<p>"College Visits - what to look for" was great. Now S needs help with the next step - choosing a college. S has narrowed his list to two colleges, both of which he will re-visit this month. We are planning to sit him down and fill in a spreadsheet together comparing the schools. Other than the surface comparisons of tuition/fees, scholarship and what's required to keep it, school population, car on campus, etc., what are some important ideas/items/subjects/questions that other people have discussed with their children in arriving at this very important decision? Every suggestion will be taken to heart.
Thanks,
Tabbyzmom</p>
<p>Assuming that the financial side is roughly equal and won't trump any other considerations, I would say most of the decisions were "gut" decisions.
DD wanted to be far from home - so proximity to transportation home was important to me (SHE chose to ignore that in her decision making, but I still think that especially if they are far away, ease of getting home is important), she very much wants to spend some prolonged time abroad, but couldn't see herself staying for a full semester, so quarter system was a selling point for her.
I would add:
1) Homey things - food, is it decent, with some variety, rate the living arrangements
2) How many kids graduate in 4 years? And why do they not graduate? Is it hard to get required classes, do lots of kids transfer? Or is there a big part time population?
3) What resources are there for students in his prospective major to land internships, job shadowing, co-op, etc. Does one school have an edge in career counseling?
4) Which one makes him feel the most at home/exhilarated/smile the most?</p>
<p>5) Know his comfort zone. When it gets down to it, does S prefer...warm weather? Sunshine? Similar social groups? Racial diversity? Geographic diversity? Big cities? Easy access to home? Or is he oblivious to external conditions? Big fish in a small pond type? Shy? Daring? Workaholic? Boozie? Anonymous type in a huge pond?</p>
<p>Some of the boundaries can be stretched or shaped, but not every category....</p>
<p>cangel - your point about studying abroad and the quarter system is a good one, which I don't think many people consider when choosing a college. Like Dartmouth, Stanford is on the quarter system, and many engineering and science students are able to take advantage of studying abroad or other similar programs, like the Stanford in Washington (DC) program. It is much easier to fit something like this into your schedule even with a major which has many requirements if you are only committing yourself to being away for one third of an academic year (or one twelfth of your college career) as opposed to one half an academic year (or one eighth of your college career). My son did not think of this concept when he chose Stanford over other schools on the semester system, but he was able to take advantage of a quarter away from campus this fall without worrying about fulfilling his major requirements.</p>
<p>When you have it down to 2, first take a deep breath - you have not only one, but 2 great options! Count your blessings!</p>
<p>But then think seriously about why you are going to college and which one will help you achieve those goals best (even if you don't know why you are going/what you want to study, this applies - which has the best advising programs to help you find your passions?), and make you happy while doing it. </p>
<p>Also, if the prices are very different, something that has helped me in the past is to focus on the pros of the more expensive thing (smaller class sizes maybe? more prestige?, etc.) and ask myself, is it worth X dollars to me, dollars that I could use for a, b, or c, later to get the things I listed?</p>
<p>My D did struggle hard with her final decision over a period of several weeks. There were two very different main contenders -- an honors program with nice scholarship at an out-of-state but excellent state school (three hours away), or full pay at a single-sex LAC (five hours away). </p>
<p>If money had not been an issue, the LAC would have been the clear choice. But we had told her she would have to assume part of the financial burden of the LAC. So her struggle was over cost vs. fit, co-ed vs. single-sex, graduating with some loans versus graduating with money left over for a car and an apartment, etc., etc.</p>
<p>She made a trip to the state school for an admitted students day and honors scholars program, and had mixed reactions. She then attended a regional admitted students tea for the LAC and came home sold. (I now refer to this occasion as the annual $40,000 tea!) She said she just felt she fit in so well with the other students and alumnae representing the LAC. After this occasion there was no more wavering or indecision. She decided to use her AP credits to shave off a semester or two at the LAC to address some of the cost difference.</p>
<p>So my advice is to visit and see where the student seems to feel most comfortable. Sometimes "gut" reaction should be heeded, as Cangel notes - it did work out for my D. She felt right at home with the LAC group. No regrets that I know of.</p>
<p>Yes, MotherofTwo, and she noted this herself - personally I don't like the quarter system, and this does put her out of step with some good friends, but she is considering pre-med, wants to major in a non-science, and wants to get it all done in 4 years - that's a full plate at a selective school. She said Dartmouth was the first place where she actually understood how going abroad could work - all I could see was where will you live when you get back, but they may have that fixed by her soph year!</p>
<p>At Stanford you are guaranteed a room when you get back, but you have no say in the location or your roommate. It seems to work out - at least it did for my son. Another advantage of the quarter system is it gives you a chance to "try" subjects you aren't sure about, without committing yourself for half a year. The disadvantage is that the courses move very quickly, obviously. And, as you mentioned, the calendar is different than other schools, which can be hard for starting a summer job (late) as well as being out of step with friends at other schools.</p>
<p>Thanks, these are wonderful suggestions and many will be used in our "discussion." I appreciate them all.
Strangely, I am going to feel happy and yet sad whichever one he chooses. Happy for him. Sad because we have encountered such nice people at both colleges and they've been so kind to my S.
Thanks, CC friends!!</p>
<p>I liked the advice someone recently gave on the college visit thread - was there a place on campus where you felt particularly comfortable, where you could see yourself hanging out?</p>
<p>But, I also think it's important to think about the person you hope to become in the next four years...and which college experience is going to help you get there (and I'm not just talking about a career). Sometimes, I think, kids tend to pick colleges because they feel familiar and safe --- but after a few years, familiar and safe isn't always fulfilling. So, sometimes it's a good idea to ask "which college has the students that I most want to be like four years from now?"</p>
<p>And, re the studying abroad: my daughter likes schools that have study abroad options of various lengths too --- but it's not necessary to go to a school on the quarter system to have a shorter study abroad experience. We've found some schools run terrific six week summer study abroad programs or offer a January or May program abroad in addition to their regular semester and year-long programs.</p>
<p>The quarter system does have some advantages, but do realise, if funds are tight, you are buying 50% more books each year and they are no cheaper for a quater class, so you may spend another $500 per school year :(</p>
<p>You may be right, but at Stanford students often take less classes at a time on the qurater system. Different classes are worth different units, but with 5 unit courses a student would be taking only 3 classes for a typical load.</p>
<p>Carolyn, you are absolutely right about shorter study abroad programs, I know, for example that Rice offers a whole bunch of 3 week programs over the summer (I'm doing England/Scotland for 3 weeks in May/June! Hooray!) often with specific focuses, like language or comparative policy. Also, many/most schools offer alternative spring break trips abroad, and some probably have summer service trips.</p>