<p>My daughter’s interested in Beloit, although we haven’t yet had the chance to visit. She applied by Dec. 1 and since she met the criteria for the Presidential Scholarship submitted her name for this as well. She just received a letter inviting her to go to Beloit on Feb. 20 for one of the scholarship weekends, but she hasn’t yet been accepted. Does anyone know how this all plays out? Since we live in the northeast she’ll have to fly there, but it seems strange booking a plane ticket when we don’t yet know whether she’ll be accepted! Any insight would be appreciated -</p>
<p>lotsofquestions, my daughter was in the same situation last year. When she received the invitation for the scholarship weekend, we looked at each other and wondered, “Does this mean anything? Is it a good sign?” Unlike you, however, we live within driving distance of the college, so there was no concern about booking a flight. She returned the card, reserving her spot for the scholarship interview, and waited. She was accepted December 31st, giving us plenty of time to prepare for our (short) trip in late February.</p>
<p>If Beloit is on the same timetable this year, would that give you enough time to book a flight at a reasonable fare? If not, then have your daughter contact her rep in the admissions office to explain your predicament. I have found the staff there to be very helpful. One more thought: If your daughter is accepted and is seriously considering Beloit, do make the effort to attend the scholarship weekend. There are many scholarships to be awarded, and odds are it would be well worth your time and expense.</p>
<p>Well, D and I are back from our visit to Beloit for the first of their two Presidential Scholarship weekends. So I thought I'd pop in to reassure anyone going to the second of those weekends that D thought the scholarship interview was not intimidating at ALL. And this is from a very introverted girl who was very nervous about it beforehand.</p>
<p>It took about half an hour, and her interview panel consisted of two faculty from departments that seemed selected to fit her interests, plus two students. She said they were very nice to her, and mostly asked her questions about interests from her application. She even relaxed enough to ask them a few questions at the end.</p>
<p>Despite her general awkwardness with new people, she had a pretty good time with her host too. They went to a comedy show, briefly stopped in at a party--D got offered a beer in about a minute flat, and although she refused she sounded sort of tickled to have had the offer--and then hung out in the dorm lounge watching movies. While D never felt relaxed, she could at least recognize that yes, if she lived here and had time to get to know these people, she would really like hanging out with them. She was down on the weather and the location, but she liked the school and the people.</p>
<p>The campus was compact and easily walkable and very pretty, and one could imagine it being much prettier when it's all green and there isn't an icy wind going down the back of your neck.</p>
<p>We are back from the Presidential Scholarship weekend as well. My D was very nervous about the interview but when it was over she realized that there was no need to be nervous at all. It was conversational and friendly. </p>
<p>Despite the brutal cold on Saturday many current students just passing by took the time to greet us (we stood out with the clutched folders in hand). One student gave us a tip to go to the fourth floor of the new science center to get a good view and another gave us a smile and greeting even though she was carrying a huge painting. </p>
<p>My D had a great time with her host and a group of other hosts and 'prospies.' She got a good feel of what it would be like to go to college. Beloit students are a comfortable mix of a variety of styles. The group she was in went to the improv, ordered pizza, watched a movie, visited other dorms, but did not go to the party. All this seemed to be fine - it was a 'do what you want' atmosphere.</p>
<p>The weekend was comfortable, interesting, well organized and informative (oh yeah and plenty of good food). The admissions staff is absolutely great - those going to the next weekend - enjoy!</p>
<p>Our son also went for the scholarship visit and really enjoyed himself. He met the acting president, attended a few classes and department open houses, and went to the comedy show. His host student was very nice and son felt quite comfortable. He thought the interview went well although he felt it not as relaxed as some of his other college alumnus interviews here on home turf have been. The weekend was very well organized and faculty and staff were very kind, open, and helpful. He left feeling that it may be the school he chooses, especially if the financial part works out. His only complaint was the unusual cold temperatures!</p>
<p>I'm glad to hear the positive reviews of the presidential weekend, and want to wish good luck to all of your kids! </p>
<p>My daughter is a junior at Beloit, and has had a wonderful experience there. I have been particularly impressed with the level of encouragement and support her teachers have given her. My son attends another LAC, one of the CC "top LACs", and I must say, I feel like my daughter has had a better, much happier and down to earth experience. She's truly blossomed. There are days when I wish my son had chosen Beloit, but, alas, I'll only have one Beloit kid...until the grandkids come along, that is. (wink, wink). </p>
<p>Again, good luck to all of your kids, wherever they end up!</p>
<p>P.S. my daughter grew up in Southern California, but she's done OK with the cold. This year, however, has been particularly nasty. Still, she's learned how to keep warm, and manages quite well. This from a girl who used to pull on a parka when the temps dipped below 70 degrees here. :)</p>
<p>I just got back from the second interview session (in February). I had an amazing time and had both a scholarship interview and a music scholarship audition. This was my second overnight and I was thrilled to see that my hosts from when I did an overnight in september actually remembered me and asked me to hang out with them. Everyone I met was extremely nice and I think it really helped pull Beloit as a frontrunner for my college list. Right now it is right behind my first choice, Grinnell, but I am not sure if I will be accepted there. I love Beloit so much, it will be an extremely hard choice. I didn’t meet anyone I didn’t like or anyone that didn’t treat me with a huge amount of respect and kindness. People went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and included.</p>
<p>You know a college is has a great student body when people see you walking around with your prospy folder and say “hey, are you a prospective student? Come to Beloit, it is the best place one earth” the ask if you need help finding anything or have any questions.</p>
<p>I felt very safe and very well taken care of. The students at Beloit should feel very proud of themselves for giving students such a great time. I met with people all over the country that were there for the scholarship interviews and nearly all of them said Beloit was one of there top choices.</p>
<p>I just wanted to share how thrilled I was with my overnight. It was one of the best times I’ve had in a while.</p>
<p>That’s great news! I’m glad you had such a good time. You have such a positive attitude–I’m sure you’ll be happy at whatever school you eventually choose.</p>
<p>^well, that’s strange–I wonder how/why those letters and numbers appeared.</p>
<p>…and now they’re gone! It must have been a brief computer glitch.</p>
<p>SmallColleges - That’s awesome. I am glad you had such a good time at the scholarship weekend. </p>
<p>My daughter was there as well and unfortunately did not have such a positive experience. While she loved the interview and many of the people she met (the guys that drove her and picked her up from the bus stop), her host was not at all welcoming to the point where my daughter was wandering around a bit lost in the snow (she came by herself from CA - so snow/cold was an issue) after her interview unable to get into any buildings (no card key), nobody on the streets, and when she finally was able to get in touch with her host, she said she could not come get her because she was going to take a shower. Overall, it was a bit disappointing as I was really hoping she would have a good time going by herself. She is still considering Beloit, but it was definitely knocked down a notch, primarily because her host was so unfriendly.</p>
<p>geo_wally, that’s really a shame. When I hear stories like that, I always wonder why certain students volunteer to be hosts when they clearly do not have the enthusiasm or the skills for the job. I’m sorry about your daughter’s experience. That was a long way to come for a cold reception (both literally and figuratively!)</p>
<p>Thanks Mary. I think she hosts because she gets a two room double to herself (the prospys stay in the other room when they are there).</p>
<p>geo_wally - I was really sorry to hear your daughter wasn’t treated well - that kind of thing could be a deal breaker for my daughter though she had the opposite experience with her host. I’m impressed that your daughter is still considering Beloit despite her cold treatment - she must have a lot of strength - what keeps her still interested?</p>
<p>I think my daughter has had it drilled into her that she should not judge a school based on one person (tour guide, host, etc.) and she takes that to heart.</p>
<p>When I talked to her during the weekend, however, I think she had pretty much written off Beloit. Then she went in to the interview feeling very relaxed as much of the pressure was off (she is not shy but naturally very reserved and untalkative so interviews are never easy for her). Then she really loved her interviewers (both students and professors) and said the interview was fun (helped by the fact that she felt she had nothing to lose). On the plane ride home, she said she went over everything in her head and decided she liked pretty much everyone she encountered with the exception of her host and decided she should not eliminate a school based on one person. Unfortunately, she did not get to encounter as many people as I would have liked.</p>
<p>She and the other prospie even asked their host to introduce them to just one person on her floor (thinking they might be able to hook up with that person for a more interesting time). The host responded that she did not know anybody on her floor since they were all freshman (host is a sophomore). My daughter is thinking “it’s February and you have not met a single person on your floor?”</p>
<p>That is probably the exception at Beloit. Everyone I met (and I probably met at least 100 other students that night) was very social and seemed to know everyone else. Its really too bad your daughter got stuck with one of the few student that wasn’t. My host told me that Beloit had been asking students to be hosts because they did not have enough, so this student may have been reluctant in her decision.</p>
<p>I am very glad your daughter is still looking at Beloit though, that takes a lot of forgiveness.</p>
<p>Wally, I am also sorry to hear about your D’s experience. My D, who has now graduated, had just the opposite. In fact she was up most of the night visiting all of the dorms and people. She had a wonderful time at Beloit and would definitely make the choice again.</p>
<p>It would be a kindness to future prospies to let Beloit know about the bad experience with the host. I’ve volunteered for projects that, as it turned out, I was ill-suited for, and probably many of you have as well, so I don’t think it’s useful to try to blame the bad host, but she shouldn’t host again.</p>
<p>^ I agree. After my daughter visited Beloit, she received a survey about her experience on campus. I am sure the college would like the feedback. I also think SmallCollegesFTW is right about a bad visit being the exception rather than the rule. My daughter tells me that, in general, Beloit students pride themselves on being able to show prospies a good time.</p>