<p>Vvs, according to Gonzaga’s Common Data Set, the level of an applicant’s interest is “considered” when the adcom is reviewing an application. You can show interest by activities such as e-mailing for information, attending college fairs and visiting the Gonzaga booth, and visiting with the regional admissions representative if he/she comes to your son’s school. You do not need to make a trip, and if it is a long one, they will not expect you to do so at great expense. That said, they did seem to jump at the chance to interview our son - I think the admissions teams love to see kids in person as it gives them a chance to envision a possible member of the next class. But it is not mandatory. It is, however, a great idea to visit sometime before attending! There are many threads on CC(search “college visits” in this forum) discussing whether it is better to visit before or after you are actually admitted - peruse them for a bunch of good thoughts.</p>
<p>According to the data I have Gonzaga gives more money than Santa Clara and the NPC is less. Of course, Gonzaga is in Spokane and Santa Clara is in sunny California, which may make a difference to the student. </p>
<p>Here are the 2010-2011 numbers</p>
<p>Gonzaga: 98% of freshman receive institutional grants; Average amount $14,422, A.A. of student loans $12,222. Average Net Price after aid $27,455.</p>
<p>Santa Clara: 87% of freshman receive institutional grants;A.A.: $16,883 A.A. of student loans 18,263 Average Net Price after aid $33,890</p>
<p>AgentNinetyNine - you say Spokane versus sunny SoCal like there’s a difference! 
Yes, those are the figures I’ve been going on as well - it looks like no matter how the numbers are crunched, Santa Clara ends up at least $5K more expensive. I’d be interested to hear if anyone has visited both Gonzaga and Santa Clara, and their thoughts. We probably can’t get to Santa Clara until at least next fall, if DS is interested. He’s a 3-sport athlete, so getting time away from meets/practices can be challenging. I’ll be so interested to hear Spygirl’s take on Gonzaga! Did she happen to visit elsewhere in CA?</p>
<p>Not much of a difference, Moltian, only 40 degrees or so :)</p>
<p>Actually it’s more like an $11K difference if you look at the disparity between loan amounts. And Santa Clara would mean more money in travel for those of us in the Pacific Northwest.</p>
<p>We toured several California colleges last spring break, including Santa Clara. It is certainly a beautiful campus, perfectly manicured – almost stepford wife perfect. The new dorms they were building looked (at least from the outside) like something you’d see in Newport Beach. There was a beautiful aquatic center and an impressive business hall. Spygirl was meh about the campus. </p>
<p>We also visited Harvey Mudd (quirky cold war buildings, labs underground), Caltech (very impressive, beautiful campus, science nerd mecca), UCSB (stunning setting – terrible info session) & Stanford (Spanish style,lovely, big!) </p>
<p>Last month we visited Chapman (nice campus, lots of amenities, not a STEM kind of place) & Occidental (So far, THE most beautiful traditional style campus, VERY impressive)</p>
<p>I have not been to Santa Clara but it is very popular with kids from our HS. I think it appeals to the same kids who like Stanford campus.</p>
<p>As I sit here staring out the window at the gray skies and freezing rain - I think I may consider some colleges for myself in So Cal! </p>
<p>I think I need to have someone wire my jaw shut. I think my enthusiasm, research, cheerleading, endless discussions on college are putting my daughter into a state of constant anxiety. I’ve got to let her enjoy being in high school! She’s doing the act tutoring, the colleges are chosen, she’s keeping up with school - I must force myself to just babble endlessly here, and to hubby out of her earshot. I recognize I’m doing it, which is a start, now I need to figure out how to shut the ole pie hole.</p>
<p>I hear you, eyemamom. Someone suggested to me that the best thing to do is to have a set date once a week/every other week to discuss all things college. That way, you’re not inundating your student with information. It helps to have parent friends to talk to–whether on the phone or through cyberspace. Gotta love CC for bringing us all together! My best friend has gone through the process with two of her kids and LOVES to share advice and sympathy. It’s great to have someone removed from my immediate school community to chat with about the process. I also have some great local parents who have the same goals and ideas about education and have been very sympathetic ears to bend. Right now, DD needs to focus on her EC’s, her grades and her standardized tests. She doesn’t need her neurotic mom to contribute to her stress! But, boy, isn’t it hard keeping that piehole shut! (And I’ve had my fair share of humble pie!)</p>
<p>Right there with you eyemamom, on both counts. I remember touring Caltech, thinking * Forget the kids, I want to go here* And I’m trying not to overwhelm Spygirl with too much college information because she is overloaded at the moment between her junior year project, classes, and her EC’s. Practice for her spring sport will end at 8:30 tonight at a location an hour from home. </p>
<p>That’s a wonderful suggestion, Go2mom, but we’re not disciplined enough to set aside one timeframe per week. Lately I try not to mention anything until she brings up the subject.</p>
<p>eyemamom, that is exactly why I hang out on CC! But wiring my jaw shut seems an attractive option, what with the weight loss benefit. I am sure DH would be thrilled with the peace and quiet, too.</p>
<p>LMAO – Seattle mom! Who needs weight watchers, right? I’ll join the jaw wire club.</p>
<p>99, funny you should say that: I DO. I’ve been doing ww since Jan 1st.</p>
<p>I’ve half heartedly been doing a modified version with limited success. But spring is around the corner so I’ve been much more vigilant the past few days.</p>
<p>D11 talked me into it. She’s been half hearted and I surprised both of us by sticking to the program. 20 lbs today!!! :D</p>
<p>good for you seattlemom, I am also doing a modified ww</p>
<p>also trying to be conscious of not overloading my son with my new information about our upcoming college trip, etc. He’s taking his first SAT tomorrow and has prepped well, so I want to let him chill as you all have said…</p>
<p>Good luck to lindzson!!</p>
<p>Are we all trying to get fit for the grad photos? (j/k)</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I have my D1’s college graduation in May, S1’s college grad was last May…(didn’t get to goal last May :(</p>
<p>But I bet you looked and felt better than when you started!!!</p>
<p>I am a looong way from goal but it sure feels good to carry around 20 fewer pounds.</p>
<p>I took S’14 to urgent care tonight with a temp of 103.8. Bronchitis. Second trimester finals start tomorrow. Thankfully, all of his finals are Thursday and Friday. He got a z-pack and steroids so I hope he’s good for finals on Thursday. ACT is next week. He’s not getting much studying done this week. Poor kid is miserable. Yesterday, when it was 101, I figured it was the flu.</p>
<p>Hi New to CC. Interesting dilemma:
Daughter has done fantastic in HS (10th - 12th grade) 3.9 average first 3 semesters, but a 3.2 GPA in a rigorous middle school (9th grade). Current total UW GPA is 3.6.<br>
Outstanding ECs.</p>
<p>SAT and ACT test scores are WAY lower than expected and lower than PSAT. 
23/1660 (no prep–and scores reflect it) </p>
<p>Need to re-evaluate college options now that many of Ds target schools may be out of reach (Wisconsin, Ill., Boston U.)</p>
<p>D wants to major in marketing or retail management and minor in Spanish. </p>
<p>D is wondering what Midwest and East Coast schools she should consider. She wants a larger school (7,500+) with a Greek system (mom and both grandmothers were sorority girls) and plenty of spirit. </p>
<p>If test scores do not improve by the end of June, what schools do you recommend D consider where she has a shot at merit aid or just getting in? Thanks.</p>
<p>BarnardMom – that’s a scary high fever. Can he get some special treatment from teachers because he was legitimately sick? It would be a good “learning moment” because college kids get sick before big tests too. Hope the Z-pack kicks in. </p>
<p>Welcome momofwon – you might want to look at the test optional schools. Like Smith! I have to plug my alma mater where she would get a great education and Smith is test optional.</p>
<p>Blueiguana provided a really good link several posts back. I’m too tired to find it, but here is another basically equivalent list: [The</a> National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/]The”>http://www.fairtest.org/) There are many competitive schools on there plus many that your child might find are good matches or safeties. I believe Denison is score-optional and they have a Greek system.</p>
<p>I don’t think Boston U is out of reach at all. Plus she might want to consider Northeastern. And UMass Amherst might be worth looking at. </p>
<p>Most importantly, it sounds like this was her first time taking the tests. She did very decently. </p>
<p>Good luck. Keep posting. We are a very friendly, informative group.</p>