As a private college I suppose it is their right..but the thought police are apparently alive and well at the conservative colleges. It seems she was suspended not for wearing the hijab but for a facebook post she made:
I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book. And as Pope Francis stated last week, we worship the same God
If this were a public school one thinks it would be protected speech either way, no?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-wheaton-college-professor-larycia-hawkins-20151216-story.html
↧
Wheaton (IL) suspends Christian professor who wore a hijab
↧
The Wild Rumpus Ends! Puget Sound Wins!
Within a couple of hours of my child Sasha’s setting foot on its stunning campus in Tacoma, Washington, Sasha’s first choice for college was the University of Puget Sound. The UPS students we met were bright, engaged, diverse, and just plain nice. The college’s academic offerings appeared to be robust. The music offerings were outstanding. The campus was lush, green and peaceful, yet conveniently located between two nice commercial areas in a surprisingly interesting medium-sized city, with Seattle only a short drive away. The surrounding region was almost intoxicatingly beautiful. We visited several other wonderful colleges, but all of our family’s subsequent college-comparison discussions focused on where Sasha should go if UPS said “no.” Happily for us, after Sasha applied “early decision,” UPS said “yes” (as did the three colleges to which Sasha applied “early action”).
In the next few posts, I’ll describe UPS in more detail and then talk about some of the alternatives Sasha considered. My hope is that at least a few people perusing College Confidential in the future will find Sasha’s and my observations useful in deciding which colleges to visit, etc. Every kid is unique, but I suspect that quite a few families look for similar schools every year and would have similar reactions to ours. These posts are basically revised versions of notes that I wrote to myself over the past year. As I revised them, I was surprised by how much I learned through the process and how much my views on different subjects changed over time.
When we started the college application process in earnest during Sasha’s junior year, Sasha decided to search for a small liberal arts college located in a major city. Sasha is an urban kid who rides public transportation and likes to explore different neighborhoods. Sasha is fairly studious, musically talented and a good but not spectacular high school athlete. When our quest began, Sasha was especially interested in Occidental and Macalester. By the end, those colleges had fallen down Sasha’s list, behind not only UPS (which gave Sasha a huge merit scholarship) but also Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin (which also gave Sasha a huge merit scholarship and probably was Sasha’s second choice), Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin (a real hidden gem that also gave Sasha a huge merit scholarship), and Willamette University in Salem, Oregon (which also gave Sasha a huge merit scholarship and might well have surpassed Beloit and become Sasha’s second choice if we had visited it).
This week seems like a good one for me to post these observations. Our family is ecstatic at how the college admissions process has turned out. Other families we know are feeling pretty dejected right now, as many kids got deferred or rejected from their first choice colleges. If any of those families asked for my advice, it would be that they should keep in mind the fact that there are actually a lot more terrific options out there than most people discuss. Many applicants are making the college admissions process far more stressful than it needs to be. If Sasha had done what most of the kids in our community do—and applied early only to the most selective college that conceivably might say “yes”—then our family also would probably be gearing up for another two weeks of essay writing and form completing, to be followed by three-an-a-half months of anxious waiting. But Sasha concluded a while ago that “more selective” did not necessarily mean “better,” at least for Sasha.
When we looked at the stats for the colleges Sasha liked the most, we saw that they accepted a very wide range of applicants, including students with far lower grades and test scores than Sasha had as well as students with far higher grades and test scores (i.e., grades and test scores that potentially would qualify an applicant for admission to some of the country’s most selective colleges). A lot of high school seniors who are enduring miserable Decembers may have much happier Aprils if they expand their horizons a bit, and look for colleges that attract plenty of smart kids but also attract plenty of kids with only average credentials. Some of those colleges may actually be better fits.
I’ll give fairly detailed descriptions of UPS as well as Occidental, Macalester, Beloit, Lawrence and Willamette. Then I’ll comment in less detail about Wooster, Kalamazoo, Knox and Earlham (all of interest to Sasha, but of less interest than UPS, Beloit, Lawrence and Willamette); Reed and Lewis & Clark (intriguing because they are in Portland but not on Sasha’s list in the end), Grinnell, Kenyon, Oberlin, and Whitman (eliminated from contention early in the process, primarily because of their small-town locations), Skidmore, Vassar, Wesleyan, Connecticut College, Bard, Bates, Swarthmore and Haverford (eliminated even earlier in the process because Sasha did not want to attend college on the East Coast, where Sasha has lived since birth), Pitzer and the Claremont Colleges (eliminated for a variety of reasons), and the University of Michigan Residential College (eliminated because, though it has many great features, the “liberal arts college within a Big Ten university” isn’t really a liberal arts college). The last comment is not a criticism of huge research universities—they’re great for many people, just not Sasha.
Incidentally, “Sasha” is not my child’s real name. As I wrote this post, the sound of “Sasha” resonated with me more than “Ashanti,” “Ming,” “Pat,” “Peyton,” “Skyler” and all the other gender-neutral names that came to mind.
↧
↧
Colleges for the Jewish "B" student
I have been debating for a time about starting a thread such as this. On one hand, I want to make sure I have considered every college this should be on my son's list. On the other hand, every time this topic comes up there a lot of posters who criticize the need for such a thread. So, I make this request - if you are interested in this topic - have good ideas - please contribute. If you feel this type of thread is not necessary - then I guess there is no reason for you to post on it, right? (Said gently!)
So, for my "B" student - considering Elon, College of Charleston, James Madison and Muhlenberg. All have a reasonable number of Jewish students and an active Hillel.
Ithaca has been suggested - not sure that he wants to head that far north - but it is a maybe. Drew is another possibility - but it might be too small.
I also like things I have heard about Gettysburg and Susquehanna in general - but not as sure about the Jewish piece. These schools have Hillels, but their reported Jewish populations are under 100 students.
Considering Salisbury as our in-state super safety school - but have no data on number of Jewish students.
So, I'd love feedback from parents and students who are familiar with Jewish life and the Hillels at these schools. If I have overlooked some - please fill me in. We are trying to stay in the mid-Atlantic region and trying to aim for colleges larger than 2000 students and below 15,000. He might be a business/management/marketing major - but that is certainly not definite.
↧
Social Justice at Oxford - "my turn, my turn !"
Reminds me of that line from Glen Close in Fatal Attraction " I won't be ignored "
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/12060780/Oxford-student-who-wants-Rhodes-statue-down-branded-hypocrite-for-taking-money-from-trust.html
↧
Where did your 3.0-3.3 GPA child get in?
I loved this thread topic that someone else created. ( I hope you don't mind that I copied.)
We're all trying to guess what schools our B students can get into. If you're willing to share the schools that your son or daughter got into and what their GPA and tests scores were that would help the rest of us out a lot.
↧
↧
bright Asperger kid wants to apply to Ivys- mention disability in essay?
DD has multiple disabilities, including Aspergers. Her life was no walk in the park. Her performance was wildly inconsistent before she got a diagnosis. However, DD was blessed with a very supportive therapist. DD was also placed in a very small high school. DD learned how to manage her conditions. She is now doing dual enrollment classes at the local university and quite successfully with all "A"s so far. Her GPA is 4.5 and SAT is 2330 (including a perfect essay score). She desires to apply to several Ivy league schools
She is a bright kid, and it is quite a miracle all what she could accomplish. DD is quite scared about mentioning disabilities in her essay. She is afraid her essay would place her in some auto-reject pile. However, nobody would fully understand this amazing kid without knowing all these challenges she needs to face.every single day of her life.
Is there any good recommendation in how DD should address this dilemma?
↧
Yale is Imploding over a Halloween Email
Good summary from Gawker. There are videos, too.
http://gawker.com/yale-is-imploding-over-a-halloween-email-1741191530
↧
Merit Awards: When Something Joyous Isn't
Any stories or guidance when a merit award for well over 50% of total cost backfires and pits parents against child?
I thought we received the best Christmas present of all today but the reaction was door slamming.
↧
Illinois Switches from ACT to SAT
http://chicagoist.com/2015/12/21/_illinois_high_school_juniors.php That's a big change and a bad deal for current juniors who have been on the ACT studying path and will now have to go SAT.
↧
↧
Moved: U of Michigan 2020 acceptance
This discussion has been moved.
↧
Binghamton v. Rutgers
Hi all,
I recently got accepted to both Binghamton University and Rutgers. I like both of them for different reasons, so it makes it hard to nail down a definitive decision of which one I prefer more. Rutgers would be cheaper for me as a NJ resident, but I think the higher cost of Binghamton could be justified if it provides more bang for my buck. I want to major in political science and go on to law school. If anyone has any input, it would be much appreciated!
↧
Declining early decision offer
I have a strange situation that I'm not sure how to handle.
My daughter will not qualify for need-based aid. However, her stats make her a strong candidate for merit aid (35 ACT, 4.9 GPA, etc.). This fall when we visited schools, we researched which ones offer large enough merit awards to make them affordable for her. She found a school that was by far her first choice because of the atmosphere and everything she learned on our visit. They had two levels of merit scholarships that would make the school a financially viable option for her.
We contacted the school to make sure applying Early Decision wouldn't harm her chances for merit aid as we had read some schools do not award merit during Early Decision. We were told they definitely award merit aid during ED. We read the pros and cons of applying ED. Some articles said not to do it if you wanted merit aid. Others said it was wise as the pool of money isn't exhausted and it shows the student's interest/commitment in the school. She decided to go ahead with ED.
She included a letter with her resume and also sent a copy to her admission counselor explaining that while she was applying ED, she would need significant merit aid in order to afford the school.
She was accepted last week, but with hardly any merit aid. We were a bit stunned as she was offered significantly more merit aid by all of her Early Action schools. But we realize she is NOT entitled to any amount of merit aid, so I immediately contacted her admission rep to ask how to decline the offer as it is not a financially viable. No reply. Not even an acknowledgement of the email. I emailed another admissions rep who coordinated our visit while we were there, asking what the procedure is to decline if the offer is not enough for us to afford the school. No reply.
I called the school on Friday and again yesterday and was told I would get an email from one of the assistant deans. No email.
I am not exactly sure what to do if no one will tell her how to decline the offer. There is no way to do it through the admissions portal. "Yes" is the only option as she was accepted. I know that some high schools only send the mid-year report and end of the year transcript to the Early Decision school and want to avoid that happening, so I would like some acknowledgement to give her guidance counselor. Or do I not worry about it? If we don't send in the enrollment deposit, I guess they will understand she is declining. Any insight on the procedure for declining ED if the financial offer isn't enough?
Thanks for reading. Sorry this is so long!
↧
Veteran -education benefits
I would like to be able to give a young man I know some advice on graduate school.
Background is he has a BS in Animal Science from one of the UC campuses. He only used 2 yrs of his benefits. He qualifies for 100% benefit. He had 2 more yrs available to him so is considering a Masters. California resident.
He is researching programs at Ca public schools. i would be interested if anyone knows of state schools outside of Ca who give instate tuition to Veterans.
He would like to make himself more marketable. He has found that jobs with a BS in Animal Science aren't well paying. He is employed outside the Animal Science field in a well paying job but he isn't happy. He is looking at programs in Animal genetics, business.I think he is open to other ideas. His field of study was beef cattle. He is hard working, physically strong, strong analytical skills.
I realize this post is long. In short I'm asking-
1. Advice on using VA benefits out of state
2. Master fields of study for Animal Science grad
↧
↧
If a student backs out of an ED admission, do HS counselors...
If a student backs out of an ED admission, do HS counselors:
a. Track whether an auto-reject pattern at that college occurs the next year or few?
b. Warn future classes of students that some colleges are spiteful and vindictive and will auto-reject them because a student in the past backed out of an ED admission, and name the specific colleges that past students have backed out of ED admission to?
↧
Am I crazy to suggest that DS skip campus tours?
My DS is a Junior and early next year we start checking out campuses in a serious way. After reading about the experiences of others, it seems that informal, self-directed activities on campus (e.g., having lunch in cafeteria, asking students you meet questions, checking out the school paper and bulletin boards, etc) tend to be more insightful than taking a group tour with a student guide. Is this a crazy notion? How many of you have found group tours to be a good use of time?
↧
Help Me with My Schedule!
Hello I have a draft with my schedule for the next semesters with all of my prereqs to transfer from my CC to a Uni. I would love to receive any tips with what classes i shouldn't take together. I would also love it if you re arranged my schedule to see what would be better. Thank you very much! Here is my current plan:
SPRING2016:
ENG121 english comp 1
BIO111 general College Biology with a lab
MUS120 Music Appreciation
MAT122 Triginometry
SUMMER:
Certified Nurse Aid(Get certified and start working to get clinical expirience)
PHY111 algebra based physics with lab
FALL2016:
CHE111 general college chemistry with lab 1
HIST US History
JOU Intro to mass media
BIO112 General college bio w/ lab 2
SPRING2017:
PHY112 algebra based physics w/lab 2
HUM World Mythology
CHE112 General college Chemistry w/lab 2
SUMMER2017:
CALC calculus1
I want to major in Bio If anyone was curious and these are the pre reqs at my CC that transfers directly to a uni near the CC.
↧
This Athlete is an Inspiration; Academically
Nice story. I couldn't imagine being a Division 1 player at a top program AND sitting in a law school classroom lecture every day of the week. Kudos to his parents because obviously they did a very good job.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/sports/ncaabasketball/a-college-basketball-player-who-is-also-a-law-school-student.html?&moduleDetail=section-news-4&action=click&contentCollection=College Basketball®ion=Footer&module=MoreInSection&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&pgtype=article
↧
↧
What is typical for release of first semester HS grades?
My son's private Jesuit boys high school unexpectedly changed their release date for first semester grades. Son is a junior, and his 1st 2 years saw grades/transcripts released a few days before Christmas. This Monday, 12/21, an assistant principal emailed all students to let them know grades will be available Jan 5, the day before 2nd semester begins. No explanation for delay. No email to parents. No info on school website. I think this is totally annoying, especially with the delay in College Board PSAT scores to Jan 7. It is also strange because this private school has been loading up on staff/admin jobs, including a filled Registrar position as of last summer. I'm curious from other CC parents: do your high schools get 1st semester grades out pre Xmas, right after Xmas, or ?
↧
SCOTUS: Fisher II oral arguments
Your thoughts on the oral arguments and on the likely outcome? Do you predict a decision in favor of or against the petitioner Abigail Fisher? If SCOTUS rules in favor, then how encompassing the scope?
Note:
this is NOT a general affirmative action discussion. Please confine your comments to the particulars of this court case and its potential impact on college admissions policy.
↧
Gap Year: AmeriCorps or other public health options
Can you share any impressions of gap year options involving public health type activities? I see that AmeriCorps has many positions around the U.S. Experiences with AmeriCorps would be especially appreciated.
Where do the volunteers live, if not at home or with a relative?
↧