Not sure this is accurate as others have mentioned. Psychology is a broad field, and at a medium sized university, you are going to have kids who want an undergrad in Psych to become a HS guidance counselor, kids who want an undergrad in Psych to work in the criminal justice system, kids who plan to work as researchers at pharma companies, kids who want a PsyD to become therapists AND the kids who want a PhD AND to become a therapist.
BS vs. BA won’t matter- but the actual courses taken will. There is nothing to stop a BA Psych student from taking lab sciences, anatomy, genetics, and my stock recommendation- the rigorous statistics sequence (the same one the science students take, not the “analysis for social scientists” which is typically an easy A.)
At the few schools with differential pricing, typically the MORE expensive route will be in the hard sciences once you’ve added up extra lab fees, etc. Not a reason to avoid those classes of course- but something to consider.
If she thinks/writes like her MidAtlanticMom (which I suspect she does), and has the mature approach you describe (not grinding on the ACT), she’s golden … wherever she lands.
I would avoid schools like BU that have a BFA acting program/school of performing arts, if she wants to focus on psychology and do extracurricular theater.
Bennington, Drew, Clark, Barnard (yes a women’s college but part of Columbia)? Don’t mean to add. She has a pretty good list.
Sounds like the Colleges that Change Lives website could be helpful…
Not sure I think of Tufts as “quirky” though I could be wrong.
Yes!
And the quality and relevance of internships matter, otherwise one might be expected to commit a year or two to the field, before a grad school is willing to invest 5 or more years into their “junior colleague”.
For further perspective on the BS/BA discussion, note that even for the oldest cognitive science major developed in the world, at Vassar, graduates receive a BA, largely due to institutional traditional.
Surprised that Oberlin, Macalester, and Vassar aren’t on the list. They seem far better fits socially & academically than Davidson & Lehigh. (Oh, and Oberlin & Mac have merit $ in addition to fin aid.)
Yes – and Macalester! I know all of these are all great. Really I do. I worked for an association for folks in higher ed. I could write an article about each of these alumni relations programs (which are certainly worth weighing in the search process BTW).
Starting this process earlier might have helped to keep our eyes open. But my daughter is also darn strong-willed – and I love that. I try to find solace in the reality that had we’d been able to engage her earlier (big if there) she’d find something to object to (well-reasoned and not) about most of these. Geography would have loomed especially large to her as a sophomore and a young junior – and still does. She’s a MidAtlantic kid who likes her community and the idea of staying closer (but not too close) to home.
We’re one of those families trying to keep a bright kid with a limited bandwidth and interest in a long process from crashing and burning in the home stretch. Keeping her focused and balanced is a priority right now and introducing new schools has caused her to waver.
I do appreciate all the feedback and input. This is a very helpful thread for some tweaks we may make to her list this fall.
“… but do add Oberlin, please. I know a kid who goes there and she is all up in the quirky and creative.”
Wow - You know my oldest?? Dyed hair, D&D playing, and now exploring their creative side by making chain mail jewelry (learned in an optional class taught by a fellow student).
Oh and plays field hockey and majoring in environmental studies! Super happy at Oberlin.
Ahh, that may be involved. She has VCs noted for 8th, 9th, and 10th grade. Nothing her junior year.
I figure the admissions folks will do what they will with the transcript – slice, dice, recalculate. I have no clue. She has a strong transcript. Nothing remarkable as far as I know. Only true stumble was Algebra 2 HN during distance learning. Figure she’ll want to address that in her additional info on common app.
She has good rigor. She has classmates off the charts and those will be the students accepted at UVA and W&M. She’s level-headed enough to not bite off more than she can chew, and if that means no UVA, W&M, or highly selective private, she’ll have to live with that. At times she seems to think her 33 on the ACT is a golden ticket, but we’ve tried to temper that thinking.
It’s tough, tough these days for bright, deep thinkers who haven’t quite hit their stride. Gotta think about the long game, actually enjoying college, and safeguarding your mental health (!!), I tell her.
It’s actually a lot easier for bright, deep thinkers who haven’t quite hit their stride than for uber-competitive “chew up the carpet” gunners who think their lives are over if they end up at JHU vs. Princeton.
I don’t think she really wants to attend BU as an undergrad. I think she’s a suburban kid trying to say I could cross this dang street and train line everyday to get to class – no problem. And she could. She loves the idyllic campuses but she also welcomes a little grit. Maybe I should be thinking about that.
I started this thread saying her list is finished, but if there was some fabulous, unconsidered match out there it would be wise to keep it in my back pocket. I might choose my moment poorly and blow it, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I think that’s exactly right. I should keep that in mind.
She confided recently that she’s had her eye on Carnegie Mellon since 6th grade. This is a kid who hasn’t expressed much interest in college until, essentially, forced. She says she feels intimidated. I said there’s no need to go anywhere intimidating, but she has the chops and maybe file that for graduate school. This doesn’t have to be the end of the higher ed road. Maybe it will be and that’s just fine, but don’t make this step into something it doesn’t have to be.
Of course, then I’m thinking, hey, mom, help her keep her options open. At least get her to a solid safety where she can get some decent academic advising & internships and access to an alumni network. Oh, and make sure she has the academic support to navigate college with ADHD and some mental health challenges – and where she isn’t perpetually sick, stressed, or starved due to food allergies. Ugh. This process sucks.
Aw, this is tough. I can relate to many of these elements. I really feel for you.
W&M places high value on interest. She should snag an interview spot if there are any left. Definitely get in a visit.
If I were in your shoes, I might prioritize a nurturing culture and food options. It sounds like if those aren’t in place, the rest might not matter as much. Check Muhlenberg for both. With merit money, it could be a strong safety.
Dyed hair, D&D playing, and now exploring their creative side by making chain mail jewelry (learned in an optional class taught by a fellow student).