<p>Big sports program with lots of spirit and tradition was definitely a pull for my cheerleader D. And the fact that the school does NOT have a Greek system was also a plus. She would definitely have rushed if her school had sororities, but it was a relief not to have that option. She’d had enough of applications and tryouts at that point! She also liked that it’s a medium-sized school (~10,000). And I’m sure that the pretty campus also played a part. But the biggest deciding factor was probably the general atmosphere of the school: very family-like, welcoming and supportive. All of these factors were enough for her to forfeit her #1 requirement, which was to be “someplace warm” (which this place is definitely not!).</p>
<p>Jea828, football and school spirit were in the must have column for my girls too. The youngest was glad that greek life is not a big thing at A & M. Being a band student, she LOVES the Fighting Texas Aggie Band.</p>
<p>My oldest son did not want to graduate in debt, so he took a National Merit offer to the U. of Alabama, and he has been incredibly pleased with his education and experiences over four years. Traveled all over the world. Double major. Double minor. Internships. And winning three BCS titles in four years does not hurt.</p>
<p>The jury is out on Son #2. He’s a HS junior. He would like to attend school in the south (loves the weather and in many cases, the food). Is looking for merit money and a strong math program. And good football.</p>
<p>Both of my boys wanted D1 sports, Greek life and strong acedemics, but also preferred the smaller private schools to the big state schools. Needless to say, that list gets fairly short quickly!</p>
<p>Thankfully, they are both thrilled with their choices and are enjoying the sports, Greek life and the classroom experience.</p>
<p>NYC location; size (small); no sports/Greek life; artsy students; recognized name; daughter’s GPA/SAT a bit above their average, so some merit aid, while still being challenging; one hour from home; doesn’t require a car or driving;exceptionally nice dorms. (Fordham at Lincoln Center).</p>
<p>His requirements were Greek life over 30%, meets full need through need or merit aid, small LAC with strong med school acceptances, and strong campus traditions. Didn’t have to have a campus full of gunners, but wanted strong academics. Oh, and no hippies. </p>
<p>Me: It just “felt” right. The campus looked like how I had always envisioned college should be.</p>
<p>S: Knew he wanted a small, selective LAC. He didn’t want to be lost in a crowd and he wanted to be surrounded by smart people. Although one of the factors he thought was important was the ability to attend Division I sports events (which his small LAC offers - its the smallest totally D1 school in the country), when he actually attended he very rarely went to watch sports, because he couldn’t find anyone to go with him. He absolutely loved the college though, graduated Magna Cum Laude and PBK and found a good job in his field 2 months after graduation.</p>
<p>For D, the school “felt right” and it met her criteria. It was a location that was warmer than where we live, medium-sized, offered Greek life, and emphasized “engaged learning” (she’s a hands on, practical kind of learner). On the downside, D didn’t really know what career she wanted when she applied and was accepted ED. 4 months later, in a Senior Project for hs, she found the career she loved - and her college doesn’t offer it. It wasn’t a disaster, as this career requires a masters degree to practice anyway, but now she is faced with applying to grad schools in a very competitive environment, and spending another 2 1/2 years before she can begin working. Had she known what she wanted to do before applying to college she could have looked at several “direct admit” BS/MS programs that would have ensured her place in the MS program and shaved a year to 18 months off of the time required to complete her education. That said, she LOVES her college and I don’t think it ever crossed her mind to transfer to a school that offers her field for undergrad. She’s pursuing a related major and minor instead.</p>
<p>For both my S’s…in no particular order:
Size (wanted big state u’s)
Instate
D1 football
Good friends also attending
Family tradition
Wide variety of majors
Could graduate debt free
Could take their trucks with them
Nice weather (both hate cold)
Easy trip home…though their visits were rare</p>
<p>S wasn’t left with many options when he got turned down or waitlisted by his top choices. But luckily he was still left with a small top LAC that fit his personality perfectly. It’s just a shame that it’s program isn’t stronger in his chosen major.</p>
Academically challenging with like-minded students
Good music program in addition to great academics
Open curriculum where student has flexibility in choosing classes
Urban location
Open-minded students who are not too focused on Greek life or sports
He goes to Brown and loves it.</p>
<p>Younger son wants a different experience - still waiting to hear from schools. He wants a rural, football-oriented school, with a more traditional focus.</p>
<p>LAC
Challenging academics
Intellectual but not competitive environment
No Greek life
Friendly, fun campus vibe
Small classes with personal attention from faculty
Liberal student body
Beautiful campus
Undergraduate research opportunities
Access to outdoor recreation
Warm-ish climate
Great dorm food
Affordable</p>
<p>Love reading this thread, but the info would be much more valuable if the colleges were actually named. We are putting together prospective list with S, and would love to be able to put a name with the face, so to speak. Post #31 (sally305) sounds like a dream school-- what is it??!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Student was able to play in the university orchestra all four years, and continue private instrument study without a major or minor in music</p></li>
<li><p>Pleasing climate</p></li>
</ol>
<p>My older son was most concerned about the academics of the school, and wanted a place strong in math/engineering/science. He did not care about size, weather, location, etc. I cared more about the “fit” for him, and finances. In the end he was really torn between an out of state public that offered him no merit aid, and a private that offered him lots of merit aid. Even though at the end of the day the public may have been cheaper bc he had a TON of AP/college credit they would accept, I suggested he take the merit, because they appeared to want him more, the school was a better fit, and if be hated it, he could always transfer. If he’d taken the out of state public, I don’t think he would have received nearly as good a package as a transfer. So far he’s happy with his choice.</p>
<p>Sorry, BfloGal! My son is at Hendrix in AR. For him it is absolutely a dream school. Keep in mind that he is not a status-seeker and didn’t care that his friends were all fighting over spots at the Ivies and other “top” schools. He went 100% for fit and opportunity and has not been disappointed.</p>
<p>D was pretty open about what she wanted. Wanted challenging academics and great social opportunities. Sports were a must. Greek was fine too. Really wanted the Boston area. Was willing to take on debt if needed. Turns out her top two choice were west coast and within two hours of home. Visited first campus and never made it to the second. She graduates in June and will have no debt. Turns out school number one had everything she wanted and amazing financial aid too. She chose Stanford over Cal.</p>
<p>My older son wanted the following in a college: big school with Division 1 football, not east of the Mississippi, and one with his major (aerospace engineering) which is not at that many colleges. If it was near mountains and great snowboarding, so much the better!</p>
<p>D1’s list was mostly similar to sally305’s S’s criteria:</p>
<p>Small LAC with small classes and close relationships with professors
High quality academics
Intellectual vibe but emphasizing collaboration over competition
Progressive, politically active student body
Beautiful campus (and she had some particular ideas about what this meant)
Ideally in the Northeast
Ideally in or near a major city
No (or minimal) Greek life/not a big party scene
Not too cold a climate</p>
<p>A number of schools met these somewhat exacting criteria, but Haverford emerged as her clear #1 choice, largely because of what it retains of its original Quaker ethos of personal integrity, honesty, mutual respect and concern, social responsibility, and a shared commitment to working together toward the common good of the community, and how those values are reflected in its Honor Code. She felt those values suited her to a T. She applied and was admitted ED, and has never looked back.</p>
<ol>
<li>Urban school (the urban-er, the better)</li>
<li>No big-time sports and no-big-time Greek presence on campus</li>
<li>Lots of internship possbilities and a strong alumni network in the local business community.</li>
</ol>
<p>In other words - the polar opposite to many of the other kids here. Thank goodness there are so many colleges out there of so many types - there’s something for everyone.</p>