You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine - UPDATED !!!

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine

 

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine

Dooley was right, I got waitlisted at ITT Tech. And Hamburger U, good luck getting in there if you're not a legacy.

 

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine


You guys all make great points - I knew you would - in fact, I'm off my ledge about this now. I've calmed down a lot.

FHB - This particular institution does not bind kids for early decision.

You guys are right - "State" should be offering her a full ride. Her mom, bless her heart, isn't totally up on this process (we've had to beg her mom to fill out the financial aid forms). Maybe Mr. Lugs and I should have been fishing for a scholarship for her? But why would we bother with "State" when we always thought she'd choose the better school?

Another topper: This "Michigan" has a beautiful campus, great college atmosphere, old buildings, the whole nine. "State" is ugly -- sorry -- It's somewhat commuter-oriented with a lot of 60's style buildings.

Here's the triple topper - classy institution that it is, "Michigan" (and it's not actually Michigan) has invited her to a big breakfast and tour of the campus where they'll roll out the red carpet. (Mr. Lugs had already taken her on a tour, but she had a hard time enjoying it because she was so convinced her SATs would keep her from getting in.)

Fortunately, she's accepted the invitation for the breakfast and tour. I think that's a good sign.

 

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine

I'm just glad that story ended with her getting into college. I really thought it wasn't going to. God, Luggie, I felt like I had such a stake in it.

And I'm glad you're feeling better about things now.

I can understand that you want her to go to the better school, and I don't think it's too much to give her a good talk about it, especially since you're close. But if the worst case is she goes to the other school, that's not a bad worst case.

I mean, think if your story had ended, "She didn't get accepted."

This is a girl who could have really gone off the rails. But thanks to your friendship and intervention, she's a smart, beautiful girl who, no matter what decision she makes now, will one day wear a cap and gown and receive her degree.

That's a great thing, never mind the name of the school on the piece of paper.

 

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine


I agree with Jones -- as long as the school isn't in Canada or whatever.

 

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine

Maybe she can persuaded to go to Cal and go on the law school track. I'm sure there's a famous, long-winded alum with a high IQ to help out someone connected with sj.

 

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine

Not knowing the identities of the two schools, it's hard to make a major conclusion, but I was a person who picked the so-called "lesser" school in my backyard and people looked at me like I'd lost my mind. After all, every kid in the state wants to go to Elite School and I have the chance to do it, yet I CHOOSE to go to Safety School? What gives?

I visited both and I just felt more comfortable at Safety School. I feel I got a great education there -- one that stacks up well with those of my peers from Elite School. Most of the national rankings are based on a university's graduate programs and endowments and I found that the undergraduate education at both schools appeared to compare favorably.

Safety School also sent most of its graduates to the graduate programs at Elite School, so I figure it couldn't have been that bad. I also have met plenty of people in a variety of professional fields who are graduates of both schools, which to me, nullifies the idea that the degree from Elite School will automatically give a person an advantage over Safety School (unless we're talking Harvard, of course.)

Point out the pros and cons of both, but don't push Elite School just because of its reputation. I find that the folks who usually believe that Elite School is miles better than "Safety School" are only basing their opinions on perceptions and have no personal knowledge of the situation at either place.

 

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine


Aw, thanks Jones, but I can take no credit for the way she is -- she's just good to the core. (I can take credit for some of her handbags, however.)

You guys are funny... ;D dools: This is sort of like when Brandon was accepted to Yale, then inexplicably ended up at "California State," no?

n_i: It's not Harvard, but it's one of the top state schools in the country.

I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

 

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine

Well, Brandon did get a hairstyle grant, so what can ya do?

 

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine

Whatever.

 

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine

Send her to "Eastern Michigan."

 

Re: You've Solved 21's Problem - Now I Could Use Your Help with Mine

OK, ol' girl ... it's like this.

You won't be the first, or the last, relative to give their two cents on college choice. And you shouldn't be. You've been through a little more life than your niece has, and you obviously can clearly see some of the bad reasons she's making her choice.

She's not going to turn around and hate you for talking to her about it, not even for strongly urging a course of action.

Get her to state, verbally, the reasons why she's thinking of going to State. Because if she says them out loud, she might come to the realization that some of them are not the best reasons.

Then, if she doesn't get it, spell it out as to why those aren't good reasons.

There's no darn reason not to help her make the right decision.