Suggestions for Daughter

Parents Forum
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<p>My daughter is a class of '11 student. Having trouble finding schools she likes. She will be applying to our state flagship, where she has already been awarded at least a half-tuition scholarship. (Not as great as it sounds, as room and board is more than tuition and there are over two grand in fees.) She doesn't really want to go there, but will if she has to. We have only visited a few schools, but it has been helpful because she has found out she really would like a smaller to medium sized school--she didn't think she would. </p>

<p>Here are the things she is interested in. Definite "campus feel." No spread out all over the town campuses for her. Lots of school spirit. (I know, kind of shallow, but I want her to be happy.) Lots of activities; thinks she would like Greeks. She thinks she will be majoring in psych with an eye towards a physical therapydegree, but I have an older daughter who changed her major three times before she settled down, so of course her major may change. She would also like to stay in the Northeast.</p>

<p>So far she has visited William and Mary--didn't care for it because it is in a tourist town and everyone seemed way too serious. Also has decided VA is too far--this was before she decided she wants to stay in the NE.</p>

<p>UVA-liked academics, ecs, Greek, school spirit, but too big and in VA, plus as an oos she would have a harder time getting in and little aid. </p>

<p>Richmond--hated architecture, students seemed snooty. Va was our first trip, and I had her look at a small, med., and large school to gauge her interest. </p>

<p>Gettysburg---she loved everything about it. Will be applying there.</p>

<p>Marist-she liked it, but the academics did not seem up to par.</p>

<p>Visited Amherst this morning. No tour, just a look see-less than two hours from home. Would be a definite reach for her. Oh, I forgot her stats. Will type in a minute. I didn't really get a sense of what she thought about Amherst. I thought it was too cramped on the hill and as the driver, I was frustrated there were not any signs on anything, or directional signs. The school was hiding in plain sight, and it took a while for us to spot it. UMass Amherst, otoh, was very well marked. Stupid, I know, but it turned me off.</p>

<p>Ok, her stats. She is currently #2 in a class of about 270. Governor's Scholar (the state tuition thing.) Will be a National Merit commended scholar by the skin of her teeth. Writing 700, verbal a little lower, and math only low to mid 600s. Will be taking ACT soon. Girl's State, class officer, National Honor Society, officer in another club, tutor (elem. and high school students), Relay for Life volunteer, 3 APs next year and three this year (school only offers a few more than these, 3 of which are art---not her thing), and various other volunteer stuff. Oh, it would help if the school doesn't require the custodial profile, as we have no contact with dad and would need a waiver. Sorry for the very long post, but any suggestions similar to Gettysburg would be great. Thanks.</p>

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<p>Franklin and Marshall, Bucknell, Dickinson, Lafayette</p>

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<p>Colgate (10 characters)</p>

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<p>University of Rochester</p>

<p>Lots of things in Boston</p>

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<p>Seconding kitty56’s post - if D liked Gettysburg - Lafayette and Bucknell would be comparable in terms of academics and Greek life - Bucknell is a little bit larger. Dickinson - also similar - bit of an international focus. And as long as you are in PA - check out Franklin & Marshall as well.</p>

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<p>Might be reaches but: Wesleyan, Vassar, Brandeis, Tufts, Hamilton, Bard.</p>

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<p>Thinking of school spirit seems like a college where sports is appreciated. I think Bucknell and Lafayette hit that mark. Just from reading The Gatekeepers, I don’t think Wesleyan features sports or a Greek life, but I could be wrong. Too bad she didn’t like Marist - that seems like a good match/safety school. If she wants sort of urban, St. Joe’s in Philadelphia would fit all of her criteria.</p>

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<p>Syracuse U for its sportiness and stats</p>

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<p>Hobart & William Smith in upstate NY might be a pleasant surprise.</p>

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<p>Union in Schenectady NY - incredibly gorgeous campus, big Greek scene (the original Greek scene actually), lots of school spirit, history and traditions, excellent academics, tons of activities, etc., and definitely not in a tourist town!</p>

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<p>If she likes Gettysburg, she’ll find a number of like schools that she’ll like. You and she are already in good shape for this. </p>

<p>Strangely, my son liked Gettysburg but not Bucknell.</p>

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<p>[The</a> College of New Jersey](<a href=“http://www.tcnj.edu%5DThe”>www.tcnj.edu)</p>

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<p>How about Denison in Ohio?</p>

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<p>Lots of good thoughts but almost every school above requires the CSS Profile. If her dad has not paid child support and you prove you’ve had no contact, I think many would work for you.</p>

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<p>What about Wheaton in Massachusetts. Not far from you and I think she’d qual for merit aid.</p>

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<p>SUNY Geneseo might be a good match.</p>

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<p>I second Denison in Ohio. We’re from Maine and daughter is a rising junior there. She loves it. Beautiful school, beautiful town (think “New England” and you’ll be picturing Granville, Ohio in your mind), she’s on the lacrosse team and in a sorority and wants to stay there forever. They also have a relatively large endowment and are very generous with financial aid, although we didn’t apply for any and still received about half of tuition in merit aid. We’ve found tranportation to be pretty easy too, with Columbus a half hour away. Plenty of kids from New England there.</p>

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<p>try Union College in New York…seems to fit the bill quite nicely</p>

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<p>when I suggested Denison I forgot the OP wanted a school in the NOrtheast…but Ohio is right next store, so maybe Denison is an acceptable choice!</p>

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<p>U of Delaware has the 3+3 PT program with 17k students or so but, that great small school feel. The campus is rather self-contained with a very quaint small town.</p>