<p>Quick correction, Barnard students only get the one diploma. Bachelor of Arts, Columbia University, signed on the bottom left by pres of Columbia and bottom right by pres of Barnard.</p>
<p>You might want to look into Sarah Lawrence in Westchester County, NY... Reputation for a very fine writing program. Artsy , I think; and very near NYCk.</p>
<p>Thank you all!</p>
<p>Emerson does sound interesting. I had looked at it awhile back but put it aside for a reason I can't recall. I guess when we read about Bard in NY only 2.5 hrs away we thought that might be it. We loved Vassar and she says she would overlook the fact that it's in a suburban/upstate town if they accepted her...........but I think it will be too hard to get in for her.</p>
<p>But she started out saying she wanted a city college ( since 10th grade) and I guess she really still has that in her heart. She always said she wanted NYU. That would be great if that is where she is accepted. But she still has alot more work to do this year and it is so competitive. AND EXPENSIVE! NYU does not give people like us (EFC 24K) aid and no merit scholarships. But if she was accepted we'd consider a loan I think. She is the first of 4 children( 2 more right behind her 2008,2009.....2012........) So we can't go into debt with each one.</p>
<p>Well, I thank you again for all your suggestions.</p>
<p>Planning on leaving Wed. for Boston and I feel better now that we have our schools lined up to see.</p>
<p>Boston College
,Boston Univ and Northeastern ( these two if we have time)
Emerson
Interested in the Amherst and consortium, Worcester...College of the Holy cross and Clark, also Stone Hill in Easton but we only have 2 full days to visit and two travel days to and from Long Island. So obviously can not see them all.</p>
<p>Thinking Boston College and Emerson look the best and see BU and Northeastern if time since they are right in Boston. Just have to map them all out.</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p>Tufts is interesting also..........looked at this a while back too. It's in Medford right?</p>
<p>Would you say this is worth seeing to make a special trip out of Boston to see?</p>
<p>Can only see a few. Is Tufts more of a fit for my D's intereststhan say Northeastern? or Boston University? If I remember right Tufts was business and health program strong and arts and LA light? But I know it is a good school. Good study abroad program I think? </p>
<p>Special trip to see Tufts instead? Still a real reach for her?</p>
<p>Tufts is actually an easy ride on the T (subway). It's two stops away from Harvard Square on the Red Line.</p>
<p>It may be a reach. Tufts is famous--among other things--for "Tufts syndrome," rejecting students who use it as a fallback in case they do not get into Harvard or MIT. It is an excellent school in its own right and getting more selective all the time. Besides the standard liberal arts curriculum, it has a good program in early childhood education (one of my S's elementary school teachers graduated from this program), environmental economics. It has a special tie with the New England Conservatory of Music. Ariesathena, who graduated from Tufts, could tell you more.</p>
<p>Check out the Tufts connection with the Boston Fine Arts Museum art school. It's a bit unclear on their website -- maybe someone here will have better information -- but it seems you apply to both and if accepted attend SBFA with supplements at Tufts and graduate with a Tufts degree.
<a href="http://smfa.edu/Programs_Faculty/Undergraduate_Degree_Programs/BFA.asp%5B/url%5D">http://smfa.edu/Programs_Faculty/Undergraduate_Degree_Programs/BFA.asp</a></p>
<p>How interesting!<br>
Thanks momrath</p>
<p>Tufts is like BC in that it has a definte campus in a suburban town but is intimately connected to Boston because of its T connection (BC is on the Green Line; Tufts on the Red line as marite mentions. It is a "very selective" school a notch below the Ivies (hence the "Tufts syndrome") and a bit more selective than BC and BU. But Northeast is less selctive than BC/BU. That's a good thing for smart kids who are attracted to what Northeastern offers. I think it's worth checking out because it will have a diferent feel than BC or BU. Definitely urban, they are growing and have put a fair bit of money into their infrastructure over the past few years. What sets them apart is their work-study program where they have been real innovators for many years. I wouldn't try to visit more than 2 campuses a day. You want to have time to check out the campus and talk to people beyond the tour. I think it's important to talk to students that are not so motivated to seel the place as the tour guides will be. And since it is summer, it will take more time to find kids to talk to. Obviously the campuses will all be quieter and it will be harder to feel the "vibe" of a place but I think your D will be able to tell right away if a given campus is a contender. As you narrow your list further it will be valuable to visit during the school year. Of your list i would consider BC - Emerson on 1 day, Northeastern + Tufts or BU on day 2. If you stay in a downtown Boston Hotel, you won't have to use your car at all to visit these campuses and in the evening can enjoy Boston and see if your D will like that town as a base. I think it's probably the best big-city college town around but others may have their favorites.</p>
<p>It seems to me the general direction of the schools your daughter is looking at are urban, catholic and a bit artsy. Everyone has provided some very good advice but left out a school that while not in Boston is as close to Boston as Worcester, that is Providence College. It is urban, catholic and has an arts program. I am not too familiar with its arts program but for more you can check out:</p>
<p>I would also suggest that you follow the 2 schools a day guideline set out by the others. Perhaps 2 Boston schools in one day and the 2 elsewhere if you can plan the trip appropriately, i.e. Stonehill and PC.</p>
<p>BTW, Stonehill College is run by Congregation of Holy Cross, the same religious order that runs the University of Notre Dame. I also believe that they have an engineering transfer program set up between the schools, though engineering does not seem to be your daughters interest.</p>
<p>If your daughter is interested in creative writing, BU has many stars in its creative writing department. If she leans more towards journalism, their journalism program is well-regarded, I believe. And while it is not a Catholic school, there are many kids there who hale from Catholic backgrounds. </p>
<p>I'm not sure either Tufts or BC would satisfy her if she wants an urban experience. Yes, Boston is just a T ride away from both schools, but it's not the same as having the city right out your door, the way you do at BU.</p>
<p>I agree with eagle79's recommendations for Providence College and 2 schools per day. Providence College has a strong reputation and appears to be a good fit for your daughter. The city of Providence has undergone a revitalization and is considered a hip city for young people. Stonehill is in a very suburban location and not that close to Boston. Clark and Holy Cross are excellent schools but the city itself is not considered 'cool'. Holy Cross and Clark are very different from one another. The student body at Holy Cross tends to be conservative and upper middle class surburban catholic, while Clark is quite diverse and liberal-leaning with a fair number of internationals. Providence is probably more in the middle. Not sure about specific programs, but the catholic liberal art colleges tend to have good English departments. As others have said, Emerson would also be a good choice. BTW, Emmanuel in Boston went co-ed a few years ago and I believe Holy Cross is Jesuit.</p>
<p>I'd also take a look at Wheaton College, just outside of Boston for your daughter. Stone Hill is a nice college but Wheaton is probably a bit more challenging in terms of academics. Strong art programs at Wheaton as well.</p>
<p>you all helped so much.</p>
<p>Today is Monday ( 4th of July ) kind of crazy.....trying to run around to various graduation parties, and picking up and dropping off kids @ block parties etc. all while trying to map out college visits in Boston!</p>
<p>All while my daughters future hangs in the balance! haha just kiddin.</p>
<p>4 kids all close together.....us crazy catholics! What were we thinking!</p>
<p>Well. Just to let you know .........now my husband thinks he MUST go into work on Fri. which limits us to ONE day in Boston........great w/ a 5-6 hr drive each way....I don't think it's gonna happen.</p>
<p>If he does not have to work Fri. ( fingers crossed) then we will leave Tues late afternoon, be in Boston that eve. and have all day Wed. & Thurs. to tour colleges and enjoy the city.</p>
<p>I would like to thank the person, I apologize for not remembering your handle at the moment, who suggested Tufts/School of Fine Arts Joint degree. </p>
<p>We are going to check out : Boston Univ. ( even tho it is so big) first. Because it seems to have the most URBAN flavor. Plus, we found out that the School of New England for Photography is right down the road on Commonwealth Ave and that BU gives gallery space to them and many internships are given to BU students. The whole area seems very cultural and artsy w/ many opportunities for students.</p>
<p>The School for the Museum of Fine Arts is nearby as well and offers a joint program with Tufts where stubents recieve both a B.A. from Tufts in a major of thier choice and a B.F.A from the School of Museum of Fine Arts and other options as well in partnership with Tufts, and Emerson.</p>
<p>For some reason she feels compelled( how intellectual! ...lol) to still see Boston College as well. </p>
<p>Plus Brandeis looked good too. And Stone Hill is a consideration.</p>
<p>But so many schools and so little time...........we can only wait and see what happens!</p>
<p>On the flip side if my husband can not have Fri. off.......we all agreed it is too much to do in only 2 days and instead will opt to go for a day ( perhaps day and a half trip) to NYC
there we will see Fordham Lincoln Center, Barnard and NYU.</p>
<p>So it should be interesting.</p>
<p>I just want to stop here, and really thank everyone for there suggestions and advice. This has been a rollercoaster situation for us and I guess this is normal..............we will get better with each child. But really, thank you for your guidance and patience and support.</p>
<p>You already got such great advice from others so I am not going to bother to answer your initial questions cause I would have had similar advice. </p>
<p>I'm just gonna chime in on two things that came up. </p>
<p>One has to do with Tufts. Someone said it was not that urban or in suburbia or something to that effect. I went to Tufts. The location was, to me, just about perfect, because it is just like one town away from Boston, not what I would call the burbs. Not only can you walk to things from Tufts campus, in Somerville, but get on the T and be in Harvard Square in ten minutes and Boston in another five or ten. It is very accessible. It is like the best of both worlds. The city is at your doorstop but you still get a nice New England college campus. It is not isolated at all and it is in an urban type of neighborhood but not in a downtown of a city. The city is a hop away for the taking. My own child LOVED Tufts and seriously considered going. She liked it for numerous reasons but like myself and others, the location was one of its pros. </p>
<p>I also wanted to comment how Tufts is associated with the Museum School. Even if your child did not do the joint program, a Tufts student can take Museum School courses. I took four of them myself because I always loved art. Two of the courses were offered right on Tufts own campus and two I took in Boston at the Museum School. Tufts is also great with writing and has lots of what your D was looking for. It is hard to get into though. The acceptance rate is around 23%. Kinda similar to situation with NYU. </p>
<p>The other thing I wanted to comment on was your remark that for a family such as yours, that NYU will not give aid and also no merit aid. I used to think that too. BUT, my second daughter is going to NYU this fall, and we may be in your general ballpark there and she received a scholarship that was merit based but the amount included need as well and the scholarship was for $20,000/year. So, surprise surprise, they do have merit awards. Hers was called the Trustees Scholarship. They also give need based aid to folks in this range. Thought I would share this with you. We did do a double take upon reading this scholarship letter. Don't rule NYU out, in other words, not yet. Just don't do ED. </p>
<p>Enjoy Boston. I lived in Boston for six years for college and grad school and it was such a great place to be at that time of my life. My oldest child is at Harvard this summer and is having her taste of what it is like to live there. I will also second what someone else mentioned in that Providence is a nice city for college....my D goes to Brown and enjoys it very much...can walk to everything. Brown is great in the arts but if this school is too much of a reach, I second the suggestion of Providence College since you are looking for urban and possibly Catholic affiliated. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>I also wanted to second the suggestion of Emerson for your D. My younger one got in there and we have been there twice. They have the arts AND liberal arts but it is not like a typical liberal arts school because so many are there for the arts and for communications, even though they must study lotsa liberal arts too. But most have an interest in majoring in the arts or communications while there. Definitely urban. My kid liked it. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Holy Cross has a very strong alumni network which helps in job placement and grad school. HC's alumni giving rate is aound 50% compared to 25-30% at BU and BC. Also if one looks at US News rankings Holy Cross has been ranked tier 1 since the magazine's ranking inception in the 1980's while both BU and BC were not. Among Catholic Universities Gtown, Notre Dame, and Holy Cross are the old national schools. As a sports example Holy Cross has the oldest football and basketball rivalry with Harvard, Yale, and Dartmouth-over 100 years among non -Ivy colleges, followed by Colgate.</p>
<p>We visited Stonehill a few years back. THought the campus was very nice, almost too nice....trying to be like a country club, maybe? We never got a real feel for the academics but seemed to appeal to upper middle class kids from the suburbs of Boston. Bright, enough kids. Pre-professional serving Boston College wannabees. Train etc to Boston but neede a shuttle first which at the time didn't seem to be too reliable.</p>
<p>but if I could I would. Holy Cross sounds great too. Perhaps a different trip. </p>
<p>We will keep it on the list. It keeps calling too, that's why I asked about it.</p>
<p>How do these kids decide? So many good choices!</p>
<p>par72,</p>
<p>You would have to consider BC (1863) as an old National Catholic University like HC (1843), Georgetown (1789) and ND (1842). I am not sure but I believe it has always been in the top tier of schools rated by USNews.</p>
<p>As a Holy Cross student, I'd just like to make a quick correction to an earlier post. Someone said "the student body at Holy Cross tends to be conservative and upper middle class surburban catholic." The Princeton Review also says that the typical HC student is conservative. However, a recent survey of HC students dispels this myth: "45 percent of Holy Cross students identified as liberal in some degree or other; 30 percent identified as conservative." This and other student polling information can be found here: <a href="http://www.holycross.edu/departments/publicaffairs/hcm/summer04/features/feature3.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.holycross.edu/departments/publicaffairs/hcm/summer04/features/feature3.html</a> . Also, students of all regional and economic backgrounds attend Holy Cross. I have several friends from Jamaica and know many individuals (myself included) who rely on pretty significant need-based financial aid in order to afford the cost of attendance. The statement the student body at Holy Cross tends to be conservative and upper middle class surburban catholic is misleading.</p>
<p>It's not a major issue; however I do get frustrated when people make generalizations that aren't based in fact. Most students are liberal, though there is also pretty strong conservative contingent.</p>