Yep, the peanut gallery has no idea what it is talking about.
I think my kid thought where she went to college was a measure of her self-worth. She wanted her #1 choice.
She’s no dummy! She noticed how teachers & other adults lit up when someone would say they are going to attend —Top 20 U — And when she said she was going to University of Kentucky? Quizzical looks. Or a pause then a polite tight smile. Oh! Kentucky! Do you like basketball?
These are things you can help your kid prepare for. And, hopefully she will feel proud of the merit scholarships she qualifies for, and consider it good fortune instead of a consolation prize.
It’s good you are on top of it now! Keep us posted!
I think you should have your D do an overnight visit at both safeties. Spend Friday going to some classes, and then stay overnight with a current student. Go to some concerts there if you are within driving distance, meet with someone in the Spanish and history dept. If she does not want to stay overnight with a girl she does not know, at least visit and sit in on a couple of classes, check out the music opportunities. I don’t know how affordable Catholic University is, but the school is fairly conservative. My D visited and found many students unmotivated, but I believe there is an honors college. It was not a good fit for my D, but it is in DC and maybe worth a look.
My son had a full ride at UTD but he declined so I understand your dilemma. Do take a second look at Baylor, its not as religious and white as it used to be. They give generous merit scholarships and attract lots of national merit scholars and others too. Students who prefer smaller private schools and doesn’t get admission or merit scholarships from Rice University, often pick Baylor over UT, UTD, A&M.
If you live in Dallas or Austin area then its only 1.5 hours so far enough for her and close enough for you. They have all girls dorms and even mixed dorms have separate wings in dorms for different genders so its a positive if that’s a consideration for you. Pre-Med track and related majors at Baylor are really strong. Unlike UTD’s community college like culture Baylor gives full college experience with nice campus, sports and traditions.
If you want, you can look at OSS schools as well but staying in state at driveable distance can help with logistics and expenses. It makes life easy for them and for parents as well. She can always go OSS for masters.