2 College Visits in 2 Weekends!
Evan and I have visited 2 colleges these past 2 Fridays in a row. With Ian being so resistant to going to any college and Alec ONLY wanting to look at culinary colleges (the whole 2 we found) this is the first time we've really had to put a lot of effort into finding just the right fit for a college for one of our boys.
Since Evan hopes to study psychology his field of study does not narrow down our choices much. I did limit him to staying within New England/New York (basically within a day's drive) to make it a bit easier on all of us and since in his words he's "only ever had a classroom of 1-3 students, a small school would be best." I am LOVING all the tours so much. Each school is brimming with their own possibilities.
Friday August we checked out Bryant University and were surprised by how much we both liked it. It's nice and small and all the staff we met were so nice! They had tons of construction going on and seem to constantly update everything-- even the freshman dorms were just redone in the past year or two with new bathrooms and central air added. So many colleges in New England do not have air conditioning in their dorms. It never really was an issue when I was in college as our falls and springs were much cooler then (or maybe we were just more used to being hot as hardly anyone had air conditioning?).
The photos loaded in reverse but whatever. They had this huge tent set up for our lunches since their cafeteria is undergoing a HUGE renovation this summer (the photos of what it should look like upon completion are amazing). We enjoyed some New England frozen lemonade-- it's a real Rhode Island "thing" that we don't have in Connecticut.
This giant new building was just donated to the school and all the new classrooms and learning spaces are state of the art.
Another one of their classroom buildings has this neat domed meeting space in the center since all classes have a 20 minute break in between.
Bryant was originally in Providence and when they moved they brought this famous/original gate with them to their new campus.
They have this beautiful fountain right in the center of their campus.
I don't remember what this building was... but we really liked the campus a lot.
This past Friday we headed out to Dean College. Sadly, I don't think Dean is going to make the cut. It wasn't a true open house so there were only about a dozen of us (parents and students included) and there wasn't any opportunity to talk with any professors or get a feel for what the psychology program was like.
I'm realizing that, so far, all of Evan's favorites are open houses where he really connected with the professors from "his" department. Their passion sparking his even more so I think that was hard for him that we mostly just sat and listened and then took a quick walking tour of the campus.
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| the dorm we got to see |
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| their quad was beautiful! |
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| this tiny room holds all their trophies now but was the original dining hall back when they first opened. It used to have a divider in the middle with girls on one side and guys on the other; they were allowed to meet and mingle in the middle for only 30 minutes after dining. |
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| one of their main classroom buildings |
We've talked about possibly touring one more college in September (another small/local one) but we'll see. Right now he has 2 he really likes a lot and a third he likes enough to apply to as well but I do enjoy these college tours. I wish more colleges offered shadow days; Alec did that at JWU and it really helped him get a better feel for the program and helped him really see himself on campus.
Linking up with:
I'm glad you are loving this experience! My kids got to sit in on classes and they loved that. I would say when you get it narrowed down to go back on a normal day when kids are bustling about campus. I'm assuming since it's New England that they haven't started classes yet. Also, we found that the small liberal arts colleges were way more generous with scholarships because of their alumni endowments. Mine went to private college for less than state school.
ReplyDeleteWe've been to all the colleges when they are open and have kids bustling around campus; granted these two didn't have the FULL roster of kids but at least 1/2 of the sports teams were already on campus and in fact several students were moving in on the day we were at Dean. None of my kids even looked at state schools- because I found the same thing when I went to college. Sure private school cost more but they typically give more too.
DeleteThose campuses are pretty! When we did college tours, it was during the school year and students led the tours after hearing staff give general information. It was nice to have students doing the tours since they are in the "thick" of college and can answer student specific questions and not just hear how great the school is from a paid administrator (though I'm sure the student tour guides are "encouraged" to be very positive about what they say about the school).
ReplyDeleteAll of the tours have been led by students at all the colleges we've been to too; it's nice to hear their perspective. Most of the colleges have had a student panel too where we can sit and ask questions.
DeleteSo exciting! Hope you enjoyed. Bryant looks beautiful! I have heard such great things about that school too- can't wait to see what he decides
ReplyDeleteAs of right now Bryant and Clark are pretty much tied and he's said he'll most likely go to whichever gives him the better financial aid packet but I want to take him to Nichol's college too. They have an open house in October so we'll see if they make the cut.
DeleteGood luck to Evan. It sounds like such a big decision choosing a college as they all look amazing to me! What an exciting time.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is an exciting time. While it definitely is a big decision I do keep reminding him that no decision is final and he can absolutely change his mind-- he just has to give it a full semester once we pay.
DeleteI enjoyed the college tours back when we were on the hunt. Good luck making a decision. It's good to take one off the list if you know it's not for you. Sounds like he has some choices that will be a good fit.
ReplyDeleteThank you! He's been very picky which I actually like and why I keep telling my husband it's so important to visit in person.
DeleteBryant is beautiful and it is all a wonderful experiences which the kids will cherish forever. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteBeautiful photos of the campus and interesting info too. It reminds me of my college tours a 100 years ago! #MMBC
ReplyDeleteRight?! Funny enough he's toured a few of the same colleges I did (I even stayed overnight at Bryant) and yet I hardly recognize them at all. They've changed so much.
DeleteWe've done a few college tours and I found a lot of the schools offer similar things. But we didn't look at any very small schools, so things are probably different at those!
ReplyDeleteThey definitely do all seem to have many similar programs and clubs and organizations... but we haven't visited any large schools! Even both of the schools Alec looked at only had about 3,000-4,00 students. The schools Evan's looking at typically have under 2,000.
DeleteThank you for sharing your experience! It's so interesting to hear about your process of visiting colleges with Evan. It really highlights how different each tour can be and how important it is to find the right fit, especially when a student wants to connect with the faculty. I hope the next visit is a positive one!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHow exciting! The first campus looks especially nice. My son didn't take me with when he made his choice, but he seems happy where he is anyway! I could do with some frozen lemonade today :)
ReplyDeleteIt's more like I've taken HIM on tours; I'm not sure what he would have done about college if I hadn't pushed him to go with me on all these tours. But here in the US most high schools have guidance counselors that work with students to find colleges they might be interested in and so I'm basically acting as guidance counselor as well.
DeleteWow, where does the time go? These next few years are really going to be busy!
ReplyDeleteThey sure are; but if I've learned anything from having Alec at college, it really only feels busy for ME on a few select days of the years.
DeleteI'd like Ella to go to a smaller college too, for a variety of reasons. It sounds like you have some great ones out there to choose from. We'll be doing college visits soon—she’ll start at a local community college for her first year before going away.
ReplyDeleteI tried talking both of my boys into starting at the community college first but we found that culinary colleges don't accept culinary credits from other colleges so that pretty much made it useless for Alec and Evan really wants that freshman dorm life experience that you just can't get as a transfer student. Though both of my boys had/have the community colleges as a back up plan.
DeleteI love a college visit and that first one was so pretty! I like the idea of a day's drive. My youngest is 9 hours away, but I can still get there in a days drive. This is exciting!
ReplyDeleteI think the furthest either boy looked was 3/ 3.5 hours away!
DeleteI loved our college visits period. We toured Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut and it was a really nice campus and a great horse program which was one of Sophia's priorities. I'm way behind on my reading, why is Ian resistant on going to college? Is it that he doesn't want to tour, or he just doesn't want to go to college? Is he looking for more of a vocational school?
ReplyDeleteIan got his associates degree but did not want to spend 4 years away at college when a degree isn't needed in the fields he was looking at going into. He always planned to start his own business and he's already started up his own company installing concrete walkways, retaining walls, and what they refer to as hardscaping projects like that. He's had a few jobs this summer doing just that and bought his first piece of equipment already too.
DeleteThat's a great goal. College is not for everyone and hardscaping, landscaping, home services like plumbing, electrical, kitchen fitting are all great employment opportunities.
DeleteI completely agree that college is not for everyone and so many of the trades are seriously lacking in workers right now.
DeleteI admit it sounds like fun - the tours and all the excitement - but, at the same time, rather stressful. Such a major decision. Here's to finding just the right fit!!
ReplyDeleteI don't treat this as a stressful time at all and make sure my boys know that no decision is so great that they can't undo it if it isn't the right fit for them. I don't think this time needs to be nearly as stressful as we seem to make it here in the states. I try really hard to make sure they aren't stressed about it-- though I can't do much for those jitters/stress of actually moving away and into a new school I do try to give them lots of ideas for combating that and assure them it's usually only for the first few weeks when everyone else in their grade/age is also new and stressed and feeling the same way.
DeleteHow exciting touring the different colleges. I remember college touring with my daughter! The process can be a little stressful! My nephew went to Bryant college many years ago and liked it. Good luck with the process Joanne.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGood luck to Evan on finding the perfect college for him, it sounds like you are taking your time and doing lots of research.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI bet it's so fun to see these as an adult. And you wonder, how much does the college make a difference? Because your sons are very motivated and probably will do well anywhere.
ReplyDeleteYet the right professors and the environment can certainly help.
Xoxo
Jodie
It really is so fun to see these as an adult. I do think my boys would do well pretty much anywhere but they are/were definitely looking for a place that feels homey and like they belong there.
DeleteWhat a great experience. Bryant looks incredible with all the new buildings and updates. With both my kids, I found that the tours really gave them a feel for how they would fit in. Sometimes, what looked great on paper, didn't really feel like a good fit in person.
ReplyDeleteYes! That is exactly why we're touring so many; I think seeing them in person really helps with that "fit."
DeleteI hope Evan finds the right fit.
ReplyDeletersrue.blogspot.com
Thank you!
DeleteWe visited many more colleges with my oldest than we did with either of the younger two. I think part of that was my daughter usually went along and saw them. One of the colleges that didn't make the cut for my oldest was the one my daughter chose. My youngest didn't decide until the last minute that he even wanted to go so he ended up at the college (now a university) where I got my Master's. He stayed at home and commuted. I think he regretted that after he graduated. I think there's a feeling you get and you just know when it's the right one. All three went to private colleges as they had larger endowments to help out. I'm not sure if that's the same these days or not.
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
I stayed at home and commuted too and I've definitely warned my boys that while still a great and valid choice it is definitely NOT the same to live off campus. I think there's a feeling you get too and I'm happy to explore as many as he needs until he does. So far we're finding private colleges seem to have more to offer in grants that state schools (though their tuitions are more so it seems like the total cost is fairly comparable in the end).
DeleteIt's great that he as three colleges he likes. It's quite a big decision. How lovely that you explore colleges as a family!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThis looks like a wonderful campus! Only 4 days until I am an empty nester for the fall. Taking my son back this Friday. I'm sure you are enjoying these last moments.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I definitely am!
DeleteMy BIL went to Bryant and loved it! The domed space looks really cool!
ReplyDeleteJill - Doused in Pink
It did get pretty hot in that room but I did think it was such a neat feature.
DeleteBryant University looks like a beautiful campus!! I hope you continue to enjoy the college touring experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat does he want to do with a psychology degree?
ReplyDeleteHe's not 100% sure yet but he's thinking something with working in a lab or a more research based field.
DeleteBryant sounds really good. So much of teaching and learning is about passing on the excitement of the subject, I can easily why he is excited about the colleges where he could talk to the professors. I wish him all the best.
ReplyDelete-Soma
That's what I told him too; that often a professor's excitement and interest can pass on and he may find himself interested in something totally different by the end of his first year.
DeleteBryant looks really nice and sounds like the experience was great overall! He has the year to decide, right? That will help the process I'm sure. My son has no interest in college so far but the opportunity is there for him if he changes his mind.
ReplyDeleteYep, he has until May 1st-- right now we're mostly just trying to decide which ones are worth applying to. My oldest couldn't have cared less about going to college but my younger two were/are quite determined to have the full college experience including dorm life.
DeleteHow exciting! Bryant University really looks like such a gem. The room with that big dome is awesome! What a unique space to have at a university!
ReplyDeleteI thought so too; they had lots of real pretty architecture and I thought it was really cute that all their buildings and dorms are named after places found in Rhode Island too.
DeleteCollege tours can be so overwhelming. I remember looking at several with my eldest. Meanwhile, my youngest picked one school to visit and that's where she went. Luckily everyone was happy with their choices. I just read the comment above about your son starting his own business. Kudos to him! College is super expensive and so many kids go just to go and graduate without a plan or a job. The trades really need qualified people today, there is such a shortage. I wish him luck!
ReplyDelete