<p>Mike, that’s a good point. And an angle I hadn’t really talked to her about…</p>
<p>I think she has a pretty low tolerance for slackers. She does seem to use the term “idiot” more than I would like her too…</p>
<p>By the general view of TSU, I’m starting to wonder how her aunt ever got into the PhD molecular medicine program at the UT health science center and on to the Emory faculty…</p>
<p>Should I really be THAT concerned?</p>
<p>Is there any way to “negotiate” a scholarship offer? I mean, if it’s clear that she will be bringing deeper stat’s to TSU than her counterparts, could the school be talked into possibly helping her a bit more? Or is that not “done.” I honestly don’t know… </p>
<p>I guess part of me is still hoping she’ll get her act together and apply (at least) for Trinity and get some sort of merit aid offer we could consider. But again, considering how well her aunt has done with a TSU degree, I’m just not sure that’s so important… Esp. since she’s fully expecting to continue on through at least a master’s program…</p>
<p>I would take Tech Honors in a minute over TSU. There is a poster on this forum whose son had a fantastic experience at Tech (honors). You get a great college experience (aside from the small matter of the football coach…) and a school with a better reputation. I have a business associate in Texas who is a TSU (long ago) with a PhD from A&M who is on the faculty at A&M. He thinks Tech is the place to go in Texas for smaller classes and a more “personal” college experience. (disclosure- my husband graduated from Tech (PhD UTexas) ) I realize west Texas isn’t for everyone (but she sure wouldn’t feel “closed in” like at slummy Rice).</p>
<p>She is going to find a lot of slackers and students WELL below her level at Texas State. There are going to be wonderful, smart students there as well who will be very successful. Hopefully, John’s daughter will be one of them. You have to look at the MAJORITY of the student body to get an idea of what the place is going to feel like, though.</p>
<p>Re: the aunt. First of all, it was awhile ago. Secondly, grad school admissions is highly dependent on GRE (or whatever the test is) scores and GPA. Strength/reputation of undergrad comes into play, but the other factors are more important. Same as with medical school. My doctor son-in-law went to a second tier undergrad school (way up the ladder from TSU, though), a good state medical school in TX and is at a top residency program.</p>
<p>I think people are being a little harsh on Texas State. Yes, even I called it a party school back in the day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a decent education there. How many times on cc have we read you can get an inferior education at a great school and a great education at a lower-ranked school? Depends on what you make of your situation. My concern for John’s dd is that she doesn’t sound like she puts herself out there, so I do fear that she may not push to get that great education that can be found at TSU.</p>
<p>FYI, SW’ern has a live chat tonight at 7, if you can get her to log on.</p>
<p>I was playing golf with a friend the other day, and he asked how my daughter’s college search was going. I shared with him about the same stuff as I’ve posted here. He didn’t attend college (although he’s one of the brightest people I know) and he and his wife drive a truck for a living. You’d never guess that of him though… Anyway, when I made the comment that she’s expecting to go on to graduate school after her undergrad, he got this surprised look on his face. He laughed and said “She ALREADY knows she’s going to go to graduate school, and she hasn’t even started college yet???” </p>
<p>I tried to downplay that somewhat by saying in the field she will be studying, they will expect her to have an advanced degree…</p>
<p>But it reminded me that life is all about perspective, and who you see as your “peer group” …</p>
<p>Youdont’say, thanks! I’ll see if I can get her to log on to it…</p>
<p>“I think people are being a little harsh on Texas State. Yes, even I called it a party school back in the day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a decent education there. How many times on cc have we read you can get an inferior education at a great school and a great education at a lower-ranked school? Depends on what you make of your situation…”</p>
<p>I’m not defending TSU as I’ve got no dog in that fight (yet anyway), but I’d be curious to know how those critics explain what my daughter’s aunt has done with her BS from TSU. I mean, would they tell you that you would never make tenure-track prof. at Emory and become and award-winning medical researcher with that kind of undergrad. resume?</p>
<p>I think that’s a legitimate question that begs to be answered…</p>
<p>Depends on the student. Was the aunt the kind of undergrad student who pursued opportunities on her own, who was self-driven, who made connections with professors and whatnot? Because that’s going to be vitally important for getting into a good grad school.</p>
<p>John- I happen to know you are reading my posts, so nice try. I agree that you can get a decent education at Texas State. Education is a lot more than sitting in the classroom, though. </p>
<p>Also, much of what I post is in response to others, and not particularly aimed at you, John, even though I realize you are the center of the universe! I happen to think it is an interesting topic and one that goes beyond the range of just you and your daughter.</p>
<p>John has pointed out many times that his D is unmotivated to the point where it frustrates him (maybe he didn’t use the word frustrate, but implies it by repeating it). Now that we know she has a fondness for referring to other people as idiots, I’d be even more concerned that she will not fit in at TSU. Yes there will be some more dedicated, brighter students there (most likely all will be in the honors program), but unless she shelters herself with them, she will be surrounded by ‘idiots’. </p>
<p>In regards to SIU, it is widely known as a party school (and like TSU, a choice for students who can’t get into UIUC or even Illinois State University), akin to TSU and you can’t deny that reputation. That’s all missypie was referring to. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about the area… that it’s beautiful, etc., but to say one is dissing it because they describe it to a party school is inaccurate at the least.</p>
<p>I think a person could get into my undergrad with a 13 ACT score. Seriously. I got into a nice law school with a very high GPA and decent LSATs.</p>
<p>The reality is, the four-year college experience has two facets to it, academic and social. Some kids find the right school that fits both those needs; some place a higher priority of one over the other. Does it mean they cannot be challenged in the lesser prioritized facet at a school they’ve chosen for other reasons? No, but don’t be surprised if the choice becomes a disappointment over time. </p>
<p>I would also argue that there are many, many places in the country that have many (ten or more) very selective schools within a two hour drive… the entire Northeast for example, and my own area… Chicagoland.</p>
<p>I, too, am offended by the suggestion that because our kids chose to go to schools that were guaranteed to be academically challenging to them, that we are guilty of imposing belief systems that value presige over all else. Both my H and I are products of the flagship school system (UT-Austin for undergrad, and UW-Madison for Ph.D.), but both our kids ended up at smaller private schools. We never thought twice about it, because it’s what was best for them. And yes, they did apply to bigger flagship state schools, too.</p>
<p>teriwtt- H and I also went to large public universities (although my law school was private) and both of our kids went to highly-selective schools because we are prestige-hoars. Both considered state universities (D for music more than S for his major) but chose otherwise. I know the schools have opened many doors for both of them that might not have been otherwise available.</p>
<p>slitheytove, that’s what I’m saying. John’s dd doesn’t seem (from his limited descrption here) to be the kind who is going to be pushing for the opportunities that can be found at TSU; that’s my only concern with this choice for her. But, hey, kids surprise parents all the time. I’ve never forget the first time my mom went to my college apt and marveled at how clean it was, certainly not what she was used to when I lived at home. :)</p>
<p>“I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about the area… that it’s beautiful, etc., but to say one is dissing it because they describe it to a party school is inaccurate at the least…”</p>
<p>Actually, it was the </p>
<p>“Well, then, that’s why that part of the state is heading nowhere, fast…”</p>
<p>Comment that I disagreed with. Not any reference to SIU…</p>
<p>But like I said, most of the folks I got to know in Southern Illinois would put on the “bumpkin” act whenever they were around anyone from “up north” just to perpetuate the stereotype… Because they darn sure didn’t want any more of them moving south and finding out what they already knew So consider yourself “in the know” now :D</p>
<p>"I would also argue that there are many, many places in the country that have many (ten or more) very selective schools within a two hour drive… "</p>
<p>Sounds like you just want to argue. I never said there weren’t…</p>
<p>“that we are guilty of imposing belief systems that value presige over all else…”</p>
<p>Sounds like you want to be offended too. I don’t recall saying that either…</p>
<p>Heck. I don’t even know what “presige” is? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>WOW - way to trash the majority of students who attend TSU. Its hard to believe that what you are saying is the majority of students who attend TSU or comparable schools are ‘idiots’. WOW, just wow. </p>
<p>Here is a harsh dose of reality. There are colleges all across the country that may not be name schools or have prestige names - where good hard working, smart kids go and have great experiences every day. There are tons of “non-name” schools challenging students in the classroom every day. For you and others to insult and impugn those attending these colleges - just because they don’t meet your own criteria - is plain wrong.</p>
<p>John’s daughter could very well go and have a great experience at TSU just as easily as she could be pushed to go to Rice, Univ Chicago, or insert your favorite name school here and have a terrible experience. Every student is different. Evey student has different needs and desires. Those of you who continue to criticize the OP’s daughter for not wanting to go elsewhere - or belittle the student body of TSU are completely off base</p>
<p>I have no idea what to expect from her really. I mean, she has a habit of being unsure of herself, then going ahead and excelling at whatever she was “unsure” about to begin with…</p>
<p>You would think she had proven to herself by now that she is very capable. But it doesn’t seem so…</p>
<p>It wouldn’t surprise me if she found ways to challenge herself there. I’m pretty sure that if she found herself surrounded by other bright kids at a school like Trinity or Southwestern or Rice, she would really come out of her shell. She has never suffered fools well at all, and I fear that the “average” student at TSU may frustrate her the way they seem to here in her HS. But then, she does need to learn to deal with that too, I guess… The world is full of “average” folks, no matter how badly some may like to avoid them.</p>
<p>berryberry, it was the OP himself saying that his daughter doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and that his daughter refers to people being idiots. Quote unquote.</p>
<p>Come off it, John. No one has ever said that someone couldn’t be successful with a degree from TSU or (insert lower-tier college of one’s choice). Of course it’s the person and his / her drive, pluck, smarts, work ethic, ability to get along with others, etc. that makes the difference. My father was president of a major company and he got his GED while serving in the service. There are plenty of people successful from “lower tier” schools. No one is denying that, or saying that you must go to Harvard otherwise you’ll flip burgers. </p>
<p>However - when you come on here, describe your obviously-very-bright daughter, and ask for suggestions, don’t be surprised that people are going to tell you that you should spread your wings wider than lower-tier schools. The suggestions of the Texas Colleges that Change Lives is an excellent one. We’re not talking about prestige here – we’re talking about atmospheres in which scholarship and learning are encouraged vs atmospheres in which scholarship plays a secondary role to other considerations. No one is describing TSU as a place where that happens. They <em>are</em> describing Southwestern and Rice and U of Dallas as places where that happens. There’s a reason for that. There are reasons that campuses have the reputations that they do. </p>
<p>BTW, I spend half my time on CC rolling my digital eyes at people who think that the Ivies are the only game in town. I have deliberately steered my kids away from some top schools (including the top 20 school where they are a double legacy) because I think there are some other, less “prestigious” environments that would be excellent for them and their needs. That’s what it’s about, John, not “prestige.” It’s about fit. And I don’t know TSU from a hole in the wall, but within the framework of wanting to stay in or near Texas, there appear to be some choices that may be better or at least worth investigating.</p>
<p>Has her aunt recently served on the graduate admissions committee at her university? Would a student like her be admitted today? Does UT currently take grad students from TSU?</p>
<p>Students interested in graduate school can ask professors at the undergraduate universities they are considering where they routinely send their students for graduate school… if that is a factor in making the decision.</p>
<p>Just as teri said, there are multiple reasons for picking a school. My ds also doesn’t suffer fools gladly, so his no. 1 priority for a school is a place where he feels like he will be surrounded by intellectually curious people. Thankfully, he feels like there are any number of schools where the critical mass is interested in learning. He’s gotten acceptances thus far from schools ranging from 1,600 kids to 40,000. So, with that part taken care of, now he’s looking at social fit/cost/distance from home/etc.</p>
<p>Have you talked to dd about what she MOST wants out of her college experience? If not, now’s the time. I hear all the time people on cc or IRL say things like, “My did doesn’t want to be more than a three-hour drive from home” or “My kid is only looking at schools on the West Coast.” Nothing wrong with that. Maybe you should have a non-judgemental sit-down and ask what her no. 1 criteria is for picking a school. If it’s proximity to home, then scour and look at every option that fits that criteria. How 'bout Texas Lutheran in Seguin? UTSA, so she’ll have an easy transition into UT? I don’t get the sense that she’s sold on linguistics anyway, so I wouldn’t hang the choice on that.</p>
<p>And John, if your D is frustrated by the ‘idiots’ (her word) at her high school, then why wouldn’t you want to seek an environment where academics are prized, where it’s cool to be smart?</p>
So consider yourself “in the know” now :D</p>