Kid choosing the lesser option for their major/interest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My god. These posts are unreal. Calling a T20 a “lesser school”? You people have lost your friggin minds.

OP. I didn't call either 'lesser'. I actually said the Ivy 'offers less' in his area of study.

Both are fantastic schools.

Go back and reread your title.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My god. These posts are unreal. Calling a T20 a “lesser school”? You people have lost your friggin minds.

OP. I didn't call either 'lesser'. I actually said the Ivy 'offers less' in his area of study.

Both are fantastic schools.

Go back and reread your title.

Not what was intended, but I see your point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don't people just name the schools?

Agree.

This thread is ridiculous without naming the schools and the major.

[Anonymous]

FWIW We went though a similar decision about a decade ago. Selected the university with the #1 program in the major.

OP: Share the schools' names and the student's intended major so that you can receive more meaningful advice/suggestions/thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Something like 70% of students change their major. Go to the better overall axhool, hands down. Especially if he prefers it.

[Anonymous]

School ^

[Anonymous]

For expensive schools, I'd pick the school that has the best program for that major.

But, if you have tons of connections, then I guess it doesn't matter what school you go to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So--kid got into the best school for their major/area of interest hands down- T20. Problem--it's local, just a few miles from the house (though required to live on campus 3 years) and very much like current HS.

Also- got into a T10 that is fantastic/top-ranked, but in area of interest say #6-7 instead of #1 like school above.

Reading websites, it's clear the first school offer so much more, as well as likely have job and can do a 5-year combined program.

However, kid is ecstatic about the other school and doesn't seem to care about the offerings as much. I'm glad to see him so excited about a school because he seemed more 'resigned' vs excited for the first school and felt like we were forcing him there. He has in his head the kids and place is too competitive, people seem stressed. But, I think he's seeing what he wants to see and know so many people that went there and absolutely loved it.

My spouse is all on the Ivy train with him (2nd school), but I am being practical and just don't see the advantage.

Guess it's just a vent. But--at what point do you let the kid just go to the school that offers less in their area of interest than push them towards the one that is hands-down better for them?

Where do you think they will get better grades? Because regardless of the rankings, if your kid isn't happy to be there, they might not do as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many kids switch majors.

This! Something like 60% or more of kids who go in with a major change at least once. Let him go where he thinks is the best overall fit and will provide the best overall experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So--kid got into the best school for their major/area of interest hands down- T20. Problem--it's local, just a few miles from the house (though required to live on campus 3 years) and very much like current HS.

Also- got into a T10 that is fantastic/top-ranked, but in area of interest say #6-7 instead of #1 like school above.

Reading websites, it's clear the first school offer so much more, as well as likely have job and can do a 5-year combined program.

However, kid is ecstatic about the other school and doesn't seem to care about the offerings as much. I'm glad to see him so excited about a school because he seemed more 'resigned' vs excited for the first school and felt like we were forcing him there. He has in his head the kids and place is too competitive, people seem stressed. But, I think he's seeing what he wants to see and know so many people that went there and absolutely loved it.

My spouse is all on the Ivy train with him (2nd school), but I am being practical and just don't see the advantage.

Guess it's just a vent. But--at what point do you let the kid just go to the school that offers less in their area of interest than push them towards the one that is hands-down better for them?

I'd vote for "whenever the kid wants," but even if you're pushing more than that for a particular choice this feels like a bad place to do it. The #6 school for their interest (which might change!) is a pretty good place to be for that interest and sounds like a good school that he's excited to attend. That's a great outcome. Be happy with that.

I agree. But, 6 offers so much less other than its an Ivy in this field. The other one is #1 across the board with countless opportunities and offerings.

Frankly, I'm worried to pay that much (we are full pay) for him to go to the Ivy and come out without a job/prospects and then have to continute to pay $90k for additional schooling.

Legitimate concern. However, if the major is IR, government, or similar, then the student will likely need to earn a graduate degree to get a good job. Internships are very important with respect to post-undergraduate employment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Something like 70% of students change their major. Go to the better overall axhool, hands down. Especially if he prefers it.

Most STEM majors don't change to liberal arts, though. So, if you are a STEM major, and you are majoring in it because that's your interest, rather than your parents pushing you into it, pick a school that has a strong STEM program.

[Anonymous]

Let them go away to the school where they’re excited to attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something like 70% of students change their major. Go to the better overall axhool, hands down. Especially if he prefers it.

Most STEM majors don't change to liberal arts, though. So, if you are a STEM major, and you are majoring in it because that's your interest, rather than your parents pushing you into it, pick a school that has a strong STEM program.

*meant to say "humanities" rather than liberal arts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So--kid got into the best school for their major/area of interest hands down- T20. Problem--it's local, just a few miles from the house (though required to live on campus 3 years) and very much like current HS.

Also- got into a T10 that is fantastic/top-ranked, but in area of interest say #6-7 instead of #1 like school above.

Reading websites, it's clear the first school offer so much more, as well as likely have job and can do a 5-year combined program.

However, kid is ecstatic about the other school and doesn't seem to care about the offerings as much. I'm glad to see him so excited about a school because he seemed more 'resigned' vs excited for the first school and felt like we were forcing him there. He has in his head the kids and place is too competitive, people seem stressed. But, I think he's seeing what he wants to see and know so many people that went there and absolutely loved it.

My spouse is all on the Ivy train with him (2nd school), but I am being practical and just don't see the advantage.

Guess it's just a vent. But--at what point do you let the kid just go to the school that offers less in their area of interest than push them towards the one that is hands-down better for them?

I'd vote for "whenever the kid wants," but even if you're pushing more than that for a particular choice this feels like a bad place to do it. The #6 school for their interest (which might change!) is a pretty good place to be for that interest and sounds like a good school that he's excited to attend. That's a great outcome. Be happy with that.

I agree. But, 6 offers so much less other than its an Ivy in this field. The other one is #1 across the board with countless opportunities and offerings.

Frankly, I'm worried to pay that much (we are full pay) for him to go to the Ivy and come out without a job/prospects and then have to continute to pay $90k for additional schooling.

Legitimate concern. However, if the major is IR, government, or similar, then the student will likely need to earn a graduate degree to get a good job. Internships are very important with respect to post-undergraduate employment.

Oh I know that--which is why I was telling him he would be better at the non-Ivy that has a 5-year combined Masters program in his field. At least reduce paying $$$ one year early.

And I see now the confusion to my 'subject'. Two great schools---I meant 'lesser option in their particular field'--not 'lesser school'. Both are fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Bad idea. Most kids change their major several times.