<p>My daughter got into Barnard, Mount Holyoke and Bryn Mawr--with Mount Holyoke giving her a significant merit scholarship. She also got into Santa Clara University, which she liked a lot, with most of her costs covered. At any of the east coast colleges, we will incur significant debt. With SCU, she'll be about 5 hours from home and debt free......The allure of New York, the prestige of Barnard (the most expensive for us), the bucolic heritage of Mount Holyoke (with a decent amount of aid), the intimacy of Bryn Mawr.(with token support)....or a practically free ride at a great California school.....It is a dilemma....
She would love to be in NYC, but we think that might have to wait for graduate school or the first job....</p>
<p>The grass is always greener as they say. We are from the northeast and our daughter is a Santa Clara graduate. The school met all of her criteria…including great academic programs, ability to play in the university orchestra as a non-music major, and a very pleasing climate. It helped that the campus was amongst the nicest we visited, as well as a school that is continually upgrading and adding to their facilities.</p>
<p>The northeast schools you mention are also terrific schools, but as the parent of a SCU grad, I am a very strong supporter of this school that really flies under the radar screen because it’s not listed in USNWR as a university or LAC. It is a Masters University and ranked 2nd in its region as such. Four year graduation rate is very high and attrition is very low. </p>
<p>Feel free to PM me with specific questions. My daughter created and ran the Shadow SCU program for admitted students and worked as a student ambassador and in undergrad admissions for 3 1/3 years.</p>
<p>As an aside, DD graduated in 2010 with a dual major in bioengineering and biology. She just completed a two year Peace Corps appointment teaching biology. I credit SCU with preparing her well for her success.</p>
<p>It sounds like financially the choices are SCU, Mt Holyoke, Bryn Mawr and Barnard.</p>
<p>SCU works well for a tech major or a goal to stay in silicon valley.</p>
<p>lampmd - I would have to have your daughter answer what attracted her to the women’s colleges. Neither of my girls had women’s colleges in their mix, one got in to SCU and it was my choice for her (she chose differently and after graduation wondered out loud if was her best option)</p>
<p>thumper - I wish that Shadow SCU program was in full swing when mine went to admitted day ;-)</p>
<p>Gosh, they are really, really, really different. My older d., a Smith grad., wouldn’t ever have considered Santa Clara; my younger one (an American grad) had Santa Clara as her second choice, and would never have considered the women’s colleges. A far larger proportion of the Santa Clara student body is preprofessional; there are a lot of internships in Silicon Valley (from what I can tell), the dress “code” is substantially different. There are business and engineering students. There is the Catholic overlay (which, as a Quaker, I saw as a positive). It isn’t as strong as any of the three women’s colleges in the traditional liberal arts. </p>
<p>What does she hope to study? Where does she see herself 10 years from now? I like them all! If Santa Clara meets her academic needs, and she fits the vibe, debt free is very exciting! (There’s also something to be said for getting away from home…)</p>
<p>I’m a Barnard mom here, and D chose it over significantly more at at Mt. Holyoke. Barnard really was a life changer for her, and she did have debt, but we are paying it. If your D is happy with Santa Clara, and she would have to pay back significant debt herself, then I think it’s probably the best option.</p>
<p>OTOH: Living in Manhattan was a dream for my D, and as a grad student she can’t afford it. Right now she is at home but is talking about sharing a Brooklyn apartment. The dorms are reasonable for Manhattan housing.</p>
<p>If you want to know more about Barnard, please PM me. I may even know about her intended major.</p>
<p>I think mini has the pulse of an important indicator: does your D want a pre-professional or a liberal arts education. I know that the thesis Barnard demanded was her entre into a fully funded line in grad school.</p>
<p>Prestige only goes so far but debt will haunt you.If you both like SCU go for it.</p>
<p>“She would love to be in NYC. . .”</p>
<p>I’m sorry, but why did you allow your D to apply to the east coast schools if cost might be an issue? Net price calculators for each school were readily available to determine an estimated COA. </p>
<p>When my D applies to schools, they will be ones we know we can afford so D can select from all offers without parental guilt-tripping over cost or debt for D. This is a conversation that should have occurred prior to the submission of the first application to any school, not after. </p>
<p>In the end, let your D select by fit not cost. If you cannot truly afford or do you wish to fund your D for the east coast schools, then flat out tell your daughter her only option is SCU and leave it at that.</p>
<p>I just want to say…Santa Clara is a great school. Getting accepted there with significant aid is wonderful. I don’t think this is settling for a second rate school. It really is a wonderful school that flies under the radar screen.</p>
<p>Thanks to all. Re: not letting your child apply to places you can’t afford. Until two months ago, my husband had an academic administrative job, which meant a discounted tuition anywhere. So, when she applied to schools, our outlook and circumstances were different. We are now facing losing my income for a time, a move to a much more expensive town, etc. etc… Further, we had no idea she would even be offered merit aid anywhere. It turns out, many schools made that available. The point is that we could not have anticipated all the outcomes that the college selection process brought to us, and neither can most people.</p>
<p>With finances uncertain, and such great choices as SCU and MHC at affordable prices, it looks like those two are on the table. And, it comes down to personal choice. As mini has so well illustrated (2 daughter with two different priorities on colleges ) either choice is great. Depends on the student entirely, and I would let her make that decision. What any of us think personally of the pros and cons are irrelevant as it comes down to the person who has to live that decision. Good luck and congrats.</p>
<p>I know this is a difficult decision, but how wonderful that your D has these great choices! Good luck to her.</p>
<p>sent from my smartphone with my fat fingers</p>
<p>I agree with thumper that SCU is a great school. Even without any financial consideration, it would have been my top choice (OK, maybe after Barnard).</p>
<p>How much is significant debt?</p>