So--kid got into the best school for their major/area of interest hands down- T20. Problem--it's local, just a few miles from the house (though required to live on campus 3 years) and very much like current HS.
Also- got into a T10 that is fantastic/top-ranked, but in area of interest say #6-7 instead of #1 like school above. Reading websites, it's clear the first school offer so much more, as well as likely have job and can do a 5-year combined program. However, kid is ecstatic about the other school and doesn't seem to care about the offerings as much. I'm glad to see him so excited about a school because he seemed more 'resigned' vs excited for the first school and felt like we were forcing him there. He has in his head the kids and place is too competitive, people seem stressed. But, I think he's seeing what he wants to see and know so many people that went there and absolutely loved it. My spouse is all on the Ivy train with him (2nd school), but I am being practical and just don't see the advantage. Guess it's just a vent. But--at what point do you let the kid just go to the school that offers less in their area of interest than push them towards the one that is hands-down better for them? |
I'd vote for "whenever the kid wants," but even if you're pushing more than that for a particular choice this feels like a bad place to do it. The #6 school for their interest (which might change!) is a pretty good place to be for that interest and sounds like a good school that he's excited to attend. That's a great outcome. Be happy with that. |
So you are just here to brag on an anonymous forum? Weird. |
I agree. But, 6 offers so much less other than its an Ivy in this field. The other one is #1 across the board with countless opportunities and offerings. Frankly, I'm worried to pay that much (we are full pay) for him to go to the Ivy and come out without a job/prospects and then have to continute to pay $90k for additional schooling. |
Your child chooses. Even if they chose a #50 over a #3, that should be their decision to make. But you’re saying a #6 vs a #1 for their major. And to compensate that school is actually a T10. It doesn’t sound like they can go wrong. The only place I think parents should have a say is in terms of what they can afford. |
What's the major? Really hard to tell in the abstract how much the school matters for future prospects. |
Thank you. I needed to hear that. First step in letting go and trusting them to follow their own gut, I guess. |
Politics/govt/International Relations. 5-year program avail at non-Ivy, local internships aplenty. |
School of their choice is best and it will likely be better for them to have more distance from home. And for that major, it doesn’t really matter as long as both schools have strong programs and name recognition. I was a Intl Relations grad and most people went into different areas (communications/marketing, business, or even IT). For something more technical it might matter more. But it’s good to start trusting your kid to make these decisions. |
+1 But - for IR the kid will almost certainly need to do grad school either way. |
So Georgetown or an Ivy? Kid will be fine either way, let him decide. It will be good for both of you to have him stretch his wings a little further from home, too. |
My god. These posts are unreal. Calling a T20 a “lesser school”? You people have lost your friggin minds. |
OP. I didn't call either 'lesser'. I actually said the Ivy 'offers less' in his area of study. Both are fantastic schools. |
Why don't people just name the schools? |
So many kids switch majors. |