In all fairness, it's not like we were on GC as collegians :)

Any college/university you attend will have students who are driven and passionate; not just Ivies or sub-Ivies. There are kids going out of obligation to those schools as well. Not trying to be snarky, just trying to get a point across. :)

UT-Austin, UGA, UNC-Chapel Hill and UVA. All are fantastic schools.

I am going to plug my school (Christopher Newport University) because I love it and it is a very up and coming campus. The president is changing a lot of things to make us more well known, from academics to the way the campus works. There a variety of programs that students can get involved in on campus, including the President's Leadership Program, which is hard to explain if you are not in the program (which I am not). We do have a journalism major, but we also have a strong PolySci major (our current president used to be a Virginia Senator too) and many strong programs. You're not in the middle of nowhere (Williamsburg is 20 minutes away, Virginia Beach is 30-45 depending on traffic) but it isn't completely rural either.

One thing that is changing a lot recently: as of this year's freshman class, students are required to spend all four years in campus housing. We're not huge, but we're not tiny either, and it is definitely a school becoming more and more recognized after college.

Also, (since I just got back from work and my brain is scattered) we have an excellent Career Planning Center. They just set up a new website for students to find jobs and internships, and it is available even after you graduate.

Go Captains!

Which question were you answering wareagle93?

None of those are really safety schools? UT Austin and Chapel Hill are super competitive for out of state students but they do all have good writing and communications programs.

If you were looking for a good safety school - being from Michigan - you have should have another look at Western Michigan uwmich.edu. Michigan has put some good planning and funding into their programs even in a down economy, and they have solid programs. Kalamazoo will have the diversity although not as competitive as Ann Arbor.

Another program to look at would be too look at something like IUPUI or DePaul. They would be urban, diverse, and somewhat less competitive than the first group of schools you were looking mentioned.

I would also highly recommend after you do some of your research on the web to spend some time visiting your choices. If you call ahead - the admissions office can help you out with chances to talk to students or faculty in programs that you are interested in. Sometimes when you set foot on campus you just "know" what will be a good or bad environment for your learning style.

Yes, I feel older now! ;)

(Hey, Dee Daughter!):)

Consider Georgetown. I was looking for similar things as you were and choosing a minor in Theology certainly let me study things and think about things I couldn't while in high school.

As a safety, consider American. Both in DC, both seem to have what you're looking for, both will give you access to great internships and study abroad programs. The cost is comparable, I believe, but AU has better merit-based aid. Georgetown has good need-based aid.

Also consider George Mason University in Virginia (suburban DC). It's cheaper than Georgetown and AU and is more diverse than both.

As for a major, unless they need you to decide and discuss it in your essay, I think it's perfectly fine to not know right now.

Good suggestion Senusret -

OP - for your major - you might think about branching off your interest in writing - something like Public Relations combining business and writing or Public Health combining Communications and Health or Nutrition?

I think a DC school could be exactly what you're looking for. Especially if you are interested in politics because as they say, you would be right in the thick of it. I agree with Senusret I on this one, although you'll know pretty quickly while visiting.

I'd plug Penn State here out of obligation but I really don't think it's what you're looking for. Research opportunities abound, but our English program isn't well known for much (although we do have a number of good relationships with different companies for internships) and we lack diversity. Seriously. It's gotten better but it is such a small town kind of feel, and despite there being 40,000 students, it is very much a two degrees of separation type place. But some of your other choices look great. Best of luck to you in your search!

Sen makes a VERY good point here - I suggested Boston and Philly, but DC is exactly on the same wavelength (similar quality and 'tiers' of schools, and the schools are 100% integrated into the city), and probably with more of a focus on what you're looking for.

I assume I skipped the DC area because I'm pro-New England, and not because I'm a rampant racist. Although I do enjoy Chocolate City Brewery's beers. Now I'm lost.

If you want to get into editing or publishing, internships, networking and on-campus or on-job experience will most likely be of more help than being a journalism major (coming from a Journalism major who's emphasis was in magazines). Studying Communications, English, or PR would all give you the basics. You could also take some additional Journalism classes (if the college allows it) to gain that knowledge as well.

Penn State and Syracuse University
 

I'm (obviously) gonna' plug Penn State because if you are looking for opportunities, it has a lot to offer. It's well-ranked and there was an article a while back that said, of all (non-New York school) college graduates represented in New York City, Penn State was the MOST represented Alumni Association. I'm partial to the blue and white--especially for THON (Penn State's Dance Marathon--The Largest Student-Run Philanthropy in the WORLD)...

If your daughter is looking for more of an urban feel, Penn State will not be her cup of tea. Once again, I'm going to plug (obviously) another school I'm well acquainted with---Syracuse University. Actually, if you check it out on the Best Colleges site, it is ranked well and students who look at SU also look at PSU. The added benefit of Syracuse University: It is the home of 3 Alpha Chapters, to include AGD!!! Gotta' love the Syracuse Triad....Just a thought!

Buddy, I know you're from Boston, but what kind of public transport did you take in Chicago when/if you were ever here? I grew up in Evanston and I live in Chicago now--"Chicago proper" is Howard Street--a mere 4 stops away via the Purple Line L (read: no more than 20 mins.). If you're thinking about the Loop (downtown)--yes, that's further. But again, only about 45 mins. via the L. Even if you have to change trains from the Purple Line to the Red Line it doesn't take an hour to get downtown.

Evanston has really changed over the years--in some ways for the better, and in some not (but that's really just nostalgic me who remembers when the Fountain Square building was the tallest in Downtown Evanston and there were no high-rise high-end condos there). I will agree, however, that it's fairly self-contained. There's plenty to do in and around campus that a lot of kids don't venture into Chicago often. However, if you want to for concerts, sporting events, or shopping, it's all quite easy. My niece goes to Northwestern and really loves it. There's definitely a strong Greek Life aspect to the school, but it's not necessary to be in a sorority. Their row is really cute though...(having gone to a school--see above--where all the chapters were unhoused, I loved going to visit friends at NU and seeing all of the houses).

Out of curiosity Dee junior, (I know, not your name, but still) why didn't you like the Village? I know a lot of NYU who love living there.

Second this. :) Keep in mind that its not just a school name that will land you those dream jobs (but you already know this). I work in a world full of geologists, engineers, chemists, and scientists who all went to Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Miami (OH), etc. I am the only one who went to a very, very small liberal arts college (compared to the 10,000+ student schools they all went to). While it's well known for being a smartie-pants school in my state, the small school status didn't discourage my employers fro hiring me.

I was going to say the same thing, plus one more. I have 2 friends from high school who ended up with positions with the UN. One went to Georgetown, the other went to Miami (FL). Both were PoliSci majors, with minors in a fine art or English. The one I'm closest to (the Miami student), studied abroad for a year in England as well, which is what opened the UN doors upon her graduation. She worked for the UN for almost 3 years, then went to Case Western for law school. The other friend went directly into the Peace Corps upon college graduation, and then went to the UN.

Both had very different, yet similar college experiences. Both worked for the UN, both were PoliSci majors who wanted to have the experiences you're suggesting, both ended up with JDs and both are successful attorneys now.

I have nothing else constructive to add. Wish I did though! :D Good luck Little Dee!

I have never heard that of ONU.

It was known as that back in my day :). It started with the Pharmacy program (a one of a kind 6 year PharmD, the only of it's kind in the US), and has continued with the engineering school and biology pre-med programs. It had the high admissions standards (and high tuition to go along with it) long before all the other small schools did. I expect there to be graduate programs within 10 years (aside form the law school).

I was thinking to the Loop, and most of my experience is on game days (I went to school in Boston, but I'm from the Midwest - so I've been to Ryan Field 4 times watching my hometown team) or rush hour. Obviously I'll defer to natives.

I didn't mean this as anything negative toward the campus - Evanston is awesome, but it's in Chicago the same way Hofstra is in New York.

For what it's worth, I come across my college classmates who have pursued careers in writing/journalism ALL THE TIME. Were they English or Comp Lit majors? Some were, but most weren't. The important thing was that they were active in the school papers, had great internships, and developed amazing connections while they were in school and immediately afterwards. It's harder to get national level (or international level) connections at a regional school. I'm sure everyone has stories about someone who went to Podunk State College and is now vice-president of international markets at UBS, but that's really the exception and not the rule.

As someone with a liberal arts undergrad degree, who now works in a technical field , I've noticed that my colleagues who have professional bachelor's degrees are extremely competent, but are not as well-rounded as those who have liberal arts degrees who went to graduate school for their professional educations. The liberal arts folks are also much better writers and public speakers.

Oh, and College Confidential really creeps me out.

I have to chime in and second DC schools. If you want a school with a good reputation, Georgetown and George Washington can't be beat. They also have fantastic grad schools and internship programs that you will be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. Especially since you want to work for the UN!

I would agree that American could be a safety school for you. However, even though I may get flamed for this, I don't see George Mason as a good choice for you. It is still coming off of the *perception* that it is only a commuter school, and while I will agree that it has come leaps and bounds from where it was, say, 15-20 years ago, it just doesn't have the type of fantastic programs and notariety that other DC-area schools have.

http://www.usnews.com/education/arti...reaks?PageNr=1

This article discusses the regional agreements that can reduce tuition for students if they go to public schools in the region. There are only a few states that opt out (Florida, Texas, NC, NY, NJ, PA), and the District of Columbia. The Midwest program appears to be very lenient in that you don't have to be in a specific major to take advantage of it.

DC schools are great--and I'm also suggesting Emory and Stanford.

Pardon the slight hijack, but... grrrr. Way to go, PA. :rolleyes:

I WISH! (See bolded.)

/rant over

My co-worker and her daughter are looking at schools and your situations sound similar, except she is planning on majoring in psychology with a minor in communications. She wants a location either in the city or close to the city, diverse population, solid study abroad opportunities, and well enough known to help her get into grad school.

So far, in their trips, they have really liked Fordham, American, George Washington, Villanova, Saint Joseph's, and Northeastern.

A few schools that she thought she would like and didn't: Hopkins, Univ. Maryland, Penn State, Univ. Delaware, Syracuse, Cornell and Drexel.

I just didn't like the lack of a campus. I can't do city 24/7. It sounds like I'm a Barnard/Columbia representative when I say this, but it honestly feels like you're not even in NYC when you're inside either campus. Both of them have this quaint, quiet feeling, and they were both gorgeous. NYU was just too much for me.

To everyone else who's giving suggestions, thank you so much. All of this means a lot. :)

And to the people suggesting Georgetown and American, those were both on my list but I crossed them off. I honestly couldn't tell you why, but it was probably just because I got sick of having such a big list to narrow down. (A few days ago, I was at 27 school possibilities. Pretty overwhelming.) But I'm going to add both back, they sound wonderful, and the possibility of an internship at the Smithsonian (or just going there all the time, since, ya know, I don't plan on doing anything with museums for my career) is very intriguing. ;D

Yayyyy *fingers crossed for Georgetown*

I could kiss you right now! :D

I agree with everything Sen said here, I think Georgetown and American would be good fits based on your criteria.

-----

George Mason (my alma mater) is a great place. It is ridiculously diverse, and this extends beyond being ethnically diverse. Something you might be interested in is the combination of a strong liberal arts curriculum with a strong research base. Access to DC is available with Fairfax being at the end of the orange line, but the campus is decidedly suburban. Many students take advantage of the location for internships. We have a somewhat significant population of adjunct faculty that are a great internship resource. I have friends who have interned at Meet the Press and The Washington Post, which
might be of interest to you. We've experienced tremendous growth in the past few years that has lead to increasing recognition. I would I imagine it would be a safety for you despite increasing popularity.

Student life is typically a concern for students interested in Mason. Do not believe the antiquated rumor mill. It was considered a commuter school, but this has changed significantly. Mason was classified as a primarily residential campus in February, and by 2012 will be the largest residential campus in Virginia. With over 350 student organizations there is a lot to do. I obviously recommend Greek Life, but it is not the end all or be all of student life.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

P.S. Apologies for the messy post, I'm typing from my iPad, which makes editing difficult. I'll clean it up when I get to a computer!

What? How could you not LOVE Penn State or Syracuse? Obviously a little bias...;)

This. If your daughter is interested in becoming a journalist, I recommend a major in communications - it doesn't have to be journalism specifically, but a journalistic style of writing is completely different than the literary style of English majors. Even if she changes her field post-graduation, she still will have picked up a writing style common in the business, law, political and journalism worlds. Many professions use more of a journalistic/Associated Press style of writing. I work in PR, and I constantly have to re-write press releases, Op Eds, bios and articles written by English majors. Most of the English majors I knew in college wanted to be teachers.

Her reason for not being in love with Penn State was because it was "too big". She had grown up going to very small parochial schools and a small catholic high school. Although she did say that she loved the sports aspect, THON, and alumni involvement.

Updating: I talked about this in the Random thread but this is the thread that I should have posted in.

We visited Brown last weekend and loved Providence. It was really hot when we were first walking around campus and we both got kind of cranky which was affecting our perception. It was move-in weekend so it was tough to get around campus. We took her picture with the Brown Bear and looked around in the student center.. loved the gaming room in there! We stopped in S. Stephens church because it was open, they were serving lemonade and cookies to welcome students back and well, I love old churches. We talked to the pastor there who told us the history and took lots of pictures. We did some shopping along Thayer Street and then went for a long air conditioned drive around Warwick. We had lunch and went to a small but very New Englandy art festival in East Greenwich. Then we went back to drive around campus and explore downtown Providence a bit. She liked the campus a lot better the second time we went. We parked and walked around by the memorial park at the bottom of the hill along the river where they do Waterfire. We were disappointed that it wasn't a WaterFire weekend. She loved that park. She's into photography so she was taking a lot of pictures of that area. We loved the historical yet artsy feel of that area. She said "If I go here, this will be my spot". Then we went to the mall nearby because we weren't quite ready for dinner but wanted to eat at WaterPlace. She was thrilled with the mall (she's a shopper) and liked that there was one so close.

She feels like she liked the Barnard and Columbia campuses better but did end the visit with "I could see myself here" so Brown is still on the application list.

The biggest irony is that for a long time I was encouraging her to give Barnard a shot. As of this moment, it is her first choice school but she also really enjoyed Columbia and Brown a lot and could see herself at either. The obstacle to Barnard before was that she didn't want to go to an all girls school. The biggest appeal of Barnard now is that there is such a focus on developing independent women.

It is marching season now so our next college visits won't be until mid-October when we head to Chicago. We probably won't get to visit Wash U or any DC schools before early acceptance/decision deadlines but she doesn't think she is going to apply anywhere early decision right now. Early acceptance isn't binding so she is going to apply to the schools who offer that option.

She's taking the SAT again on October 1st and hoping to raise her math score. With 3 of her 5 classes being AP and it being marching season.. plus her babysitting jobs, I don't know how much time she'll be able to put in to preparing. Calc is a lot review right now though so hopefully that will help. Geometry is the subject she really needs to review. It's been 3 years since her Geometry class. She was working on her essays over the summer some.

Plus DChi is there. Just saying.

I would take a look at Washington & Lee.

I really liked W&L but upthread, Dee mentioned that her daughter would prefer not to go to college in a small town. Lexington is pretty small. :)

Yay for liking Rhode Island! The Brown and Columbia campuses are like different worlds but I'm glad hypoallergenic enjoyed both.

Alright, we are home from a crazy whirlwind trip to Chicago to look at Northwestern, U of Chicago and DePaul. We happened to drive by Loyola too, by accident, so we covered four schools in one day!

Northwestern is a definite thumbs up. She loved the campus, loves what she hears from the tour guide, etc. In fact, our tour guide was Greek. I didn't get a chance to ask her which sorority she was in but I think she said she's on Panhellenic Council too. She said good things about Greek Life. We both liked the Evanston area a lot too, what we saw of it. We had an official info session and tour and Northwestern. We were a little late because we arrived at the car rental place only to find THEY HAD NO CARS. How ridiculous is that? We had to race several blocks to another location that had cars and wait in line, then got stuck in Chicago traffic with construction on I-94. Ugh. I was pretty stressed. She held it together pretty well.

Then we headed to DePaul and had lunch at a cute pub type place called El's Kitchen in the Sheffield Garden District. What a cute little area, even if there is NO parking! We had some great ribs, brisket and chicken- smoked. Yum. We drove around DePaul a little bit but didn't get out of the car. It's a safety school for her and she just wanted to make sure she wouldn't hate it. There were students hanging out all over and it looked like a good atmosphere.

On our way to the University of Chicago, we passed by Loyola. We're counting that as a 4th college visit in one day. It wasn't really on her list and driving past it didn't change her mind.

So we got to the University of Chicago. I can't put my finger on it, but I had a weird vibe about the area and the school itself. We parked and walked around for quite a while. We only saw about 20 students on a beautiful, sunny, Saturday afternoon. Where are all the students? The old buildings were incredible.. we thought we were at Hogwarts. Then we saw the very modern looking dorms and library and it seemed like such a strange dichotomy. Honestly, I was totally creeped out by some of the older buildings and just felt really unsettled walking around there. Some of it was pretty, some was really creepy. Then the almost art deco type dorms were weird. We heard cheering coming from a stadium and hypoallergenic said "So that's why we aren't seeing anybody! They are at a football game! It's not so weird then." We drove by that stadium and it was actually a soccer game, from what we could see. The stands weren't that full. We're still not sure where the students were. Do they all go home on weekends? She is very on the fence about that school. She isn't sure she should even apply, but then there are things she really likes. I think it's safe to say it slid pretty far down the list.

Right now, the top of the list seems to be a tie between Barnard and Northwestern. She said if she got accepted to both, she'd have a really hard time picking between them.

Brown is up there, Columbia is up there.

The bottom is a mess... lol. No idea whether she'd go with the University of Michigan over U-Chicago or even DePaul over U-Chicago.

She'll be finishing up her early action apps over the next two weeks.

Applying to all these schools, especially the Ivies and sub-ivies obviously means she has outstanding grades, extra-curricular's, etc. It seems like any school would be lucky to have her!
My brother is in the process of applying to schools right now too and its so nerve wracking! Even more so for him because his SAT scores are sooooooooooooo LOW! He is a good student, top of his class, AP classes, ROTC and baseball but I swear, his SAT scores are gonna make it so hard for him. When you daughter mentioned what her original score was, I was jealous FOR my brother haha

Wasn't trying to change the subject! Sorry! Just amazes me how so many high school students are on-the-ball nowadays when it comes to finding the very best school for them, and the hard work & stress that goes in to it. I'm sure your daughter will end up where she is meant to! I definitely hope she gets one of her top picks too :-)

Well considering that it's right up there in the academic rankings with her "reach" schools, I'd say it's pretty natural for it to be on the list. Especially if she like St. Louis.