Why NOT go here?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Quinnipiac University
1

<p>D has been accepted w/ merit scholarship here, as well as Stonehill, UConn, Roger Williams and URI. Still waiting to hear from BC, but don't expect any merit or need-based aid IF she's even accepted. She applied only to schools within 90 miles from our RI home and mostly to schools at which merit aid was probable, as our EFC is too high to receive any need-based aid (though we're not rich at all, just comfortable middle class).</p>

<p>Stats:
SAT: 600/700/800 (R/M/W)
Class rank: 14th of 264 (top 5%)</p>

<p>She likes QU's size, grounds, the Public Relations major, private campus, location not in the sticks or in a busy urban city - and the general good vibe she felt when we visited. Some people cite "lack of diversity" as a concern, but I guess if the homogeneous environment suits you because the students there are similar to you, then this isn't really a big issue [for us]. So the proliferation of Ugg boots and North Face jackets don't bother her, as she realizes that that alone does not make someone a snob, as many infer. ;) $18k tuition after 14k scholarship</p>

<p>Each of the other schools have some cons, but we're finding it hard to find any that bother us at QU:
- Stonehill: may be too small, students may be too focused on academics and resume polishing, religious. $20k tuition after 10k scholarship
- UConn: too big, "industrial", as she put it (w/ the buses, parking garage, etc.), dorms far from main campus area, large class sizes, lacking personal attention of smaller schools. $11,600 tuition after 1/2 tuition scholarship
- RWU: high acceptance rates, low retention rates, low SATs, low % of students that were in their top 10%/25% of their high school classes = fear that nickname "Rich White Underachievers" might be too accurate. ~$16,000 tuition after 11,000 scholarship
- URI: similar concerns to UConn (size, attention). Biggest concern is that only 45% of students live on campus and more than 1/2 of those are freshman. Most upperclassmen prefer to rent beach houses "down the line", which is 15-20 mins. from campus. Our D and we just don't want her to feel like the campus is so boring that she needs to flee as early as her sophomore year. She's really looking for the college campus experience, at least for the first 3 years. Price is certainly right, as we're in-state, so 7k tuition after 3k scholarship</p>

<p>Appreciate any input. Thank you.</p>

2

<p>I’m a student at Stonehill. If by “religious” you mean going to church often, then no, I wouldn’t consider my school religious. I guess people are “religious” in other ways. For example we have a program run through campus ministry that visits and helps out at other countries over spring break. But I would say the majority of students aren’t openly religious.</p>

<p>“students may be too focused on academics and resume polishing” - thanks, I’ll take that as a compliment!</p>

<p>I don’t know a lot about the other schools. I’ve heard that QU has a lot of preppy, rich kids, but I guess Stonehill does too, just less of them. UConn is big and has very good basketball teams. I’ve heard it’s located in the middle of nowhere. URI is big as well (I think) and probably nice since it’s near the water. I would agree that most students are from in state. I think everyone parties a lot too. RWU seems nice as well. Near the water. Not sure about academics though. I know someone from my hs who went there then transferred to another school.</p>

<p>Good luck with the decision!</p>

3

<p>Is it worth it? I would like to know too.
I would like to know if the Academics are better or worse than Elon University, The college of NJ, or Allegheny College. Son is interested in Political science, communications, history.</p>

4

<p>D will be a nursing student. We are trying to decide as well…:confused:</p>

<p>The facilities look great and they are building a medical school, BUT…???</p>

5

<p>It seems like it would be good for health sciences…</p>

6

<p>Definitely seems like a great fit for Health Sciences. For Comm. tho, if it’s not broadcast Comm., is it any better academically than any of the others in our D’s list? Well, overall, it seems like there are higher caliber, more serious students at QU, Stonehill and UConn vs. URI and RWU; but is QU really any stronger in a Public Relations major than the other schools listed? Subjectively to us, it’s a bit like baby bear in Goldilocks, “this bed’s too BIG (UConn)… and this bed’s too SMALL (Stonehill)… and THIS bed seems JUUUUUUUUST RIGHT (QU)”? :D</p>

<p>As for the rich preppy rep that QU gets, isn’t that a VERY relative term - “rich”? The 2007 census bureau says that US median household income is around $50k. Ok, in the Northeast, it’s probably even higher than that, more like 60-70k ([Northeastern</a> United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“Northeastern United States - Wikipedia”>Northeastern United States - Wikipedia)). So is a family that earns 100, 150, or 200k considered “rich”? Or not until they make 300, 500k or a million? And are kids whose parents have been a little more successful in life really to be avoided because they’re obviously ALL snobs? :confused:</p>

<p>Lastly, regarding the question of “Is it worth it?”… again, IMO that’s a relative term, based on (a) how much will it cost the student and her family and (b) the family’s financial situation. In our D’s case, including merit scholarships, the cost for tuition, room and board at candidate schools will be:</p>

<ol>
<li>Stonehill … $21,200 tuition + 12,200 r/b = 33,400</li>
<li>QU … $18,400 tuition + 12,400 r/b = 30,800</li>
<li>RWU … $16,000 tuition + 14,000 r/b = 30,000</li>
<li>UConn … $11,600 tuition + 12k r/b = 24,000</li>
<li>URI … $ 6500 tuition + 10,700 r/b = 17,200</li>
</ol>

<p>Hmmm…</p>

7

<p>Quinnipiac is known for a LOT of drinking, I know most colleges are to some degree, but Quinnipiac had more than their share, the last few years. They made our local news and Internet sites with drinking arrests and a couple of deaths from drinking. I would look into that a bit more just to go in with your eyes open. It also had racial incidences and some were also mentioned in their newspaper along with the New Haven Register last year. The college president was cracking down on them hard and I think it has helped.
This was in an old post that I found:
In Connecticut, no campus has been hit harder over the past year and a half than Quinnipiac University in Hamden, where three students died in alcohol-related traffic accidents and one in an alcohol-poisoning incident.
A 20-year-old 2003 Staples grad died early today after falling from a third-floor dormitory balcony at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, police said</p>

<p>It is noted in the health field to be a very good but expensive school. My nephew went there but commuted to save money. It kept him more focused on his school work. He still belonged to some clubs,etc. and found a good job after graduation in accounting/finance. He didnt’ miss being in the dorms. He liked some professors a lot, others not as much, but that is the same everywhere.</p>

<p>Stonehill is much different in atmosphere, as is UConn. My kids also think, very small and very large, but will err on “too small” if they had a choice. I’m not putting down the academics, it’s just the atmosphere has always been tied to drinking and of course the worst gets in the papers, not the best. I know there are many good students there as there are at UConn, another school that has wonderful programs and stats, but gets in the news for all the less attractive things. I know nothing is perfect, just make sure with a day visit if possible, that the “fit” is there.</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the info. I agree tho that drinking is a college norm. And as tragic as those deaths were, those are still rather isolated incidents among thousands of kids.</p>

<p>As for feeling the fit on a day trip, we already did that last Spring and we’re also going to Accepted Students Day soon.</p>

<p>Lastly, it IS an expensive school when you consider that its tuition is over 32k and there are many better schools not much more. But when we subtract the 14k scholarship, it’s pretty reasonable at 18k - esp. when we factor in that many/most of those better schools that don’t cost much more in base tuition probaby wouldn’t offer our D merit aid. So 18k is still a bargain compared to full prcie mid-30s. :)</p>

9

<p>I understand that, which means I’ve been at this too long!
We are looking at some merit awards and my daughters are saying, “this is better than that” but I have to remind them the final numbers aren’t in yet AND the cost of attendance varies a lot. One 15,000 merit award equals a 10,000 at another school because of the difference in tuition.
Did she hear from everyone yet?</p>

10

<p>You’re so right. It’s not the amount of the merit award, but the NET cost that matters, cuz THAT’s what we pay! :P</p>

11

<p>We’re still waiting for BC and of course for financial aid (tho we don’t expect any).</p>

<p>Anyone else have any thoughts on these schools?</p>

12

<p>I considered URI heavily in high school (GREAT merit $, GREAT program), but when I visited, none of the students seemed to be really <em>happy</em> there–it just a had a bit of cold, almost bitter feel to it. Just IMO, of course–I’m sure many people love the school/</p>

13

<p>Someone mentioned to me that QU is a suitcase school. True? I like it for my daughter who wants to be a nurse.</p>

14

<p>I have heard not the best things about the schools from current students and those who have transfered out. It has a lot of drinking and snobby, privileged girls from what i hear… people have felt uncomfortable there because their classmates and peers are wearing designer clothing and are uber rich… i did like the school however when i visited. the campus is beautiful!!! and academics are great tooooo :)</p>

15

<p>I am currently a student at Quinnipiac. And i absolutely hate it and will be transferring. Unless you intend to drink wednesday-sunday, this is not the school for you. And yes, I said wednesday. Almost everyone I go goes out every weekend and comes back incredibly drunk. And the worst part is, the school supports it. Only underage students live on the main campus where the shuttles leave from. Yet the security system has no problems letting drunk students on the bus to drive them into New Haven where they proceed to become even more belligerent. Its too bad that the University supports something that is against the law.</p>

<p>Originally, I was in love with the school. The campus and buildings were a large factor in deciding where to go. However, I wish i had made a different decision. The administration takes little to no care about the students personal lives. The office of Student Affairs won’t even schedule appointments with students when they request it. For such a large amount of money, it’s not worth it.</p>

<p>If you are considering a major in health sciences, with either nursing or PT, then yes, this school is great. However, if you are majoring in any liberal arts or communications issues, stop right there. DO NOT waste your money, honestly. Many students here have parents that can afford to spend the money for their kids to attend Quinnipiac without any qualms.</p>

<p>Finally, the academic situation of the students is much less than advertised. Originally I was worried about being able to get in with an unweighted 3.6 GPA, but now I realize how crazy I was. There are SO MANY students at this school who, academically, do not deserve to be here. As harsh as that sounds, it is the truth. The school accepts anyone who can afford to pay full boat tuition, and does not put much stake into high school academics.</p>

<p>I hope this helps you.</p>

16

<p>wow student90 im so sorry you are so unhappy. that really is hard. what year are you in? my S was admitted, but actually decided against it before receiving his admittance (um why did he apply?) because he felt the phony/rich “UGG” vibe, and felt it wasnt for him. They gave us alot of $ however. Enticement? where would you consider transferring to? My D just graduated (May09) Wesleyan University up the road- she looooved it, there is alot of oddity there, but no snobbery!</p>

17

<p>I’m a freshman right now. I’m looking into transferring into BC, BU, or Northeastern. Bummer that your son decided against QU after applying! But yes, the “ugg boot and north face vibe” is everywhere. I looked into Wesleyan too actually, but they didnt have my communications major. Has your son decided where to go yet?</p>

18

<p>o so this is your freshman year, that is hard, as if the freshman year isnt a hard enough adjustment, the wrong school can really bring you down. Thats why I’m nervous for my S altho he seems to have a better handle on it than me! No, he has not decided, he was accepted at the 6 schools he applied to (mom brag) and has narrowed it down to a top 3. Wes being one. Good luck to you in your transfer, your choices are all excellent schools, and hopefully a better fit for you.</p>

19

<p>Thanks! I’m sure your son will choose the right school. Of course it always helps to be close to home :). If he has any questions about anything, let me know. I’d be happy to help!</p>

20

<p>thanx student90 i will let him know!</p>