<p>SO , we set out from the warm, sunny South to see if DS can even tolerate a college in the North.
I need some practical advice about driving, things to do etc., as well as insight into these schools - dorms, classes, study abroad, student life and appropriateness for an OOS student.</p>
<p>He is visiting - Pitt for an urban campus, Ohio University because it fits size criteria and it is on the way, and Michigan State. Of the 3, knowing what he says he wants and likes, I'm anticipating MSU will be a hit - but the size and the snow! He is interested in study abroad, but probably will be an undecided major. Anyone know anything about foreign study at these schools and advising - I've heard MSU has great advising for a school of its size???</p>
<p>His target school is LSU - things he likes - size, diversity of majors, football, pretty girls and it is in another state. Things he doesn't like - climate and atmosphere is much like home (some desire to get away), not interested in engineering, wants strong study abroad programs.
He is my financially practical child, he will have to be blown away by programs and opportunities in order to feel it is worth it to him financially to go somewhere other than LSU or Alabama.</p>
<p>A friend who is a Midwest native says we shouldn't worry too much about the snow or driving - if there is a big storm, things will be impossible, and its just bad luck, otherwise we will be mostly on interstates and they should be clear.</p>
<p>We have a free day - Sunday - in Pittsburgh, any suggestions for what to do, we were thinking Natural History Museum?? Hotel recommendations for a Pitt visit with walking in Feb, we probably will taxi in and out of Pittsburgh, and pick up the rental car at the airport on our way to Ohio.</p>
<p>I am not sure of your route, but if you go through Pennsylvania and are anywhere around Interstate 76 or 80 going westbound, you might want to stop off at Penn State - University Park. Although it has a huge student population, the campus is compact for its size. And even in winter, most students seem happy in Happy Valley. It is a suburban environment in a community that is very student friendly.</p>
<p>We visited Ohio U for one of my kids. It’s a really pretty campus, and he might be surprised by how much he likes it. Miami U of Ohio is worth looking at at the same time. It’s not that far from Ohio U, and it’s well-ranked. It has a strong Greek and social system. Miami U of Ohio did a presentation at a Pittsburgh hotel last year, it appeared to have a very, very strong study-abroad program.</p>
<p>Right now there are two big exhibits in Pittsburgh. The Carnegie Museum has just renovated its dinosaur exhibit, which is getting a lot of attention (the museum is right near the Pitt campus). Also consider going to the Carnegie Science Center for a few hours if you have time. It’s about a 30 minute drive from the Pitt campus back towards downtown (along one of the three rivers), and is featuring the “Bodies” exhibit from China. My kids went, and thought it was truly amazing. To get a feel for shopping/bars/restaurants away from the Pitt Campus, research the “South Side” of Pittsburgh on line, or ask about the Homestead shopping complex. Both are within 15-20 minutes of the Pitt campus, and tend to attract a lot of young people. </p>
<p>Getting to PSU from Pitt will take you about 2-1/2 to 3 hours driving towards the center of the state. The drive is not particularly interesting, and you spend a lot of time driving in rural areas. Penn State is beautiful and amazing as another Big 10, but its nonresident cost is steep. If he’s interested in seeing it, it’s worth the trip – otherwise not. </p>
<p>Sorry - can’t tell you about the MSU trip. I’ll be taking it myself this summer with another kid. I do know that if you’re going to take the Ohio Tpke, traffic moves along REALLY fast but watch out for the numerous state troopers! There’s a huge rest stop in MI right across the border from OH, with a lot of coupons and state info.</p>
<p>Good luck Cangel. We visited OU in a ice storm. A beautiful school, it was even more with the ice. The roads were not that bad in Athens and by the time we were done with the tour, the interstate was good. </p>
<p>It’s very hilly in Athens but flat as a pancake in Lansing. If you want to make some drive throughs, Ohio State is on the way (don’t know if he has the stats to get into OSU, it’s getting harder every year but they are looking for diversity, meaning OOS students). It would not be out of the way to visit Cincinnati. We really liked this school. It’s in an urban area like Pitt, very compact campus, really working on getting better. It also offers $ to OOS students. </p>
<p>My D received alot of info from MSU. It seemed that she wouldn’t get $ from them unless she was in their Honors college, it seemed that to get in you needed a 30 or 31.</p>
<p>I’m sure that you are aware that MSU and OU have a very big party rep. Saying that, I know kids at both schools who are serious and doing well.</p>
<p>Great info Neo and Deb.
Neo, should we go ahead and rent the car to use IN Pittsburgh, or will taxis work? - we will have all day Sunday for exploring.
Deb, that hotel sounds perfect, I wanted to be able to see what type restaurants. etc were available to the students.</p>
<p>I’m not sure he will have the scores/grades for any other big 10 schools. I know for UMich OOS you have to have stronger grades and scores than in-state - what about OSU or Wisconsin?</p>
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<p>I think you missed the part where I said his target type schools were LSU and Alabama. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>And as for a drive thru at OSU, I’m not sure it will be safe for us, even incognito in a rental car ;). Couple of LSU fans at my house.</p>
<p>Funny story - tried to do that for S1. Made him visit Penn State in February to see if he could tolerate the gray and cold. They had the warmest sunniest day on record. Oh well, he went and was happy even when it was cold and dreary.</p>
<p>karp4170, I was not making myself understood. What I tried to say is that Cangel could drive by both OSU in Columbus and UCincinnati in Cincinnati. Sorry for the confusion. </p>
<p>UMich and Wisconsin are hard to get into OOS. OSU seems still to be easier. In fact it might (and I don’t know this for a fact) be a little easier for OOS than in-state. They are really trying to increase their OOS students. It’s sport is basketball but Indiana is an easy big10 school to get into. Would fit with some of his other targets ;).</p>
<p>BTW, people are pretty friendly in Columbus. They take any opportunity to convert those to the scarlet and gray!</p>
<p>I grew up near Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is a very difficult city to drive around. If you are a comfortable urban driver, have a good navigator, and a very good city map you will be OK renting a car. However, if you don’t feel comfortable driving in cities and your navigator isn’t very skilled, I would suggest that you take taxis. Pitt is not that far from the downtown. You could probably also access public tranportation if you are of a mind. The Carnegie Museum right next to campus can take a whole day. It is a marvelous museum. Take a walk throught the Cathedral of Learning. There are also lots of shops and restaurants close to campus. I don’t have hotel recommendations, however. I haven’t been there in quite awhile.</p>
<p>I have suggested IU, my partner’s son went there about 10 years ago and loved it. We just can’t work it in this trip. We are trying to be conservative with the plans because of weather, and because this kid will probably respond better to a few carefully chosen schools. We did the “death march” through the land of LACs with his sister, I don’t think he can take that.</p>
<p>He dismissed Miami of Ohio with blitheful provincialism - “faker school, don’t they know where the real one is???” :o.</p>
<p>Someone lead me through the larger LACs and Catholic schools of western PA, Ohio and Ill. I think he would thrive at something a little smaller than the 3 we are going to visit. There seem to be a confusing number of Catholic schools in the 3000-11,000 range. We aren’t Catholic, so the school should be comfortable and welcoming for non-Catholics.
Also LACs 2000 students and over. It would take a real jewel to lure him away from the lights of big football, though. I think I may get him to at least apply to St Olaf’s, unless the cold gets to him. He’s a choir and show choir person, and outside adults are encouraging St. O.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh-I was just there in December to visit family-I went to Pitt, husband to Carnegie Mellon. Phipps Conservatory in Oakland has a Dale Chihuly glass exhibit through February, Carnegie Museum is nearby also. Heinz History Museum is on Southside, Warhol Museum is on Northside. Food-Primanti’s is popular.</p>
<p>While you’re at Pitt, you can visit Duquesne University (a Catholic school in your range) that is within a 15 minute drive, to get your son’s reaction to the smaller school. </p>
<p>There’s a huge number of colleges and universities around here! Pittsburgh alone has Pitt, Duquesne, Carnegie Mellon, Point Park University, Carlow, Robert Morris University, LaRoche College…and I’m sure I’m missing more, before I even get to schools within 1-1/2 hour drive like Slippery Rock University, Indiana University of PA, California University, Washington & Jefferson, Waynesburg, West Virginia University, etc. Cleveland is two hours away, and has Case Western, Cleveland University, John Carroll University, and other schools. Going West into Ohio, Kent State is only 1-1/2 hours away…it’s hard to say where to begin, there are so many schools in this area! My middle kid applied to both Pitt and Ohio U last year, by the way. He ultimately chose another school, but I think I’ll be encouraging my youngest towards Ohio U or Marshall U in West Virginia (speaking of football…“We are Marshall?” Marshall falls into your size range). </p>
<p>We just waded through the college books and listed all the schools that met my youngest kid’s basic criteria. We then spent the weekend marking up a big map with a plastic coating from Borders, to visualize the location of schools for road trips…as she eliminates schools, we will WIPE THEM OFF THE MAP heh heh heh.</p>
<p>I’d probably rent a car, if the hotel has parking. Parking is a pain around Pitt but they do have a big garage at the Soldiers & Sailors Hall (right on the main street, with the Admissions Office on the other side of a side street). Having lived in NYC for a few years, I can tell you that Pitt’s “urban” is more like “small city” but parking will still be an issue. It will be a lot quieter on Sunday though. The airport is a real hike from downtown Pitt, and taxis back & forth just to the airport would match the rental car cost. You don’t need a car, but it would give you some flexibility.</p>
<p>If visiting Pitt the Holiday Inn is next door to Admissions and VERY convenient. We visited twice. We were very favorably impressed with the city of Pittsburgh as well as the University. I would also suggest the view a top of the incline plane - it was breath taking!</p>
<p>It’s worth checking the Pitt admissions page - they give codes for special rates at local Oakland hotels. I’d recommend visiting the honors college on the 30somethingth floor of the Cathedral of Learning. Last year they had info sessions there on Mondays and Fridays at 1pm I think - informal and informative with a great view! If the city stuff gets a little overwhelming,and the weather cooperates you could always go for a walk in Schenley Park which is huge and close to campus.</p>
<p>To me, the most important thing about planning a northern winter driving trip is to be flexible about dates. If you can plan in a whole extra day away from your work and his school for “wiggle room” to adjust your plans while on the road, that’s ideal. Check ahead on the weather from your motel room, or call the spouse or friends to monitor it on the computer for you, so you don’t just drive blithely into a big storm. Sometimes, by waiting a half-day, you can avoid the worst of the driving conditions.
So if you can time your movement between the cities, such that “if” you get there a half day before the scheduled tour, fine, you’ll explore. If you can’t move easily and take the later-day tour, no problem.
As long as you’re not rushing to a campus, such that you might make a bad decision to leave in order to meet a schedule 5 hours away, you’re much better off.
Keep a good emergency kit in your car, including some kind of aluminum heat blanket; don’t get low down on the gas tank (fill when near 1/4 empty not at the line); have a cell phone and realize you can call 911 if lost in a storm and they’ll help (usually by transferring you over to state police for directions to a motel); keep a spare pair of dry socks in the car for each of you. These are things that have helped me over the years of winter driving.
I do actually like living in the North!</p>
<p>The problem with Pittsburgh is that there’s a least one bridge that’s closed and some major roads that have been rerouted. So a good map is a good thing. It a nice city though. Good restaurants across the river. (Same side as the incline.)</p>
<p>Have you looked at Oberlin and College of Wooster? They are not-too-small lacs, and not too far from OU. One problem with OU (unless they have changed calendars) is the trimester system, where you go for one 10-week session, then home for 6 long, long weeks, that back to school for the last two 10-week periods. It makes it difficult to find gainful summer employment near home -although you can pick up xmas work fairly easily.</p>
<p>My S also likes the draw of bigtime football, but on our trip through Ohio, he was very enamored with the smaller University of Dayton. Football is IAA with all other sports D1. It is a big basketball school and is an opening round site for March Madness. I believe they said that about 80% of kids participate in intramurals and attendence at sporting events is through the roof.</p>
<p>Total enrollment is about 10,000 with nice study abroad options. The school is Catholic but we did not feel that it was an overly religious atmosphere or would be uncomfortable for others. I don’t think there was a lot of diversity on campus, but the city of Dayton seemed to be diverse. They are VERY community service minded with lots of campuswide projects. The school actually owns the adjacent neighborhood of 300 houses for upperclassmen that they fully maintain and are covered under the students’ room charges. There is a nice scholarship program.</p>
<p>We visited U Dayton just after we were at Ohio U and it was a very easy and pretty ride. While S liked OU and OSU (although it may be too big), he loved UD.</p>
<p>I would highly suggest getting a GPS in your rental car. We loved not only the directions but being able to see what restaurants and attractions were in the area. Have a great trip.</p>
<p>I’d rent the car. Pittsburgh imo is not hard to navigate (but I’m from NJ used to traffic and congestion). The exception is the downtown “Golden Triangle”; since it comes to a point you lose the rationality of parallel streets.</p>
<p>The airport’s about half hour to downtown, then another 10 minutes to Oakland. Pittsburgh isn’t big. It’s nothing like Philadelphia or New York. You can get from Pitt to downtown in 10 minutes.</p>
<p>Good museums, I like Carnegie Science in the triangle esp for the IMAX theater, Andy Warhol if you want a smaller less crowded place; Carnegie Museums (Nat Hist) if you want to stay in Oakland near the colleges.</p>
<p>Personally, unless you love museums (and I do) I wouldn’t do that if I only had a day or two. I’d explore, maybe shop. Walk to the Point. Drive up Mount Washington, it’s got an amazing view of the city, you’ll be surprised. Stroll the interesting shops in Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. Lots of college kids in these areas. Or the new area on the south side (Carson Street). Eat at Cheesecake Factory there, or better, on one of the Mt Washington restaurants. Stroll Forbes Ave which goes through the lower Pitt campus. Walk up quaint Craig Street, with its coffee shops, restaurants, bookshops…it’s the unofficial convergence of the 2 campuses, Pitt and CMU. Also check Fifth Ave for Pitt dorms and medical complex/hospitals. Most of these suggestions are almost within walking distance of Pitt, none is more than a 10 minute drive. Remember Pittsburgh is not big.</p>
<p>In Oakland I’d stay at Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn-University or Shady Apts if you don’t need a lobby (walk to Shadyside shopping).</p>
<p>Whatever you do try to eat breakfast at Pamela’s.</p>