taking this kid to Harvard is a bad idea, right?

[Anonymous]

DH's family lived in Boston, and we're finally getting up there this summer for a leisure visit (i.e., not a funeral or graduation or "work"). DS9 has been talking about wanting to go to Harvard, and DH thinks it's ok to swing by the campus and let him explore a bit. I think this is a terrible idea. Don't want him getting his heart set on it. Would you encourage a child in this way, even tacitly?

[Anonymous]

He's 9. It really doesn't matter. Let him go.

[Anonymous]

I mean it is a nice campus, pretty to walk around; good bookstore nearby. Does he think he is going to go there just because you let him walk through a quad?

[Anonymous]

It's okay. Maybe go get ice cream afterwards. He'll probably remember the ice cream the most.

[Anonymous]

Our friends live near Princeton and we took our daughters there when they were about that age to talk around and have lunch. We had a blast! Beautiful campus and nice Main Street. My daughter is a junior now and Princeton isn’t even on her radar.

[Anonymous]

Plenty of homeless in Harvard Square to keep him grounded in reality.

[Anonymous]

Sure take him. But I wouldn't discuss the school as a home for him, just in general "here's a beautiful college campus" type thing.

He's 9. If he spends the next 3 years talking about Harvard, you can change how you discuss it then. He barely understands letter grades at this point I'd imagine. You can definitely kick the "deflate this idea" can down the road a bit.

[Anonymous]

He probably won’t even remember the trip honestly. You’re overthinking this.

[Anonymous]

What's interesting is that he wants to go: why do think that is, OP?

I would never think of visiting colleges until we're seriously talking about college admissions - which in my youngest's case was at 12, because we brought her on her brother's college tour. But my oldest didn't visit until summer before senior year. And that was fine, and not too much pressure.

[Anonymous]

Visiting the campus in no way correlates to attending the school... of course take him. Just don't go around saying " and there is where you'll eat your meals!" Or whatever. Just visit as something to do and see. Not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

It's a cultural site and ought to be visited. Take him to UChicago and let him drool at a real university

[Anonymous]

He’s 9. Sorry but you’re really overthinking this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He’s 9. Sorry but you’re really overthinking this one.

Encouraging a child to dream of Harvard is irresponsible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Visiting the campus in no way correlates to attending the school... of course take him. Just don't go around saying " and there is where you'll eat your meals!" Or whatever. Just visit as something to do and see. Not a big deal.

This. Our 11yo has been to lots of college campuses with no expectation that he will attend any of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a cultural site and ought to be visited. Take him to UChicago and let him drool at a real university

Don't worry. University of Chicago will start sending him marketing mailers in 9th grade, about one per week.