"…Over the next month, high school seniors throughout the country and world are receiving admission decisions and will have to choose the school in which they will enroll. In a normal year, applicants who have multiple acceptances typically weigh their options and, if they have the resources, visit each campus they are seriously considering. For students who might not have the financial means to pay their way to visit schools, some colleges provide funds to make this possible. Students often attend admitted student programs and might tour the campus again, attend a class, stay overnight and have the opportunity to meet their future classmates.
However, this is not a normal year. As a growing number of college campuses close, so does the window for students—of all backgrounds and circumstances—to connect in person with the schools to which they have been admitted. While this has elicited a range of emotions, from disappointment to uncertainty to anxiety, all is not lost. With the right attitude and strategy, students can make an informed college choice. The following considerations with an easy to remember acronym (COVID 1-9) will help newly admitted students in their process of discernment:" …
Affordability will move up the list for many students and families. Many parents will lose their jobs, or lose income if their hours are reduced or their small businesses lose business, in the economic downturn (shutting down half of the economy for 3-8 weeks will cause an economic downturn). Those who have assets invested in stocks or real estate are probably seeing the value of those assets decline.
Additionally, with the likelihood of online distance education next fall, the distinctive aspects of each college’s in-person experience will matter less.
This is hitting home right now. My son has 5 schools on his list: U of Arizona, UTD, UF, FSU, and UCF. He has visited UofA and UTD and had planned to visit the 3 Florida schools over spring break - but now is cancelled.
So, how does he choose? This decision is not so easy. UF is the highest ranked school in the group. FSU has arguably the best physics program, which is his intended major. UTD and UCF have the best dorms and modern campuses. UofA is closest to home - in state. UF was the only school he didn’t get into honors. Many variables.
Affordability is not a consideration as he will have at or near a full ride at all as a National Merit Finalist (that’s why they are top of the list!). UTD gives him the most money - full COA and generous study abroad stipend. Florida schools are full COA but we would have to pay for one summer and study abroad. UofA is full tuition plus half room/board with small study abroad stipend.
We are still holding out hope for a short visit to Florida end of April, but it looks more and more unlikely with each passing day.
Any advice? Any experience with these schools? Any thoughts on what else to consider?
What specifically about FSU’s physics department is better than the others? Elective courses more aligned with his subarea interests?
Consider also what the renewal requirements (e.g. minimum college GPA) for the scholarships are.
Study abroad may not be possible due to travel restrictions at least until there is a COVID-19 vaccine available to anyone who wants it, and perhaps longer.
Proximity to home seems to be growing as a criterion for college choice these days due to travel logistic difficulties. Note that if airline flight schedules are cut back (including by one or more airlines ceasing operations), that can make long distance travel less convenient and more expensive.
I should clarify: Not better. He likes FSU’s physics department due to the NHMFL and some areas of research he is interested in. We’ve heard good things about their “studio” classes. UF’s physics dept looks to garner higher research dollars and is really good as well, so we could go either way on those two. UofA physics has a good reputation. UTD is building a new physics building and research facility that will be open this fall. We feel he can get a solid physics degree at any of these schools.
Study abroad is important to him and we’re thinking that 4 years is a long time for travel restrictions. Who knows, but we’ll plan on it being available at some point.
We have been to Florida, but only the southern part for vacation/sports.
One other thing to be careful of with study abroad is that if the physics major has a long sequence of prerequisites, that can make doing study abroad more difficult if the abroad school does not have a course accepted for the prerequisite that would be missed by being abroad instead of at the main school, especially if the main school does not offer that course every semester.
Note also that Florida public universities have a 9 credit summer session requirement (at any Florida public university, or summer time study abroad sponsored by the Florida public university).
An important issue is how well a college/university has handled this challenging situation. We’ve been well aware of how many colleges are responding to this pandemic. My husband and I are college professors. Our older child graduated from USC last year. Our younger son is a freshman at Lewis & Clark. I’ve been so impressed by how Lewis & Clark continues to respond to the pandemic. The policies have been thoughtful and humane. For instance, unlike many schools, Lewis & Clark allowed students and their families decide for themselves whether to stay on campus or not after courses went on-line in mid-March, recognizing that each situation was different and that some students might not have anywhere safe to go. I know the students at my Ivy alma mater were pushed out in early March. I have heard from parents that other schools large and small around the country didn’t let students stay. In the end, less than 200 L&C students stayed (out of a bit over 2000). They were moved into singles in a more central area of campus so that security could keep them safe. Everyone was put onto the nineteen-meal plan at no extra cost. Even now at the end of the semester, the students have received an email saying, basically, “No one will be forced out if this is the safest place for you and/or your family.” This isn’t the easiest route for the College, but they are offering it regardless. The administration has been accessible to parents, responding to emails fast even on the weekends. Throughout, they have been trying to be as compassionate and flexible as possible, while still taking precautions. I’ve appreciated how they have responded to this first-time-ever situation. I feel that this is an important issue when choosing a college: What happens during a crisis? It is when colleges and universities have demonstrated their true character, one way or another.