If you can afford $15K-$36K per year while making $100K, then that is astounding. Congrats!
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I think you and D really need to deep dive the catalog at both schools. My cursory look through both would make me very concerned about the numbers and depth of offering at SLC for Physics. Plus what are the opportunities for research? For Physics grad school you need the base Physics and Math is just as important (so look at those offerings also) and then research with a Senior Thesis or whatever.
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thx, thatâs a great data point.
thx for this. I truly believe she would excel at SLC, and she is VERY resistant to Iowa.
But the curriculum at Grinnell, and all the resources for physics is SO much more extensive.
The other consideration, and partly how both got on her list to begin with, is that both have a 3/2 program - Grinnell with CalTech, SLC with Columbia. That would âsolveâ a part of the issue with less physics curriculum at SLC, and also âsolveâ the remoteness of Grinnell by having it only be for 3 years.
Though it should be recognized that it is ultimately an empirical question, and thus answerable.
Unfortunately, however, nobody is likely to ever be given the data that will allow us the answer.
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How competitive is the 3/2 program into Columbia? Regardless Iâm not sure this solves the issue, as going into a very rigorous school like SEAS without strong preparation might not end well.
Happiness is very important, and I think we all understand that. I just want to make sure that your D understands the reality of being a Physics major and the outcomes for her are likely to be significantly different between these two schools.
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Theyâre hard to find.
There have been some efforts to pull such information together for some disciplines, but theyâre sporadic and generally nonsystematicâso youâre left having to rely on asking individual departments ad hope they respond.
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For physics, thereâs no question sheâd be much better off academically picking Grinnell over SLC.
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In the absence of data, one is forced to go with anecdata. And the anecdata we have seen so far is supportive enough of my hypothesis to encourage me to make spending choices based on that hypothesis. That is good enough for me. I donât have a need to convince other people.
The 5 year is an engineering degree - correct.
Does she want to be an engineer? And if so, why not apply to a four year engineering program?
Engineering: BA & BS with Columbia University
This combined plan program allows students to earn two bachelor degrees in five years: a Bachelor of Arts in the liberal arts from Sarah Lawrence and a Bachelor of Science from Columbia Universityâs Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.
- Both degrees are awarded after completion of the full five-year program: three years at Sarah Lawrence, two at Columbia.
- Upon successfully fulfilling prerequisite and graduation requirements at Sarah Lawrence, maintaining the necessary overall and prerequisite GPA, and receiving favorable recommendations from College faculty, students are prepared to apply for admission to one of the nationâs top engineering programs in one of the worldâs top universities.
- Graduates gain a competitive advantage from the rare combination of problem-solving and technical skills gained through the study of engineering, joined with the creative thinking and communications skills developed through liberal arts study.
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I would suspect (donât really know) that kids from this program would have a challenging time finding employment in traditional engineering fields (non CS) where pre-req chains are long, and breadth requirements are large. I am curious if people have data on employment prospects for kids graduating from the 3+2 programs in traditional engg majors.
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Itâd be interesting and I imagine the sample size is small - but donât know.
Having to leave friends, having to integrate where others are established would be difficult.
And more importantly, why would one go to school for five years to do something they can do in four.
Sorry OP - I know youâve thought of all this - just thinking out loud - not trying to dissuade you - but that said, thereâs still time to get into strong engineering programs if thatâs the goal - although not necessarily at LACs although possiblyâŠ
Also thinking out loud, do these students get financial aid at Columbia? Or do they fall into the students who donât have full need met? Thatâs potentially a $150K difference in cost.
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Answering part of my own questions: " * Candidates are not guaranteed the same financial aid package they received at their affiliate schools."
And they do not guarantee housing past the first year in the program. Rents there are extremely expensive.
Iâm not sure I consider this a plan.
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OP will write back but I think he realizes the student wonât end up in a 3/2 but the thought of going to Cal Tech might push them to IowaâŠand then itâd fall apart but sheâd be there.
I think thatâs much of the allure.
But if she followed through, to your point, then how do you pay - either in NYC or Pasadena?
And we have our final decision. A waitlist from Vassar. That one hurts. One of the few we were able to visit and we could both totally see her there. Sheâs artsy and really was excited about the dance opportunities for non-majors. But moving on.
Here is how it ended:
Bama- full tuition +
Pitt- full tuition
Syracuse- waitlist
St. Lawrence- 50k merit, 35k COA
Vassar- waitlist
Amherst- waitlist
Williams- rejected
Princeton- rejected
Wesleyan- rejected
Hamilton- accepted COA 41k
Colgate- accepted COA 28k
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Have you talked to her CC at school? I am curious on their take about her results.
Also, if her top choice is a WL they will probably pick up her phone on her behalf. I know ours will go to bat for a student on the WL as long as that student will commit on the spot.
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Understood. Itâd be great if D could somehow âdiscoverâ their Grinnell in London program, or something like this:
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Caltech is need blind and meet full need for all domestic students, including transfer students (3/2 program students are considered transfer students). Financial aid from Caltech is likely to be more generous than Grinnellâs. The problem is to be admitted.
Columbia, on the other hand, isnât committed to meet full need of its transfer students.
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Ooooo thatâs a nice price for Colgate. Not free though like others but it sure is a lovely school.
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