Do you think DC kids in 2022 find college elsewhere boring?

[Anonymous]

My kids are used to a tremendous amount of freedom and things to do in DC: friends at about 15 different high schools, major league sporting events, restaurants, concerts, parties, etc.
They have been wandering the city on Metro, bus, Lime scooter and Uber since age 12 (some of these) and age 15 (the rest). They're overly familiar with sex, drugs and crime (for better or worse).

Lest, anyone jump on me: NO, I'm not saying they're cool urban kids or super sophisticated or anything like that. Only that they have had a lot more freedom and stimulation (good and bad)
than I EVER had prior to college and even in college.

Do you think these kids are more apt to struggle in liberal arts colleges, rural settings, etc?
I see a number of posts about kids who are unhappy, bored, lonely, etc. at school. My oldest is a junior and had zero idea what he wants. Should I be steering him to a large, urban schools?
I went to a small liberal arts college but I came from small town America.

[Anonymous]

My kids are both in either bigger schools or more urban schools. They both chose to shy away from the small and/or rural schools for a reason.

It also seems that the more urban schools are the ones that are more popular these days, I think for the same reason.

[Anonymous]

It’s weird that city kids can’t handle a rural area. Seems inflexible and even unimaginative.

Before everyone slams me, I’ll say my kid is probably one of those. They want an urban school. It can be smaller than the DMV yet city is still preferred.

I lived in a rural area post-college and didn’t like it yet I’m glad I had the experience, because it made me more well rounded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are used to a tremendous amount of freedom and things to do in DC: friends at about 15 different high schools, major league sporting events, restaurants, concerts, parties, etc.
They have been wandering the city on Metro, bus, Lime scooter and Uber since age 12 (some of these) and age 15 (the rest). They're overly familiar with sex, drugs and crime (for better or worse).

Lest, anyone jump on me: NO, I'm not saying they're cool urban kids or super sophisticated or anything like that. Only that they have had a lot more freedom and stimulation (good and bad)
than I EVER had prior to college and even in college.

Do you think these kids are more apt to struggle in liberal arts colleges, rural settings, etc?
I see a number of posts about kids who are unhappy, bored, lonely, etc. at school. My oldest is a junior and had zero idea what he wants. Should I be steering him to a large, urban schools?
I went to a small liberal arts college but I came from small town America.

No. I have one that came from dense urban/suburban environment and is very happy at an isolated slac. Depends on the person.

That said, if you don't like outdoor activites or snow and cold or a lot of academic work, and need the stimulation of professional sporting events and concerts and restaurants, etc. to not feel bored.....an isolated New England slac will be a poor fit.

[Anonymous]

No, it depends on the kid. We live in NYC. My oldest went to a school in Chicago, the middle one goes to a school in upstate New York. The one who went to Chicago was only looking at large schools in decent size cities, the other one was looking forward to a cute Main street and nearby hiking. They are both happy with their choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s weird that city kids can’t handle a rural area. Seems inflexible and even unimaginative.

Before everyone slams me, I’ll say my kid is probably one of those. They want an urban school. It can be smaller than the DMV yet city is still preferred.

I lived in a rural area post-college and didn’t like it yet I’m glad I had the experience, because it made me more well rounded.

I grew up on Long Island and went to a rural school in upstate NY. I nearly killed myself. The only thing the town had was a movie theatre. People's ideas of having fun were either drinking until they puked, cow-tipping, or drinking and THEN cow tipping. I used to watch the 18-wheelers drive through on their way to Canada and fantasize about hitchhiking with them, just to get out of there. I lasted one semester. I was the only Jewish person on my dorm floor, and the only person who didn't drink. I was miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s weird that city kids can’t handle a rural area. Seems inflexible and even unimaginative.

Before everyone slams me, I’ll say my kid is probably one of those. They want an urban school. It can be smaller than the DMV yet city is still preferred.

I lived in a rural area post-college and didn’t like it yet I’m glad I had the experience, because it made me more well rounded.

I grew up on Long Island and went to a rural school in upstate NY. I nearly killed myself. The only thing the town had was a movie theatre. People's ideas of having fun were either drinking until they puked, cow-tipping, or drinking and THEN cow tipping. I used to watch the 18-wheelers drive through on their way to Canada and fantasize about hitchhiking with them, just to get out of there. I lasted one semester. I was the only Jewish person on my dorm floor, and the only person who didn't drink. I was miserable.

Why didn't you transfer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s weird that city kids can’t handle a rural area. Seems inflexible and even unimaginative.

Before everyone slams me, I’ll say my kid is probably one of those. They want an urban school. It can be smaller than the DMV yet city is still preferred.

I lived in a rural area post-college and didn’t like it yet I’m glad I had the experience, because it made me more well rounded.

I grew up on Long Island and went to a rural school in upstate NY. I nearly killed myself. The only thing the town had was a movie theatre. People's ideas of having fun were either drinking until they puked, cow-tipping, or drinking and THEN cow tipping. I used to watch the 18-wheelers drive through on their way to Canada and fantasize about hitchhiking with them, just to get out of there. I lasted one semester. I was the only Jewish person on my dorm floor, and the only person who didn't drink. I was miserable.

This would be a great game - Name that School.

Hobart? or Geneseo?

[Anonymous]

OP, your post is one of the most annoying I’ve read in a loooong time, and that’s saying a lot.

Where does your kid go to college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s weird that city kids can’t handle a rural area. Seems inflexible and even unimaginative.

Before everyone slams me, I’ll say my kid is probably one of those. They want an urban school. It can be smaller than the DMV yet city is still preferred.

I lived in a rural area post-college and didn’t like it yet I’m glad I had the experience, because it made me more well rounded.

Or, some people have strong preferences about certain things. I grew up in a city (not in US) and can't see myself in a rural area. I probably could handle this if I had to, but I don't. I am fairly easygoing and flexible on many other things in life, but I need my city lights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s weird that city kids can’t handle a rural area. Seems inflexible and even unimaginative.

Before everyone slams me, I’ll say my kid is probably one of those. They want an urban school. It can be smaller than the DMV yet city is still preferred.

I lived in a rural area post-college and didn’t like it yet I’m glad I had the experience, because it made me more well rounded.

I grew up on Long Island and went to a rural school in upstate NY. I nearly killed myself. The only thing the town had was a movie theatre. People's ideas of having fun were either drinking until they puked, cow-tipping, or drinking and THEN cow tipping. I used to watch the 18-wheelers drive through on their way to Canada and fantasize about hitchhiking with them, just to get out of there. I lasted one semester. I was the only Jewish person on my dorm floor, and the only person who didn't drink. I was miserable.

Why didn't you transfer?

"Lasted one semester"

[Anonymous]

Yes. My older child specifically sought out urban schools because of this.

[Anonymous]

As long as there is strong wifi, my kid is happy.

[Anonymous]

I have one that ended up at an urban school and plots how to get away to hike and ski and do outdoorsy stuff so the issue can go both ways.

I think most factor in the environment and if they want urban or rural, north or south, large or small, etc.

But mistakes get made which is what transferring is about. The kid I know that transferred actually got out of a city school and is much happier...but it could work the other way as well.

[Anonymous]

My DS went to a SLAC with train transportation into a big city. I would estimate he went once a year, usually restaurant week. This all depends on the kid.