My 16-year old son (the youngest of my 7 kids) and I are driving down to VA from Cape Cod on Wednesday for two college visits. We'll stay at my sister's in Woodstock that night, and then we'll get up early to drive down to the VT campus on Thursday.
That morning, we have a meeting at 11:30 at Wallace Hall (he wants to major in English), then we're doing the General Information session @ 1:30 followed by the walking tour from 2:30 - 4:00. We'll be staying at the Hampton Inn in Christiansburg that night.
I've only been back to campus a couple of times in the past 20 years. The last time was for the UVA game in 2015, when I met up with some of my old college buddies in Roanoke around noon and drank for about 13 hours straight. Therefore, my memories of the "new" campus from that day are a little foggy, to say the least. Other than the immediate area around the Drill Field, so much of it looked unfamiliar. I did visit the new Memorial in front of Burruss and I did grab a burger and beers at Mike's that day.
So, a couple of questions:
1. Where should we grab a quick lunch on campus between the Wallace and General Info session? We may only have 30 minutes or less.
2. Is it possible for us to get inside Lane Stadium, Cassell, etc. late that afternoon?
3. Where should we grab dinner in Blacksburg or Christiansburg that night?
4. Any other "must-see's" while we're there? We don't really have a lot of extra time.
We get up early on Friday and drive up to JMU. Don't judge, he actually likes the English program there and he wants to eventually teach. And we get to visit my Mom,, who is 92 and battling Parkinson's, and lives in a nursing home in Harrisonburg.
Thanks!
Comments
I did grab a burger and beers at Mike's that day.
Unfortunately that will not happen this trip.
3. Where should we grab dinner in Blacksburg or Christiansburg that night?
My go to would be Bull and Bones for dinner.
4. Any other "must-see's" while we're there? We don't really have a lot of extra time.
I would definitely visit the Torg Bridge and maybe walk around the Duck Pond if you have time.
As much as I like Bull and Bones, there food has kinda gone down hill and it's less of a student vibe.
I would recommend The Cellar or Boudreaux's, which both offer outdoor seating to people watch downtown.
I know I'm showing my age, but The Cellar is the old Greek's Cellar, right?
Yup. It's definitely not what you remember, though, it's taken over where the Record Exchange was as well as a few other store fronts.
1) Go to the Cellar
2) Order a Pizza
3) ???
4) Profit!
3) Wait
I love The Cellar's food and brew, but their service blows. They need the sign that hangs in Souvlaki that says "You can't complain about the service because there isn't any."
Kitchen is tiny and the place is usually pretty crowded.
The service is very friendly and the bartenders/bouncers couldn't be more laid back.
Apologize for their terrible service all you want, I have YEARS of evidence to back my claim. And it ain't the crowd or tiny kitchen.
Meh, you learn to go with people you're more interested hanging out with than just eating quickly. I loved it as a student then later, as a townie, a walk down to the cellar on fridays in summer was a staple of my existence.
^^^^
I will gladly wait to eat at The Cellar before I step foot in some other places downtown because of the fun times I've had with friends there and how friendly the staff have always been to me (but hey, that's just me; your mileage may vary)
It wasn't because I was trying to eat quickly either. I'm more of the European frame of mind when it comes to dinner. I like to make it an event.. But the line has to be drawn somewhere.
First time I met my wife was at the Cellar as a student while my friend argued with the staff on whether it was past last call. Not sure if that counts as bad service or not, but I'm okay with a little extra time there based on my experience.
Bull and Bones was great a few years ago (I see you graduated in 2012). Unfortunately since 2015-ish it has fallen from my go-to restaurant when visiting Blacksburg to my avoid list when I go to Blacksburg. Source: Graduated in 2014 and had them cater my wedding. My in-laws live in town so I get back up there a lot and their food is not as good as it use to be.
Oh damn that's a disappointment, and yeah I haven't had the food there since graduation (in 2012) so a lot could've changed.
Grab lunch at Souvlaki's Its pretty quick but I am not sure if the walk there and back will prevent you from partaking it.
This is a good suggestion as a food option, but the only problem is that he'd be by Wallace which would make it kind of a decent walk. West End would be closer.
Wallace is right by West End Market, which arguable has the best food on campus.
If you want him to fall in love with the food, an on campus option is great. However if I remember right places like West End can be pretty pricy if you're paying without a meal plan.
Definitely best on campus, with D2 express in a close second.....
I love DX. I even ate sushi from there.
Dang, when I was living in pritchard, all they had was crappy pizza and heat lamp burgers. Cheese fries were a good late night snack though
How? The sushi is below even convenience store standards
Corn dog nuggets all day.
For lunch, I would honestly check out one of the dining halls. While downtown Blacksburg has a lot to offer with restaurants, West End and Turner Place are even better. Either would be a great option for a quick lunch, although the lines can be pretty crazy at both places.
West End - London broil for the win!
That, and the 1872 Fire Grill in Turner's is the absolute best.
The Farmhouse is back open in Christiansburg. Awesome dinner there.
I loved the Farmhouse back in the day!
1. I'd suggest West End for lunch, it's close to your stuff at Wallace. If you want, I'm more than willing to swipe for you and a potential Hokie -- West End can be pretty pricy, but it's worth it.
Turner is close to your General Info session (I'm assuming this is at Burruss?), but Turner is packed around your time slot. West End won't be as busy.
2. If you want to sneak into Lane at night, it's technically do-able (it's on the Hokie bucket list), but not exactly able to arrange, I don't think.
3. I would check out Lefty's in Blacksburg for dinner. They just moved in the last year or so, and have been super successful, so maybe make a reservation.
4. If you have the chance, walk around downtown -- it's a great area and can help your son get a sense for the feeling of Virginia Tech and Blacksburg.
Lefty's is and will always be my first choice whenever I make it back to Tech. I haven't been to their new location but they have always had good food.
Their new kitchen is larger than the entire old Lefty's building. It has a brewery in house, expanded menu, two patios, and a bar as well.
Fantastic move for them. I've only seen it almost or completely full every time I've gone.
ate at Lefty's on Sunday before the uva game... delicious!
Thanks!
1. I very much appreciate the offer, but we're good. Does the West End go by another name? It isn't listed on the campus map but Owens (the reason I LOST 15 lbs. my freshman year) is.
2. I may or may not have done that during my years there.
3 & 4. I agree 100%, as much as I fondly remember The Farmhouse, I want to spend as much time in Blacksburg as possible. The Yelp reviews on Bull & Bones seem to indicate that it has gone downhill a bit. Lefty's menu seems to be a bit all over the place, but it has some interesting options.
West End is technically called West End Market. It's attached to Cochrane Hall, which is #38 on the campus map.
West End Market is located in Cochrane Hall, across from West AJ.
Perfect...thanks!
Oh and for dinner if you don't mind a short drive...
Thursday is BBQ night too, although I usually just get the fried chicken and Roast Beef anyway.
Good call! If you want the full experience, work up an appetite by hiking to McAfee Knob and then eating at The Homeplace. You'll feel like you earned that bottomless fried chicken and those incredible sides.
Man that brings back a lot of memories. I can't tell you how many times I have done McAfee's Knob or Dragon's Tooth and then chowed down at Homeplace. Heck my first date with my wife was a hike up to Dragon's Tooth followed by Homeplace.
That's a good first date, bro. Cheers.
When we got to the top, rather than going around the side of the Tooth to go up it like everyone else she just started free climbing the back face. I knew she was a keeper right then.
Thanks, I don't see how we can find the time to go hiking or get that far away from town. I would have loved to show him the Cascades, or in better weather, tubing down the New River.
Best fried chicken ever.
If you are a really interested in seeing Lane or Merryman call Merryman today and see if something can be arranged, they are very open to showing people around if it doesn't interfere with logistics especially for Hokie Club members.
I don't know if there are official rules or anything but generally they just let you walk around anywhere in there. I still know a lot of people that work in Merryman but last time I was there I just walked around the whole facility with my wife and her family to check out the renovations. Nobody has every said anything to me..... except Bud and Frank. They always say hey and ask me how I'm doing.
I meant an unofficial tour. My cousin was taken around by a student assistant to see Merryman and Cassell, couldn't see Lane since they were doing work on the field. Saw lockers team rooms etc.
1. Where should we grab a quick lunch on campus between the Wallace and General Info session? We may only have 30 minutes or less.
Wallace is right near the West End dining hall and D2.
I would definitely suggest trying West End, all of the places in West End are really good and 30 minutes is enough time unless it's completely packed. West End is also around the middle on the list of the best dining halls on campus so it'd give you a good feel for campus food.
D2 is the only buffet style dining hall on campus and is very quick, but is probably last on the list of best dining halls on campus. That being said, D2 is still better than you what would expect from a college dining hall.
2. Is it possible for us to get inside Lane Stadium, Cassell, etc. late that afternoon?
Probably. The gates to Lane are usually left open during the day so you might be able to walk right in. If not, the ticket offices in the part of the stadium that faces Beamer Way are open 9-5 M-F. There's some cool memorabilia in there and the people in the ticket office might be able to let you in for some quick pictures if you explain that you're visiting with a perspective student.
Cassell is less likely than Lane. The ticket offices in Cassell are open 9-4 and are located in the entrance to Cassell that faces Washington Street. The doors to Cassell are usually locked so your best bet is most likely trying to talk to the people in the ticket office.
4. Any other "must-see's" while we're there? We don't really have a lot of extra time.
The walking tour does a good job of covering most of campus. My two must-see's when I'm visiting are the April 16th Memorial and the Pylons, but those are both more important to people who already have a connection to VT. This is a good question to ask the Hokie Ambassador giving you the walking tour.
Downside, in this case, to D2 is that it's extremely expensive if you're not using a meal plan AND if his son chooses to come here, he'll be taken to D2 during freshman orientation anyway.
Edit: And with only 30 minutes, we don't want to make either of them do the D2 Dash ;)
ah yes the d2 dash. i have very fond and not so fond memories of this (looking at you chili challenge)
1. Given you'll be at Wallace, scoot over to West End for a taste of that sweet campus life. Although I recommend getting Sub Station II at some point during the visit.
2. Neither were locked when I was an undergrad many moons ago, but call ahead and ask.
3. The Cellar is rather delicious.
4. Visit the 4/16 Memorial. Also hit up the bookstore and do a quick walk up and down the downtown portion of main street.
Concur with all of the above.
On the way between the April 16 Memorial and downtown, stop by the War Memorial Chapel, stand at the Pylons, and watch the sun set across the Drillfield. I used to love stopping by the Pylons any chance I got. Read the names on the cenotaph, read the core values and names on pylons, and even a stranger to the campus would understand a lot about what VT is about.
If you're "grabbing" dinner, I'd grab some tacos at Cabo Fish Taco.
(Used to be South Main Cafe way, way back in the day.) The blackened Mahi Mahi taco is a solid go-to.
Must sees-
A dorm room.
The walk from freshman parking back to civilization (step A in the leaving the car at home psy-ops)
The Bike Barn - right next to Mike's (RIP) (step B in the leaving the car at home psy-ops)
Student Union
Library
Bookstore (duh)
Sort of most see - Mosey into Merryman. You may be able to luck into a behind the scenes with a friendly staff member that may include a walk through the tunnel into Lane. (My son and I did this a couple of years ago on a random off season visit, and Scot Loeffler himself was nice enough to show us around for a few minutes.)
BTW, there's all sorts of tricks with parking. First, it's only enforced from 7-5 on Monday thru Friday, so if you go somewhere and are unloading your car or whatever you can generally park close to the dorm (just make sure to move it by 7am the next day, or Monday if on the weekend, or you'll be in for an ever-more-expensive ticket). Second, you can usually catch a bus from near the parking lots to get back to civilization, so the walk isn't but so terrible. Third, you can avoid paying for an on-campus pass entirely by just parking at Foxridge and taking the bus.
This does not include any spots marked "Service" or the Drillfield
Source: My parking ticket history
Actually, only Service spots with a "24 Hours" sign just below are exempt. You can park in other Service spots just fine. By the way, the entire Owens lot is labeled "24 Hours", and I don't remember it being obvious.
Good catch on the drillfield though. I think it's enforced from 7am-8pm, could be wrong. At least as recently as 2010 it was labeled on all the entrances.
Good call on the Owens lot
Can I just say having a F/S permit has brought me so much joy
Can confirm Owen's lot is 24 hours. Parked there for 10 minutes on a Sunday afternoon and got a ticket.
Can you not still get one of those day passes from Parking Services (or whatever it's called) and park just about anywhere for a day?
I do get a Visitor's Parking pass, which allows me to park in any faculty/staff, student, or visitor's parking spaces.
Those aren't available to students, and I was commenting because one of Leonard's points was that parking is so inconvenient that it may be better to leave your car at home.
But yes, they do still give out free Visitor passes, even up to a week at a time. I worked in the CRC for 3.5 years, and my company had some contracts with a professor for some of his grad students to do some research for us. I made good use of some of those weekly passes.
Wake up 30 minutes early and get Gillie's for breakfast before getting on the road!
If we are grumbling about long waits and uneven service Gilliie's tops the list. I still enjoy their breakfasts but you might want to make it 45 minutes instead of 30.
The English department is in Wallace Hall now? I thought they were in Williams. Damn, I'm getting old.
highly reccomend you do mikes or west end....turner isnt a bad choice either be prepared for lines though. i would reccomend reaching out to someone in the athletic department regarding getting in to lane (or come down for a spring game) it seems like theyve gotten really good about that stuff
as far as visiting torg bridge is cool, duck pond is always pretty....but comon guys the obvious answer is slusher beach! walking around the drill field and hitting up main is always fun too
My initial reaction was "but it's winter," however I explicitly remember people longing for summer so much that as soon as there was a sunny day in the 60's there would be ladies looking to get a head start on a suntan.
The forecast is for 68 degrees and sunny on Thursday. Hmmm...
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Mike's closed last August
Wallace Hall is now part of the English dept? When did that happen?
Actually, it is a session with the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, not specifically the English Dept.
Wallace was home to the college of home economics (since renamed) when I was there.
Hey there, current senior, here are some things I recommend:
1. West End, due to location and short time block
2. They added extra gates to Lane (last week when I tried to get into the stadium they were locked) - I would recommend calling ahead, however, Cassell is normally unlocked
3. Cellar, Bull & Bones, Cabo are where I go with my parents when they visit
4. Any prospective student should check out Torg Bridge, 4/16 Memorial, Goodwin (the nicest classroom building on campus, although it is Engineering), Pylons around sunset
Hope your son enjoys his visit!
Nicest building now is New Classroom Building. (Yes that is its name). Just opened in the fall, and it's a fantastic building.
Lane is wide open, in fact sometimes the gate at the practice fields to the tunnel is open and you can walk through on to the field. If not, the back gate nearest the indoor facility is usually open. Merryman- heck I've walked all over that place. Cassell is also generally wide open.
I'd go old school and lunch at Souvlaki and dinner of pizza at Greeks up or down stairs. Hokie House burger also not a bad option. There is BOTS (newer BBQ joint) opened under TOTS by Mike Whaley. Have not tried it yet but Mike wanted it to be more than a student hangout.
Edit- also check out the reading room that spans the Mall at the Library. That is an impressive room.
Carol Lee Donuts, mmmmm.
Make sure to try the blueberry cake donut!
Cassell has usually been unlocked on the Washington St side where the giant Hokie bird is. I've walked in several times at random and even watched some basketball practice going on from one of the portals.
For dinner, my go-to's are Social House(pricey), Cabo Fish Taco (great fish taco's, duh), Lefty's (good burgers, salads, and sandwiches), or the Cellar (great pizza, beer, and other stuff). For a beer and burger, I would say Sharkey's now. Gillies for breakfast/brunch if you can swing it.
The gates to Lane are usually open and you can go up in the stands. If you go on the field, try to avoid stepping on it and stay around the outside or grounds crew will yell at you. Definitely walk through Merryman, their renovation with all the memorabilia is really cool.
For lunch I would definitely say West End. Probably the least crowded now. Their wraps and sandwiches are delicious, especially their recentlyish new steak wrap.
My favorite place is currently the taphouse, they have great food (and obviously beer). Good place even if not drinking beer IMO
Pulled. Pork. Pancakes.
I find the Taphouse doesn't get enough love most of the time. I'd honestly say at least over the past couple years they're in my top 3 in town for food quality, and the best for beer selection.
Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the input, and can't wait to get back on campus and show my son the school that I fell in love with back in the mid-late 70's!
Why has nobody mentioned lunch at Shultz yet?? /s
Call me crazy but I was all about some Shultz breakfast. As much food as you could fit into a carryout box and still close it for about $2 off of your meal plan.
Agreed I use to hit that place up for breakfast all the time in between morning classes at Surge.
Oh i was there daily, VTCC and all. It wasn't bad, just not as good as all the rest.
Shultz is also gone.
My 16-year old son (the youngest of my 7 kids) and I are driving down to VA from Cape Cod on Wednesday for two college visits.
None of your other 6 children even visited VT when looking at schools?
Good catch...
Hang thy head in shame CapeHokie
Ha ha, good one!
OK, I do have 7 kids (2 from my 1st ex-wife who I met at VT and 2 from my 2nd ex-wife, who also had 3 of her own). I have definitely learned that college is not for everyone, nor is VT necessarily right for those who do go to college. And, some simply couldn't get accepted to VT. Hell, I'm not sure I would be accepted into VT now.
Daughter #1: Went & dropped out of three different Art schools. Now one of the most well-known & decorated tattoo artists in the Southwest, if not the country. Has won numerous awards, has been featured in and on the cover of various tattoo magazines, travels all over the country and even the world (Italy, Ireland) to appear at conventions or do guest spots. "Ink Master" has tried to get her on the show a few times, but she refuses. She does very well and is booked months in advance.
Son #1: Never went to college and is a talented keyboard player & music producer based in Phoenix. He wrote the music and did the instrumentation and played keyboards for two tracks on DMX's "Undisputed" CD ("I Get Scared" and "Prayer"). It's a tough business to be in, but he's making a living at it.
Stepson #1: I raised him since he was 9. Applied to VT, and we went on a visit back in 2005, but he got wait-listed. Went to Bryant University instead, then joined the Navy after graduation. Now married & working for Northwestern Mutual, has given me two beautiful granddaughters.
Stepdaughter: After being in JROTC all through high school, she joined the Army after graduation. Actually served in Iraq at the same time as her husband, and I got to keep their daughter for six months while they both served. A great experience. Now discharged and going to night school in Northern VA while raising her two daughters. All three of them lived with me (and not my ex) for a few months while she was separating from her husband.
Stepson #2: Another musician, graduated from Plymouth State U in NH with a (worthless) degree in Music Technology. Never applied, nor would have been accepted, at VT. Now working as an office manager for a contracting firm in Baltimore.
Daughter #2: She wore Hokie cheerleader costumes for Halloween for several years. Despite graduating HS with 11 varsity letters, she hates school and never applied nor would have been accepted to VT. Now attending Esthetician school up here in MA.
Son #2: 16 years old, would love to go to VT, but is holding out hope he can play baseball or football at the college level after graduation. So in addition to VT, is looking at some small colleges up here. Chances are slim he can play at the next level, but he did just grow about 4" and lose 20 lbs. in the last 6 months. So, we'll see if he can use his new 6'3", 210 lb. body to gain 10-15 mph on his fastball or better use leverage at his DE position.
My kids couldn't be any different from each other, and I've definitely learned that each has to chart his/her own paths. And, I'm proud of all of them.
Despite none of them going to VT (so far anyway), they all grew up rooting for VT and are all Hokies in their own ways!
Ok you get a pass :-)
Send #2 to Baseball camp at VT! Maybe gets a look as a preferred walk-on?
83 comments, and still no mention of RAILS. Sad!
I think it's safe to say that he doesn't want to include TOTS when introducing the school to his 16-year-old son.
If he is in to any kind of sports or fitness, I'd walk him through McComas gym. Basketball courts, Olympic pool, indoor track, weight room etc etc. The students working the front desk have always been willing to let future students come in and look around as long as your aren't "using" the facilities. Very close to West End and just across the street/parking lot from Cassell and Lane.
I wanted to thank everyone again for the recommendations for my son's and my visit to Tech last week. A couple of quick observations:
1. From the weather perspective, we couldn't have picked a better time for the trip. Mid-high 70's in February? Yeah, I'll take that.
2. Blacksburg and the outer parts of the VT campus have changed so much over the years. One time, I took the first exit (I believe) off of 460 and drove down S. Main (again, I believe that's accurate) as I had lived in Dutch Meadows apartments my last two years there. Or "Dutch Ghetto" as we called it back then...$185/month for a 3-bedroom and all the mice you could catch. Anyway, that area is virtually unrecognizable with all the commercial development.
3. Before we attended the General Info session and guided tour, we met with the Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a student ambassador who was majoring in English, my son's preferred major. I thought it might be a smaller group session, but nope, it was a private session just for us. Classy touch, and very well done.
4. We grabbed a quick sub from the West End, although we walked by where they were slicing London Broil and putting some rib-eyes on the grill. Sorry, just wasn't ready to eat that kind of meal at noon. Remembering the 7-day cycle of slop I used to get at Owens, it was absolutely amazing to see those kind of options.
5. The General session was led by a 2016 graduate, and he did simply an outstanding job. A great representative of VT. Likewise, the guided tour was led by a volunteer student ambassador, and for someone who spent an entire hour walking backwards through campus, she was enthusiastic and well-spoken. Again, outstanding. We didn't get to see McComas (sp?) or a dorm room, though.
6. After the tour was over, we got my car and parked at the Drill Field, where we brought out our gloves and played catch for a while. Beautiful day, nice scenery, brought back great memories.
7. We then headed over to the athletic complex. We mistakenly went to Merryman Center first (back to that in a moment). We ran into Tremayne Edmunds & Moto, who were with what looked like a female athletic rep of some sort. They were shooting a video, and it looked like Moto was handling the camera. Perhaps it had something to do with they just being named the top linebackers in the ACC? Neither my son or I are the type to go up and introduce ourselves, but both said "Hey" with a nod. Pretty cool. Likewise, Coach Scott was wandering around and said "hi" a couple of times. I took some pictures of my son in front of the big "VT Football" sign inside the front door.
8. We then walked over to Lane, only to find that they had closed it up 10 minutes before we got there. We should have gone there first. Likewise, Cassell was all closed up as there was a women's game there that night.
9. We bought a bunch of overpriced VT stuff at the bookstore, but we were both disappointed to see that there was not a single polo or sweatshirt between the sizes of S and XXL.
10. We did end up having dinner at Lefty's, which was OK. I had told my son not to bother with seafood in Blacksburg, but the waitress convinced me the mahi mahi was fresh. Against my better judgement, I ordered it and it came so overcooked I couldn't even cut it with a fork. They did take it back and I went with a steak salad instead, washed down by a nice IPA. Or two. OK, maybe three.
11. We went to JMU the next day and...the whole experience paled in comparison. While going in my son had liked the JMU English curriculum more than he did VT's, he didn't like their campus, the feel, etc. at all and wanted to leave within the first 30 minutes. I did make him stay until the end of the tour, but the JMU English Dept. never even formally responded to our request to meet with a representative, which we had made weeks in advance. Disappointing to say the least.
12. To sum up, my son was very impressed with VT. It is now his #2 choice, with his first choice being St. Anselm, which is a very small college up in NH with about 2,000 students (hell, when I graduated from West Springfield HS, it had about 2,800 kids). My son currently goes to a small HS with an enrollment of about 250, so I think he simply feels more comfortable in a smaller setting. Plus, he still holds out hope of playing sports in college, which he could probably do at St. A's. But, as we parents know, it will all come down to acceptance and then the financial aid award package.
Again, thanks everyone for your recommendations. TKP is a great community!
Sorry Lefty's was "meh." Other than that, sounds like a damn good day. Glad that VT delivered.
When you're back in town for orientation, try 622 North.
Lived in MD for 18 years, and I still think that Sharkey's has some of the best crab dip I've ever had.
Happy you guys had fun. This reminded me of my college searches (especially the part about visiting a campus and figuring out you hate it in 30 minutes or less). Like your sun I was good enough to play a sport at some of the smaller schools I visited. At first it was tough to give that up, but going to VT was without a doubt the best decision I ever made in my life.
Trust me, I would be absolutely thrilled if: (1) he was accepted to Tech; and (2) he chose to enroll there. It's a dream of mine to have a legacy there, but I have to keep reminding myself that it's not about me, it's about him.
Of course, I still have veto power over his college choice...
Glad your son enjoyed the visit. Anytime I go back to Tech the amount of changes between when I was there and now always surprises me and I have only been gone 10 years. I imagine its a bigger surprise for older Hokies.
Sounds like my visit to LOLUVA my junior year of high school.
I was much in the same boat when I initially started my college search. I was going to a HS with a student body of around 700 and thought a smaller school would be a better fit. I ended up finishing up high school in Northern VA so perhaps I became more comfortable being a face in the crowd by the time I started the application process. I think what really sold me on a big school was the amenities they offered over smaller schools. More extracurriculars, dining options, D1 athletics (as a spectator), more electives to choose from, etc.
Well, we've seen this story before. Hard to not come in second when we're going up against a powerhouse like $t. An$elm. You know they have bagmen and pay under the table. Plus, they're constantly putting students into the workforce. We really need to get some REAL recruiters on the English department staff and start playing with the big boys if we expect to win these recruits. We've got to keep up with our facilities and dorms, and we all need to donate!! /s
But seriously, glad he enjoyed his trip!
I'm sorry you had to go to West Springfield.