VeraMaria Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 Hey everyone! Wow, it's been SOO long since I've written on this board! I read it often, I just haven't been writing at all... Just checking in to let you all know I'm still alive (I got some nice messages from some of you ) and asking for advice... I started reading this board when I was 13, and really got involved when I was 14 and 15...Now I'm 18 (whoa!!) and it's that time when I get to chose a college... I think I want to study international relations, or something along those lines...I've wanted to become a foreign correspondent for a long time, or work for the UN (if you know my life story my interests in international issues makes sense ) Last month the college decisions started coming in...my school makes us apply to a minimum of 8...and right now my options are: Columbia University (New York), Dartmouth College (New Hampshire), Georgetown University (DC), Williams College (Mass), Middlebury College (Vermont), Tufts University (Boston), Boston College (duh), Notre Dame University (Indiana) and Emory University (Georgia)...whew Between financial aid and scholarships, all of the above are possibilities. I'm probably one of the few people who would almost feel as comfortable in the middle of nowhere (Middlebury, Williams, Dartmouth) as in the middle of NYC. I personally love Middlebury, and also really really liked Georgetown when I visited it. Notre Dame, Boston College and Emory aren't really options because I don't like them My parents are really pushing Columbia and Dartmouth...but especially Columbia, because they named me a "John Jay Scholar" or something like that which gives 1% of the class perks like free musical tickets, getting to meet famous visitors on campus and doubling financial aid, as well as free study abroad... Since no one in my family has ever gone to college in the US (they went to the only university in Uruguay, jaja) I have few people to give me advice and was just wondering where you guys, who I've come to know throughout the years, went to college, any tips or advice about my options. Any thoughts are appreciated I've missed you all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megz Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 Perks are nice...it will help you meet people.... Speaking as someone who started off in Honors at a small uni. even tho NONE of us continued the honors program we are all very good friends and it helped coming onto a strange campus. Don't undestimate the value of scholorships. Even though being in debt is Kosher in our society its very easy to overcome as jobs are never a gurentee. Schedule overnight visits, (perferably during the school week) it may give you an idea of what life is like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeraMaria Posted April 11, 2007 Author Share Posted April 11, 2007 Thanks Megz, I'm visiting Dartmouth and Columbia next week I think you're right, overnight stays seem to be the best way to get a feel of the place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mariahLVzJP2 Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 I went to a state university, which was great. Columbia has a great campus. I say you get a tour of the campuses you are interested in and just get a feel for where you would feel the most comfortable. My sister applied for a university before ever visiting the campus and when she finally visited the campus, she did not like the atmosphere. I hope everything goes well for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 www.southerncatholic.org any questions, i'll be happy to answer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosieranna Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 Macalester in St. Paul, MN and Dickinson College in PA are both known for good international relations programs. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan actually went to Macalester. Both are usually generous with aid. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EcceNovaFacioOmni Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 You don't like Notre Dame? Tough to go wrong with your choices though. One thing I seriously wish I had given more consideration is the food. You gotta eat it everyday so keep that in mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 [quote name='VeraMaria' post='1239073' date='Apr 11 2007, 07:33 PM']Hey everyone! Wow, it's been SOO long since I've written on this board! I read it often, I just haven't been writing at all... Just checking in to let you all know I'm still alive (I got some nice messages from some of you ) and asking for advice... I started reading this board when I was 13, and really got involved when I was 14 and 15...Now I'm 18 (whoa!!) and it's that time when I get to chose a college... I think I want to study international relations, or something along those lines...I've wanted to become a foreign correspondent for a long time, or work for the UN (if you know my life story my interests in international issues makes sense ) Last month the college decisions started coming in...my school makes us apply to a minimum of 8...and right now my options are: Columbia University (New York), Dartmouth College (New Hampshire), Georgetown University (DC), Williams College (Mass), Middlebury College (Vermont), Tufts University (Boston), Boston College (duh), Notre Dame University (Indiana) and Emory University (Georgia)...whew Between financial aid and scholarships, all of the above are possibilities. I'm probably one of the few people who would almost feel as comfortable in the middle of nowhere (Middlebury, Williams, Dartmouth) as in the middle of NYC. I personally love Middlebury, and also really really liked Georgetown when I visited it. Notre Dame, Boston College and Emory aren't really options because I don't like them My parents are really pushing Columbia and Dartmouth...but especially Columbia, because they named me a "John Jay Scholar" or something like that which gives 1% of the class perks like free musical tickets, getting to meet famous visitors on campus and doubling financial aid, as well as free study abroad... Since no one in my family has ever gone to college in the US (they went to the only university in Uruguay, jaja) I have few people to give me advice and was just wondering where you guys, who I've come to know throughout the years, went to college, any tips or advice about my options. Any thoughts are appreciated I've missed you all [/quote] My son is starting his masters in public policy and planning at CMU, but did his undergrad in maths and economics. He wants to work for an international agency when he grows up. , so figured he needed to understand econ thoroughly first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeraMaria Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 [quote name='thedude' post='1239115' date='Apr 11 2007, 08:38 PM']You don't like Notre Dame? Tough to go wrong with your choices though. One thing I seriously wish I had given more consideration is the food. You gotta eat it everyday so keep that in mind.[/quote] Jajaja, good advice there...I actually applied to Bowdoin (#1 for best college food in the nation) but ended up cancelling it when I got into Georgetown....and about Notre Dame, I visited and it's just not for me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeraMaria Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 [quote name='Nadezhda' post='1239106' date='Apr 11 2007, 08:21 PM']Macalester in St. Paul, MN and Dickinson College in PA are both known for good international relations programs. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan actually went to Macalester. Both are usually generous with aid. Good luck.[/quote] My best friend got into Dickinson, she really likes it...thank you :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggyie Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 This is really shallow, but... for me, I couldn't stand living on an ugly campus. I would have suffocated because I am one of those people who are very sensitive to their surroundings. I really needed the classical brick buildings, the cobblestone streets and the ancient oaks. The college I chose is famous for its beauty, and I know it was probably a bigger deal to me than to others, but I think you'd be surprised by how much your environment affects your college experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Vera Maria! I checked the DATE on this thing before getting excited and coming in! You're all grown up now! : I would highly recommend Dartmouth, however, it sounds like you have something AMAZING at Columbia. Way to go, kid! I would encourage you to look into the college more and really pray about it. Keep us updated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 The college you choose is important, not only because of the experience you have while you are there but also because of the connections you can make which will be with you the rest of your life. I am still in touch with people I knew in college (some, at least). But, also be cognizant of the fact that the way you see the world will be shaped through the lens of the school you choose. School after high school is primarily geared toward teaching you how to think, how to seek out and interpret information. The lens you use to interpret can be significantly shaped by the school you choose, and that in turn will shape the kind of person you become. Just keep that in mind as you're considering the school ... what is its mission? Does the school's mission motivate students? Faculty? Those are the kinds of things I considered both in choosing my undergrad and grad schools. Sounds like you have a lot of great opportunities, though. I'm sure you will be fine wherever you end up. One of the verses I found a long time ago that I remember whenever I am making a decision is Isaiah 30:20-21: [quote]The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, while from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: "This is the way; walk in it," when you would turn to the right or to the left.[/quote] It's just a good reminder that the decisions we make, while they may alter the course of our lives, don't alter God's care for us. And hey, it's good to see you back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zwergel88 Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Go to Georgetown. That was where I wanted to go for my entire life. I never pictured myself going anywhere else. I stayed up every night for a month working on my application. But wouldn't ya know it, I didn't get in. After reluctantly deciding not to shoot myself in the face, I decided that I'll probably go to the Catholic University of America. It offers nothing that I was thinking of majoring in, but I'll still get to be in the DC area. Hope to see you there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleflower+JMJ Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Vera its so awesome to see you posting!! You are one of the original cRaZy girls remember? teehee Congrats on preparing for college and I know you'll do great wherever you go. You have my prayers...im too deadbeat tonight but I'll be sure to get back with you on the college advice! lol God bless : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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