Should he go to UofW or Western?
I didn’t go to college. So this is all new to me. Mr 18 got his acceptance to UofW so he got into both schools he applied to 🙌🏻🙌🏻. Honestly I was low key worried that he put all his eggs in only 2 baskets but I guess it worked out 😆😂
But how do we choose a college?!?? Obviously it’s his choice in the end, but he’s looking for our input as his parents. UofW is an amazing school. Highly rated. Has the field of study he wants to get into (it’s a graduate program…so his undergrad honestly doesn’t matter where). Their engineering program is also highly rated which would be his undergrad (robotics is what he wants to do in the end). It would make it low key easier to go from undergrad to graduate at the same school.
However, the amount they offered in grants and scholarships isn’t a ton. It’s more then Westen offered, but ONLY because he would be in dorms in UofW so he would have to loan money to pay for the rest.
Western is also a GREAT school. It has an engineering program. Not as prestigious as UofW but it’s still a great college. He would have to transfer for the graduate program once he’s done with undergrad. Western does not offer a robotics graduate program. Western offered enough that he’s set for the next 2 years of school (and then you reapply as an upper class man for more money) so no loans. He can live at home. So there’s no housing costs. He has a job here which he would have to quit if he went to UofW. The choice seems CLEAR to me honestly. He should go to western. But just wondering everyone else’s thoughts.
Justgotaname ·
Has he visited both? Sometimes you like the feel of one place over another.
Everything depends on the kid, IMO. College is much more expensive now than when I went. Going away to college for me was much more than the studies. I’m from a very small place. College helped me become independent and got me out of a small place with nothing for me. It helped me grow. Did I break any glass ceilings because of it? Absolutely not. Not using my degree. But it was about so much more for me. It’s hard to let a kid “find” themselves these days cause it costs so damn much!
Anyway, rambling, but I hope he makes the best decision for him and loves what he picks!! And if not, pick again. 🤷🏼♀️
squishymommy1··
Yes we’ve been to both. Western is actually in the same town we live in. It’s literally across from his high school 😂 not even kidding. Directly across the street 😆😂. I’m worried that if he goes to UofW that he’ll just end up transferring to western in the end and might lose all the scholarships and grants he got to western. I think he feels like not living at home is both appealing and not appealing at the same time. I think he’d not like dorm life at all. And he cannot drive to Seattle everyday from up here. That’s like 4-6 hours of driving to and from school everyday PLUS class.
Icebergahead··
Мама сына (10 лет)
That is a good start. Get the feel of both places.
squishymommy1··
we don’t have long 😂😂 he has to accept by May 1st if he chooses western.
Robyn ·
Мама троих детей
Could he take the scholarship at western and in two years try and apply for another at UofW or wherever (not sure how those things work)
squishymommy1··
I think so? I’m assuming anyways. He has to reapply for everything at western for the last 2 years becuase there’s different scholarships and grants available to upperclassman that aren’t open to lowerclassman.
Robyn ··
Мама троих детей
that would be my suggestion. Get the most bang for that scholarship, get his feet wet with college and still get to be home. Then once he’s got his bearings off you to the next school. Winning all around in my book
The EK 💋·
I say the more affordable one/the one with the best financial package. Since he’s planning on going to grad school, he can aim for a more prestigious grad school program when the time comes.
squishymommy1··
They are both pretty “affordable” as far as colleges go. In state tuition and stuff. The difference we’d have to make up for the first 2 years to UofW is about 6k. Honestly grandma would probably just give him the 3k a year if that’s what he REALLY wanted. We’ll see. He has to decide by May 1st
The EK 💋··
In that case, I think he should attend the one that’s further away from home. It’s good for kids to spread their wings a little and gain some independence in that bridge time between childhood and adulthood. Congrats to him on the acceptance to both! 🥳
So Royal·
Мама двоих (младенец)
I would go with Western, he still has the opportunity to do his undergrad that he wants, which he would do at uow, so since the grad school is really what he wants, go with Western first. If there's no need to put himself in debt for undergrad, do that.
I imagine that even if he graduated from uow he would have to apply for the grad school and program after undergrad, unless it's an all in one program. Anyway, many people go to community college first because it's more financially responsible and sensible for them, so it's not really different in my opinion, in the way that he gets a portion of his education covered without having to take on debt so soon.
All he has to do really, is work hard, stay on top of his education and grades, take part in extra curriculars if he can and get internships while in undergrad, he'll be as attractive to his grad school as anyone else from a "more prestigious" school.
Congrats to your son ☺️ and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors ❤️❤️
So Royal··
Мама двоих (младенец)
@squishymommy1 I know this post was not for you to decide for him, but maybe a survey of sorts... So of course, the choice will be his, with all his reasons for what he thinks is best for his experience and future. I think he'll flourish whatever he decides, and no matter where he gets his undergrad, he's going to be a force when it's time for grad school!
If he chooses uow now, I would find out from western if his acceptance, along with the scholarship can be deferred if he doesn't start right away, (although some schools may require to start fresh for a deferment, vs transferring credits.) And vice versa, find out about deferment for uow.
Do they have an opportunity at uow for him to stay in the dorms over a weekend and see how he *might* enjoy dorm life? Kind of like a try it before you buy it? Some schools do that. They'd provide a room and food, and the kids just see what dorm life is like, just a snippet, a taste
squishymommy1··
they do not anymore. Because. Covid.
So Royal··
Мама двоих (младенец)
😂 with all the talks of the pandemic becoming an endemic and the CDC suggesting masks mandates be dropped, I completely forgot about covid for a second 😅 smh. My bad
Stephanie·
Here I was thinking you were going to say UofW. 🤣 I was wrong! I say encourage him to live that dorm life, find his ppl and enjoy everything it has to offer! It would be cool for him to get a job in his department eventually. How exciting for him! My son picked out some book at the library about coding and robots and I was lost! It blows my mind the opportunity kids have and will have, congratulations to your family!
squishymommy1··
Honestly I don’t care where he goes. I’m not at all bothered if he wants to leave home because I’d happily make is room just a giant closet and dressing room for myself 😂😂😂.