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What's interesting is that of all his friends - very good students from a strong IL public high school - I can't even think of one who is applying to U of I...But they all love Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio schools. These schools may have more applicants from our large IL high school than U of I (but I'd have to look at the numbers on this).
Like I said on a previous post, these kids have the impression that U of I doesn't really want/need them, while nearby state schools are wooing them with attractive offers. After talking to parents, it seems like Ohio schools are some of the most accommodating/generous to IL students. I've heard good things about Miami Ohio, Ohio State, Ohio University, University of Cincinnati, etc., and private schools like Oberlin.
What's interesting is that of all his friends - very good students from a strong IL public high school - I can't even think of one who is applying to U of I...But they all love Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio schools. These schools may have more applicants from our large IL high school than U of I (but I'd have to look at the numbers on this).
Like I said on a previous post, these kids have the impression that U of I doesn't really want/need them, while nearby state schools are wooing them with attractive offers. After talking to parents, it seems like Ohio schools are some of the most accommodating/generous to IL students. I've heard good things about Miami Ohio, Ohio State, Ohio University, University of Cincinnati, etc., and private schools like Oberlin.
The one positive about the University of Illinois is that they are painfully BLUNT. They will let applicants know if their admission is unlikely. While it seems cruel to some, it is better than wasting a lot of my time.
Most of my friends' children have applied at Illinois but many of them have gone elsewhere.
As for the Ohio schools, there are a lot of them trying to fill spots. Personally, it is hard to recommend the University of Cincinnati due to the safety issues. Dayton has a tuition guarantee program that is interesting. Miami of Ohio is the most selective of the bunch.
I haven't followed this board in years and have not read every post.
What's interesting is that of all his friends - very good students from a strong IL public high school - I can't even think of one who is applying to U of I...But they all love Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio schools. These schools may have more applicants from our large IL high school than U of I (but I'd have to look at the numbers on this).
Like I said on a previous post, these kids have the impression that U of I doesn't really want/need them, while nearby state schools are wooing them with attractive offers. After talking to parents, it seems like Ohio schools are some of the most accommodating/generous to IL students. I've heard good things about Miami Ohio, Ohio State, Ohio University, University of Cincinnati, etc., and private schools like Oberlin.
My niece spent a year at U of I and didn’t like it much at all. Said pretty much everyone was an engineering major, an international student, or into Greek life- none of which describe her. So it was not a great fit. She is now a happy sophomore at Marquette University in Milwaukee (which is another school that IL students seem to flock to).
The one positive about the University of Illinois is that they are painfully BLUNT. They will let applicants know if their admission is unlikely. While it seems cruel to some, it is better than wasting a lot of my time.
Most of my friends' children have applied at Illinois but many of them have gone elsewhere.
As for the Ohio schools, there are a lot of them trying to fill spots. Personally, it is hard to recommend the University of Cincinnati due to the safety issues. Dayton has a tuition guarantee program that is interesting. Miami of Ohio is the most selective of the bunch.
I haven't followed this board in years and have not read every post.
Miami of Ohio is a top choice. We had a wonderful visit there, and attended a Business school roundtable. I really liked that they focus on the undergrad. All classes are taught by professors, and there is only even 1 or 2 masters programs there, as they said they want to keep the focus on the undergrad. They also assign a mentor to the student for all 4 years, who regularly meets with student to plan courses/career. They also have a strong employment/advanced degree placement rate.
And I almost fell over when I found out how much $ we are eligible for at Miami based on son's ACT score (which he didn't even think was that great). There is also new construction everywhere at that school. Really, all the Ohio schools we visited seemed like they were well funded with all the new programs, construction, and generous aid $ (far cry from IL!)...
My niece spent a year at U of I and didn’t like it much at all. Said pretty much everyone was an engineering major, an international student, or into Greek life- none of which describe her. So it was not a great fit. She is now a happy sophomore at Marquette University in Milwaukee (which is another school that IL students seem to flock to).
This is exactly the feedback we got about U of I... We've just met too many kids who are miserable there. And then every single student we talk to absolutely loves Indiana, Wisconsin, Miami Ohio, and have heard very good things about Marquette too..
Which are his safe schools and which are his reach schools?
The diversity essay question isn't looking for any response from a white male. They are hoping to find minority students other than Asians. It's all about their diversity stats. But I'm sure you knew that.
Which are his safe schools and which are his reach schools?
The diversity essay question isn't looking for any response from a white male. They are hoping to find minority students other than Asians. It's all about their diversity stats. But I'm sure you knew that.
The essays he did on diversity were required, so he couldn't just skip it. His essays were beneficial IMO as it allowed him to further highlight his volunteer work with LGBT, Native Americans, and refugees and immigrants. Otherwise, this would have only been a line item in his extracurricular list.
I think his safety/reach schools are (not 100% sure):
- Montana state - safety
- Michigan State - safety
- University of Washington - reach
- University of Minnesota - reach (legacy status)
- University Colorado - target
- University Wisconsin - target/reach (legacy status 2 generations)
- Miami Ohio University - target
- Ohio State - target/reach
- Indiana University - reach for Kelly business school
- Penn State - target
- Clemson - reach
- Montana state - drove through campus
- Michigan State - official full-day tour/met with reps
- University of Washington - drove through campus
- University of Minnesota - drove through campus
- University Colorado - official full-day tour/met with reps
- University Wisconsin - official full-day tour/met with rep
- Miami University - official full-day tour/met with reps
- Ohio State - did not visit, looked good from virtual tour
- Indiana University - official full-day tour/met with reps
- Penn State - official full-day tour/met with reps
- Clemson - did not visit, looked good from virtual tour
He will visit/revisit his preferred schools once accepted.
Just some info on Clemson (daughter is there now). They just completed a new dorm and dining complex last year; another major new dorm, dining, student union complex is under construction (probably about 10 new buildings between the two complexes) and they are breaking ground on a new Business School. Sorry, she's a STEM student, so really don't know much about the business program.
This is exactly the feedback we got about U of I... We've just met too many kids who are miserable there. And then every single student we talk to absolutely loves Indiana, Wisconsin, Miami Ohio, and have heard very good things about Marquette too..
My daughter graduated from UW-Madison in May. LOVED it. She was a kiniesiology major/psychology minor (now in graduate school to become an occupational therapist) but had lots of friends in the business school and they all seemed to get great internships in the summer and had plenty of job offers come graduation (well, most had job offers in hand long before graduation!). It’s a top-notch program. I am also very familiar with Kelley and as I’m sure you know, that’s an excellent program as well. I think all of his options are solid- good luck to both of you!
Engineering is a pretty intense major even at a party school. It will be difficult for him to spend much time on the slopes.
University of Wisconsin - Madison has a similar vibe to Boulder.
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