<p>Thank you for the insight ECmotherx2. Eckerd is still on the table, although my kids primary business interest is more in the realm of finance (a major not offered) rather than international /marketing/entrepreneurship realm. I do still think if marine bio was what a student was interested in, Eckerd is the best choice college those facilities and opps were way cool. I just personally didnt like the uber casual hippie vibe atmosphere (that may be a real plus for some). Part of my negative first impression was also based on some other issues, likely relating to the particular people we talked with when there. For example, my son does have some special challenges- (noted in previous post). We are upfront about this as the best college match for him is going to be a place where he has the appropriate supports. Because of his auditory processing issues, albeit mild, and the fact he is a visual learner, he flunked Spanish in middle school and aced ASL in high school. We queried admissions staff and foreign languages faculty representative whether American Sign Language (college level transfer credit) could count for the foreign language requirement. No. It is considered a foreign language by the state of Florida for high schools and all of the public universities in Florida . We are private, so we dont have to honor that. Would it make a difference as part of his accommodations? Well check on that and get back to you. Or not. As I type this, Im thinking I better also key into CC forums for special needs but maybe some parents on this forum are also in this boat (Just for the record, the accommodations required for success in hs (GPA 2.3 4.0) were not huge (e.g. teacher writing assignment on board instead of just announcing it verbally, study skills class instead of plain study hall for executive functioning support and instruction )</p>
<p>Popping over here from the H.S. 2013 thread and interested in the impressions of Eckerd. D13 applied EA and was accepted without a visit (she interviewed with an ad rep in our hometown). We went to an accepted students weekend fully expecting to love the school, but D decided a few hours into the visit that it was not for her. The biggest disappointment was the lack of diversity. The students did come from all over the U.S. (and much was made of that fact by admissions folks), but racially/ethnically/linguistically seemed overwhelmingly similar. (This was even mentioned as a problem in the college newspaper that I picked up.) The college has a larger F/M imbalance than many other LACs. D felt the “skateboard/hippie vibe” was more noticeable in the men and that the women seemed more “mainstream” and more academically-oriented. She was also turned off by the prayer that was part of dinner. We knew that Eckerd is a Presbyterian school, but other religiously-affiliated schools that we visited seemed more sensitive to those of other/no religious beliefs. D said current students at her table said prayers were a regular part of campus events, which may be fine for many people, but just not for her. On the other hand, we all agreed that the setting, on Boca Ciega Bay, is lovely. St. Pete has a lot to offer in the arts and culture dept. On campus, the marine science facilities are amazing, and the newer buildings (esp. the library) are spectacular, but the older ones (and older dorms) seem quite dated, some in need of repair. Eckerd doesn’t offer overnight visits, even for accepted students, so we were only offered a look at a model dorm room. It seemed a shame that D didn’t get the chance to meet any current students up close and personal. Overnight visits really helped her make her final decision about which college felt like the right one.</p>
<p>Wintriest- I think your impressions are dead on, and thanks for the additional input. I was unaware of the the prayer thing that would definitely be a turnoff for this particular kid of mine. It seems that religiously-affiliated schools really vary as to how religious they really are on a day-to-day basis…from a student ambassador giving the tour not even knowning what denomination the school is affiliated with to one practically trying to convert my older S during a private campus tour (visits at other colleges elsewhere- 3 years ago). Where did D end up going, by the way?</p>
<p>tpcrd66- if you are heading to IL to look at Bradley and DePaul for Game Design, while you are in the area, be sure to visit Elmhurst College as well. (match school for this 3.0-3.3 GPA demographic of kid as well). The Game Design program at EC is more “computery” and less “artsy” than some. (knowledge applicable for jobs areas such as flight simulator programming and such). Attractive classic small LAC campus vibe, Elmhurst is nice 'burb re shops and restaurants, and kids can catch the train 1 block away to downtown Chicago. (My oldest son was 3.0 GPA, 29ACT and got $15,000/yr automatic merit money there)</p>
<p>Fogfog- My DS is finishing his freshman year at University of Alabama. He got a fantastic merit scholarship. He was at the top of his class and is in the engineering program. I can say that he is being challenged academically. With classes like physics, Calculus, and other advanced math and engineering classes I can’t imagine them not being challenged. If they take the right classes they will get that. I wonder why someone would feel its not academic enough. They have accredited programs and I hear tons of great things from other people on the UA forum. There are tons of things to do, intellectual, athletic and social. I would be thrilled if my DD wanted to go there as well, though she won’t be getting the merit scholarship. There will always be people who say one college isn’t as good as another. How can you really judge that? The faculty come from all over and have terminal degrees. It is impossible to compare one class to the same one at another school. Everyone comes into it with different backgrounds and expectations. UA is a fine school and it is worth considering, even without a scholarship.</p>
<p>Wintriest - thanks for the views on Eckerd. Again, the things you list as negative are the things that my guy likes about the place except it’ll be a bummer that he can’t spend the night there - we’ll have to allow more time just alone on campus so he can strike up some conversations with others. The F/M issue? I showed him a pic that suggested it and he perked up saying, “That’s definitely where I want to go…” The dorms? He’d be happy with a tent in the Everglades and using a port-o-john. The prayer? We’re Christian and he actually wanted a Christian school before I made him look at others. (I wasn’t aware that Eckerd was that Christian… but it won’t be a negative for him.) If we could be full pay I’m thinking his college search would be over, but, nonetheless, he’ll keep plugging along looking for others out there to have on his list.</p>
<p>I do believe it really is a fit thing. I’m glad there are oodles of options for different students.</p>
<p>Proudmama - there really is a difference, but it doesn’t mean UAlabama is “bad” by any stretch of the imagination and with this being a 3.0 - 3.3 thread, UA could fit right in for many. The son who had applied to (and visited) UA was high stat and simply preferred a more academic school - meaning the students were more focused on academics/research than sports and other such things in their “everyday life.” He wanted a “nerd school” so to speak. He also preferred smaller. He noticed the difference in schools right away with visits - as have others who prefer more of a UA type of school and choose against his school. Again, it’s a fit thing - very similar to the liking/disliking Eckerd. It’s not a good vs bad thing. Kids can succeed in life from either place and many more.</p>
<p>Schools are definitely not the same with fit and if we’re trying to discern fit from afar, it helps to know what others thought about places. Someone’s pros can be another’s cons and vv.</p>
<p>I’m enjoying hearing about places as kids at the school where I work are generally in the search themselves. Knowing more info about more schools helps me both understand the schools they choose to apply to and offer suggestions when they are in the search mode.</p>
<p>There is a thread on CC asking if college visits are important. Aspects of colleges that appeal to some students and parents are deal breakers for others. I believe that these visits are important to help the students to decide where they will live and study and who their friends will become for the next four years. Some clarification on Eckerd. The Center for Spiritual Life has a Chaplain and assistant female Chaplain, (an alum), a Catholic priest and a campus Rabbi. The assistant Chaplain and Rabbi offer a prayer and reflection during the dinner on the first evening of the accepted student weekend. The accepted students are seated at dinner with current students, the parents sit with other parents, faculty, staff and members of the Parent Council. After dinner, the students spend several hours at the waterfront with games, activities and making s’mores with current students. The parents have a reception with faculty, counselors and other parents of current students. Earlier on the first day, there is a parent session with a current student panel and a prospective student session with a current student panel. The next day, the prospective students go to breakfast in the cafeteria with current students, the parents have a separate breakfast with the President of the College, Dean of Faculty, Dean of students and have a question and answer session. The students attend a class and there are breakout sessions for parents on financial aid, international education, career services, counseling etc. There are also boat rides and plenty of time to schedule appointments with specific professors, etc. This is followed by a lunch with parents and students together. I think that finding the college or university that is the right fit for our children will help to ensure their success.</p>
<p>@davzmom: D is going to Mills College in Oakland CA, which is on the opposite coast from us, but she’s very excited about her choice. As a women’s college (at least for undergrads), it wouldn’t be on your list!
@Creekland: Isn’t it great that there are so many different options out there for every kind of kid? I hope your son loves Eckerd–it sounds like a great fit for him.</p>
<p>To all parents of B students in the class of '14: don’t worry! D13 was definitely not a stellar student, especially since she insisted on taking accelerated and AP courses even if it meant getting a few C’s (and even one D) because she wanted to be in challenging classes with bright classmates. When she finalized her list of 12 colleges to apply to (all EA), we had no idea if whether she had a chance at admission to any of them. Many were schools that few students had applied to from her HS, so Naviance data wasn’t very helpful. By Thanksgiving, she had been accepted to two with merit scholarships, much to our delight! It turned out that she got in to all 12, which was actually a problem when it came to visiting and making final decisions. Some of them had to be rejected sight unseen. If we had known, we wouldn’t have encouraged her to apply to so many. I think one of the reasons she had so many admits (besides her wonderful personality, of course!) was that she applied to schools looking for geographical diversity, in the midwest, south, and west, rather than so many in the NE, where most of the kids at her HS applied. Even those nearer (like SUNY Binghamton) were looking for OOS students and offered her enough merit money to make the COA there about the same as our state U. I would definitely keep that in mind. Also, for parents of girls, if your daughter is willing to give women’s colleges a look, there are many great ones out there for B students. My D visited Smith and Mt. Holyoke junior year, and it convinced her that she’d be fine attending a single-sex school. She was offered the most merit at the two women’s colleges she applied to. For parents of boys, your sons will be a desired commodity at many LACs! Good luck to all of you!</p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am new to CC. I am glad to see there are options for B students. My son is a B student at a very competitive HS in Maine. He takes honors and AP classes and his GPA is an 89 which is considered a B at his school (7 point scale vs 10). To me this makes it hard to compare his GPA ( not on a 4 point scale) to the GPA listed on college sites. He does well on standard test - PSAT 208 and I assume he will do well on the SAT he will take next weekend. My concern is how do we find the right schools for him with merit money. I know that the IVYs are out of the question and he does not want to travel more than 7 hrs from home. I am now thinking about schools in Canada - Does any know anything about Dalhousie in Nova Scotia?Also - Any thoughts on other schools in NE /NY/Virginia?</p>
<p>Welcome onlyonemom. The first question is have you considered your own state flagship, University of Maine? It is always hard to find a better value than your own state university. I have heard good things here on CC about their Honors Program. We were going to visit UMaine today but plans changed. Good luck in your search!</p>
<p>Thank you BobbyCT. I should have added that we are looking at small LA schools with neuroscience majors. UMaine is a nice school but it is too large and does not have a Neuroscience major.</p>
<p>Hi</p>
<p>My friend from hs- who is on FB- sent me this comment re Eckerd</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>They had hoped for a little more balance and more conservative campus. The dd has Several pets living in the dorm room as well.</p>
<p>ymmv</p>
<p>Hi was looking at the 2013 thread for the 3.0s…here is a list of acceptances</p>
<p>Agnes Scott
Albright
Adelphi x 2
American (WMP)
Anderson University (with merit)
Arcadia x 3
Baldwin Wallace
Beloit x 3
Bellarmine
Bryant
Cal Lutheran ($11K) X 2
CSU Fullerton
CSU Monterey Bay
CSU Sacramento
Catholic University (DC)
Champlain
Chapman
Christopher Newport
Clark
Coastal Carolina
College of Wooster
Colorado State (5K Dean’s/OOS)
Cornell College
DeSales
DePaul
Drew
Earlham x3
Eckerd x 3 (13.5K)
Elon (fall admit)
Elon (admitted Spring, waitlisted Fall) x 2
Fairfield
Fordham
Fort Lewis College
George Mason
Gonzaga (3K)
Goucher x 6
Guilford x 3
Hampshire
Hofstra x 3
Humboldt State
Indiana University
Indiana Wesleyan
Ithaca x 4
James Madison
Kenyon
Knox x 2
Lake Forest
Lawrence (WI)
Loyola Maryland
Loyola New Orleans
Lycoming
Mt St Mary’s U (MD)
Marlboro
Marquette
Methodist University
Miami OH x 3
Mills
Monmouth University (NJ) x2
Montana State (with 5k merit)
Muhlenberg
New College of Florida
Northern Arizona U
Oberlin
Ohio Wesleyan x 5 (23K) ($25.5K)
Oregon State (2K/OOS)
Penn State - Behrend
Reed
Rider x 2
RIT x2 (but admitted to 3rd choice major)
Roanoke X 3
Roger Williams U (11k merit)
San Diego State (in region)
St Anselm
St Edward’s
St Marys (CA) x 2
St Marys (MD)
Salisbury (MD)
Sarah Lawrence
Siena x 2
Simmons
Seattle U
Sonoma State
Southern Oregon x 2
SUNY Albany
SUNY Binghamton (deferred EA, still waiting to hear) x 3
SUNY Fredonia
SUNY Geneseo
SUNY Potsdam
SUNY Purchase
Suffolk
Susquehanna x 4
Syracuse
Taylor University (with small merit)
Towson
Tulane
U Arizona (6K and iPad)
U of Arkansas
UC Merced
UC Santa Cruz
U Connecticut x 2
U Delaware (waitlist)
U Denver X 4 Zip merit
U Hartford
UMBC x2
UMCP
U Maine - Orono
UMass Amherst (accepted Undeclared. Waiting to hear about getting into Engineering)
UMass Lowell (1/2 tuition and fees, about $5900 in-state)
U New Hampshire
U New Haven
UNC Ashville
UNC Wilmington (Spring admission)
U Oregon
U of the Pacific
U Pittsburgh
U Puget Sound x 3 (23K)
U Redlands x 2 (13K)
U Rhode Island
U San Francisco x 2
U of South Florida (Summer admission)
U of West Florida
Ursinus x 2
Wagner
Warren Wilson College x 4
Western New England Univ (13K merit)
Western Washington U x 2 (4K/OOS)
Willamette x 3 (13K) (20K)
Winthrope University
Washington College x 2
Washington College (waitlist)</p>
<p>@onlyonemom
Dalhousie is a good medium-sized university and Halifax is a great city, but it is not a small LA college. If you’re interested in the Canadian maritimes, look at Mount Allison in Sackville, NB and Acadia in Wolfville, NS, both of which are more like LACs in the U.S. I don’t know about neuroscience, but Mount Allison U in particular has a great overall reputation. But if you’re considering Canada for financial reasons, I think that your son will get some good merit scholarships at some of the less uber-competitive LACs on this side of the border. Taking challenging classes at a well-known HS will help him, as it definitely did for my D. If a school really is interested in your S, they will put together a good package of merit and need-based aid to lure him there!</p>
<p>@fogfog: I followed that thread for awhile and it should be noted that some of the colleges listed came from applicants with higher scores than the 3.0-3.3 range. It is generally accurate overall but wanted to offer that disclaimer. There are some real gems I learned about from that list.</p>
<p>Interesting comment about Eckerd, fogfog. We’ll see what a visit brings. On another board I ran across someone else with a friend whose student goes there and they didn’t feel drugs/drinking were more of a problem there than at any other school. I guess it would matter which school they are comparing it to. </p>
<p>Neither the pets in the dorm nor the barefoot thingy will bug my guy, but my guy neither drinks nor uses drugs at this point. Neither of his brothers chose to in college either, though both know students who do choose to do so. Hopefully there will be others at Eckerd who share his love of life and the planet without needing artificial highs (should that be where he ends up). Colleges we’ve heard about in HI seem to also be big with the drug culture, so there may not be much difference.</p>
<p>wintriest - thank you for the info. I was thinking that Canadian schools for financial reasons. However, Dalhousie looks like it has a robust Neuroscience program (according to its website) but size is a factor. I am glad to hear that he would be eligible for merit money. He does not want to be that far out of NE so that may limit him. I don’t think he cares about name recognition only about the program as he plans to go to graduate school. Any suggestions would be helpful. So far he likes Brandeis, University of New England, Wheaton, Hobart and William Smith.</p>
<p>@ onlyonemom: </p>
<p>I am a student, but I have to hijack this thread because i feel compelled to advocate Canadian colleges 
</p>
<p>I lived in Nova Scotia for a year, and I visited several colleges (it was my sophomore year). My best friend now attends mount Allison, and my other close Friends attend Dalhousie, Acadia and several of the other colleges in the maritimes. </p>
<p>Dalhousie is located in one of the most stunning cities. Halifax feels like Boston, but on a much smaller scale. Downtown has the same airy maritime vibe, some eccentric people, beautiful historic places and small shops.
Dalhousie is situated in the midst of it all; absolutely beautiful.
Their science departments are amazing; two of my friends are currently enrolled in the bachelor if science program; they absolutely love it. Their facilities are quite great.
Acadia is located in a much smaller, but nonetheless nice little town (wolfeville)., which looks and feels like Maine, imo. The campus especially beautiful. My best male friends went there for a science/engineering degree, and both of them are experiencing a very challenging program but also the faculty to support them with their high workloads.
The students at Mount A have a blast together. The campus is very active and students don’t mind the rather rural location because they don’t venture off campus anyway. Their neuroscience program is also respectable, although of course less research-oriented then at Dal. The campus is quite nice as well, but the landscape in New Brunswick is quite different - Probably more like Wisconsin.
It is a Short Drive from canada to the US; driving from New England to any of the given locations Would Take less than a day.
Don’t worry about the winters, they are quite mild. About 2 months of snow; typically 1 of them will be freezing cold, but not beyond manageability. </p>
<p>Merit scholarships are given based on average on a 100% scale. They end up being cheaper than many in-state publics. </p>
<p>Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Thank you Sophie Isabel! I will share your wisdom with my son!</p>
<p>Evening all</p>
<p>K2 had prom last week and a big EC event this week</p>
<p>Can’t believe Jr yr is almost over.</p>
<p>Happy to read so many thoughts/reviews. The updated college visit reports are helpful!</p>
<p>This time next yr Our biggest issues will be planning for graduation and move in :)</p>
<p>BobbyCT
IS there a way you could repost the list with those which requiring higher stats in red?</p>