>

<p>BTW Taxguy...I am not going to flame you..naturally you feel Towson is better than UMD and I think UMD is better than Towson. HOWEVER I will say D. does NOT feel like a number. In fact, one fear I had was that she would get lost in the shuffle..but absolutely not. Things have just gone smoothly. For a big school they have some nice checks and balances in place.
Many of her classes have been small..but she is in Honors and did start with a lot of credits from AP exams so she bypassed some courses.
She LOVES UMDCP!</p>

<p>thumper..one of my hubbys professors in his MBA program..used to say that he went to HARTFORD in such a way that it sounded like HARVARD !!! LOL what a hoot..Deliberate of course.</p>

<p>JMU is probably a better college experience, and more selective, than GMU although academically GMU may be stronger in a few departments.</p>

<p>a quick word about mt. saint mary's--it is in a terrible area. i grew up in the area and went to high school in newburgh, had several friends who went to the mount, the area has only gotten MUCH worse in the last 25 years. my H and i moved our kids out of the area, also to central ny, when they became school age to get them away from the environment there. the mount really doesn't have any redeeming qualities that would make me choose it over any SUNY. did you look at suny old westbury or suny purchase, they are also close to nyc.</p>

<p>I think Towson is a better choice if you are not getting into the UMD honors program bcs of class sizes at UMD. I am sure if you can place out of the 101 classes then UMD might be a very good choice. I like Towson because of the smaller classes.</p>

<p>Jerzgrlmom thanks for the wonderful advice about applying. Also than you, and Tsdad for the heads up about the transportation out of Harrisonburg.</p>

<p>Whoa....momof3teens..I absolutely dont know what you mean by terrible area..If you mean nothing going on..YES ..there is very little to do there..but that hardly makes it terrible.
I live about 25 - 30 minutes from the Mount and its a fabulous area in terms of hardly any crime, decent schools and housing etc.
Are we talking about the same Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg?</p>

<p>i assumed it was mt. saint mary's in newburgh, new york becuase the OP also talked about SUNY new paltz, which is 35 min. from mt. st. mary's. different school!!!</p>

<p>I did mean the Mount St. Mary's in Maryland. We visited Towson & Goucher today. My D liked Towson. Will visit Randolph-Macon tomarrow before we are out of the country for a week, then will visit Mt.. Mary's on our way home.</p>

<p>Whew momof3teens..thats a relieve..I was wondering what I missed!</p>

<p>It is a nice area..just not alot to do. Very small college..very small town.</p>

<p>Visited Randolph-Macon on Saturday & Ireally liked it! However my daughter is more impressed with the urban area schools. Question....given her mediocre SAT scores should she take the ACT even though none of the schools she's looking at list an average score for it? She'll be retaking the SAT in Oct.</p>

<p>Hi csdad. My d did take the ACT, as her SAT scores were really lousy. She hates that test. Her ACT's were somewhat better. I'd convert her ACT score to be around 70 points higher than SAT. (Trust me her SAT's were really-really lousy). If your daughter can stomach taking another test, I'd suggest she do so. I believe the test is 10/22. Even on LI, the guidance counselors are suggesting that the kids take both tests if they are not satisfied with their initial SAT score. The info needed for both tests aren't that different but the format is- so she should get the official ACT book (Peterson is the publisher) and familiarize herself with the test. A good thing about the ACT is that no one has to see the score if you do not send it to the HS or release it to any of the colleges. The Oct. test results will probably become available to you via website by Nov. 5th. If the scores are better than the SAT, you'll have plenty of time to request the scores sent to the colleges. I know your d is thinking GMU. My d really liked it. It was suburban area but easy commute into DC.</p>

<p>angstridden, I am glad that your daughter likes UMD. Certainly UMD has a stronger reputation in most areas over Towson as far as the ratings go. However, as a former professor in UMD business school and having a son who attends Towson, I personally liked Towson better for some kids. Why?</p>

<p>I like smaller classes. It is easier to teach kids and easier to get questions answered for the kids. I like the fact that more kids get money and a lot of it. Maryland treats its students as if they are doing the students a favor and not the other way around. </p>

<p>I like that fact that no graduate students teach at Towson, unlike Maryland that uses grad students aplenty in some departments.</p>

<p>Moreover, in my opinion, Towson has a smaller college feel and not simply due to the fact that Towson has one-half the number of students of Maryland. I also felt that Towson has a better performing arts department and certainly has more courses offered in visual arts that that of Maryland. </p>

<p>I also liked the Towson on campus dorms and appartments better that that of Maryland and felt a bit safer from crime at Towson than in College Park.</p>

<p>Finally, I do believe that Maryland, while it has very strong programs, is not hugely well known outside of the state. Thus, job prospects would probably be the same graduating from there as from Towson. To me success in life is based on skills, effort and luck. Again, this is my belief. </p>

<p>Also, Towson doesn't have engineering. Thus, it isn't really a good option for kids interested in this.</p>

<p>Finally, I should note that I am a HUGE Terp fan. I love Maryland football. </p>

<p>However, all of this is my opinion based on my biases. I am sure that Maryland may be much better for some kids, as seems to be the case of your daughter.</p>