Colorado experts, please help narrowing down colleges for an East Coast kid!
Apr 26th, 2007, 12:18 PM
#21
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BetsyG,
Good for your daughter!!!! DU looks beautiful!!!
sdwcruise,
Thanks for the post! Glad to hear your daughter loves CU. She doesn't find it too large?
JRP,
Thanks for the reply! Yes, we are definitely digging! Although, looks like we are going to have to dig real deep for years to come to pay for these colleges!
Good for your daughter!!!! DU looks beautiful!!!
sdwcruise,
Thanks for the post! Glad to hear your daughter loves CU. She doesn't find it too large?
JRP,
Thanks for the reply! Yes, we are definitely digging! Although, looks like we are going to have to dig real deep for years to come to pay for these colleges!
Apr 26th, 2007, 03:54 PM
#22
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Hello again! My daughter grew up in a small Texas farm town and does not find it too large. When you go visit you will see the town and school does not seem that large. Stay at the St.Julian, eat/shop Pearl Street Mall (all outdoors), and go tour Coors in Golden. If fact, my daughter is interning with the guest relations dept. I promise you will all LOVE it!!!!
Apr 26th, 2007, 06:43 PM
#23
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You bet, Jayneann! You can't pay for DU by delivering newspapers, that's for sure.
But we can help! We have an extra bedroom acquired for the purpose of accomodating visitors from back home. We "bought up" so that we'd always have a place for our family to stay with us. Well, since the novelty wore off and the reality of airfares set in, the room has gone grossly vacant.
Now then...your daughter can save on living expenses! No rent (per se).
We'll just have her bring my children McDonald's or Wendy's on her way home from school. As often as we Drive-Thru, I figure with the money I save, my kids' degrees at DU will be paid for well before they finish their freshman years!
Think about it?
But we can help! We have an extra bedroom acquired for the purpose of accomodating visitors from back home. We "bought up" so that we'd always have a place for our family to stay with us. Well, since the novelty wore off and the reality of airfares set in, the room has gone grossly vacant.
Now then...your daughter can save on living expenses! No rent (per se).
We'll just have her bring my children McDonald's or Wendy's on her way home from school. As often as we Drive-Thru, I figure with the money I save, my kids' degrees at DU will be paid for well before they finish their freshman years!
Think about it?
Apr 26th, 2007, 07:55 PM
#24
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Back to snowboarding.....Western State College (Gunnison, CO) attracts lots of boarders. Crested Butte is 25-30 minutes away and the kids all board/ski weekends and sometimes weekdays, depending on schedules. Mt. Crested Butte is recognized for "extreme" terrain, gorgeous scenery, and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. United and American airlines service the Gunnison airport. It's a 4 1/2-5 hr drive to the Denver airport.
Apr 29th, 2007, 07:49 AM
#25
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sdwcruise,
Thanks so much for the feedback!! I'm glad to know that even small town kids feel comfortable at UC! We will definitely check out the places you recommended too!!
JRP,
WOW!!! Thanks for the offer! I don't have a daughter though, only sons!!
Toto,
Thanks for the info on Western State! When we visit Colorado, we'll certainly be traveling alot, checking out as many colleges as we can fit in! WSC is one we'd like to tour also!
Thanks so much for the feedback!! I'm glad to know that even small town kids feel comfortable at UC! We will definitely check out the places you recommended too!!
JRP,
WOW!!! Thanks for the offer! I don't have a daughter though, only sons!!
Toto,
Thanks for the info on Western State! When we visit Colorado, we'll certainly be traveling alot, checking out as many colleges as we can fit in! WSC is one we'd like to tour also!
Apr 29th, 2007, 11:38 AM
#26
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He's a good student and he wants to base his college decision on where he can snowboard?!
Living in New England, you must be aware there are plenty of good schools there and in upstate NY where he can snowboard and not be so far away.
Another thing to consider if he's so gung-ho on snowbaording is take a year off, get a part-time job and be a ski/snowboard bum in his resort of choice. Then, the following year, hopefully that will be out of his system, and he can get serious about his education and future.
Living in New England, you must be aware there are plenty of good schools there and in upstate NY where he can snowboard and not be so far away.
Another thing to consider if he's so gung-ho on snowbaording is take a year off, get a part-time job and be a ski/snowboard bum in his resort of choice. Then, the following year, hopefully that will be out of his system, and he can get serious about his education and future.
Apr 29th, 2007, 01:18 PM
#27
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Oops! Sorry Jayneann...perhaps I should read all of the alloted lines and not just between them!!
Had I paid attention to your second word, I might have noticed that it was "son".
The offer still stands.
Had I paid attention to your second word, I might have noticed that it was "son".
The offer still stands.
Apr 30th, 2007, 07:36 AM
#28
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JRP,
You are so gracious, thank you!!! We'll keep your offer in mind!
BarryK,
<...if he's so gung-ho on snowbaording is take a year off, get a part-time job and be a ski/snowboard bum in his resort of choice. Then, the following year, hopefully that will be out of his system, and he can get serious about his education and future.>
Well, I figured at least one person would respond to my post this way, but I must admit, I'm surprised it's from a person who likes to ski and travels out west to do it. Seriously, how could he possibly afford to live out west and snowboard while earning part-time wages with a high school degree only?
Thanks for taking the time to post as I do appreciate all feedback!
You are so gracious, thank you!!! We'll keep your offer in mind!
BarryK,
<...if he's so gung-ho on snowbaording is take a year off, get a part-time job and be a ski/snowboard bum in his resort of choice. Then, the following year, hopefully that will be out of his system, and he can get serious about his education and future.>
Well, I figured at least one person would respond to my post this way, but I must admit, I'm surprised it's from a person who likes to ski and travels out west to do it. Seriously, how could he possibly afford to live out west and snowboard while earning part-time wages with a high school degree only?
Thanks for taking the time to post as I do appreciate all feedback!
Apr 30th, 2007, 01:52 PM
#29
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Jayneann - Most of those who work at the ski resorts work there so they can ski or board during their time off (or lunch hour.) They get a free season's pass, cheap lodging at some places, etc.
Yes, I enjoy skiing, and try to travel out west when I can to do it. As a matter of fact I learned to ski (in W. Mass) while in college. However, I'm at a similar point in life as you - my older daughter will be starting college in the fall. I was a serious student, worked hard, and now I'm getting ready to retire at 50+ so I can spend more time skiing, etc. If I chose a school based on recreational opportunities school, I doubt I'd be where I am today.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to belittle you, or tell you how to run your family - just giving my perspective, as we just did the college thing.
Yes, I enjoy skiing, and try to travel out west when I can to do it. As a matter of fact I learned to ski (in W. Mass) while in college. However, I'm at a similar point in life as you - my older daughter will be starting college in the fall. I was a serious student, worked hard, and now I'm getting ready to retire at 50+ so I can spend more time skiing, etc. If I chose a school based on recreational opportunities school, I doubt I'd be where I am today.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to belittle you, or tell you how to run your family - just giving my perspective, as we just did the college thing.
Apr 30th, 2007, 02:47 PM
#30
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Jayneann... Good luck in you school search. I too hope your student is thinking acedemics above activities. At any rate, my brother went to U of Denver for 2 years of grad school before coming back to Ohio St to finish up. He isn't the skier/snowboarder that your son is, but he did do some climbing. He liked the area a lot and now lives in Boston. Small world huh?
Apr 30th, 2007, 03:06 PM
#31
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Wow, sure glad BarryK wasn't trying to belittle you. He must be successful, he is good at things he isn't even attempting!
My son is a sophmore at CU. His best friend lives with a boy from Boston who is doing exactly what your son wants to do. I know he is very happy with his choice.
There are a ton of Colorado kids at CU (and CSU, U of D) ... and there are always lots of nice Colorado families that offer them weekend and holiday visits. So they will not be alone out here for long.
I believe there is a bus from Campus to Summit County each weekend.
My son is a sophmore at CU. His best friend lives with a boy from Boston who is doing exactly what your son wants to do. I know he is very happy with his choice.
There are a ton of Colorado kids at CU (and CSU, U of D) ... and there are always lots of nice Colorado families that offer them weekend and holiday visits. So they will not be alone out here for long.
I believe there is a bus from Campus to Summit County each weekend.
Apr 30th, 2007, 08:35 PM
#32
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With respect to BerryK, he is a little out of touch with Colorado sking. The traditional ski bum is becoming a think of the past. In the old days a season pass was $1500 to $2000 and a very nice perk if working in the resort towns. Now with season pass at $400, the inceentive is not there. A high percentage of the seasonal works are foreign work permit students.
May 1st, 2007, 06:59 AM
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Jayneann - interesting thread.
You said, “he lives to snowboard and it's a great stress reducer for him.” If that is his priority for now, do that. I concur with BarryK - take a year off. In other parts of the world it is not uncommon to take a year or two off before starting formal education. Like BarryK, I too was a serious student, worked hard, and now getting ready to retire at 50+, but, the difference is I did all that *after* I was a ski bum. I’ve skied in 40+ resorts in western North America. I worked at 3 resorts in CO and MT. And I wouldn’t do things differently. Yes, academics should be above activities. But, if he’s sitting in class and all he’s thinking about are the slopes, get it out of his system.
Jayneann – “how could he possibly afford to live out west and snowboard while earning part-time wages with a high school degree only?” He finds full time work as an instructor (not as difficult to get as you think) or patrol or terrain park builder (very coveted position), or, a night job. Many snow resorts now have evolved into year round destinations so jobs are there. And, you establish in-state residency, if the goal is a public school.
fmpden brings up a good point that now many seasonal workers are foreign work permit students. Some resorts do offer employee housing, but “cheap lodging at some places.” ?? That comment made me laugh out loud.
Why be a bum early in life vs. later in life? In my following tirade, substitute ski for snowboard:
In your early 20s, you are the first one on the slopes in the morning and the last one off. You might stop ½ hr for lunch, or eat the peanut butter sandwich while on the chairlift found in your backpack you didn’t eat yesterday . You love eating your knees in waist high moguls. You ski hard, fast and fearlessly. You have $1 to your name and payday is next week. No worry because you know you’ll manage.
At 49, it’s cold in the morning! Lunch is a leisurely event. You no longer spend the afternoon on double diamond runs because it’s hard on your body. And you quit early because the hot tub is calling your name. I still enjoy skiing, and hope to do it until I can no longer walk. But I just don’t have the passion, enthusiasm, love or body.
Coming from the Ice Coast, the Rockies will be snow heaven. MT has Glacier National Park and is close to Yellowstone and Beartooth Pass. Breathtakingly beautiful places. But, MT can be cold. In Dec 2004, the first year Moonlight Basin opened in MT, (now affiliated with Big Sky) my two older sons and I had to check it out. It was 20 below with wind chill. Burrrr.
My 20 year old followed his mother’s footsteps. He told me back in March, he was ready to start college fall 2007, but he was proud he could tell his future children he was a snowboard instructor at 19. Like Warren Miller said in all his 50+ movies, “If you don't do it this year, you'll just be one year older when you do.”
Susan
You said, “he lives to snowboard and it's a great stress reducer for him.” If that is his priority for now, do that. I concur with BarryK - take a year off. In other parts of the world it is not uncommon to take a year or two off before starting formal education. Like BarryK, I too was a serious student, worked hard, and now getting ready to retire at 50+, but, the difference is I did all that *after* I was a ski bum. I’ve skied in 40+ resorts in western North America. I worked at 3 resorts in CO and MT. And I wouldn’t do things differently. Yes, academics should be above activities. But, if he’s sitting in class and all he’s thinking about are the slopes, get it out of his system.
Jayneann – “how could he possibly afford to live out west and snowboard while earning part-time wages with a high school degree only?” He finds full time work as an instructor (not as difficult to get as you think) or patrol or terrain park builder (very coveted position), or, a night job. Many snow resorts now have evolved into year round destinations so jobs are there. And, you establish in-state residency, if the goal is a public school.
fmpden brings up a good point that now many seasonal workers are foreign work permit students. Some resorts do offer employee housing, but “cheap lodging at some places.” ?? That comment made me laugh out loud.
Why be a bum early in life vs. later in life? In my following tirade, substitute ski for snowboard:
In your early 20s, you are the first one on the slopes in the morning and the last one off. You might stop ½ hr for lunch, or eat the peanut butter sandwich while on the chairlift found in your backpack you didn’t eat yesterday . You love eating your knees in waist high moguls. You ski hard, fast and fearlessly. You have $1 to your name and payday is next week. No worry because you know you’ll manage.
At 49, it’s cold in the morning! Lunch is a leisurely event. You no longer spend the afternoon on double diamond runs because it’s hard on your body. And you quit early because the hot tub is calling your name. I still enjoy skiing, and hope to do it until I can no longer walk. But I just don’t have the passion, enthusiasm, love or body.
Coming from the Ice Coast, the Rockies will be snow heaven. MT has Glacier National Park and is close to Yellowstone and Beartooth Pass. Breathtakingly beautiful places. But, MT can be cold. In Dec 2004, the first year Moonlight Basin opened in MT, (now affiliated with Big Sky) my two older sons and I had to check it out. It was 20 below with wind chill. Burrrr.
My 20 year old followed his mother’s footsteps. He told me back in March, he was ready to start college fall 2007, but he was proud he could tell his future children he was a snowboard instructor at 19. Like Warren Miller said in all his 50+ movies, “If you don't do it this year, you'll just be one year older when you do.”
Susan
May 1st, 2007, 07:57 AM
#34
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Jayneann, I don't know if anyone has mentioned Regis College for your consideration. It's a small Jesuit school in north Denver. It's a nice campus.
We live in Denver, and our son just signed on for Montana State in Bozeman. CU-Boulder accepted him, but he decided it was too big and too close to home for him. We decided it would be good for grad school, but not for him at 19.
MSU at Bozeman is a school many Colorado kids choose. It's about half the size of CU's undergraduate population, with 10,000 students. It is a very short drive to Bridger Bowl, about an hour to Big Sky ski area. A very friendly town and school. The admissions people have been very helpful and responsive. He went up there with his Dad and they set him up with three people to talk to in his major, plus a class to monitor. He really felt at home there. It's so similar to Colorado. (He did not like U of SF, which also accepted him, because it was too urban.) It gets very good reviews around here, from all the friends of friends who have gone there.
Good luck in your college search. Ours just ended, since today is May 1 and decisions had to be made by yesterday. Hooray! (Unless one of the wait-list schools come through, then we'll be be decision mode again.)
>-
We live in Denver, and our son just signed on for Montana State in Bozeman. CU-Boulder accepted him, but he decided it was too big and too close to home for him. We decided it would be good for grad school, but not for him at 19.
MSU at Bozeman is a school many Colorado kids choose. It's about half the size of CU's undergraduate population, with 10,000 students. It is a very short drive to Bridger Bowl, about an hour to Big Sky ski area. A very friendly town and school. The admissions people have been very helpful and responsive. He went up there with his Dad and they set him up with three people to talk to in his major, plus a class to monitor. He really felt at home there. It's so similar to Colorado. (He did not like U of SF, which also accepted him, because it was too urban.) It gets very good reviews around here, from all the friends of friends who have gone there.
Good luck in your college search. Ours just ended, since today is May 1 and decisions had to be made by yesterday. Hooray! (Unless one of the wait-list schools come through, then we'll be be decision mode again.)
>-
May 1st, 2007, 12:07 PM
#35
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This post has provided us (yes, my son has been reading it too)with many insightful suggestions and perspective for which we are tremendously grateful! It's been fun reading the occasional twists and turns it has taken also!
In addition to researching colleges on many college websites, Kiplinger's top 100, US News College 100, etc., I turned to Fodor's because I've received valuable information from many posters about locations and travel in the past. And, I'm glad I did this time, too! THANK YOU for all your help!!!
I would like to clear up a couple of things though. My son has always wanted to go to college directly from high school. He is our third son and he has watched his brothers go through the process and succeed by graduating from the colleges of their choice. One stayed in MA and the other went to UTampa!
Having said that, he loves to snowboard in his leisure time! He does not drink and feels that when many of the college kids are partying on the weekends, he will be snowboarding instead! He has never expressed an interest in taking a year off from school but does however, want to go out West to pursue a degree in business/marketing. He has grown up traveling and in fact, has snowboarded at Mt Hood in Oregon for the past three summers (yes, snow in the summer)!
So, since U of Vermont and U of New Hampshire are +30 per year and so are UC and UD, or for much less, U Utah or Montana, why not try to help him fullfill his goal/dream? Again, thank you all for your time and I hope I haven't put you to sleep reading this long reply!
Oh, one more thing! I love to travel,so I'll be visiting him frequently,wherever he ends up!
In addition to researching colleges on many college websites, Kiplinger's top 100, US News College 100, etc., I turned to Fodor's because I've received valuable information from many posters about locations and travel in the past. And, I'm glad I did this time, too! THANK YOU for all your help!!!
I would like to clear up a couple of things though. My son has always wanted to go to college directly from high school. He is our third son and he has watched his brothers go through the process and succeed by graduating from the colleges of their choice. One stayed in MA and the other went to UTampa!
Having said that, he loves to snowboard in his leisure time! He does not drink and feels that when many of the college kids are partying on the weekends, he will be snowboarding instead! He has never expressed an interest in taking a year off from school but does however, want to go out West to pursue a degree in business/marketing. He has grown up traveling and in fact, has snowboarded at Mt Hood in Oregon for the past three summers (yes, snow in the summer)!
So, since U of Vermont and U of New Hampshire are +30 per year and so are UC and UD, or for much less, U Utah or Montana, why not try to help him fullfill his goal/dream? Again, thank you all for your time and I hope I haven't put you to sleep reading this long reply!
Oh, one more thing! I love to travel,so I'll be visiting him frequently,wherever he ends up!
May 1st, 2007, 01:04 PM
#36
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Maureen B,
Congrats on your son's decision! How far away is UM in Bozeman from Denver? We are thinking about two separate trips out west, one being Montana and maybe Utah, and the other one being only Colorado. Does that make sense? Thanks!
Congrats on your son's decision! How far away is UM in Bozeman from Denver? We are thinking about two separate trips out west, one being Montana and maybe Utah, and the other one being only Colorado. Does that make sense? Thanks!
May 1st, 2007, 01:07 PM
#37
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Susan/dadof3: You're cool! And congrats to your son. Several of my friends were ski instructors at various ski areas in Montana. Where did you work?
Our skiing drops off after lunch, too. Too much wine and too many MooseDrools in the lodge.
Our skiing drops off after lunch, too. Too much wine and too many MooseDrools in the lodge.
May 1st, 2007, 02:03 PM
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Thanks kureiff! And is it about that to Utah? We'll be flying though so can you recommend any local good airlines between destinations?
Yes, Susan, I can relate, as I am a 49 yo skier too! Now I'm lucky if I am on the slopes by 10, lunch with wine, and finished by 2!! Good for you to be able to have had your experiences!! I wasn't quite as adventurous!
Yes, Susan, I can relate, as I am a 49 yo skier too! Now I'm lucky if I am on the slopes by 10, lunch with wine, and finished by 2!! Good for you to be able to have had your experiences!! I wasn't quite as adventurous!
