Online vs on campus college classes, thoughts for Class of 2025? + timeline to apply

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mamabear1302

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Hello all - I apologize for the wordiness of this post and am trying to be clear in what I'm wondering about (and feel I'm failing miserably!), and I fully realize that any responses will be opinions as these times are unprecented and admissions will be dealing with even more factors to consider for the Class of 2025.

I'm sure many of our children are in the same boat depending on where you live...and I'm curious to know those of you who advocate for attending college vs prep school have the same thoughts and opinions (ie, MMI, Northwestern, or the one in GA) based on the new circumstances with some colleges/universities holding online classes vs those colleges that are having students on campus.

I realize that most colleges were equipped with holding online classes well before COVID, but now that many more professors will be teaching online classes, my concerns run to the rigors (or not) of the class, the coursework, the teaching, and such, as well as the lack of the on campus opportunities for leadership thru clubs/organizations or such.

As well, personally, I'd like to see him go out of state to get out from under what restrictions we our state is in and going thru due to COVID, as well as the opportunities for leadership that the prep schools provide, but that's just my personal thoughts. The unknown of it all including online classes, rigorous or not, etc is driving me a wee bit crazy, and this is coming from a momma who has another DS overseas and handles that very well, so fragile flower I am not.

To update my previous post below - my DS spoke with Capt Fredie, who advised him to attend college vs prep school specifically for the challenge and not needing the educational help that prep school would provide. (At the time of that conversation, it was unknown if college would be in person or online.) DS had prep school as his plan after recieving the TWE, but after speaking with Capt Fredie, he did a complete 180 and is now enrolled at a local community college. Unfortunately, that college will be holding mostly online classes, with possible in person labs as needed. The state we live in - some colleges and universities are having on campus class, some are online, some will be doing a hybrid of both. We had the prep school as the backup due to scholarships rcvd from that prep school, and ability to pay for the remainder of the costs, but with him staying here, community college is what we're able to afford. A 4 year college or university is not an option.

Additionally, as a college reapplicant, and it being stated that it is rolling admissions, when should he be applying? He applied last fall in RA approx 2 weeks after EA closed.

Below is a link to initial post asking for advice and encouragement after DS received the TWE, in which several thoughtful and imformative responses encouraged college vs prep school.

Denials then following year appt to CGA experience please!

Hello all - looking for encouragement and input from those that were denied outright, reapplied and then accepted. DS will be contacting Capt. Fredie at Admissions for input into application and how to strengthen for next year. For us (his parents) the denial stung more than a waitlist (and not...
www.serviceacademyforums.com

Thank you for your time.
 
I am a big believer of in-person for a couple of reasons. I feel that a big part of your education is interaction with other people and navigating those different relationships. I feel that this is the biggest loss in distance learning.

Also if possible and the ultimate aim is CGA. Attending a college away from home may help show to admissions that the applicant is capable of handling college workload whilst being away from home and handling all the other additional challenges and responsibilities that entails.
 
alaska66 said:
@mamabear1302 College applicants are not eligible to apply for EA, as they will need to provide the first semester transcript from their college/university. https://www.uscga.edu/transfer-students/
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Thank you - I understand that - college applicants cannot apply EA. I'm asking when he should submit his app as we've been told several times that the admissions is a rolling process. I understand first semester transcripts will need to be submitted. Also, in a recent CGA Waitlist thread, a parent was told via email from the Academy that the CGA Waitlist applicants can submit their applications in EA. So either they misunderstood or waitlist applicants are able to submit in EA.
 
mamabear1302 said:
Thank you - I understand that - college applicants cannot apply EA. I'm asking when he should submit his app as we've been told several times that the admissions is a rolling process. I understand first semester transcripts will need to be submitted. Also, in a recent CGA Waitlist thread, a parent was told via email from the Academy that the CGA Waitlist applicants can submit their applications in EA. So either they misunderstood or waitlist applicants are able to submit in EA.
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Can you elaborate on what you're calling a waitlist applicant? That's not a term I have ever heard before. I would recommend submitting the application ASAP after getting the first semester college transcripts. I was also a college reapplicant, and I had everything else done so that as soon as first semester grades came in, my application could be submitted.
 
ekb1398 said:
Can you elaborate on what you're calling a waitlist applicant? That's not a term I have ever heard before. I would recommend submitting the application ASAP after getting the first semester college transcripts. I was also a college reapplicant, and I had everything else done so that as soon as first semester grades came in, my application could be submitted.
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Hi Ekb1398 - it was from this thread ( https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/cga-waitlist.74283/ ) - my apologies for the confusion. I was referring to the recent CGA applicants who were on the waitlist and didn't get an appointment.
 
I can't edit my original post, and believe this might bring clarity into what I'm really wondering.... I'm curious to know if those of you who advocate for attending college vs prep school have the same thoughts and opinions (ie, MMI, Northwestern, or the one in GA) based on the new circumstances with some colleges/universities holding online classes vs those colleges that are having students on campus when the choice has been removed from attending in person/on campus classes to distance/online learning due to COVID restrictions. The college my son will be attending is going to be online, as well as most colleges in our area. Attending out of state or another university is not an option for us financially, but the prep school was due to the scholarships received. As Sanman indicated above, in person is the best option, but what happens when that option is removed? Inquiring minds are curious :).
 
So basically you are wondering if

online college classes > prep schools, in person?

Is that correct? I personally dont know that you will get a good answer here. As this is all unprecedented. Assuming your student is prepping to reapply, I would seek out the advice to that question from admissions.

To me, the answer is the same whether covid or not: make the choice that works for you, within the advice of admissions. Ie: what can you afford. Where can you get in. Where would you be happy were you NOT to receive an appointment next year?

What about attending a college that has an ROTC program and joining that? One can quit if they don’t like it. Maybe they will like it? They can also apply for a scholarship. And also still apply to a SA.

Sometimes we have to go with our gut. We don’t have a crystal ball to let us know what will happen if we do xxx. I’m a mom, I would have my child get advice from admissions, listen to my child, make a decision and move forward. Knowing that my child may very well end up where they are going next year, either bc they love it or don’t receive an appointment.

Additionally, paying for school is on my child in our house so that also has to be their decision.

I believe next year, all SA admissions will have a year of really evaluating each candidate individually, as there are going to be soooooo many different scenarios as to how applicants proceeded. More so than ever before. I don’t think there is any ONE right answer as to how to proceed. Listen to what admissions advises, and do what you are able to do.

Keep in mind, schools won’t be online forever....maybe live 2nd semester. And if a person is struggling with online, get a tutor.
 
justdoit19 said:
So basically you are wondering if

online college classes > prep schools, in person?

Is that correct? I personally dont know that you will get a good answer here. As this is all unprecedented. Assuming your student is prepping to reapply, I would seek out the advice to that question from admissions.

To me, the answer is the same whether covid or not: make the choice that works for you, within the advice of admissions. Ie: what can you afford. Where can you get in. Where would you be happy were you NOT to receive an appointment next year?
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online college classes > prep schools, in person? Yes!! all of that wordiness boiled down to that. For the college he's enrolled at, the option has been removed for on campus instruction for the fall term. I have no idea if they are even considering on campus spring term yet. And yes, DS will be reapplying. My gut is all over the place so I can't go with that ;). His gut tells him to follow Capt Fredie's advice and do not deviate but the unknown is the online classes being confirmed vs in April (when he spoke with Capt Fredie) when it was a possibility. Thank you, justdoit19.
 
I would advise reaching out to admissions again (is that CAPT Freddie? I am a USNA mom). I think it’s a legit question/clarification. Your son is coming down to the final decision, and back in April, an opinion may have been different than now with this ever-changing covid situation. That’s what I would do.

It will be so nice to have his decision made! Once he does, commit to it and move forward. Im sure this is so stressful for your son, too. These are difficult times.

Good luck, let us know!!
 
mamabear1302 said:
online college classes > prep schools, in person? Yes!! all of that wordiness boiled down to that. For the college he's enrolled at, the option has been removed for on campus instruction for the fall term. I have no idea if they are even considering on campus spring term yet. And yes, DS will be reapplying. My gut is all over the place so I can't go with that ;). His gut tells him to follow Capt Fredie's advice and do not deviate but the unknown is the online classes being confirmed vs in April (when he spoke with Capt Fredie) when it was a possibility. Thank you, justdoit19.
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I would encourage your DS to reach out to Admissions/Capt. Freddie for advice/clarification. It seems he already had a conversation w/Capt. Freddie, and the Caot. advised him to attend a college, not a prep school. If Community College is the option (because of finances) then go for it... even if it is online. Your DS should get some feedback as to what parts of his application need improvement, and work on those parts. I don't think the CGA will hold it against your DS if he selects a CC because of finances. Be sure to select course simulator to the 1st year at CGA, and focus on getting the best grades he can. My DD applied EA, and was offered the opportunity to be considered in RA. No appt, and offered Waitlist. No appt. and offered "extended Waitlist(?)" until June 22. If she doesn't get an appt. then, she plans to contact Capt. Fredie forfeedback on what she needs to work on, and will attend Mass. Maritime and reapply for class of 2025... she is supported, but determined and taking the lead!
 
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