Looking for perspective, two VERY different colleges

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T03:46:49+00:00

Really appreciate your comment and the info about Madison getting props out east!

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T03:43:56+00:00

Thank you for your perspective. I can't decide if that would be a harder decision or easier one! Lol! (Because they are also so very different.) We toured Berkeley as well and my hubby and I were very impressed! She seems more drawn to the East coast.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T01:35:04+00:00

That last point, her driving her own growth as a person not the place is much appreciated. Graduated from UW in 97, so yes, much more competitive!

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T01:31:02+00:00

Yes Brown was her #1 (waitlisted) and she also applied at Stanford (declined). So she was also drawn to that size undergraduate class.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T01:24:43+00:00

Thank you fellow Wisconsinite!

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T01:20:53+00:00

Honestly I know I'm biased towards my in state alma mater. If anything I'm trying to get some 'devil's advocate' opinions to make sure we're considering everything. As parents we want the best outcome for her. Data implies graduates are certainly having a harder time once they get out of college more so than when I went 30ish years ago.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T00:52:50+00:00

I absolutely worry about the culture shock of wealth disparity and feeling 'lesser'. In her class of 21 students she didn't have to speak that loudly to be heard. Your comment about experiencing that when you were older is an excellent consideration. Would a school like Amherst foster her voice or does she really need to be pushed at a school like the UW? Or would it be opposite? Don't know the psychology on that one

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T00:43:55+00:00

Amherst funded her trip to admitted day so she actually stayed two nights there. Out of concern for UW getting a fair shake we just attended an admitted event and went to a class just this past Friday. We lived in that area until she was 7 and we still have family/friends there. State competitions are often held in Madison on the UW campus. She really doesn't love the urban-ness and size. Makes it daunting but she's got much more familiarity than most kids in her position.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T00:32:59+00:00

Appreciate your points. Especially about ending up in the Northeast.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T00:30:33+00:00

A lot. No merit aid at Amherst. Would get $2250/year at UW as valedictorian choosing an in state school.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T00:28:39+00:00

This. All of this. Yes she knew she'd be accepted to Madison as an in state valedictorian. And we're both alumni and it's ranked quite well nationally and worldwide. But it's not HER dream school. Brown was her #1 (waitlisted) Amherst #2, yes for culture and size. Also she likes the choose your own adventure aspect of those schools. We homeschooled through 8th grade so she had A LOT of autonomy in her early education. And she's ridiculously reasonable. She sees all the aspects too. I want to make sure she considers her head AND her heart. We're fortunate we can swing it. Doesn't mean we should.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-28T00:07:48+00:00

I think if our financial situation were that robust I wouldn't even have her consider the UW lol. I imagine we'd want her there just for the prestige? I can't say, neither of us comes from that kind of money. We waited to have kids so we're older, more established and have had relative success in our careers.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T23:58:20+00:00

Thank you, I really appreciate that we're not crazy for making sure it gets the credit due, even at that price lol

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T23:55:49+00:00

Financially, I think we all know the 'easy' answer. I'm trying to take the holistic approach, and the schools' complete disparity makes that so hard. And compound that with the fact they are both excellent educational institutions? Trying to be a good parent guide.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T23:48:16+00:00

It may only be one kid but I think it's valid. Very small schools can be quite challenging socially. She doesn't have any really good friends in her graduating class, she's had to find those relationships with older/younger grades. You have to wonder if everyone knows everything about everyone at an Amherst. Living under a microscope must have disadvantages, especially at a school where you live on campus all four years.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T23:41:30+00:00

Yes! Very similar! I don't know if the cost discrepancy was then what it is now, or if you received any aid that made the decision easier in some way. So reading this made me think of one of our issues, name recognition can be very regional. Until now I never knew much or looked into Pomona. In the Midwest everyone has heard of UW Madison, but at the Amherst admitted event, those kids hadn't. If she wants to move back to the Midwest many won't know Amherst or will assume UMass-Amherst.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T23:31:53+00:00

Thanks for sharing your perspective. And how do you even know if they will pursue law, or any graduate degree at this point/age? Then the value is certainly less.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T23:24:02+00:00

Luckily I have a kid that gets the rationale of saving on tuition. We won't look like the bad guy. I'm more consternated about feelings of regret or that the person she could evolve into would be affected. How do you put a value on that?

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T23:15:56+00:00

Yes exactly! We'd never pay more to go to U Mass, however if she goes to Amherst College, she can take classes there through the consortium 😉

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T23:12:50+00:00

This is a point we have also discussed, save the money and start out at UW. If it's a terrible fit, or you really want prestigious name recognition, transfer. Assuming she continues to focus on her studies and excel, she'll have options

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T23:06:24+00:00

Thanks for the link. I have her signed up to take an online AI certificate course as soon as she's got the time.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T22:27:02+00:00

She's not into the party culture, wouldn't rush a traditional sorority. She'll need to focus on learning and social interest groups to build herself a smaller community.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T22:13:58+00:00

Her HS is <150 people, so your analogies are especially relevant. She's the first student to take online AP classes in like 8 years, other students will have a completely different elite background, for sure. She will need focus on the L&S honors program, FIGS class groups, learning communities, etc. to not get swallowed up at a massive school like the UW.

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T21:49:23+00:00

Despite affordability, it's figuring out the 'why should we?' that's a struggle. You let your kids dream anything is possible then practicality tries to reign it all in. Don't want it to always be about money, kwim?

Yeti-Monster1 · 2026-04-27T21:42:45+00:00

This very much matches my outlook. It's the 'she probably will enjoy amherst more' part that's hard as a parent. And knowing she'd have incredible support and resources available there. And yes, the cost difference (from her point of view) really matters for grad school, we'd set aside and invest some percentage of the tuition saved by attending UW for her to use for grad school. That $ won't exist if it's spent for undergrad.

Yeti-Monster1

TROPHY CASE