We headed out to tour Providence a small Catholic/Dominican college. I have heard people say it's for kids that didn't get into BC. I was a pretty campus, and the vibe was calm, it could have just been a summer thing, but I didn't feel a lot of energy. Cara seemed to like it and I think she will apply, but who knows. I don't have much to say about it honestly
We decided to look around URI. I was really shocked to see how really pretty the campus was and the buildings especially the Pharm D were just beautiful. We walked around, looked in buildings and listened to a pre-recorded information podcast. I think I liked it best; Mark just wasn't feeling it. It was really big and of course it will be many Rhode Island kids that already know each other.
Off to the hotel and a strange dinner at TGIFridays the morning saw us at Matt's school Babson! We can't help but feel good from the outset and I can't help but talk up the school to admissions and brag about Matthew. There is something in their information session that lets you know that you are someplace special. The tour was given by Rocky who was a quiescently Babson student, friendly, confident and charismatic. Unfortunately, Mark had to jump off the tour, he was exhausted and suffering allergies from the horrible hotel. Michael feels disappointed he is not majoring in business so he can't go but our hopes are set on Cara following Matt into the land of the capable and preppy.
Finally, Northeastern. The information session was good. At some schools the information session is completely done by an admissions counselor, some are done by both a counselor and students. Northeastern has both. In this session they had two students speak about their experience so far with emphasis on their co-op experiences. They really had compelling stories and seemed to have been able to focus in on their specific areas of interests through their coops. That being said I have head others say them did not really want to do two co-ops at college, that all of that time away from campus dilutes the college experience of sort of being in a bubble of learning and friends. There is also a push from Northeastern, at least as I understand to have students' study abroad their first semester. Another negative is housing is difficult to get on campus. That being said Northeastern now has a tremendous reputation and those students seem to do very well. The campus is tiny, but it is in the middle of Boston! So, it's very urban and exciting. There are a lot of students n small space, and you need to be independent and self-advocating. I do feel that the school will definitely try to support students, but you need to reach out for what you need. Not the forte of all people students or not.
