My son procrastinated with the application process and I’m sure missed out on some opportunities. Anyway, that train has left the station so we are trying to make a decision based on where we are at this point. He has about a 4.3 GPA and a composite ACT of 30 with a few AP classes. Captain of the basketball team, Beta Club, but not a lot of other clubs/activities. He’s a huge sports guy, so would probably play lots of intramurals but definitely can’t see him being into the Greek scene. A couple of schools have offered merit-based money based on his ACT score but we are still waiting to hear from others. He applied to one in-state school, UNC-Chapel Hill, and even though I attended UNC I don’t believe he has all the extra “stuff” they might be looking for in an applicant given their acceptance rate. So… here are the schools we have either heard from or hoping to hear from in the near future. I have read a lot on the schools but would love any insight others may have. Thank you!
Gonzaga
University of Kansas
Michigan State
University of Kentucky
University of Tennessee
Syracuse
Clemson
He will not have a problem getting into Syracuse and may get merit aid. It’s a very expensive school - certainly not a “Best Buy” compared to UNC if he gets in.
Not sure if he will want to stay in the south at this point. Yes, I am looking for a “best buy” would also like to hear any other insightful comments related to the schools in general, student life, overall academic reputation, etc. He’s undecided in terms of a major. I do work as a professor at a private school in NC so he would be eligible for tuition- I believe up to 30k per year- at Gonzaga and Syracuse since they are on the exchange list we have with other schools across the country. I’m just not sure how he would adapt going from NC weather to the temps in Spokane and Syracuse!
It’s not that bad! It’s not NC, but Syracuse winters are survivable. They get a lot of snow. And it’s like nothing happened. 48 inches last night? Well, time to get up and go!!
It is also very cold bc much of it sits on a hill, baring you to the high winds!
The campus is pretty. Cute little campus Main Street with restaurants, etc. was a fun place.
Its sounds like your best buys would be those tuition benefits you get through work. Any other schools on that list you think he’d like to send an application to?
Yes, Clemson and MSU are both very expensive out of state. Here’s the list of schools on the exchange. I am not familiar with a lot of them and some do not accept exchange students.
The University of Kansas isn’t too expensive (relatively speaking) for out-of-state students, especially if he qualifies for merit aid. It’s large, offers lots of majors, and the students usually have a great college experience.
I see University of San Diego on your tuition exchange list. That might be a nice option to consider; it has a great location and the weather in San Diego will be much warmer than Syracuse.
Thanks for the feedback. It does seem that Kansas offers reasonable out-of-state tuition compared to some of the others. He did qualify for the KU Excellence scholarship which is about $10,500 per year. And they have absolutely been the best in terms of communicating and showing an interest in him.
HRSMom- IF he is admitted and the school has open spots for the exchange, which some do not, 15-20K per year is what I was thinking as far as a max budget out of pocket.