NC State: Princeton Review...6th best value for public colleges (2009, schools)

[rnc2mbfl]

Best Value Colleges for 2009 and how they were chosen - USATODAY.com

With all the attention that Duke and UNC seem to get, it's good to see NC State recognized by the Princeton Review.

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by rnc2mbfl

Best Value Colleges for 2009 and how they were chosen - USATODAY.com

With all the attention that Duke and UNC seem to get, it's good to see NC State recognized by the Princeton Review.

That's very cool.

But did anyone else notice there are only 10 colleges west of the Rockies even discussed. I find it odd. Possibly all the article researchers live on the East Coast and Mid West and the flight budget was limited.

[ljd1010]

Originally Posted by rnc2mbfl

Best Value Colleges for 2009 and how they were chosen - USATODAY.com

With all the attention that Duke and UNC seem to get, it's good to see NC State recognized by the Princeton Review.

Thanks for this link! I just sent it on to my friend in RI. Her daughter is a senior in HS and has applied to NCSU's landscape architecture program for next September. It has a great reputation and is quite competitve.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by ljd1010

Thanks for this link! I just sent it on to my friend in RI. Her daughter is a senior in HS and has applied to NCSU's landscape architecture program for next September. It has a great reputation and is quite competitve.

I graduated from State's School (now college) of Design.
Tell your friend that her daughter needs to be prepared for an interview in which her enthusiasm will be measured along with her creative skill sets.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by PDXmom

That's very cool.

But did anyone else notice there are only 10 colleges west of the Rockies even discussed. I find it odd. Possibly all the article researchers live on the East Coast and Mid West and the flight budget was limited.

There are many more people and many more colleges East of the Rockies. I'd guess that 80%+ of the US population lives East of the Rockies.

[ljd1010]

Originally Posted by rnc2mbfl

I graduated from State's School (now college) of Design.
Tell your friend that her daughter needs to be prepared for an interview in which her enthusiasm will be measured along with her creative skill sets.

Yes! They are arriving here on Thursday 1/29. Her interview is Saturday 1/31. She has applied for some big scholarship and is still in the running. She is a wonderful student - high honors in all AP classes. Hope all goes well. Anything in particular I should tell her to prepare for?

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by ljd1010

Yes! They are arriving here on Thursday 1/29. Her interview is Saturday 1/31. She has applied for some big scholarship and is still in the running. She is a wonderful student - high honors in all AP classes. Hope all goes well. Anything in particular I should tell her to prepare for?

Tell her not to rest on her laurels. I was a student participant in the interview process for new candidates. I saw many, many high honor students get rejected. It's not just about the grades. Every candidate that receives an interview has already passed the objective academic requirements. So, they are not so focused on that. What I did find was that students that could differentiate themselves stood out in the crowd. This doesn't mean a dog and pony show or being someone they aren't. Some things that I remember from that process that stand out in my mind are:

1. A young man that could go on and on about Dante's Inferno
2. Candidates whose talents were varied (playing musical instruments, photography, writing poetry, etc.)
3. Candidates from all walks of life with unique life experiences
4. candidates that asked a lot of questions (showing interest)

At that time, candidates were interviewed by a professor and a current student was an equal partner in determining entrance. Candidates would often put on a big show for the professor but act completely detached when the current student would tour them through the Design campus. If this were to happen, a candidate would surely be sunk. On the other hand, a candidate might freeze up in the presence of a professor but be completely at ease, interesting and engaging otherwise. These candidates were sometimes admitted if the student "interviewer" could convince the professor to take a chance on the candidate. The entire process is set to determine likely success of a candidate and whether or not they had what it takes to complete the rigorous demands.

[Sant]

It would also help if she not only knew about the school but a few of the faculty members in particular. She should familiarize herself with the research areas and a few publications of 2-3 of the professors. She can then explain that she is interested in taking class from them and perhaps doing research or a project with them because she also has interests in XYZ like Drs. ABC. That would go a long way in differentiating herself from other candidates.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by Sant

It would also help if she not only knew about the school but a few of the faculty members in particular. She should familiarize herself with the research areas and a few publications of 2-3 of the professors. She can then explain that she is interested in taking class from them and perhaps doing research or a project with them because she also has interests in XYZ like Drs. ABC. That would go a long way in differentiating herself from other candidates.

Gosh...I don't know about this. That just doesn't sound like the culture of the College of Design to me. first of all, students are on first name basis with the faculty. I never called anybody "doctor".
What might be valuable is to know about some of the achievements of the student body or research ways that allied programs (Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Visual Design and Product Design) might influence one's education.

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by rnc2mbfl

There are many more people and many more colleges East of the Rockies. I'd guess that 80%+ of the US population lives East of the Rockies.

Hmmm? I question 80%. I'm going to have to look at it later when I have time. But you are right there are more people and colleges East of the Rockies. I just have a hard time believing schools like UCLA, USC, Cal Berkley, U of Wa did not make the list at all. Maybe it the fact that schools in the west are more expensive.

But your original post is great for NCSU. My 8 year old wants to go to college there.... mainly because his favorite color is red. My daughter is still looking for a college whose colors are pink and purple.