What’s with DC attitudes about college and careers

[Anonymous]

We lived in the DC area for the past ten years, but recently moved away after our kids finished high school. We and our kids have attended or currently attend highly-selective, private universities. You’d think that would make us snotty, but we’re just nerdy. That said, we are SO happy we left the DC area, which seems fixated on attending a top school and landing a job in consulting, high finance, or FANG. If not those, then it’s medical or law school. Why is DC so uncreative, so money-focused, and so prestige-centric? If you don’t fit the mold, the assumption is that you’re a loser. Why is that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lived in the DC area for the past ten years, but recently moved away after our kids finished high school. We and our kids have attended or currently attend highly-selective, private universities. You’d think that would make us snotty, but we’re just nerdy. That said, we are SO happy we left the DC area, which seems fixated on attending a top school and landing a job in consulting, high finance, or FANG. If not those, then it’s medical or law school. Why is DC so uncreative, so money-focused, and so prestige-centric? If you don’t fit the mold, the assumption is that you’re a loser. Why is that?

Girl who cares. People like money and success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lived in the DC area for the past ten years, but recently moved away after our kids finished high school. We and our kids have attended or currently attend highly-selective, private universities. You’d think that would make us snotty, but we’re just nerdy. That said, we are SO happy we left the DC area, which seems fixated on attending a top school and landing a job in consulting, high finance, or FANG. If not those, then it’s medical or law school. Why is DC so uncreative, so money-focused, and so prestige-centric? If you don’t fit the mold, the assumption is that you’re a loser. Why is that?

It isn’t just DC—look at the decline in humanities majors. Anti-intellectualism is rampant in the United States. Most people favor money over wisdom and creativity.

[Anonymous]

Well, we're a DC-area family and none of the above holds true for us. Our kids attended public k-12 schools and are now at in-state universities majoring in the humanities. No plans for grad school. Maybe don't paint everyone with your broad brush?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, we're a DC-area family and none of the above holds true for us. Our kids attended public k-12 schools and are now at in-state universities majoring in the humanities. No plans for grad school. Maybe don't paint everyone with your broad brush?

+1 maybe it was the crowd your hung out with

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, we're a DC-area family and none of the above holds true for us. Our kids attended public k-12 schools and are now at in-state universities majoring in the humanities. No plans for grad school. Maybe don't paint everyone with your broad brush?

OP here. I should have specified that most of our exposure was to the wealthy inner suburbs of NOVA and Maryland. This probably isn’t the prevailing view in Burke, but it is in McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, we're a DC-area family and none of the above holds true for us. Our kids attended public k-12 schools and are now at in-state universities majoring in the humanities. No plans for grad school. Maybe don't paint everyone with your broad brush?

OP here. I should have specified that most of our exposure was to the wealthy inner suburbs of NOVA and Maryland. This probably isn’t the prevailing view in Burke, but it is in McLean.

Who cares.
Just do your thing. Ignore the noise

[Anonymous]

This seems more like a complaint about DCUM than my actual real life lived experience of the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, we're a DC-area family and none of the above holds true for us. Our kids attended public k-12 schools and are now at in-state universities majoring in the humanities. No plans for grad school. Maybe don't paint everyone with your broad brush?

OP here. I should have specified that most of our exposure was to the wealthy inner suburbs of NOVA and Maryland. This probably isn’t the prevailing view in Burke, but it is in McLean.

We live in Great Falls and haven't encountered this attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This seems more like a complaint about DCUM than my actual real life lived experience of the DMV.

+1

[Anonymous]

Yes, why would anyone want their kids to attend a good school and pursue a lucrative career path. Cannot think of a reason.

[Anonymous]

I was born poor, attended a good college and worked my butt off to have a comfortable life. Based on my personal experiences, life is a lot more fun when you have money! So yes, I hope my kids go to top colleges and enter lucrative fields.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, why would anyone want their kids to attend a good school and pursue a lucrative career path. Cannot think of a reason.

it's ok to do it, but only for the "nerdy" reasons, like OP. she is so much above it all, while doing the exact same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lived in the DC area for the past ten years, but recently moved away after our kids finished high school. We and our kids have attended or currently attend highly-selective, private universities. You’d think that would make us snotty, but we’re just nerdy. That said, we are SO happy we left the DC area, which seems fixated on attending a top school and landing a job in consulting, high finance, or FANG. If not those, then it’s medical or law school. Why is DC so uncreative, so money-focused, and so prestige-centric? If you don’t fit the mold, the assumption is that you’re a loser. Why is that?

It’s much easier to “make it” outside DC.
And if you are a fed, you are doomed so parents are obsessed with kids having different options.

[Anonymous]

Looks at the Forbes list of schools with the largest # of UHNW graduates.