What I learned from the returning freshman this week

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Setting aside the creepiness of OP inserting herself into the conversations of 19 year olds, I think the comments mostly say more about the students than their respective universities.

It's difficult to compare any college by anecdote, because so many things can ruin your experience-a triple, a bad roommate, a major that isn't going how you expected, a professor you dislike, first bouts of homesickness, a traumatic party, a friend group that's bound to explode, dining hall food that you don't like, coping with your first B. Plus, college students are still super dramatic teenagers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised the Bucknell kid already secured an internship as a freshman. The collaboration between the career services office and the rabid alumni network is second to none. If you can pull at least a 3.0 and put a modicum of effort into networking -- and career services will literally take you by the hand and guide you through it if you just show up -- it's virtually impossible to graduate without at least one good job offer.

+1 i've heard the same thing about Bucknell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think Covid is a factor in socialization issues.

And I think dating is more complex if you aren't into surveying options at a drinking party.

I thnk teenage boys need some lessons on how to invite girls to harmless 1:1, not really a date, type situations like grabbing coffee after class. I only hear about guys who are "rizzlers" with too much interest, pervs who have gotten sanctioned by the peer group, a few going steady guys, and a lot of normal nice boys who don't date because "girls bring drama".

what is a rizzler?

A person who oozes charisma

It's basically what we called a player in the 80s/90s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised the Bucknell kid already secured an internship as a freshman. The collaboration between the career services office and the rabid alumni network is second to none. If you can pull at least a 3.0 and put a modicum of effort into networking -- and career services will literally take you by the hand and guide you through it if you just show up -- it's virtually impossible to graduate without at least one good job offer.

+1 i've heard the same thing about Bucknell.

Bucknell? The c-list school for people who can’t get into Williams or even haverford? The Lafayette rejects?

[Anonymous]

I'll take things that never happened for $1000 Alex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised the Bucknell kid already secured an internship as a freshman. The collaboration between the career services office and the rabid alumni network is second to none. If you can pull at least a 3.0 and put a modicum of effort into networking -- and career services will literally take you by the hand and guide you through it if you just show up -- it's virtually impossible to graduate without at least one good job offer.

+1 i've heard the same thing about Bucknell.

Bucknell? The c-list school for people who can’t get into Williams or even haverford? The Lafayette rejects?

Paid Bucknell promoter is filled with white hot rage

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Setting aside the creepiness of OP inserting herself into the conversations of 19 year olds, I think the comments mostly say more about the students than their respective universities.

It's difficult to compare any college by anecdote, because so many things can ruin your experience-a triple, a bad roommate, a major that isn't going how you expected, a professor you dislike, first bouts of homesickness, a traumatic party, a friend group that's bound to explode, dining hall food that you don't like, coping with your first B. Plus, college students are still super dramatic teenagers.

💯 agree on the drama of 18/19 year olds.
Also agree that one bad month/set of experiences can set them off.

[Anonymous]

So all the lists are brag posts about one’s circle. Posters blab because kiddo and friends all got into good colleges.

I feel this where it’s at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
So all the lists are brag posts about one’s circle. Posters blab because kiddo and friends all got into good colleges.

I feel this where it’s at.

Maybe that’s your myopic view of the world? Some of us are actually looking at these colleges…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay. Case Western: has made some really great friends, hates Cleveland, he found a spot behind the library to go to cry in private, has gone to the orchestra seven times, has only left campus three times, really gets along well with his roommate (he's jewish and liberal and was worried, but they sat watching the election results and cried together), is getting a C in chemistry and the professor screams at people if they go to office hours, the frats are either known for being losers or roofie-ing people so doesn't want to join, was waitlisted at NorthWestern senior year so thinking of trying to transfer there, the food in the dining halls is TERRIBLE, all the girls seem like they're at college to find a boyfriend to turn into a husband and move way too fast.

Your son cried on Election Day? [/quote

Didn't everyone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay. Case Western: has made some really great friends, hates Cleveland, he found a spot behind the library to go to cry in private, has gone to the orchestra seven times, has only left campus three times, really gets along well with his roommate (he's jewish and liberal and was worried, but they sat watching the election results and cried together), is getting a C in chemistry and the professor screams at people if they go to office hours, the frats are either known for being losers or roofie-ing people so doesn't want to join, was waitlisted at NorthWestern senior year so thinking of trying to transfer there, the food in the dining halls is TERRIBLE, all the girls seem like they're at college to find a boyfriend to turn into a husband and move way too fast.

Your son cried on Election Day? [/quote

Didn't everyone?

No. Even if we were sad or defeated, we didn't cry.
Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Setting aside the creepiness of OP inserting herself into the conversations of 19 year olds, I think the comments mostly say more about the students than their respective universities.

It's difficult to compare any college by anecdote, because so many things can ruin your experience-a triple, a bad roommate, a major that isn't going how you expected, a professor you dislike, first bouts of homesickness, a traumatic party, a friend group that's bound to explode, dining hall food that you don't like, coping with your first B. Plus, college students are still super dramatic teenagers.

Totally agree with this. And my DC is at one of the originally mentioned school and DC's experience no where aligns to OP's summary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Setting aside the creepiness of OP inserting herself into the conversations of 19 year olds, I think the comments mostly say more about the students than their respective universities.

It's difficult to compare any college by anecdote, because so many things can ruin your experience-a triple, a bad roommate, a major that isn't going how you expected, a professor you dislike, first bouts of homesickness, a traumatic party, a friend group that's bound to explode, dining hall food that you don't like, coping with your first B. Plus, college students are still super dramatic teenagers.

Totally agree with this. And my DC is at one of the originally mentioned school and DC's experience no where aligns to OP's summary.

Forums like this can be helpful in crowdsourcing certain kinds of information but when it comes time to make a decision about college, the anecdotal information should be taken for what it is-anecdotal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay. Case Western: has made some really great friends, hates Cleveland, he found a spot behind the library to go to cry in private, has gone to the orchestra seven times, has only left campus three times, really gets along well with his roommate (he's jewish and liberal and was worried, but they sat watching the election results and cried together), is getting a C in chemistry and the professor screams at people if they go to office hours, the frats are either known for being losers or roofie-ing people so doesn't want to join, was waitlisted at NorthWestern senior year so thinking of trying to transfer there, the food in the dining halls is TERRIBLE, all the girls seem like they're at college to find a boyfriend to turn into a husband and move way too fast.

So sorry to hear this. I wish I could put him in touch with my son, who loves music and is enjoying Case. I hope things get better for your son.

I think people here seems to think he's miserable because he found a place to cry, but overall he seems happy. ONE class he's struggling with, and doesn't like the bleak city around him. He is figuring things out, and has good friends, enjoyed the snow, and will be okay, whether he stays or transfers.

[Anonymous]

Bleak city?? I guess I’m biased and envious of Case students because I’m from Cleveland. Have him check out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or the Cleveland Museum of Art. There’s also the Little Italy area by Case, West Side Market, and the Tremont neighborhood. Cleveland Orchestra. If he likes sports, he can catch a Cavs game.