OT: College in the COVID era

[Chin Diesel]

I should add that even going to elite colleges is no guarantee set you up for life if you're not willing to work. We just got the class update for the last year (I graduated in the late 00s), and like half of the entries are people who dropped out of PhD programs to become baristas. I know someone who dropped out of college and is now an Uber driver. (Of course, there were a good number of doctors, scholars, lawyers, non-profit execs, etc. too)

And in my PhD program at grad school, our group had kids from both elite private colleges and so-so to good public universities, and all of them went on to get terrific jobs in the field.

It's not so much the school as how you take advantage of the opportunities when you're there, though some schools open the door a little more for you and some you have to do more of the heavy-lifting yourself.

Those willing to work the hustle, usually come out on top.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” -Thomas Edison.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

One of my best friends went there for finance about ten years ago. Overall I think he loved it, you just have to be very careful in the surrounding area. He was robbed multiple times about to walk back into campus at night.

Was it Han Solo?

 

[HuskyHawk]

So, one last bump for an update. The decision process is over. It came down to three schools, Loyola - Chicago, UVM and Northeastern. Northeastern is the choice. Of course it's the most expensive option by far and we got no merit money. She was accepted to the N.U.IN program, where you do you first semester as study abroad. Wanted Dublin or London, but she's on the waiting list because we accepted it so late. So for now she'd be in Boston but not in a residence hall. I blame Fordham for that. We only just had an opportunity to visit last week, as campus has been closed and locked for a year. Even then it was a 5 minute self guided tour.

Key factors: She's always loved Boston. She liked the campus and the ability to jump on the green line or walk to Fenway or Back Bay. The academics and reputation are best of the schools that accepted her. She's not sure what she wants to do or study, and I think Co-op will help with that. There is even a commuter rail stop at campus that takes her back to our town, so that's convenient. She was actually really excited about going to Dublin or London, so I hope they can find a spot for her.

 

[the Q]

So, one last bump for an update. The decision process is over. It came down to three schools, Loyola - Chicago, UVM and Northeastern. Northeastern is the choice. Of course it's the most expensive option by far and we got no merit money. She was accepted to the N.U.IN program, where you do you first semester as study abroad. Wanted Dublin or London, but she's on the waiting list because we accepted it so late. So for now she'd be in Boston but not in a residence hall. I blame Fordham for that. We only just had an opportunity to visit last week, as campus has been closed and locked for a year. Even then it was a 5 minute self guided tour.

Key factors: She's always loved Boston. She liked the campus and the ability to jump on the green line or walk to Fenway or Back Bay. The academics and reputation are best of the schools that accepted her. She's not sure what she wants to do or study, and I think Co-op will help with that. There is even a commuter rail stop at campus that takes her back to our town, so that's convenient. She was actually really excited about going to Dublin or London, so I hope they can find a spot for her.

Congrats!!

i went to northeastern for a while.

Basically was my decision process as Well.

it’s a college campus dropped in the middle of a city. I loved that. Plus coop program is great to make money and learn about what you like.

 

[8893]

So, one last bump for an update. The decision process is over. It came down to three schools, Loyola - Chicago, UVM and Northeastern. Northeastern is the choice. Of course it's the most expensive option by far and we got no merit money. She was accepted to the N.U.IN program, where you do you first semester as study abroad. Wanted Dublin or London, but she's on the waiting list because we accepted it so late. So for now she'd be in Boston but not in a residence hall. I blame Fordham for that. We only just had an opportunity to visit last week, as campus has been closed and locked for a year. Even then it was a 5 minute self guided tour.

Key factors: She's always loved Boston. She liked the campus and the ability to jump on the green line or walk to Fenway or Back Bay. The academics and reputation are best of the schools that accepted her. She's not sure what she wants to do or study, and I think Co-op will help with that. There is even a commuter rail stop at campus that takes her back to our town, so that's convenient. She was actually really excited about going to Dublin or London, so I hope they can find a spot for her.

Congrats! The hard part is over. Now start buying gear for the other Huskies.

 

[the Q]

Congrats! The hard part is over. Now start buying gear for the other Huskies.

black and red is a great color pattern for gear.

 

[husky429]

So, one last bump for an update. The decision process is over. It came down to three schools, Loyola - Chicago, UVM and Northeastern. Northeastern is the choice. Of course it's the most expensive option by far and we got no merit money. She was accepted to the N.U.IN program, where you do you first semester as study abroad. Wanted Dublin or London, but she's on the waiting list because we accepted it so late. So for now she'd be in Boston but not in a residence hall. I blame Fordham for that. We only just had an opportunity to visit last week, as campus has been closed and locked for a year. Even then it was a 5 minute self guided tour.

Key factors: She's always loved Boston. She liked the campus and the ability to jump on the green line or walk to Fenway or Back Bay. The academics and reputation are best of the schools that accepted her. She's not sure what she wants to do or study, and I think Co-op will help with that. There is even a commuter rail stop at campus that takes her back to our town, so that's convenient. She was actually really excited about going to Dublin or London, so I hope they can find a spot for her.

Congrats! I never really engaged with the college decision process outside of basketball, so I didn't know how much when into it. Your experiences here were interesting to read about. More than anything, my takeaway is that I hope my kids are dumb like me so I don't have to worry about trying to get into really good colleges. We're screwed if they're smart like my fiance.

 

[UConnRock]

My son is at Northeastern. Combined major in Intl Affairs and Economics. Overall a good experience, but he has really had only 1 normal semester in his 2 years at college (thanks COVID). To be honest, the northeast was a bit of a culture shock for my son. Neice from NJ will be an incoming Freshman in the Fall.

Fingers crossed that he can do the summer Dialogue of Civilizations class in Copenhagen this year. He was supposed to go to France last Summer, but that obviously did not happen. The EU just announced they will be allowing US travelers with vaccinations, so I am hoping Northeastern allows these courses to progress.

Daughter is going to Rice in the Fall. One in Boston and one in Houston. Thankfully Southwest flies directly to both.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

So, one last bump for an update. The decision process is over. It came down to three schools, Loyola - Chicago, UVM and Northeastern. Northeastern is the choice. Of course it's the most expensive option by far and we got no merit money. She was accepted to the N.U.IN program, where you do you first semester as study abroad. Wanted Dublin or London, but she's on the waiting list because we accepted it so late. So for now she'd be in Boston but not in a residence hall. I blame Fordham for that. We only just had an opportunity to visit last week, as campus has been closed and locked for a year. Even then it was a 5 minute self guided tour.

Key factors: She's always loved Boston. She liked the campus and the ability to jump on the green line or walk to Fenway or Back Bay. The academics and reputation are best of the schools that accepted her. She's not sure what she wants to do or study, and I think Co-op will help with that. There is even a commuter rail stop at campus that takes her back to our town, so that's convenient. She was actually really excited about going to Dublin or London, so I hope they can find a spot for her.

If her semester abroad gets delayed, might not be the worst thing. Vaccine rollout is starting to pick up in Europe, its better in the UK than Ireland who was heavily locked down until a few weeks ago. Wouldnt be as great of a semester abroad if there were restrictions on international travel to other countries or even being able to leave her county (if she was in the Irish program).

 

[HooperScooper]

Congrats on the decision. Northeastern is a great school. I know someone who went to Northeastern and did the first semester away also. He went to Greece and loved it. No issues coming into school 2nd semester.

 

[HuskyHawk]

If her semester abroad gets delayed, might not be the worst thing. Vaccine rollout is starting to pick up in Europe, its better in the UK than Ireland who was heavily locked down until a few weeks ago. Wouldnt be as great of a semester abroad if there were restrictions on international travel to other countries or even being able to leave her county (if she was in the Irish program).

It is expected to be on for next fall. Not every site they normally have, but Dublin, London, Rome and Greece. The N.U.IN kids are asked to make videos and we watched some on YouTube yesterday. Ironically, one was from Dublin during the pandemic. He was pretty funny. He got Covid, and so did about a dozen other kids. They moved them to a common location (which he said was nicer) and they were all thrilled because they could hang out together without distancing. They all seemed to have fun anyway.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

It is expected to be on for next fall. Not every site they normally have, but Dublin, London, Rome and Greece. The N.U.IN kids are asked to make videos and we watched some on YouTube yesterday. Ironically, one was from Dublin during the pandemic. He was pretty funny. He got Covid, and so did about a dozen other kids. They moved them to a common location (which he said was nicer) and they were all thrilled because they could hang out together without distancing. They all seemed to have fun anyway.

That's what really matters. Although as the parents if you are footing the bill, you'd probably rather her be able to take full advantage of the experience. Seems like the knock on UConn these days was having to pay full tuition to basically go to remote school.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Boston is a terrific college town and a good size for an 18-year-old to be introduced to city life. It's got a ton of cultural stuff, but isn't intimidatingly large like NYC or even Chicago.

I can't speak to Northeastern academically, but it sounds like she has a good idea of what she wants to get out of it, which is often most of the battle.

 

[the Q]

It is expected to be on for next fall. Not every site they normally have, but Dublin, London, Rome and Greece. The N.U.IN kids are asked to make videos and we watched some on YouTube yesterday. Ironically, one was from Dublin during the pandemic. He was pretty funny. He got Covid, and so did about a dozen other kids. They moved them to a common location (which he said was nicer) and they were all thrilled because they could hang out together without distancing. They all seemed to have fun anyway.

do NU students still get into MFA for free with their id?

even an uncultured jock like myself loved going there

 

[HuskyHawk]

do NU students still get into MFA for free with their id?

even an uncultured jock like myself loved going there

Yes, they still do. Isabella Stuart Gardner museum is $5 for NU students. She's been to MFA several times and likes it. Quite a bit more to do around campus than I had in Storrs in 1984. We could get grinders at Teds, hit the Dairy Bar or walk to Store 24/Wawa. There was a record store over there somewhere. That's about it.

 

[8893]

Yes, they still do. Isabella Stuart Gardner museum is $5 for NU students. She's been to MFA several times and likes it. Quite a bit more to do around campus than I had in Storrs in 1984. We could get grinders at Teds, hit the Dairy Bar or walk to Store 24/Wawa. There was a record store over there somewhere. That's about it.

Hey, don't forget the movie theater!

 

[superjohn]

Yes, they still do. Isabella Stuart Gardner museum is $5 for NU students. She's been to MFA several times and likes it. Quite a bit more to do around campus than I had in Storrs in 1984. We could get grinders at Teds, hit the Dairy Bar or walk to Store 24/Wawa. There was a record store over there somewhere. That's about it.

It's missing half it's paintings though.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Hey, don't forget the movie theater!

I did forget that gem. Saw a few movies there.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Bumping this old thread for a slightly different topic. As realignment kicks off again, we see the SEC raiding. Well I think the SEC and southern ACC schools are raiding our high schools as well. Logged on to the class of 2021 Instagram account for my daughter's HS. Catholic school in South Eastern Massachusetts. Here's where they are going (it doesn't list every kid) for public universities. With several kids in MA and RI, those should have in-state advantages. Many went to private schools, and most of those are in the region, not all. But the southern public schools are doing very well.

Clemson: 6
Alabama: 3
Auburn: 2
Tennessee: 3
South Carolina: 3
Ole Miss: 1
GT: 1
WV: 1

UConn: 3
UMass: 5
URI: 3
UNH: 5
Penn State: 1
UVM: 2
Temple: 1

I've heard of trends like this elsewhere in the area. I know my local public HS has a lot of kids heading south as well. Heard from friends in Fairfield Cty. that the trend in their HS is towards the Big 10 schools.

 

[husky429]

Bumping this old thread for a slightly different topic. As realignment kicks off again, we see the SEC raiding. Well I think the SEC and southern ACC schools are raiding our high schools as well. Logged on to the class of 2021 Instagram account for my daughter's HS. Catholic school in South Eastern Massachusetts. Here's where they are going (it doesn't list every kid) for public universities. With several kids in MA and RI, those should have in-state advantages. Many went to private schools, and most of those are in the region, not all. But the southern public schools are doing very well.

Clemson: 6
Alabama: 3
Auburn: 2
Tennessee: 3
South Carolina: 3
Ole Miss: 1
GT: 1
WV: 1

UConn: 3
UMass: 5
URI: 3
UNH: 5
Penn State: 1
UVM: 2
Temple: 1

I've heard of trends like this elsewhere in the area. I know my local public HS has a lot of kids heading south as well. Heard from friends in Fairfield Cty. that the trend in their HS is towards the Big 10 schools.

A private hs in mass isn't really a great cross section of America. Kids are going to head across the country way more. I teach public hs and the vast, vast majority of kids stay in New England. Our valedictorian went to UConn the last 3 years. Didn't you say tons of kids at your daughters school wanted BC?

Honest question: why would anyone go pay out-of-state tuition at Clemson? (Or UConn for that matter). Those southern schools are all DIRT cheap in-state but is 40k a year worth it for a school ranked in the 60s or 70s? They don't have much going on other than football... my fiance interviewed for a job on the faculty at Clemson this spring. It was cool but I wouldn't say the area is really even better than Storrs when I saw it those couple days.

My fiance went to UNC for 8k a year undergrad and 24k a year law school in state--stupid cheap. Southern state schools might be the only place person could actually work their way through college like the old days. The out of state might even be worth it there because of its ranking.

But Clemson? Alabama? Ole Miss? Auburn? These aren't even good schools. Clemson has like 40k out of state tuition, at least some of the others are cheaper but I'm guessing private schools kids are mostly not paying anyways.

End rant. Good info regardless... thanks for sharing.

 

[Guapo]

A private hs in mass isn't really a great cross section of America. Kids are going to head across the country way more. I teach public hs and the vast, vast majority of kids stay in New England. Our valedictorian went to UConn the last 3 years. Didn't you say tons of kids at your daughters school wanted BC?

Honest question: why would anyone go pay out-of-state tuition at Clemson? (Or UConn for that matter). Those southern schools are all DIRT cheap in-state but is 40k a year worth it for a school ranked in the 60s or 70s? They don't have much going on other than football... my fiance interviewed for a job on the faculty at Clemson this spring. It was cool but I wouldn't say the area is really even better than Storrs when I saw it those couple days.

My fiance went to UNC for 8k a year undergrad and 24k a year law school in state--stupid cheap. Southern state schools might be the only place person could actually work their way through college like the old days. The out of state might even be worth it there because of its ranking.

But Clemson? Alabama? Ole Miss? Auburn? These aren't even good schools. Clemson has like 40k out of state tuition, at least some of the others are cheaper but I'm guessing private schools kids are mostly not paying anyways.

End rant. Good info regardless... thanks foI assume those schools are giving scholarships to a bunch of these kids. Also, you have to understand, if you’re ok with leaving the northeast and living in a city like Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans etc. those degrees are going to go a long way and you’ll end up on an equal or better career path as you would if you’d end up in Boston or New York after going to an Uber expansive, not-fun private school. Not saying the things you’re saying are necessarily wrong, just saying something more along the lines of “to each their own”

A private hs in mass isn't really a great cross section of America. Kids are going to head across the country way more. I teach public hs and the vast, vast majority of kids stay in New England. Our valedictorian went to UConn the last 3 years. Didn't you say tons of kids at your daughters school wanted BC?

Honest question: why would anyone go pay out-of-state tuition at Clemson? (Or UConn for that matter). Those southern schools are all DIRT cheap in-state but is 40k a year worth it for a school ranked in the 60s or 70s? They don't have much going on other than football... my fiance interviewed for a job on the faculty at Clemson this spring. It was cool but I wouldn't say the area is really even better than Storrs when I saw it those couple days.

My fiance went to UNC for 8k a year undergrad and 24k a year law school in state--stupid cheap. Southern state schools might be the only place person could actually work their way through college like the old days. The out of state might even be worth it there because of its ranking.

But Clemson? Alabama? Ole Miss? Auburn? These aren't even good schools. Clemson has like 40k out of state tuition, at least some of the others are cheaper but I'm guessing private schools kids are mostly not paying anyways.

End rant. Good info regardless... thanks for sharing.

I assume those schools are giving scholarships to a bunch of these kids. Also, you have to understand, if you’re ok with leaving the northeast and living in a city like Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans etc. those degrees are going to go a long way and you’ll end up on an equal or better career path as you would if you’d end up in Boston or New York after going to an Uber expansive, not-fun private school.

Not saying the things you’re saying are necessarily wrong, just saying something more along the lines of “to each their own”

 

[HuskyHawk]

A private hs in mass isn't really a great cross section of America. Kids are going to head across the country way more. I teach public hs and the vast, vast majority of kids stay in New England. Our valedictorian went to UConn the last 3 years. Didn't you say tons of kids at your daughters school wanted BC?

Honest question: why would anyone go pay out-of-state tuition at Clemson? (Or UConn for that matter). Those southern schools are all DIRT cheap in-state but is 40k a year worth it for a school ranked in the 60s or 70s? They don't have much going on other than football... my fiance interviewed for a job on the faculty at Clemson this spring. It was cool but I wouldn't say the area is really even better than Storrs when I saw it those couple days.

My fiance went to UNC for 8k a year undergrad and 24k a year law school in state--stupid cheap. Southern state schools might be the only place person could actually work their way through college like the old days. The out of state might even be worth it there because of its ranking.

But Clemson? Alabama? Ole Miss? Auburn? These aren't even good schools. Clemson has like 40k out of state tuition, at least some of the others are cheaper but I'm guessing private schools kids are mostly not paying anyways.

End rant. Good info regardless... thanks for sharing.

You might want to check the rankings again. Clemson tops every New England public except UConn and UMass. Plus I have no doubt that they are throwing merit aid to lure kids from the northeast. In state at our local public flagships is really quite high, and with a little merit, those big publics in the south become price competitive. UVM is crazy expensive out of state without Merit. They offered us over $20k a year. Most public HS will probably not have kids with quite the same academic profiles (some will). Ole Miss is ranked #160 overall, but is $25k out of state. Auburn #97. Clemson #74. I found it informative that the higher rated schools, UNC, UVA, UGA, Florida...had none of these kids. Less of a need to recruit them and provide merit. As for not a "good" school, every flagship state U is "good". Most kids go to college at the Central/Southern level schools or community college.

I think they sent two to BC, but that's probably as many as BC was going to take no matter what. One BU. Two Northeastern (including mine). Villanova was 3, but one was athletic scholarship (also true of UConn...baseball player).

 

[NJHusky]

I assume those schools are giving scholarships to a bunch of these kids. Also, you have to understand, if you’re ok with leaving the northeast and living in a city like Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans etc. those degrees are going to go a long way and you’ll end up on an equal or better career path as you would if you’d end up in Boston or New York after going to an Uber expansive, not-fun private school.

Not saying the things you’re saying are necessarily wrong, just saying something more along the lines of “to each their own”

Agree, but what happens if the kid decides they don’t want to stay in Alabama or surrounds after college? Going to Vandy or G tech makes sense IMO. As they are good schools well respected around the country. going to Alabama as an out of state state kid???

 

[Guapo]

Agree, but what happens if the kid decides they don’t want to stay in Alabama or surrounds after college? Going to Vandy or G tech makes sense IMO. As they are good schools well respected around the country. going to Alabama as an out of state state kid???

That’s something you have to think about! It’s kinda crazy that 17 year olds are making these truly massive life decision. FWIW Bama is majority out of state now

 

[auror]

Agree, but what happens if the kid decides they don’t want to stay in Alabama or surrounds after college? Going to Vandy or G tech makes sense IMO. As they are good schools well respected around the country. going to Alabama as an out of state state kid???

Some percentage of people really like southern (non-city) culture.

 

[NJHusky]

That’s something you have to think about! It’s kinda crazy that 17 year olds are making these truly massive life decision. FWIW Bama is majority out of state now

As someone that had spent most of the their career in the northeast/mid atlantic and done a fair amount of hiring, unless the Bama resume has some unique skill set or credential, doubtful they are even getting past step 1, especially starting out.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Bumping this old thread for a slightly different topic. As realignment kicks off again, we see the SEC raiding. Well I think the SEC and southern ACC schools are raiding our high schools as well. Logged on to the class of 2021 Instagram account for my daughter's HS. Catholic school in South Eastern Massachusetts. Here's where they are going (it doesn't list every kid) for public universities. With several kids in MA and RI, those should have in-state advantages. Many went to private schools, and most of those are in the region, not all. But the southern public schools are doing very well.

Clemson: 6
Alabama: 3
Auburn: 2
Tennessee: 3
South Carolina: 3
Ole Miss: 1
GT: 1
WV: 1

UConn: 3
UMass: 5
URI: 3
UNH: 5
Penn State: 1
UVM: 2
Temple: 1

I've heard of trends like this elsewhere in the area. I know my local public HS has a lot of kids heading south as well. Heard from friends in Fairfield Cty. that the trend in their HS is towards the Big 10 schools.

This is another example of what happens when we have a permanent subsidy to the southeast. Federal tax dollars going into southern state coffers as block grants and are repurposed as lower taxes, subsidies to corporations and reduced cost of tuition at the state schools in the south. Connecticut taxpayers are paying for Connecticut kids to go to Clemson.

 

[Guapo]

I do think this is partially why UConn is successful in recruiting kids from neighboring northeast states. It offers the closest approximation to a big state sports school in the region

 

[NJHusky]

Some percentage of people really like southern (non-city) culture.

I’m not against it. Do what makes u happy. My point was simply that if a kid wants to go elsewhere after graduation (west coast/ northeast/ Chicagoland) going to an SEC party school isn’t as useful as Vandy IMO.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Agree, but what happens if the kid decides they don’t want to stay in Alabama or surrounds after college? Going to Vandy or G tech makes sense IMO. As they are good schools well respected around the country. going to Alabama as an out of state state kid???

Well Alabama has the same "ranking" as UNH. Would you feel the same about UNH? I'm pretty sure that if you try to get a job in say Florida or Atlanta, Bama would be viewed more highly. Their med school is excellent by the way. I think people in the northeast have an outdated and inaccurate view of how these schools are perceived. It's the same problem that has hurt UConn over the years, because it isn't full respected compared to private schools either.

The point of the thread is that they are recruiting, smartly recruiting. And they have a huge cost and state funding advantage.