When your first choice is your safety......

College Search & Selection
1

DS16 LOVES his safety, a ranked, national research university (directional). It’s the only place he wants to go.

I’m certain he’ll get SOME merit aid, but the amount is in question. In any case, he is certain to get in, and the school will most likely be very, very affordable.

My sensibilities tell me he should apply to at least 1 or 2 other schools, but he feels it is a waste of time.

As a parent, would you insist on additional applications? I’m torn as to what to do here. Do I push for him to pick another school or 2 (with lots of objections)? Or do I let him have a peaceful senior year knowing that his college is a “gimmee”. He knows that no matter where else he applies, he wouldn’t attend.

Input?

2

It’s foolhardy not to have choices, or, at the very least, a backup plan.

3

My husband only applied to his state 4yr university because that was all he could afford. I was an early admit after 3yrs HS to an Ivy (1970s) and that is the only school I applied to. Neither one of us ever regretted applying to only 1 school. Our son will probably only apply to one public university where he is already an auto admit due to test scores and grades because it has everything he wants in a school re majors, outdoor life, and cost.

Is your DS16 an auto admit or clearly a shoe in? If so I would not fight the choice and enjoy senior year. If not then there will need to be a back up plan.

4

Teenagers have been known to change their minds - I know, crazy, huh? Also, nothing in life is certain - you may feel that admission to the school in question is dead certain, but you could be wrong about that - stuff happens, even wildly improbably stuff.

He should apply to at least one or two other schools.

5

agree with JustOneDad. Also, we all know that MANY students change their minds about schools and majors. Maybe he won’t, and that’s great, but it seems like 1-2 other well-researched choices that don’t require much in the way of additional application materials (i.e. once you’ve completed the common app for one school, applying to another is usually very easy) would be prudent just in case. This is his only chance to do this; he can leave the process with no regrets that maybe he could’ve/should’ve opened his mind to a couple of other options. (he might still say it was all a waste of his time when it’s over and he’s headed where he said he was going all along…but it doesn’t have to take an awful lot of time to consider 1-2 other schools that would also be a good fit).

6

Not a parent, but yes I would insist on about 2 more applications. It’s great that your son’s first choice is his safety but it’s always nice to look around a bit and analyze other options.

7

I only applied to two colleges that would be considered safeties. I didn’t have to write a single essay or get letters of recommendation for either one and with rolling admissions was admitted to both within a couple weeks of submitting my applications. I did have to get some of that stuff for my application for NMF, which paid off because I am going to my top choice school, a midwestern non-flagship university, with a full ride National Merit scholarship. I applied to one in-state university that would have been affordable (though not as easily) had something fallen through with NMF. I saw no reason to apply anywhere else. As long as you’re sure that it is affordable no matter what, I don’t see a need to to apply to a bunch of colleges if this is where he wants to go. Relax and let him have peaceful senior year.

8

If it is 100% certain that he will be admitted, 100% certain that it will be affordable, and 100% certain that he won’t change his mind about its desirability and suitability, then that one school is all he needs in his application list.

While having more choices in case he changes his mind later may sound good, it is likely that if he adds additional schools, they will have similar characteristics as his current first choice school, so that if he changes his mind about the desirability of his current first choice school, he may find all of these other schools to be undesirable as well.

9

My younger son was like this…he applied to Alabama, we knew he’d get great merit and get in, but I wanted him to apply to a few more schools. I think that in the end, he applied to about 5 other schools. I’m glad that he still had a choice in the spring, even tho he did go to Bama. lol

Edited to add…

Is the school UCF?

Well, it seems that your son has the stats to get a good bit of merit at a variety of schools. Why not have some “parent picks” and have him apply and visit a couple of other schools with large merit…as back ups.

10

Can he apply EA and have a few choices in mind in case he doesn’t get in?

11

^^^
The question isn’t whether he’ll get in…he’ll get in…and with merit. I think the mom is concerned about the cons and other issues.


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DS is a junior.

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We have looked at all 3 schools. They all have pros and cons. I’ll list a few of our opinions and would love to hear opinions from others:

UF Pros:
Of course, it is the highest ranked state school in Florida, both overall and in computer science.
It has an excellent alumni network.
Well recruited as one of the state flagships.
Plenty of school spirit.

UF Cons:
DS didn’t like the campus (the tour was a huge letdown).
Doesn’t offer a minor in digital media - major only.
It’s in a small town - good, local internships seem unlikely.
Honors housing on the edge of campus.

FSU Pros:
The campus is charming and had a more friendly vibe.
Well regarded, although not as much so as the other flagship.
Larger town, but still didn’t seem as though tech internships would be plentiful.
Very much liked the honors and scholars program.
Honors housing centrally located.
Plenty of school spirit.

FSU Cons:
Also lacking digital media minor.
Seems to be stronger in the computer security area - not of interest to DS.
Larger town, but still didn’t seem as though tech internships would be plentiful.

UCF Pros:
Excellent scholarship opportunities - not just NMF - Provost Scholars and Golden Knights
Huge school ( A con for many, but DS loves the vibe).
Campus layout is efficient for its size.
Love, love, loves the honors housing.
Has a digital media minor and many more classes of interest than the others…
The area seems to offer so much more in the way of internship opportunities.

UCF cons:
It’s newer and looks more like an industrial park than a university.
Not as highly regarded - not nationally recognized.
Doesn’t seem to have a strong alumni network.
Some school spirit, but no rich history/traditions.

In summary, DS loves UCF and it is his first choice currently. Aside from school reputation, it really is the best fit and the logical choice. My concern is that a degree from this school may not open doors that would be available to him from a school like UF (or, to a lesser extent, FSU). UF is no southern ivy, but it is a strong, well-recruited state flagship. I guess what I really need is to hear success stories from parents whose high-achieving – but not Intel Science Fair superstar – kids went to colleges that were (hold your breath here) “beneath them”.

Pleas be kind in your responses!!!


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12

Happynephew was only interested in one home-state public U that he knew he would get into (guaranteed admission for his stats), that he knew offered his major, and that he was certain would be affordable. He applied online after Thanksgiving dinner, and had the acceptance letter in his hot little fist a week and a half later. One and done before the Winter Break. He had a great time there, and has never, ever looked back.

You know your kid. Provided there are no issues about affordability, applying to only this one place is perfectly fine.

13

If he just wants to apply to the one school, see if they have EA or rolling admission so he knows for sure he is in by December. I’d try hard to encourage a couple of other applications in case he changes his mind though.

14

Knowing the timeline for when you would find out about admissions and aid at the safety school is the important piece of this puzzle that is missing. If the timeline is such that you would still have time to apply to some other choice (on the safety side, not a reach) if he changes his mind, I would leave him in peace.

That being said, as a parent I would be doing my own research based on my child and have one or two schools in mind if there was a change of heart. Find a school that has a later admissions deadline, maybe one that doesn’t have as many requirements like supplemental essays. If there is already a common application to the safety school, could you find a second pick on the common app that would be just a matter of a few keystrokes and a credit card payment to apply?

Only you know your child. Is this typical behavior for him? Is his safety choice a good solid pick in your opinion? Does it meet his needs for his intended major/minor, and does his major/minor fit his personality and academic interests?

Even if one and done is the right choice, I can’t imagine how parents would sleep well at night throughout senior year. It would make me a bit crazy thinking up what if scenarios.

15

If it’s UCF, it’s on rolling admissions and you’ll know by the end of October if you’re accepted and what scholarships are being offered.

You could still apply to UF and FSU , after getting a decision back from UCF (UF has a Nov 1’st deadline, while FSU has an Oct 15th and Jan 13th deadline for applications). The other Florida public universities are all on rolling admissions, and you could apply to those after Nov 1st.

In other words, I think you’re fine going with one applications. You have plenty of other in-state options as safeties. Just make sure he applies early for UCF.

Good Luck!

16

Thanks to everyone who posted for your thoughtful responses!

@Gator88NE Yes, it’s UCF. We will know early if he is accepted, but if I remember correctly, this year’s scholarship awards didn’t come out until mid November. Too late for UF/FSU (which he wouldn’t choose over UCF, anyway), but not for some other merit opportunities.

@mom2collegekids I am no longer concerned with cons. If this is where he wants to be, then I must trust that he will make the best of his opportunities. Really, for computer science, it is hard to argue against this school.

@ucbalumnus I am 100% certain he will be accepted, and am 99% certain that he won’t change his mind. UCF is affordable. Florida has Bright Futures (roughly $100 per credit) and UCF has Pegasus scholarships/Provost award. I expect, but am not 100% certain, that he will get more than full tuition between the two programs. NMF, which covers COA, is unlikely, yet still a very slim possibility. However, aside from NMF, UCF’s scholarships are not posted, guaranteed awards like Alabama’s. I am only making assumptions based on previous years’ awards.

@albert69 Thank you for the student perspective! There really is a value to not having to participate in all of the college acceptance drama.

You all helped a lot! I’ll let you know how it fleshed out in about 6 months (or sooner)!

17

I don’t like it when a student doesn’t have a “choice” in the spring.

18

But if they have an early acceptance it’s no different than the kids who did ED and have no “choice” in the spring.

19

My state has an extremely popular Big State U (two in fact) and it is common for kids to pick one, apply, and be done early in the school year.

20

DS and I discussed this yesterday. He is going to apply to UCF plus one other safety. Thank you all for helping us get this squared away.