Great teachers, bad schedule for DD.
@stardustmom: A daughter of some good family friends just graduated UCSC and we did get a brief look a couple years ago at part of the school and her particular dorm. I know what you mean about spread out and I’m not surprised they have to shuttle all over. S18 liked the laid back vibe of CSU Sonoma, so it’s probably worth at least a look. He might take some comfort in knowing someone who actually graduated there, too. However, suspect that he’ll balk at it once he sees the campus, but you never know.
Thanks for the tips on the art schools. I’ll definitely get in some research on them to see if they’re possibles.
@labegg: That stinks. Saw your post on the other thread and thought the couple of ideas weren’t bad. If the GC is actually doing one of the LOR then can easily be explained. Plus, the overall courses are challenging and she gets great teachers. Hope it works out!
@MACmiracle re:schools doing things differently, I do get nervous when schools try out “new things”. (Been the guinea pig, or my DC have been, too many times while the kinks in curriculum or school policy are worked out). Will keep my fingers crossed for your D20! My S21 got zero summer work… watched him laying on the couch in his PJs this morning while everyone else was getting ready for the day. Gave him a copy of Jules Verne to read before I left 
@rwmannesq, have you looked at U of Utah? It has gaming and graphic design, offers ‘coupons’ (plus is a WUE school), is within a 2 hour flight to the Bay area.
Actually, no. That is a thought. I’ll do some research, but is the school or area moderately to strongly religious? He’s not a “believer” but goes to private Catholic HS without any issue. I know he’d take exception to strong religious overtones, though. And thanks!
@rwmannesq may I ask why CSU Chico and Sonoma? After UCSC, do you consider other UCs (USR & UCM) and the top CSUs (CalPoly SLO, CSU LB, Fullerton, SDSU). My DD’18 only interested in California schools, so she listed all UCs plus popular CSUs, but I try to get her consider other CSUs (such as SFSU, SJSU, CSUMB, etc. her SAT is higher than most CSUs 75% target, but her UC/CSU GPA is about 3.43… we were told, or kindly reminded that UCs are so competitive, her GPA won’t make to any UCs., so she has been pretty depressed about that entire summer. But we will still give a try. She is interested in Design (media, art, communication graphics) majors.
@jjkmom I don’t think your daughter should despair regarding UCs. Her GPA should be within range for the lower UCs. If she has ECs related to her intended major and a good SAT score she should be fine. Average GPA for admits at UCM is 3.56 so I would expect her to get in there, probably UCR as well. Also, a strong essay can tip the balance in her favor.
@jjkmom: I second what @stardustmom said and UC Merced and UC Riverside are good chance while UC Santa Cruz is still within reach for your D18 I’d think. The reason we’re only looking at UC Merced and CSU Sonoma is due to the lower undergrad class size. We’d prefer well under 10,000 for our particular circumstances. UC Santa Cruz is so spread out it feels the same as smaller schools. CSU Chico is just because some family friends’ kids went there and they loved it. Don’t know if it will actually make the list yet.
BTW, UCM is actually finishing building 2 brand new dorms and a lovely dining commons which will open for entering class of 2018. We saw the construction while doing a campus tour earlier this year and it significantly increases the footprint of the campus, in a good way. In 2020, they’re finishing additional improvements including new buildings for labs and seminars. They have info on their website regarding this growth. I suspect their class sizes will start rising at that point so we might get in just before the wave, if we end up there. Plus our kids would enjoy the brand spanking new facilities while still getting a UC education (arguably a very good UC education since classes there are taught by the actual professors and not by TA’s.)
Keep positive! :-bd
So, at lunch yesterday my daughter apparently changed her major. She’s going with what was her #2 choice: Event planning. Time to look at the schools she was planning to apply to and juggle a little.
@bjkmom lots of great schools for hospitality management! Guessing marketing or a business degree or coomunications could work too?
University of Houston, Michigan State, University of Nevada-LV, Florida International U, Virginia Tech, u of Central Florida, Cal State Poly,-Pomona.
What schools are on her list now?
San Jose State has a great Digital Art BFA program.
Mostly SUNY schools, within a few hours of our Long Island home.
@persimmony keep gently pushing and encouraging…some boys just really need it whether they realize it or not…
Looking for some feedback. Son startyinnsenior year will have about a 3.1 cumulative and 3.7 junior year or so DC area catholic high school. He only is interested in small Liberal arts schools, like Dickinson or Gettysburg etc… The price tags are intimidating and doubt we will get merit. Applying to Christopher Newport but that’s by the only state school he will consider. Looking at Ursinus next week, but feeling freaked out on the price tag of these schools and we won’t get any assistance, can only pay a state school tuition. Any suggestions or feedback appreciated!
Will test scores help for merit aid? An upward trend for junior year is very positive. Might consider St Mary’s in MD, Washington College in MD, St Michaels in VT just off the top of my head. Have you checked out the Colleges That Change Lives schools? Lots of gems in the midwest that offer merit aid with his GPA.
@Blmom1, our son really liked McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Your son should be able to get some scholarship money there.
Sat 1200, going to check out St Michaels, now!
He should get merit at Youngstown State, Kent State. Run their net price calculator.
For private schools check out Lycoming, Juniata, St Vincent College.
@Blmom1, has he taken the ACT? My dd did much better on that test. She’s looking at several of the same schools and her ACT score puts her within merit at many. Also, have you run the net price calculators? With a very good income, I was surprised at how much financial aid we were eligible for.