What can you tell me about Univ of New Haven?

<p>They are the leader in our daily mail sweepstakes here. D is finishing her junior year, and we're getting 3-4 pieces a week. The school looks like it has a lot of things that are interesting to her, but it's not ranked very highly and is not very selective. The endowment is paltry as well. Can any of you New Englanders tell me anything about UNH? Though well below CC standards, does anyone have a kid or know someone attending UNH?</p>

<p>It is not known to be academically challenging outside of their great forensic/criminal justice programs. Henry Lee has cut back, but still teaches there and they named a college after him. It is also popular for returning students for advanced degrees.
I just read an article about New Haven area colleges and they were saying how expensive it is for many students. Some were paying the full weight for 4 years at UNH! That I wouldn't recommend. Some of my son's friends got great f.aid packages that made it cheaper than our state univ. and they chose to go there. It's a small campus, not very attractive, but close to many stores, restaurants and possible jobs if needed.
What is she interested in?</p>

<p>She's interested in engineering. They have probably sent 20 pcs of mail in the last 5 weeks. Most every school looks great in the viewbook.</p>

<p>They are really pushing the Tegrity system they have for taping and replaying on demand of all lectures on campus. That could be something useful for her, especially as an athlete that could be traveling. Of course, the aid package would have to be good and the school reputable.</p>

<p>Do you live near Ct? If not, that might help with $. If you can visit,especially if she is interested in another college nearby, it might help to get a better feel.
If you have any other questions I might be able to answer, feel free to ask.</p>

<p>20 years ago when we lived near there, it was considered an expensive "local" school. I knew a lot of kids that went there and lived at home. Even back then it was known for its criminal justice program. But maybe it has changed?</p>

<p>"...It's a small campus, not very attractive..."</p>

<p>My son attended a Yale lax camp at UNH last summer. Dorms are adequate-; neighborhood is sketchy. I know they have a (locally) well respected interior design degree program, but didn't even realize UNH had an engineering degree program. I'll ask around, but off-hand, don't know anyone from our area (20 miles away) who has ever attended. I'm guessing there might be alternatives that are a closer "match"?</p>

<p>I am a lifelong Connecticut resident and it is not on my radar screen. I don't know anyone who has ever gone there. I have seen the billboards from the highway, but that's it. </p>

<p>When I hear UNH, I immediately think NEW HAMPSHIRE. </p>

<p>When I hear New Haven, I think Yale and Southern Connecticut State U ...</p>

<p>Your mileage may vary!</p>

<p>While it's not cheap, tuition, room and board are just south of $40K, so it's still about $10K under the top schools. We're from western PA, so we aren't really too close, and her stats are pretty strong for there with SAT pending. It's one school we haven't talked to the coach yet, so no way of knowing if there is any possibility of a partial there. We'll have 2 in school so she'll be PELL eligible but it doesn't look like their need based aid is real strong.</p>

<p>What sport?</p>

<p>Track, field actually.</p>

<p>Our state school, UConn might be an option or Sacred Heart Univ (knew 2 students that got track scholarships, average grades) I was also told by a GC that Manhattan College in NY is very strong in engineering and gives out good financial aid packages.</p>

<p>UNH meets on average 66% of financial need, and Manhattan College meets 78% of financial need for undergraduates. UNH meets a bit more financial need for freshmen. My source was USNews. This thread got me interested in reading about UNH, but now that I know that they meet only an average of 66% of need after freshman year, I am no longer interested. My older son applied to a couple of schools that meet a similar amount of need, and for us, it meant an awful FA package.</p>

<p>its actually not even in new haven; its in west haven which is not the nicest place to be. although they do have some solid programs.</p>

<p>I actually saw on the house flipping show with the guys from New Haven where they were doing a house in West Haven and they said that if it was 2 blocks one direction it would be worth a lot more and 2 blocks the other way was a rougher neighborhood yet. NEmom, I saw their aid wasn't great on average, but I always figure it's worth the chance to see what they offer. It's not her top choice by far, but after going through a lot of filters, it's one of a dozen or so that's left.</p>

<p>No one knows anyone with any personal experience?</p>

<p>My son's friend went there but the parents never really shared the FA package, but I think it was 1/2 from what I could surmise. I know another young lady who got full tuition because a parent worked at the school (had to pay R&B) and another that got a good scholarship from N.Dame high school which is a stones throw away. The article in New Haven magazine was discouraging because they focused on the ones paying full or almost tuition....made you wonder if there had been any better options.
I think out of the two, UNH and Manhattan, from what I've read, Manhattan has a better engineering program.</p>

<p>Manhattan was elimnated for other reasons. New Haven is Division 2. D cannot compete at the D1 level. D2 is MAYBE doable. D3 is most likely, she'd be competitive out of the box, at least at a conference/regional level. New Haven is one of only 2 Division 2s on the radar right now. The rest are D3s except for one reach D1 where track would take a back seat, though she'd try her best.</p>

<p>Okay, I understand that your D has specific needs. If this is one of twelve schools, it is definitely worth applying. If one is looking for better FA without specifics like sports, then there are better choices IMO.</p>

<p>Thanks NEmom and Debruns for your input.</p>