Field Trips

Can it be possible the Drew is dragging me on college admissions trips? Yes! Already! My baby is definitely moving down the "off-to-college" road - and happy about it to boot. Yesterday we visited RIT - Rochester Institute of Technology, right nearby. This school offers a tuition exchange with Roberts, but offers a number of programs that interest Drew. We were fortunate to speak with a knowlegeable admissions counselor who asked a number of questions, and based on Drew's answers, was able to suggest several programs that would fit his interests.

I saw the lights come on in his eyes over topics that make my eyes glaze over. As we walked through the various buildings, he drooled over labs and gear and potentials that I could only guess at. Digital cinema? 3D Graphics? All foreign to me but of deep interest to this person whom I once knew so much about and who now seems to have wandered into fields far from anything I know.

I am impressed that RIT seems to have such a strong sense of the student pulse. They work very hard to see that a student's needs are all met so that s/he can focus on their studies. Laundry, cable, internet, phone - all included in the price of the room. Not to mention the personal trainers and full health club facilities, pool, cardio, weight, racket ball, basketball, track etal available 24/7. Transportation circles every 5 minutes, plus numerous buses to the mall and downtown. A 12 to 1 student teacher ratio. Sweet.

And tons of collaboration between disciplines all working to find solutions to the world's needs. Very hands on. Lots of companies pounding down the doors to hire grads. Even before they grad.

Today we drove 2 hours to Cornell University to look at their School of Architecture. Who knew Drew had such varied interests. We took an almost 2 hour walking tour on their very hilly older campus. A beautiful campus overlooking a gorgeous area of lake and hill.

While the buildings are mostly older, the scope is grander, more upscale. You can tell there is old money here, not so much corporate new mint like RIT. Not so progressive, yet not behind the times either. Much potential, overseas study, and a touch of elegance. They are not so hard ball as many Ivies, but it does take moolah to be there.

Of course, since I make far below their standard, if Drew actually got in, he would pretty much get a free ride for their $42K annual tuition. He can see himself fitting into either setting. But his dream place is MIT. We have to schedule a time to go when I have the cash to cover the trip. He is pretty sure he won't get in there, but is willing to put his hat in the ring on the off chance that a miracle might happen.

Really, it will be a struggle for him to get into any of these places. I am praying that somehow he manages it. I would love to see him do study what interests him rather than getting stuck somewhere by default. At least he is looking now while he is a junior. It is a wake up call.

If he intends to actually get accepted, he has a lot of work ahead of him. No more resting on laurels and squeaking through with the bare essentials. Too bad he didn't catch this bug a few years ago!