I am a little curious about why your kid is considering a school with 1200 people vs. Zoo Mass. It seems like apples and oranges in terms of the experience delivered. I'll just cross my fingers and toes for you on Dartmouth. Then it's not an issue! :-)

There's a little bit of freaking out going on here and DD is only a sophomore. It is largely driven by her surroundings -- a competitive school environment -- not us. Isn't parenting just a series of various freak-outs anyway, large and small? This is a big decision and I wish my folks had been more freaked out. I might have gone to a school better suited for me and had a much more positive experience.

Been down the road twice with our two sons. Older DS is now doing his teaching internship for his master's in education. Younger DS is a freshman in college (and yes, I miss them both a lot!)

The search was interesting, and of course I had MY favorite choices. Older DS ended up at my favorite for him (and got a full-tuition scholarship) for his undergrad degree in music. It was the size of school he wanted (6000 kids) , in the Midwest as he wanted, and offered the high level of educational experience he desired, plus a great program for education majors. But it also meant meant we weren't able to make all his concerts (he is a violist) because the school is about 6.5 hours away by car, just over 4 by train. That distance was the real downside.

Younger DS surprised us by putting that same school on his short list (because I kind of thought he might reject it since it was his brother's experience, and he always wants to be his own person). I was kind of hoping he would choose a different one, which was only about 2 hours from home - 4 years of the long drive or train ride and having to miss things was always in my head. He was awarded a presidential scholarship to that school, an amazing opportunity, and he had loved the place since we had looked at it 4 years earlier for older DS, and they have an outstanding history department (his major). I was stoked, because I was sure that would be his choice.

And then, we made the" mistake" of making another visit to his brother's school, and giving him a chance to talk in depth with several people in his major, and in the master's in education program. He had already been awarded a full-tuition scholarship there. Well, as he told me later, up to that point he had been pretty well decided on the other school, but those final conversations made him realize that he would get an even better history education AND have the master's program, if he went to the same place older DS was going. And so he did, and he is happy with his choice.

I guess my point in all this is that while distance is a downside, what matters most is that they are at the school that feels right, and offers them the best educational experience in their chosen field.

Once they make their decision, the pressure is off. Just don't be surprised if they wait until close to the national decision date, and you get to worry about it for as long as possible !

Thanks Amy and Les..
I guess UMASS was a "safety" sort of school for her. Once Hubby went out there, we realized how many great opportunities are available there. She'd have so many options. Most of my friends who have kids there swear that they manage to find a niche and a place fairly quickly. She isn't a partier...kind of quiet and thoughtful, so I'm wondering if it would work.

Most of the other schools are small, private and expensive. She goes to an IB school and she's done well, but Elmira was the only to offer a really decent scholarship.

I'll be so glad when this is over and the choice is made. Of course I cried when I read the thread about whether to leave their rooms alone or redecorate.

I guess in the end, I just want her to be happy. :)

Beth P.

"I am a little curious about why your kid is considering a school with 1200 people vs. Zoo Mass. It seems like apples and oranges in terms of the experience delivered."

I'd like to second this comment, and suggest that if Elmira is a great fit, then UMASS probably isn't, and vice versa...
Can you get your daughter to visit all of the schools on her list? Studies show that campus visits are actually very good predicters of future student happiness...

That was really the most helpful thing we did with older DS (now a very happy freshman). Turns out he fell in love with one school (thankfully, the one he attends), really liked two others (admitting to one, not a prayer of admission at the other...), was OK with a third, and pretty much hated the others, which shortened and focused our apply-to list considerably.

For those with high school sophomores and juniors now -- Start Visiting!

I'd say a Dartmouth diploma will pay off in the long run.

But 6 hours away? That's not a big deal in my book--my daughter's in Florida, and I'm in Los Angeles. It's the best school for her, and I'm all for it.

I'd never let location be a factor, unless the airfare is really going to break the bank.

Well, a Dartmouth diploma will open some doors initially, and certainly is a good school by reputation. I am sure it offers a great education.

But statistically, 10 years out of college there is no difference in salaries between those who attended the Ivies and those who attended other schools. Your education is what you put into it and what you choose to do with it, imo.

I firmly believe that what matters most is that the student is where they feel they can accomplish their educational goals. As a family you must also decide how much money you can afford to invest in that education.

I think UMass does offer a lot of opportunities and kids can and will find their niche. I don't know about the partying aspect and how a quiet kid will feel, surrounded by all that.

My daughter has said all along that she wants to be close to home. I actually feel that this proximity is as much a part of her school life as where she actually lands. She is a self-confident young woman but she likes to come home to recharge and actually enjoys time with us. Maybe she'll grow out of that, but for now, I agree with her that being too far away for quick visits and attending performances would detract from her college experience. Fortunately, we have a ton of great schools within her proposed two-hour radius.