Went to only one visit, the University of Miami.

As part of the tour, they took us by the dorms. Right out in front, was a huge grassy area, where dozens of shapely coeds were tanning in bikinis.

Academically, it’s a fine school, and I appreciate the education I received - but I know exactly when my decision was made.

NC State, as part of a natural resources workshop just out of high school. A few weeks later, I was in the Navy but came away from the NC State visit with the impression that was where I needed to be.

After service, it was community college and then the local college 20 miles away from home.

Western Illinois University in 1969. Did one semester and answered the pull of the Air Force. If there had been dozens of co-eds in bikinis outside my dorm I probably would have stayed. Took the long route with the GI Bill getting my degrees and don't regret it.

Visited Texas A&M. Ended up at UT Austin.

Right out of the Air Force, went to Penn State, PA resident, affordable (back then), no brainer.

First year there, new van socked in up to the roof with snow, decided to transfer.
This time, I visited first to see if I’d like it.

Came up over the sand dunes along the beach, saw the beautiful tourqoise water break into a perfect curl, and said not only “yeah,” but “Hell Yeah!!” To the Florida Inst. of Technology. Finished out my degree there. Three years of fun and sun.

I never really had a college visit - I grew up in Maryland and had a friend that lived near the College Park campus, so I drove through the campus often. Enlisted in the Air Force at age 18. The military used the University of Maryland - University College (the night school) and held classes at military bases all over the world. My degree was paid for by tuition reimbursement and the GI bill. It took me 10 years to get a BS business degree!

It was a great school, most of the instructors were part time and actually worked in business. At one point, there were more members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who had graduated from UMUC than the service academies.

Visited SMU and stayed there through post grad. Easy application- just two questions:
1. Are you needing less than 10k in financial aid, and
2. Is your golf handicap less than 10.

Answer “yes” to both and you were in.
I kid....

Not counting marching band visits to several Missouri colleges and universities, my first college visit was to Missouri School of Mines, an engineering school, now named Missouri University of Science and Technology. And yes, I attended and graduated MSM.

Define "visit". We did drive throughs at half a dozen during my junior year w/o speaking to anyone. However, my sole college interview was in August prior to my senior year. At the end, the admissions counselor said, "If you really want to attend Bates College, I would strongly suggest you apply early decision." (wink, wink; nudge, nudge; say no more, say no more).

I did, was accepted right after Thanksgiving and graduated 4 years later.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Blackmore,

I never "visited" a university, I just knew I was going to Oklahoma State.....and I went there.

Grew up on a campus but that doesn't count. Applied to two schools and got accepted to both. Visited both over spring break. It snowed at one and was 70 at 7am at the other. Easy decision for a CA kid. Ended up dropping out after two years, working, and going back to school elsewhere. Met the wife at the first school.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
Not counting marching band visits to several Missouri colleges and universities, my first college visit was to Missouri School of Mines, an engineering school, now named Missouri University of Science and Technology. And yes, I attended and graduated MSM.

One of my Navy OCS roommates was a student there, in Rolla, IIRC. He would have graduated in 1968.

Being a Virginia resident at the time, the only choice financially was Va Tech. I applied for early acceptance and was accepted, so I knew early on where I was going.

Went to a reception for prospective students for the University of Colorado-Boulder at a hotel in Phoenix. Just too expensive for an Arizona resident. Ended up staying in state, Yavapai CC in Prescott, then down to UofA in Tucson. Great decision

My dream was to graduate from the US Naval Academy. Busted my ass my entire high school career for it.

The summer between my Jr. and Sr. years of high school I was selected for their summer program, spent a week there, staying in the dorms. It was understood that if you could get accepted to the summer program and not flunk your senior year, you were probably getting admitted.

I kept my grades up but the two congressional nominations from my area were used up and I was in the "leftovers" pool. Didn't make the cut.

Everything after was second place (Virginia Military Institute for a year). Or third (local community college), fourth (another local community college), and fifth (UNC-Wilmington). Meh. took 6 years to graduate with a B.A., working full-time (double time for much of it) as a paramedic to pay the bills, as mommy and daddy weren't helping. Graduated with a 3.88, though.

The adventure has been interesting either way.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:

<snip>

There is a scholarship presentation this week at which some band member will receive a scholarship in my name which I funded ~10-12 years ago. I believe we have several dozen to distribute now funded by various alum.

\m/

That is quite a legacy, good on you for setting it up. I have never participated in band and neither of my two boys do. I don't think many outsiders realize how hard those kids work and how dedicated they are to what they do. My kid's high school band is top rated and they put in a ton of hours in the heat, rain or shine. They work just as hard, and likely harder, than the football players.

I applied to one college, never formally visited the college, and that's where I went. I knew what I wanted to do and where I was going to do it. Had known since I was 13.

I only visited my first choice which was Purdue. I applied to 2 other engineering schools but didn't bother to visit them. I received my BSME from Purdue.

quote:

Originally posted by TXJIM:


That is quite a legacy, good on you for setting it up. I have never participated in band and neither of my two boys do. I don't think many outsiders realize how hard those kids work and how dedicated they are to what they do. My kid's high school band is top rated and they put in a ton of hours in the heat, rain or shine. They work just as hard, and likely harder, than the football players.

Not to mention the effort to learn to play a musical instrument at an acceptable level.

And, when you have become one of the best in the country after 4 years playing in college, you aren’t going to be drafted and forced to play in the worst band in Kansas City for $1.3 million a year, either.

As far as the scholarship goes, I worked night and day to get through college, part time jobs, playing in dance bands, etc. constant financial pressures. I never got a penny for playing in the
UT band, which I was happy to do for free. I would have killed somebody for a scholarship then. Decades later, I was fortunate enough to be in a position to do this and it has been a source of pride and satisfaction to me ever since.

First college visit, SUNY Purchase.

Ended up freshman year at Bard College, transferred to School of Visual Arts (photography), then to SUNY New Paltz, Gold and Silver Smithing BFA.


The original plan was to attend ICETLM, Liege Belgium to study engraving.
Unfortunately due to a health condition I could not attend.