So daughter is accepted to both ASU and UofA. We are heading out the weekend of April 26 so she can visit UofA before signing day on May 1.
She has already toured ASU, we have some family in the Scottsdale area. We have some close friends in the Tucson area.
Can you give me any feedback for both areas, good and bad? Her decision is not made up yet because she is on 2 wait lists so the decision has to be made by May 1. I've already put deposits at both schools to hold a spot for her.
Thank you so much for any info and guidance.
Thank you everyone so far. A little background on my daughter... she is very into her schoolwork. Even witht heis the last 6 weeks of school when a lot of Seniors are blowing off the 6 weeks, she still prides herself with 4.1+GPA. Of course she loves to have fun as well and she balances everything out pretty well between fun and her job as Varsity cheer captain.
She is not interested in the Greek life and she has read where ASU is a party school. That holds her back a bit because she want to continue to excel but also have a good balance of fun during her college years.
UA has a good program and made it clear through a scholarship that she is a good candidate for the Honors program and she likes that as well. I like the fact the UA is a bit smaller.
Her Senior HS is only 11-12 grades and there are about 2400 students in those 2 grades. Her graduating class is about 1300.
We are more focused on visiting UA since she has not had a tour there. I think at this point if she HAD to make a decision, she'd go with UA for the Honors program.
Thanks so much. This is such a frustrating and hard experience due to all the competitiveness and unknowns. I know she'll do well where ever she ends up. I want her to enjoy her college experience.
ASU is known as a party school, my brother went there but left the dorms after a year cause of this.
Added: my brother lived in manzanita hall!!
TF - I don't have any answers for you!!
CONGRATULATIONS to your daughter!!! What an exciting time!!!
Hey TF,
My son is finishing up his second year at NAU (Northern AZ U, in Flagstaff) and I have a niece and two nephews at ASU!
A lot of kids from here in CA go to AZ. U of A has a better reputation than ASU, mainly because it's a little more exclusive (harder to get into) and somewhat smaller, though it's still pretty big, like 40,000, right? I think ASU is around 60,000 at this point, which to me, is TOO big, at least for my kids.
But my niece and nephews are doing great at ASU, and as a matter of fact my oldest nephew is about to graduate.
My son chose NAU because he's an outdoorsy kid and it's only ten minutes from skiing and an hour from the Grand Canyon, plus it's smaller, around 18,000 to 20,000, which he likes.
Your daughter will probably do well at either school. Being from TX I doubt the heat will be a problem, LOL, and if she's got an independent and focused personality she should be able to navigate a very large campus and system fairly well.
Our oldest daughter is a current senior heading to a Santa Barbara junior college in the fall. Her cousins really wanted her to come to ASU but she (and her dad and I) know she needs a smaller, more supportive (quiet?) environment to succeed, so that's where she is happily starting out :-)
Congrats to you and your daughter, it's SUCH an exciting time!!!
In Southern California we export half of our kids to Arizona for college!! My daughter stayed in So. Cal but has been to both capuses. Unfortunately, she is gone for the weekend so I can't give the teenage opinion. I'm glad you will have the opportunity to head to Tucson as well.
I have to stick up for ASU...I got both of my undergrad degrees from there as well as my law degree. It does have a reputation as a party school, but you can absolutely avoid that. Do NOT live in the freshman dorm (Manzanita...shudder...) If she is looking at honors programs, has she looked at ASU's Barrett Honors College? It has an excellent program. There are several areas of study where ASU truly outpaces U of A. The business school and hard science programs are hands-down better. If she is looking at pre-med or life sciences, I would (grudgingly) give the edge to U of A. I will also say that Tucson is not nearly as nice as the Valley, in general. There is not the same access to things like sporting events, culture experiences, nice restaurants, etc. Does she know what she wants to major in?
If she is thinking of staying in Arizona long-term, ASU probably has the edge for networking as well.
I am happy to answer any specific ASU questions if you want to PM me. My nephew just graduated from their business college.
There is a HUGE rivalry between the two schools, so I just had to give you a little Sun Devil pride :)
Hi,
First CONGRATS to your daughter!
I graduated from the UofA in 1987. I went there all alone from NJ and had no clue what to expect. I LOVED it. Granted it was many years ago but I still go back to AZ every so often the see the campus and to work. What a difference today! More buildings, so much more beautiful (if that could be), etc. I also still follow and cheer for UofA football and basketball! I wear my UofA alumni sweatshirt and have a alumni license plate holder on my car. Both shown with great PRIDE!!!! I would be more involved with the alumni association but with work, it is hard! I got a great education there and have gone on to further my education.
I have friends from ASU and yes, it is a party school! I guess I am prejudice as well since they are our rival!!!!!!
Yes, it gets very hot but it is a dry heat not a sticky Florida heat. Not like TX either. Every where you go has A/C !!!!
Good Luck to you and your daughter where ever she decides to go! I live not too far from you! I know the Dallas alumni group usually has a new student send off!
Patricia
