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Post by anxiousmom on Jul 9, 2016 11:05:30 GMT
My went to his orientation a couple of weeks ago. He came back saying the best thing that happened was that during a question and answer period with the student leader, they took off their name tag and said "now you can ask me all the questions you have been wanting to ask but thought would be off limits."
My son said that it was the most informative of all the sessions. Not because a couple of people asked the standard 'how easy is it to get booze' and 'where are the best parties' kind of questions, but because they talked about the culture of the town, the college, the dorms, honest answers about fraternities and sororities, all kinds of things.
As my son was talking about it, he said that he wished that they had of done something like that during preview-without the parents. He thought it might have been useful for some people.
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,501
Jun 30, 2014 12:52:45 GMT
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Post by ellen on Jul 9, 2016 12:06:33 GMT
My daughter was able to meet with the head of the nursing program during a visit - very helpful. If they don't give you meal passes for the cafeteria, it's worth it to buy a meal there. Great place to get a feel for the campus community and your kid will eat a lot of meals there. During the tour if it was just my daughter and I with the guide we just visited and asked questions as we went through the campus. We always felt lucky that we had nice, enjoyable students giving us tours. I loved visiting colleges with my daughter and it was really exciting when we were at our last school and I could tell that my daughter had found it. She recently finished her freshman year and this past week received a letter from the head of the nursing program letting her know she has been officially admitted into the nursing program.
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Post by supersoda on Jul 9, 2016 12:51:40 GMT
Re: the availability of jobs, you may want to ask if there are jobs available if you don't qualify for federal work study. Most of the schools we looked at did not have many jobs available for those who didn't qualify--usually only positions that required special knowledge.
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Post by auntkelly on Jul 9, 2016 15:08:01 GMT
You're going to get prepared answers if you ask those questions in a group setting. No school is going to admit their their student body is not accepting of diversity or that they've had problems with security.
I found that if I asked the student tour guide an open ended question as the group was strolling from one stop on the tour to another, the guide would be surprisingly candid. For example, instead of asking directly about campus security, I would casually ask the guide if students feel safe walking across campus at night by themselves. It was amazing how much honest info would come pouring out when the guide felt like he/she was just chatting between stops versus what the guide would say during an official stop on the tour.
Of course, I could only get away with asking one or maybe two questions per tour before my kids would give me the stink eye, so prepare your questions carefully.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 9, 2016 16:22:58 GMT
Re: the availability of jobs, you may want to ask if there are jobs available if you don't qualify for federal work study. Most of the schools we looked at did not have many jobs available for those who didn't qualify--usually only positions that required special knowledge. We found the exact opposite, so this obviously varies by campus. DS was overheard telling us he wanted to stop by the job table during his summer orientation. The head of food services happened to be standing nearby and said, "I have a job for you!" It was surprisingly that easy. He worked about 6 hours (twice a week) for the first month and picked up a second shift after that. And he got a meal for free on the day he worked. So that was another $9.35 added to the wage from his shift. In the spring he worked a breakfast and lunch shift and got both breakfast and lunch for free that day. He started out doing food prep but quickly moved to making breakfast sandwiches and toasting them. Super simple. And it had the added benefit of getting him to bed earlier and up long before he would have with a 10 am class. He said that was good to force him to keep a normal sleep schedule.
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Post by Really Red on Jul 9, 2016 16:53:37 GMT
I have twins who just finished their freshman year in college. One is in an expensive private school and the other in a very good state school (we are in VA).
Holy hell, the difference. I do not give a hoo-ha for people who say it's not worth the money. For my kids 100% worth the private school money. Both are big schools (undergrad over 10K students) and the difference, like my girls, is night and day.
My daughter who went to private school researched every school she applied to. They were top tier schools and she did not end up going to her first choice (her choice). My rule was they had to pick at least one in-state school. VA has top-ranked schools and my girls did well. So DD1 is a changed person. Happy, thriving, thrilled. She also knows exactly what she wants to do and where she wants to go.
DD2 not so much and THAT is where the difference is. Before anyone says anything, I am fully aware there are kids who can go to any school and succeed and any school and fail, but the average kid, like mine, may need a push or two. You do not get that push in public school. DD2 got into UNC-CH and UVA, but we couldn't afford UNC-CH and she chose yet another state school because too many kids from her school here were going to UVA. She's relatively bright, but her chosen path (neuroscience) didn't hold its appeal and I'm not surprised. A lot of work!
So here is the problem and the question I'd ask. DD2 is in the school of science, but does not have a declared major. As such, she does not have an advisor. WHo needs an advisor most? The ones without a path! She can see random advisors, but she waits 1 hr or so for them and sees them for 15mn generic conversation. It is awful. I feel like she is rudderless and the amount of times I was told in two college orientations to "LET YOUR CHILD BE UNDECLARED" is a JOKE. Unless you are prepared as a college to help guide them, they are lost. So my question would be about the advisors. Are the kids assigned one regardless of major?
I know kids can find their paths without an advisor (I did), but I wish my DD2 had a little more guidance.
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Post by littlemama on Jul 9, 2016 18:05:40 GMT
I have twins who just finished their freshman year in college. One is in an expensive private school and the other in a very good state school (we are in VA). Holy hell, the difference. I do not give a hoo-ha for people who say it's not worth the money. For my kids 100% worth the private school money. Both are big schools (undergrad over 10K students) and the difference, like my girls, is night and day. My daughter who went to private school researched every school she applied to. They were top tier schools and she did not end up going to her first choice (her choice). My rule was they had to pick at least one in-state school. VA has top-ranked schools and my girls did well. So DD1 is a changed person. Happy, thriving, thrilled. She also knows exactly what she wants to do and where she wants to go. DD2 not so much and THAT is where the difference is. Before anyone says anything, I am fully aware there are kids who can go to any school and succeed and any school and fail, but the average kid, like mine, may need a push or two. You do not get that push in public school. DD2 got into UNC-CH and UVA, but we couldn't afford UNC-CH and she chose yet another state school because too many kids from her school here were going to UVA. She's relatively bright, but her chosen path (neuroscience) didn't hold its appeal and I'm not surprised. A lot of work! So here is the problem and the question I'd ask. DD2 is in the school of science, but does not have a declared major. As such, she does not have an advisor. WHo needs an advisor most? The ones without a path! She can see random advisors, but she waits 1 hr or so for them and sees them for 15mn generic conversation. It is awful. I feel like she is rudderless and the amount of times I was told in two college orientations to "LET YOUR CHILD BE UNDECLARED" is a JOKE. Unless you are prepared as a college to help guide them, they are lost. So my question would be about the advisors. Are the kids assigned one regardless of major? I know kids can find their paths without an advisor (I did), but I wish my DD2 had a little more guidance. I don't think that you can judge all state schools based on the one your dd goes to. The school that ds will be attending in the fall monitors freshmen closely and makes sure they meet with a generic advisor, plus an advisor in whatever field they are interested in. If someone undeclared, but maybe considering teaching, they would make sure that student met with an education advisor. I can't say that would be true at every state school, such as the ones that have 7000 freshmen, but what you are saying likely doesn't apply to all state schools either.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 9, 2016 18:15:54 GMT
I have twins who just finished their freshman year in college. One is in an expensive private school and the other in a very good state school (we are in VA). Holy hell, the difference. I do not give a hoo-ha for people who say it's not worth the money. For my kids 100% worth the private school money. Both are big schools (undergrad over 10K students) and the difference, like my girls, is night and day. My daughter who went to private school researched every school she applied to. They were top tier schools and she did not end up going to her first choice (her choice). My rule was they had to pick at least one in-state school. VA has top-ranked schools and my girls did well. So DD1 is a changed person. Happy, thriving, thrilled. She also knows exactly what she wants to do and where she wants to go. DD2 not so much and THAT is where the difference is. Before anyone says anything, I am fully aware there are kids who can go to any school and succeed and any school and fail, but the average kid, like mine, may need a push or two. You do not get that push in public school. DD2 got into UNC-CH and UVA, but we couldn't afford UNC-CH and she chose yet another state school because too many kids from her school here were going to UVA. She's relatively bright, but her chosen path (neuroscience) didn't hold its appeal and I'm not surprised. A lot of work! So here is the problem and the question I'd ask. DD2 is in the school of science, but does not have a declared major. As such, she does not have an advisor. WHo needs an advisor most? The ones without a path! She can see random advisors, but she waits 1 hr or so for them and sees them for 15mn generic conversation. It is awful. I feel like she is rudderless and the amount of times I was told in two college orientations to "LET YOUR CHILD BE UNDECLARED" is a JOKE. Unless you are prepared as a college to help guide them, they are lost. So my question would be about the advisors. Are the kids assigned one regardless of major? I know kids can find their paths without an advisor (I did), but I wish my DD2 had a little more guidance. Full disclosure--my DS is a sophomore at a private university. I see a huge difference between the experience his friends are getting and what he is getting. He met with is advisor twice before he even chose a college. Then before classes started, then 2 weeks after classes started. Then several more times throughout the year. DS has Asperger's and we thought about hiring a mentor to see him through at least his first year, but the advisor took that over. In addition to academics, he evaluates DS's mental state, how he is budgeting his time, and asks what he does in his free time. The dean of the engineering school is also keeping an eye on DS. DS has had some billing questions, scholarship questions, and a dorm issue. All were handled in a timely manner without my input. So far, I've been very impressed with the school. The one exception is next years dorm assignment, but I suspect that is more DS's fault than the school's. Don't be afraid to check out private schools. They are often more affordable than you think. At worst, you will find out that you can't swing it and will end up at a state school. DS was looking at Notre Dame, but I knew we could never afford that. But maybe for his masters if he gets into the right program. He didn't end up getting accepted there anyway, so in the end we didn't have to choose. But at least he tried.
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Post by Really Red on Jul 9, 2016 18:41:10 GMT
I have twins who just finished their freshman year in college. One is in an expensive private school and the other in a very good state school (we are in VA). Holy hell, the difference. I do not give a hoo-ha for people who say it's not worth the money. For my kids 100% worth the private school money. Both are big schools (undergrad over 10K students) and the difference, like my girls, is night and day. My daughter who went to private school researched every school she applied to. They were top tier schools and she did not end up going to her first choice (her choice). My rule was they had to pick at least one in-state school. VA has top-ranked schools and my girls did well. So DD1 is a changed person. Happy, thriving, thrilled. She also knows exactly what she wants to do and where she wants to go. DD2 not so much and THAT is where the difference is. Before anyone says anything, I am fully aware there are kids who can go to any school and succeed and any school and fail, but the average kid, like mine, may need a push or two. You do not get that push in public school. DD2 got into UNC-CH and UVA, but we couldn't afford UNC-CH and she chose yet another state school because too many kids from her school here were going to UVA. She's relatively bright, but her chosen path (neuroscience) didn't hold its appeal and I'm not surprised. A lot of work! So here is the problem and the question I'd ask. DD2 is in the school of science, but does not have a declared major. As such, she does not have an advisor. WHo needs an advisor most? The ones without a path! She can see random advisors, but she waits 1 hr or so for them and sees them for 15mn generic conversation. It is awful. I feel like she is rudderless and the amount of times I was told in two college orientations to "LET YOUR CHILD BE UNDECLARED" is a JOKE. Unless you are prepared as a college to help guide them, they are lost. So my question would be about the advisors. Are the kids assigned one regardless of major? I know kids can find their paths without an advisor (I did), but I wish my DD2 had a little more guidance. I don't think that you can judge all state schools based on the one your dd goes to. The school that ds will be attending in the fall monitors freshmen closely and makes sure they meet with a generic advisor, plus an advisor in whatever field they are interested in. If someone undeclared, but maybe considering teaching, they would make sure that student met with an education advisor. I can't say that would be true at every state school, such as the ones that have 7000 freshmen, but what you are saying likely doesn't apply to all state schools either. *sigh* I'm sorry I have to qualify everything I say. CLEARLY ALL SCHOOLS ARE NOT ALIKE. I am speaking in general, of course! And the problem with the undecideds is they do not know where they want to go!! So sending them to an education advisor is not helpful at all. Also, write back AFTER you have had the experience, please, not based on what they tell you at orientation and when they want you in their school. It's a different life after they have your child and your money.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 10, 2024 9:46:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2016 19:38:20 GMT
I have twins who just finished their freshman year in college. One is in an expensive private school and the other in a very good state school (we are in VA). Holy hell, the difference. I do not give a hoo-ha for people who say it's not worth the money. For my kids 100% worth the private school money. Both are big schools (undergrad over 10K students) and the difference, like my girls, is night and day. My daughter who went to private school researched every school she applied to. They were top tier schools and she did not end up going to her first choice (her choice). My rule was they had to pick at least one in-state school. VA has top-ranked schools and my girls did well. So DD1 is a changed person. Happy, thriving, thrilled. She also knows exactly what she wants to do and where she wants to go. DD2 not so much and THAT is where the difference is. Before anyone says anything, I am fully aware there are kids who can go to any school and succeed and any school and fail, but the average kid, like mine, may need a push or two. You do not get that push in public school. DD2 got into UNC-CH and UVA, but we couldn't afford UNC-CH and she chose yet another state school because too many kids from her school here were going to UVA. She's relatively bright, but her chosen path (neuroscience) didn't hold its appeal and I'm not surprised. A lot of work! So here is the problem and the question I'd ask. DD2 is in the school of science, but does not have a declared major. As such, she does not have an advisor. WHo needs an advisor most? The ones without a path! She can see random advisors, but she waits 1 hr or so for them and sees them for 15mn generic conversation. It is awful. I feel like she is rudderless and the amount of times I was told in two college orientations to "LET YOUR CHILD BE UNDECLARED" is a JOKE. Unless you are prepared as a college to help guide them, they are lost. So my question would be about the advisors. Are the kids assigned one regardless of major? I know kids can find their paths without an advisor (I did), but I wish my DD2 had a little more guidance. Even IF they are assigned an advisor your daughter would still be in the same boat. We do assign ALL students to an academic advisor BUT it is not the advisors job to help a student decide what they want to major in and a career path so even with an assigned advisor she would still be rudderless... academic advisors job is to help a student select courses, schedules. They are not career counselors which is what your dd needs. Does her school offer any sort of career planning? Save
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Post by bc2ca on Jul 10, 2016 2:13:29 GMT
I have twins who just finished their freshman year in college. One is in an expensive private school and the other in a very good state school (we are in VA). Holy hell, the difference. I do not give a hoo-ha for people who say it's not worth the money. For my kids 100% worth the private school money. Both are big schools (undergrad over 10K students) and the difference, like my girls, is night and day. My daughter who went to private school researched every school she applied to. They were top tier schools and she did not end up going to her first choice (her choice). My rule was they had to pick at least one in-state school. VA has top-ranked schools and my girls did well. So DD1 is a changed person. Happy, thriving, thrilled. She also knows exactly what she wants to do and where she wants to go. DD2 not so much and THAT is where the difference is. Before anyone says anything, I am fully aware there are kids who can go to any school and succeed and any school and fail, but the average kid, like mine, may need a push or two. You do not get that push in public school. DD2 got into UNC-CH and UVA, but we couldn't afford UNC-CH and she chose yet another state school because too many kids from her school here were going to UVA. She's relatively bright, but her chosen path (neuroscience) didn't hold its appeal and I'm not surprised. A lot of work! So here is the problem and the question I'd ask. DD2 is in the school of science, but does not have a declared major. As such, she does not have an advisor. WHo needs an advisor most? The ones without a path! She can see random advisors, but she waits 1 hr or so for them and sees them for 15mn generic conversation. It is awful. I feel like she is rudderless and the amount of times I was told in two college orientations to "LET YOUR CHILD BE UNDECLARED" is a JOKE. Unless you are prepared as a college to help guide them, they are lost. So my question would be about the advisors. Are the kids assigned one regardless of major? I know kids can find their paths without an advisor (I did), but I wish my DD2 had a little more guidance. I've read your post a couple of times and one thing isn't clear to me . Did DD1 pick her school because of a certain major or did she go in not knowing what she wanted to do? It sounds like DD2 did have a clear direction, picked her school based on it and now has changed her mind. The one thing I will say about the students who led our campus tours is that every single one of them had changed their majors at least once, and one was on his third major. One of the perks of doing the campus tours is they get priority registration but all of them were on the 5-6 year plan. From my point of view, if my child is doesn't have a clear direction they can do a few years of community college while they figure it out. I honestly don't see how an advisor can help you unless you know what your goal is.
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