Posted on 09/16/2014 7:15:06 PM PDT by usconservative
We found 1 school in Indiana ranked in US News and World Reports that have a criminal justice program; #100 Ball State University, Muncie, IN
According to Kiplinger’s, Indiana has 2 universities ranked in the top 100 for “Values in Public Colleges”, #65 Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN; and #76 Purdue University, West Lafayette, IL
http://www.criminaljusticedegreeschools.com/criminal-justice-schools/indiana/
http://www.criminaljusticedegreehub.com/top-10-traditional-criminal-justice-schools/
community college. 4 years military. obtain GI funding. finish up last two years at state school.
Job.
Military service discussion lasted less than 5 minutes. He has no interest in joining the military despite my telling him that military service is "a point" towards being considered for the Illinois State Police for example.
I only know a little bit about it, but from what I've learned, here in Illinois it's those applicants with the most "points" who get hired at any level. One point for college, one point for military service, one point for internship/volunteer work in the police/sheriff's department one's applying and one point for something else that I don't remember.
All things being equal, two applicants score the same on the exam, then their "points" are looked at. The candidate with the highest points "wins" ... if that makes sense.
We’re looking at #65 on that list - Indiana State University in Bloomington, IN.
Rebellious teenager.
Police Explorer (BSA) membership, perhaps? What’s his objection to the military, if I might ask?
No, that’s his younger brother. ;-)
My best guess is FEAR. Honestly, and with all due respect and admiration for those who served our country, I'm not so sure I'd want him in the military with the current a**hole in office, or even after to clean-up the messes OBozo's leaving behind .......
Affordability is important. BUT, be sure you look at the total price. Some private schools may meet the price of public schools once scholarships, all activity fees and room and board are figured in. You CAN negotiate! My kids went to Rice (Houston) and Trinity (San Antonio), two great schools for less than the price of major land grant universities in the mid-US.
ALSO !!! I caution against a pure law enforcement degree. I am in law enforcement and most of the state and local agencies require a college degree, but NOT a law enforcement major. The most boring people in law school were the pre-law majors. They knew almost nothing of interest. The truly capable students were the accountants, the engineers and the folks like nurses, and others with some experience in a different discipline.
Just something to think about. If after 10-years in the tough and not especially financially fruitful world of law enforcement your son wants to do something else, he needs some real options that the law enforcement degree would not help.
Just my opinions.
Oldplayer
Don’t worry, I’ll be working 24/7 to make Ted the next president. I enlisted during the Carter administration and I’m still here. LOL I’m no hero, if I can do it, so can he.
Criminal justice is not “specialized” as other majors. Therefore, your college choices are not as dependent as, say, law school or med school.
So, money matters. Do your Fafsa and see who gives you the best deal.
Your son will let you know where he feels most comfortable.
Questions we asked are retention rates and graduation rates. What are the other popular majors? There is a good chance he will change his mind.
Go online and do some general searches on your schools. Look for crime issues, and general news stuff. That will tell you a lot. Read comments posted about schools.
Look at the dorms. Are they clean? Do you feel safe there? What’s the “vibe.” Look in the common areas. Are they maintained or is it threadbare and worn out? Where is the school spending their money?
Does he have friends at any of those schools. Talk to their parents. One of my kids school is great about dealing with the money side. Bills are clear, clean, and accurate. The other, well known college, has nasty people working in their office.
They will all pitch you like used car salesmen. Don’t buy into it. You are getting ready to spend about $100,000. Make sure you feel good about the place. Make sure you feel comfortable leaving your kid there.
I know it sounds silly, but for the first couple of years it doesn’t matter where you go—the classes are all the same. Ask about any special programs for upperclassmen. Do they do internships? Where have kids done them and how effective are they.
If you can audit a class, do it. Not for the prof—but to check out the upper class students. In a classroom you see the full spectrum. You can tell a lot about a program that way. And you can pick the brains of the kids afterwards.
If your son is basing any of his decisions on a girlfriend, buddy, or sport—smack him up side his head. That stuff won’t matter in six months.
I’ve been though this twice. If you have any ? Along the way, feel free to PM me. The folks in these schools can sometimes make a first time parent feel like an idiot. Don’t let the process intimidate you. YOU are the customer.
Thanks for your post, good food for thought.
Cyber crime is huge. If he is into that, tell him to go to school and then do ROTC. A friend of mine who has recently gotten out of the War College was telling me that is going to be THE place to be.
1. You have to have an undergrad degree for most law schools - one or two used to have a 6 year program that would get you an undergrad and a law degree and save you a year.
2. It's close to DC if you consider a couple of hundred miles close. That's a long commute even by Texas standards.
3. It doesn't rank decently among law schools. (USNews and World Report a common ranking source, shows it as unranked since they just ranked the top 147.
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings/page+6
They also take military vets who don’t have law degrees.
If he is interested in that, I am a grad. I also know some kids there. I would be happy to help any way I could. And they have civilians there now. Although, the Corps of Cadets is the reason to be there.
If you know anyone who could put him up in the NYC area (including the suburbs) the tuition at John Jay College is pretty reasonable.
Community college worth consideration, all factors considered.
Respectfully, time is of the essence in applications (sr yr).
Follow the money. Published tuition at a private college is “sticker price.” Nobody pays sticker price. If they won’t provide an aid package that makes it affordable, they don’t really want you. Look elsewhere.
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