Sad that DS20 ended up on the waitlist for NEU instead of accepted. He has great choices in Pitt and American as his top 2 as it stands. So now decisions.
My husband is upset that DS20 won’t consider UMass, but he has never wanted to go there. Honestly I am fine with him going away for school, but now the pandemic is giving me pause. I want to keep him closer to home (MA). I don’t want to force his hand on it because I feel like it would backfire, but I do wish he would give UMass a chance too.
Rambling here, but I am thinking it’s going to be Pitt. Which is a great school, I want to get excited for him and am. It’s a little more than UMass, but not as much as American and he really likes it there. I wish I could just relax and have faith. But oh how I wish NEU had worked out.
Anyone else struggling with their kid going further away with the way the world is right now?
Congratulations to all the acceptances and decisions made recently!! So exciting for everyone. S20 and parents received a very nice message from the Vice Chancellor of Admissions this past weekend (University of Denver). He addressed AP credits and grades, which I know is hanging over the class of 2020. The essence of the message was this, “don’t worry, we will take care of you”. No specifics, but did provide some sense of calm for the boy. He’s scored 4-5 on his APs in the past and is worried about how the tests will be graded/cheating/ect. Denver is very liberal with credits with scores in the 4 and 5 range, so we were looking forward to bringing in a significant amount of course work.
Absolutely…we too are struggling with idea that DS20’s first pref is 5hrs away (by flight).
The thing that bothers is the fact that most pandemics seems to have many smaller follow-on flare-ups. HS-class-of-2020 - need to navigate new college environment with an added angle of health hazards and how to minimize risks. A bit scary for us to think how we would manage if the kid is far away. Hope the situation is not as bad as we are imagining.
@hs2020dad Interesting point. I have been wondering about S20 being able to have orientation and start in the fall. It hadn’t occurred to me to worry about him going away and then having to come back or get quarantined at school. hmmm
Yes, I am also worried about having to potentially manage multiple campus evacuations from halfway across the country if D20 goes to her first choice (Northeastern). Second choice, Loyola Chicago, is about a 6-7 hour drive, which is doable. Still kind of wishing she would just take her spot at Wisconsin, which is the closest (we are in MN) and least expensive option.
Very happy my son decided on the in-state option even before any of the craziness went down. Now it makes even more sense, both for financial reasons and to be in closer proximity while the world is so unsettled.
@Coun2316 Maybe you could bribe her a little if she still likes Madison? When faced with the option of the out of state school using all his college fund, or the in-state with enough left over to buy a car or a down payment on a house upon graduation DS suddenly decided his #1 was not THAT much better than his #2.
Not super worried about my D going far away, more concerned that she (and all of our freshman 2020s) will not be on campus for fall and have to do online instruction for the first semester or possibly the first year
After likely missing HS prom, graduation, planned grad trips, cancelled state Aca Deca, not seeing any of her friends, and everything else that is wonderful about your senior year of HS, it would be an absolute shame to not have the freshman college experience this fall. How much do these kids have to endure?
With that said, at dinner last night I mentioned (planted the seed) to D that she might want to pack lighter than normal if they are on campus in the fall, just in case there is another flare-up and students are evacuated once again.
@roper1313 I too thought the letter from the Chancellor at University of Denver was wonderful. The message of “please don’t let this (grades, AP scores, etc) add to worries right now as we’ll figure it out” was so nice to hear. My son has 9 admissions to decide amongst and while all the schools have sent “we’re so sorry you have to deal with this mess right now”, the DU message was probably the most heartfelt and reassuring. DU was already in my son’s top 2 contenders but that note sold me on how much they care about the incoming students and what they’re going through…I know where they rank on my list but, of course, it’s not really up to me.
Honestly, if I had a 2020, i would be choosing their college more based on how they are handling this situation and not how close they are. Some schools evacuated quickly and were organized about their kids taking their things home, many have already refunded room and board, some are way better at their online classes. I would focus on that. Just because the state school is closer does not mean it’s better with this new reality.
Wisconsin responded particularly poorly, sending kids home from break and then shooting an email to parents days later telling them they had to get their stuff that day by 9:00 pm or leave everything at school indefinitely with the possibility that the university would pack it up on their own (which I’m assuming will lead to a big mess in the end.)
Miami OH has some concerning news about increasing class size and letting go of professors.
If you have the choice, go with a school with a big endowment. Check their updates to see how they are figuring out their budget for next year. I think that’s the stuff that should be at the top of how to make a decision.
@Coun2316 I agree with the comment above. When I was choosing between Northwestern and UMich (even those many years ago) my parents told me if I went to UMich (instate) they’d send me to the Rose Bowl whenever UMich made it (which happened a lot back then?) and said I didn’t have to work during the school year. It worked and I’m so thankful I went there.
@RPianoDad Since you asked, if my kid was pre-med we would consider one of the cheapest options that are available. And, my D17 is at Michigan State, doesn’t drink (allergy) and loves it.
We are already on it with the bribery - she has enough of a merit scholarship at Loyola that even if she doesn’t get the full tuition one, it’s only marginally more expensive than Wisconsin, and she knows she can have a different lifestyle than she would at Northeastern. Looking at the more affordable options, I personally think Wisconsin is a better fit for her than Loyola, but she needs to make that choice.
