<p>My D has the problem of being accepted at every school she has applied to, with the exception of Cornell (who does not do their acceptances until 3/31 at 5). Cornell is her dream school, and she is hoping for acceptance there. The problem is that if she does not get accepted at Cornell, the choice comes down to Syracuse and Virginia Tech. I do not know how to advise her and am hoping to hear from parents, alumni and students so that I can better advise her on her choice. We have gotten a great FA offer from Syracuse, but are not expecting much from VA Tech because it is a much cheaper school, so they are on a pretty level field finance wise. Her major is Interior Design, Cornell is #2 in the country, VA Tech #5, and Syracuse is somewhere in the top 10. We visited and liked all schools.</p>
<p>I went to Syracuse for a couple of years in the mid 70’s, jeez what a lifetime ago. I loved the experience overall (not so much the upstate NY winters, which would hold true with Cornell as well) That said, with Interior Design as a major at any of those schools should your D decide to change majors any of them would probably be fine. I wonder if a more urban school in or near NYC might be better for career choices if she does indeed stick with the major. Otherwise I’d probably go with the school she liked best and gives the best “deal.” Years from now it won’t really matter where she went between these three schools.</p>
<p>I have a s at VT in the CAUS (not in Interior Design, though) and he loves it. A daughter of one of our good friends just graduated from the Interior Design program and had nothing but wonderful things to say about her experience. A lot of intense work, but she thrived. She is now employed up in DC. From what she told us, the placement rates for VT grads is very good in that part of the state. </p>
<p>All of the College of Arch and Urban Studies freshmen(with the exception of the studio art and urban planning kids) enter the program together and spend their first year of design studio as a unit. They put the top CAUS professors as instructors with the first years as well. From what our guy told us, those studios had a very interesting mix of ideas/perspectives and he really enjoyed the great discussion/critiques that came about because them. </p>
<p>VT is really a gem of a school and as you said, very affordable as compared to Syracuse and Cornell, even for an OOSer. They are all fine schools; she has some great choices! Good luck to her in the decision!</p>
<p>Thanks to all for your input. While I agree that a more urban setting may be better (Pratt or Drexel), the thought of sending my daughter to an urban setting would keep me up at night forever. We are country folks, and so would feel much better in a small town setting. I love that Syracuse is on the end of the city, almost a city to itsself, and Blacksburg is much like our beloved STATE COLLEGE (GO PSU), a short distance away from our home.</p>