@FourAtShore That is interesting. We had heard that the quarter system and the pace of classes was a problem for many students. Who knows??
@roper1313 Can you give any more insight into DU? My S22 is interested in business and really wants to be at a school where he can ski (just recreationally, not on a team). We are from the northeast so we donāt know anyone personally who goes to DU and thereās not a lot of info on CC about it.
It sounds like you have a great student, but any insight in how the rigor is compared to HS? Are they generous with merit aid? S22 has about a 3.85 GPA and we wonāt qualify for any FA. And most importantly, what is the student body like? S22 definitely wants a good social life as well as good academics.
@ljasnau my DD20 lives on campus and seems to have adapted just fine. She was fortunate to have made a couple of friends before she arrived on campus and I think that helped a lot. Encourage your daughter to join the groups on Instagram and/or FB to meet people and find study groups in her classes.
Hi all-
Just a quick FAFSA question. Is there any point to filling it out this year if we are SURE we wonāt qualify for any FA? (Daughter is a freshman at UC Berkeley and no chance at Work Study since we donāt qualify for FA). Are there any tax implications for not filling it out?
@MAmom111 - a few of our thoughts as my D20 considered DU. We found merit to be generous, she had high stats and qualified for 29,000 in merit aid. We went to one of their admitted students days and probably most distinctive part of the student body was a pretty strong international focus. I think because their study abroad program is so strong and prevalent, that seemed to be an over arching theme. There were also tons of kids with multiple majors/concentrations as I believe the curriculum is pretty flexible. The campus is more picturesque then you guess when you get off the highway. She ultimately decided on a different school, but I thought DU had a lot to offer.
@MAmom111 - I will echo @Darcy123. We found DU to be generous with merit aid, S20 was awarded $27,000 (no financial aid here). His stats were 4.00 UW, 28 ACT and very strong ECs. I have heard good things about Daniels, but cannot speak to it with any specifics. The quarter system allows a lot of flexibility in majors. It seems that most students are double majors and just about everyone has an opportunity to study abroad.
The combination of an urban setting (although the campus does have a traditional feel) with the mountains being under an hour away, won the day for my son. Obviously with 2020 being his first year the social scene is a little different. S20 has had ZERO problems making friends, he is very outgoing. There is a decent Greek life, but it seems like clubs run the social scene.
FWIW, DU has done a wonderful job with Covid-19. Campus has stayed open with the expected restriction, but that doesnāt seem to be limiting S20ās fun. Hopefully the start of the 2021 year is a little more normal.
If you want any additional details feel free to PM me. Iāll do the best I can to answer any questions.
I didnāt read too much into the DU tour guideās comment, it was just a ātour guides say the darnedest thingsā moment. FWIW, he said DU gave him very generous merit aid, so no doubt he was a top student who would probably find it easy to maintain a good GPA at many colleges.
My son didnāt end up applying, but the campus was very pretty and Denver has a great urban/outdoor mix of amenities.
@Darcy123 and @roper1313 Thanks so much for the feedback. Very helpful. Hard to find a lot of info on here about the school and itās good to hear that kids with great stats are applying and attending. @Darcy123 where did your D ultimately end up? My D20 is at Elon and itās hard to find schools around this size. She applied to almost all smaller LACās besides Elon but her brother wants something with 5-10k kids and probably a different school than her.
My daughter is at Duke @MAmom111 - good luck in the search. My S21 was also initially looking for around 5-10k, although his ultimate list included some bigger schools and as heās looking for engineering.
DDās exams ended on 12/23. Overall the semester has gone well but she has learned to always research professors in advance. UNC Charlotte will not make a final decision about move in for 2nd semester until Jan but promises info no later than Jan 11th. It is a bit tight for classes starting Jan 20. Regardless, DD is headed back even if they start 100% online and she has to ask for an exception. Anyone elseās kid counting the days until they are back with their friends on campus?
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