If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the best thing it could have done was keep the UVA branding. That university would have basically been akin to UCLA. But there is no time machine to explain how college branding would have worked in 1972x

I agree that the George Mason branding is weak but that U of Cal at <blank> branding is unique to California and you don’t see it carrying any weight anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

My husband and I graduated from T20 universities, and GMU is my first choice for my DC Class of 2024. Not up to me of course, but fingers crossed...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you everyone! The kind words have been helpful to my son and me. I showed him this thread. He didn't love that I asked the question, but he appreciated the responses. To answer some questions that were posed to me:

Someone asked what type of therapy he receives: He started seeing a therapist when he was first diagnosed in 7th grade. We started with CBT but as he has aged it is now more supportive Psychotherapy.

Someone asked if he is second guessing his choice: He is not. The decision is made. Money has been paid. He is happy with his choice. He just felt a certain way about reactions to his choice and wasn't sure how to handle them. I know many suggested he ignore it, and everyone is correct. However, if you know someone with ADHD you know they tend to accentuate the negative.

Someone asked if I was the one with the problem and not DS: I am thrilled he chose GMU. Likely for selfish reasons. I spent years worrying if this kid could truly live far from home. Time has shown me he absolutely can and I would have supported him if he made that choice. But I am glad he chose to be near, just in case. And I was serious when I said he can choose to see us daily or never. This is his time to spread his wings, and we will not infringe on his space just because he is nearby. He will control how often he sees us. I do hope for a weekly or biweekly phone call but maybe that's asking a lot. That said, the comments do affect me. I'd be lying if I said they did not. I know better but it still hurts. So yes, part of the question was to help me get over it too.

I think I answered all the questions that were asked. I REALLY appreciate this thread. People were kind and helpful. Special thanks to the poster who wrote about their experience with GMU accommodations. I hope people continue to share positive GMU experiences in here for other families looking at it as an option for them.

Congrats to your son on making an excellent choice!

We are moving back to the area with a similar child. Would you be willing to share where you found your EF coach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a top student. 1580 SAT. Also took ACT and scored 35. He was accepted to all the schools he applied to and he did not apply to many: GMU, Pitt, VaTech, JMU, VCU, UMD, and WPI. He wants to choose GMU Honors for (1) cost savings and (2) location. We live maybe 35 minutes away. He will live on campus. He can see us every day or never, it's up to him. He has ADHD. He likes his therapist and doesn't want to lose her, he doesn't want to worry about access to his meds, and he takes solace in us being near just in case he needs support. The problem is everyone thinks he is throwing his talent away and they look down on him for his choice. I've heard his friends tease him about it. Many chose UVA, VATech, JMU. W&M. I am proud of him for choosing what is best for him. How do I help him be comfortable and confident in his decision?

I think that GMU is really the equivalent of a UK “plate glass university,” like the University of Warwick. It’s a top school in a top location. Nothing to be ashamed of at all.

WTH?? The University of Warwick is nothing like GMU — I went there. It certainly is not in a top location and it is very self-contained. Sinfully ugly, but one of the best universities in the UK. GMU is a suburban school and it’s fine. Nothing against it, but couldn’t be more different than Warwick.

0.
And GMU is rapidly becoming one of the best U.S. research universities in the United States. It’s just new, not bad.

please don't keep saying this - it makes you sound a bit delusional. people have been trying to make this happen for at least 25 years. The biggest bump the school has received was when the mens basketball team made it to the final 4 in the ncaa tournament in 2006 (and that's still a crown jewel achievement for the school).

Go read wiki before you post. GMU is already the largest R1 (top research) university in the Commonwealth.

[Anonymous]

What is wrong with people? He made a mature decision based on his needs and the best way to excel.

If a friend laughs at him just ask them which Ivy they’re going to or did they choose MIT.

Your family should be proud.

[Anonymous]

My DS will graduate one year early from GMU on May 9th with a degree in CS, and a job offer from Blackstone. He taught guitar as a side gig to a 13 years old kid whose dad is an EVP Capital One. The kid’s father is the friend of a SVP at Blackstone and gave him the job. There isn’t that much difference between UVA, VT or GMU in CS.

[Anonymous]

His reasoning is sound, and there is consensus that he has made a very good decision.

Decision making skills are a key part of executive function.

Sounds to me like he might have benefitted tremendously from his EF coaching over the years. It worked. Nice.

[Anonymous]

Noticing this thread is a year old. Interested to hear OPs experience one year in.

[Anonymous]

show them the outcome after 4 years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:show them the outcome after 4 years

This is what matters the most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is wrong with people? He made a mature decision based on his needs and the best way to excel.

If a friend laughs at him just ask them which Ivy they’re going to or did they choose MIT.

Your family should be proud.

+1. Anyone who attacks another kid's school choices has more than a few screws loose in their head, OP. Especially if that someone is a grown adult. Normal, sane, rational people don't do that. If they do, you need to automatically take note and decide that they no longer matter in your life. Because such behaviors say far more about them than they do about you. (If they do it more than once, or if it involves gaslighting or other tactics, that is a whole new level of crazy - we have seen it on DCUM).

Have you seen some of the posts by parents trying to disparage other kid's school choices (or anything, really)? Do they seem sane to you, or manic and in need of serious and prompt professional help?

There is your answer.

[Anonymous]

SO many GMU threads this week! Fascinating.

[Anonymous]

The premise of this post is that non-top students deserve the looks they get for going to GMU. Why can’t the post be about how GMU is a good school overall, and not how top students should not go there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a top student. 1580 SAT. Also took ACT and scored 35. He was accepted to all the schools he applied to and he did not apply to many: GMU, Pitt, VaTech, JMU, VCU, UMD, and WPI. He wants to choose GMU Honors for (1) cost savings and (2) location. We live maybe 35 minutes away. He will live on campus. He can see us every day or never, it's up to him. He has ADHD. He likes his therapist and doesn't want to lose her, he doesn't want to worry about access to his meds, and he takes solace in us being near just in case he needs support. The problem is everyone thinks he is throwing his talent away and they look down on him for his choice. I've heard his friends tease him about it. Many chose UVA, VATech, JMU. W&M. I am proud of him for choosing what is best for him. How do I help him be comfortable and confident in his decision?

I think that GMU is really the equivalent of a UK “plate glass university,” like the University of Warwick. It’s a top school in a top location. Nothing to be ashamed of at all.

WTH?? The University of Warwick is nothing like GMU — I went there. It certainly is not in a top location and it is very self-contained. Sinfully ugly, but one of the best universities in the UK. GMU is a suburban school and it’s fine. Nothing against it, but couldn’t be more different than Warwick.

0.
And GMU is rapidly becoming one of the best U.S. research universities in the United States. It’s just new, not bad.

please don't keep saying this - it makes you sound a bit delusional. people have been trying to make this happen for at least 25 years. The biggest bump the school has received was when the mens basketball team made it to the final 4 in the ncaa tournament in 2006 (and that's still a crown jewel achievement for the school).

Go read wiki before you post. GMU is already the largest R1 (top research) university in the Commonwealth.

That doesn't mean GMU does the most research. It means it has more students than any other R1 university in Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kid sounds ridiculously bright and will kick a$$ wherever he goes. Don’t give a rats a$$ about what anyone says. He’s making the right choice for himself. He’s clearly an awesome kid!

This!