Why are Northern Kids Flocking to Southern Universities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason my DC applied to these schools is because they felt like schools they could actually get into with a 4.3GPA and a 33 ACT. Our instate schools (UVA, WM, VT) are so hard to get into from NOVA. Another plus is that normal high school ECs (sports, club, student government, volunteering) are plenty for admission to SEC schools. No need for summer research, passion projects, etc.

I also appreciate that the admissions process at places like the SEC schools is so much more transparent and straightforward. They make their institutional priorities clear, I.e. aiming for a student body that’s a certain percentage in-state.

This is a huge part of it. Admissions at most SEC schools feels predictable and fair, whereas even admissions directors at Ivies will admit their process is unpredictable and seems unfair from the outside.

Of course, rising applications will almost certainly cause admissions at SEC schools to become less predictable and therefore seem less fair. But that’s next year’s problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason my DC applied to these schools is because they felt like schools they could actually get into with a 4.3GPA and a 33 ACT. Our instate schools (UVA, WM, VT) are so hard to get into from NOVA. Another plus is that normal high school ECs (sports, club, student government, volunteering) are plenty for admission to SEC schools. No need for summer research, passion projects, etc.

I also appreciate that the admissions process at places like the SEC schools is so much more transparent and straightforward. They make their institutional priorities clear, I.e. aiming for a student body that’s a certain percentage in-state.

This is a huge part of it. Admissions at most SEC schools feels predictable and fair, whereas even admissions directors at Ivies will admit their process is unpredictable and seems unfair from the outside.

Of course, rising applications will almost certainly cause admissions at SEC schools to become less predictable and therefore seem less fair. But that’s next year’s problem.

This is becoming more of a factor in our area. Many parents and students are sick of trying to figure out the game at the ivies and top ten schools. The tippy top stat kids in our school district are applying to a few reaches they actually want to go to and then happily going to Penn State (our state school) if they don't get in. Just a few years ago those top kids would shotgun 20 schools. Now it's a handful and they are exited to go have fun at Penn State.

[Anonymous]

It's a self selection. Actually smart kids are not going to the southern schools.

[Anonymous]

Wrong. Look at GA and SC Honors. Smart kids are flocking there.

[Anonymous]

My smart kids are going to southern schools!

[Anonymous]

I think there’s more genuine or natural “diversity” at state flagships than there is at the Ivies. The state flagships have kids from a much broader range of different socioeconomic backgrounds and life experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a self selection. Actually smart kids are not going to the southern schools.

Ivies/T10s have been very clear that they can only admit 5% of students who have the academic qualifications. What do you think happens to the other 95% of academically qualified students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wrong. Look at GA and SC Honors. Smart kids are flocking there.

+1 Both are exceptional

[Anonymous]

My daughter, a junior, mentioned that some of her friends and peers seem to be rethinking southern universities because of the political climate in certain states. These aren’t kids who are usually tuned into politics—they were drawn to the South for the weather, school spirit, and strong sports culture. But with how extreme things have become, they’re feeling increasingly put off by the MAGA-dominated states and are now looking at schools elsewhere, even if it means sacrificing warm weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter, a junior, mentioned that some of her friends and peers seem to be rethinking southern universities because of the political climate in certain states. These aren’t kids who are usually tuned into politics—they were drawn to the South for the weather, school spirit, and strong sports culture. But with how extreme things have become, they’re feeling increasingly put off by the MAGA-dominated states and are now looking at schools elsewhere, even if it means sacrificing warm weather.

Except young men like Trump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter, a junior, mentioned that some of her friends and peers seem to be rethinking southern universities because of the political climate in certain states. These aren’t kids who are usually tuned into politics—they were drawn to the South for the weather, school spirit, and strong sports culture. But with how extreme things have become, they’re feeling increasingly put off by the MAGA-dominated states and are now looking at schools elsewhere, even if it means sacrificing warm weather.

Except young men like Trump

It's shifting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter, a junior, mentioned that some of her friends and peers seem to be rethinking southern universities because of the political climate in certain states. These aren’t kids who are usually tuned into politics—they were drawn to the South for the weather, school spirit, and strong sports culture. But with how extreme things have become, they’re feeling increasingly put off by the MAGA-dominated states and are now looking at schools elsewhere, even if it means sacrificing warm weather.

This is where my DC is in the process. They have acceptances for both north and south schools and are starting to think it might be better to go north for school and south for vacation.

[Anonymous]

No it’s not. Objective people can see the Democrats have created huge problems their party is dominated by people in their mid 80’s The US is center-right country, JFK, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, LBJ would not be nominated in todays Democrat Party. The party is run by coastal elites who look down at the rest of the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter, a junior, mentioned that some of her friends and peers seem to be rethinking southern universities because of the political climate in certain states. These aren’t kids who are usually tuned into politics—they were drawn to the South for the weather, school spirit, and strong sports culture. But with how extreme things have become, they’re feeling increasingly put off by the MAGA-dominated states and are now looking at schools elsewhere, even if it means sacrificing warm weather.

This is where my DC is in the process. They have acceptances for both north and south schools and are starting to think it might be better to go north for school and south for vacation.

We know lots of kids still going south for school. DC is in that mix, I would prefer that he not settle there after college, but it is not my choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason my DC applied to these schools is because they felt like schools they could actually get into with a 4.3GPA and a 33 ACT. Our instate schools (UVA, WM, VT) are so hard to get into from NOVA. Another plus is that normal high school ECs (sports, club, student government, volunteering) are plenty for admission to SEC schools. No need for summer research, passion projects, etc.

I also appreciate that the admissions process at places like the SEC schools is so much more transparent and straightforward. They make their institutional priorities clear, I.e. aiming for a student body that’s a certain percentage in-state.

At least for Alabama, the merit / scholarships are also transparent and unbiased. They publish the test scores and grades needed for each level of money offered.