DeAnneCollege Search
October 8th 2008 18:27
I've been helping my son - a high school senior - with his search for a college. Son number 1 wasn't this much trouble - he had one choice, which after visiting he decided against. He chose a local community college instead.
Son number 2, however, is an honor student, a football player, a musician, and so much more.
He wants to play football. Thank goodness, he's finally come to the conclusion that he's not going to be able to play in college, so he's making the most of senior year.
He should sing in the choir. He's excelled in choir for six years, winning numerous awards as a soloist, ensemble member, and choir member. He can get scholarships for this -- if he wants to major in music. (What job opportunities are there for this major???)
So, music doesn't mesh well with his career choice of engineering. But wait - that honor student stuff should help here, right?
You know, if you make a decent score on the PSAT and you list engineering as an intended major, you will get mail from EVERYWHERE!
He made a really long list of hopefuls. Then I told him to narrow it down. Again. Finally, a short list of three favorites. I was really surprised to NOT see University of Texas on that list. (His entire wardrobe consists of UT shirts, hats, shorts, etc.) I was thrilled to see that the top three choices he made were all Christian schools. On his list, in no particular order, are Baylor University, Texas Christian University, and LeTourneau University. (Three of the most expensive schools in Texas - of course - I should have expected that!)
Then the visits started. We went to Baylor a couple of weeks ago. It was fun. I liked the campus. I wasn't really impressed with the engineering department, but only because my son wants to major in petroleum engineering, and they don't offer it. His best option at Baylor would be mechanical engineering (which I've assured him will be fine for an engineering job in the petroleum industry.) He wasn't impressed with the music department - I'm not sure why. But he loved the campus, and the social atmosphere. I don't want him to go to Baylor! My biggest reason - it's too far away.
I know, I know. It's time to cut the cord. I agree. (Still waiting & wishing for son number 1 - 20 - to find his own place.) It's not really that I want him to be so close. I want him to live on campus, be on his own, etc. But I know him. He'll lock his keys in the car, or leave his headlights on, or something. And then it will be, "Mom---- can you come unlock my car..." or whatever. I don't want to have to make a 4 or 5 hour drive to do that. I can handle an hour or two. So he'll have to choose a school that is close enough, or he'll have to figure out what to do when something goes wrong, and mom says, "sorry sweetie, it's too far to drive for that."
Well, we have another visit next week. Not to one of his top three, but to one that is close enough, and to which he has a possible full ride scholarship.
Son number 2, however, is an honor student, a football player, a musician, and so much more.
He wants to play football. Thank goodness, he's finally come to the conclusion that he's not going to be able to play in college, so he's making the most of senior year.
He should sing in the choir. He's excelled in choir for six years, winning numerous awards as a soloist, ensemble member, and choir member. He can get scholarships for this -- if he wants to major in music. (What job opportunities are there for this major???)
So, music doesn't mesh well with his career choice of engineering. But wait - that honor student stuff should help here, right?
You know, if you make a decent score on the PSAT and you list engineering as an intended major, you will get mail from EVERYWHERE!
He made a really long list of hopefuls. Then I told him to narrow it down. Again. Finally, a short list of three favorites. I was really surprised to NOT see University of Texas on that list. (His entire wardrobe consists of UT shirts, hats, shorts, etc.) I was thrilled to see that the top three choices he made were all Christian schools. On his list, in no particular order, are Baylor University, Texas Christian University, and LeTourneau University. (Three of the most expensive schools in Texas - of course - I should have expected that!)
Then the visits started. We went to Baylor a couple of weeks ago. It was fun. I liked the campus. I wasn't really impressed with the engineering department, but only because my son wants to major in petroleum engineering, and they don't offer it. His best option at Baylor would be mechanical engineering (which I've assured him will be fine for an engineering job in the petroleum industry.) He wasn't impressed with the music department - I'm not sure why. But he loved the campus, and the social atmosphere. I don't want him to go to Baylor! My biggest reason - it's too far away.
I know, I know. It's time to cut the cord. I agree. (Still waiting & wishing for son number 1 - 20 - to find his own place.) It's not really that I want him to be so close. I want him to live on campus, be on his own, etc. But I know him. He'll lock his keys in the car, or leave his headlights on, or something. And then it will be, "Mom---- can you come unlock my car..." or whatever. I don't want to have to make a 4 or 5 hour drive to do that. I can handle an hour or two. So he'll have to choose a school that is close enough, or he'll have to figure out what to do when something goes wrong, and mom says, "sorry sweetie, it's too far to drive for that."
Well, we have another visit next week. Not to one of his top three, but to one that is close enough, and to which he has a possible full ride scholarship.
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