Why do some add nonresponsive bragging info when answering a question

[Anonymous]

If you're asking for information, isn't more information better? Asking is an acceptance of the notion that we're all in this together, and can learn something from each other. To withhold information, IRL anyway, is typically more of a power play.

[Anonymous]

Wow. You sound unhinged and unhappy.
Someone's given you info. Be grateful.

I'm sorry things haven't worked out for you. I promise this college stuff is not that big a deal in the scheme of life.

[Anonymous]

I’ve answered similarly to your SAT example and similar. I viewed it as context to whatever was being asked. I do not get any inflated feelings from posting anonymously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Example:
How many times did your kids take the SAT?

Answer:
One and done: 1590

Example:
Did your kid have a summer job?

Answer: yes, a paid research internship with a congressman summer after 9th, capitol hill page after 10th, cancer research after 11th and this summer will be a TA for 3 college classes.

How many times did your kids take the SAT?
Twice

Did your kid have a summer job?
Yes

[Anonymous]

To me the less helpful responses are not the bragging ones but the ones unhinged from reality. Like “my kid has a 3.3 uw, 1 AP, wants engineering” and the responses are like “he won’t get in anywhere, start at community college or consider the trades.” Child is then accepted to 9 ABET-accredited schools.

Or responses to posts in late March like “my kid is deciding between Penn St and Ohio St, which is better?” And the response is “They’re both terrible, kid should choose (school the kid never applied to and would never have been accepted).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Example:
How many times did your kids take the SAT?

Answer:
One and done: 1590

Example:
Did your kid have a summer job?

Answer: yes, a paid research internship with a congressman summer after 9th, capitol hill page after 10th, cancer research after 11th and this summer will be a TA for 3 college classes.

How many times did your kids take the SAT?
Twice

Did your kid have a summer job?
Yes

What good do those answers do though? They tell you nothing. Even the “braggy” version is pretty meaningless. There isn’t a formula.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To me the less helpful responses are not the bragging ones but the ones unhinged from reality. Like “my kid has a 3.3 uw, 1 AP, wants engineering” and the responses are like “he won’t get in anywhere, start at community college or consider the trades.” Child is then accepted to 9 ABET-accredited schools.

Or responses to posts in late March like “my kid is deciding between Penn St and Ohio St, which is better?” And the response is “They’re both terrible, kid should choose (school the kid never applied to and would never have been accepted).

These people are better off posting on CC where people genuinely try to be helpful. Some annoying posters, but most good. Too snarky here for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To me the less helpful responses are not the bragging ones but the ones unhinged from reality. Like “my kid has a 3.3 uw, 1 AP, wants engineering” and the responses are like “he won’t get in anywhere, start at community college or consider the trades.” Child is then accepted to 9 ABET-accredited schools.

Or responses to posts in late March like “my kid is deciding between Penn St and Ohio St, which is better?” And the response is “They’re both terrible, kid should choose (school the kid never applied to and would never have been accepted).

NP. I particularly agree with your second paragraph. "Penn state and Ohio State, you should apply to MIT or Lafayette".

[Anonymous]

I’m in the camp of these answers offer helpful context (and I rarely have anything to brag about so it isn’t something I do). Obviously how many times you take the SAT is going to depend on how you do each time. I like the context of why someone took it multiple times. Would also be helpful to see: 3. 1340, 1380, 1490. That shows how much the score can improve.

[Anonymous]

Lots of braggarts in this thread.

Tell me, if your kid scored a 1050 on the SAT, and spent their summers sleeping in and playing video games, would you share that "contextual information"? Doubtful.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why people do that. It's obnoxious. I'm too busy managing my kid's Ivy acceptances to waste time on something as inane as message board bragging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why people do that. It's obnoxious. I'm too busy managing my kid's Ivy acceptances to waste time on something as inane as message board bragging.

Nice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Example:
How many times did your kids take the SAT?

Answer:
One and done: 1590

Example:
Did your kid have a summer job?

Answer: yes, a paid research internship with a congressman summer after 9th, capitol hill page after 10th, cancer research after 11th and this summer will be a TA for 3 college classes.

These are context, but I know what you mean. This Board is plastered with the humble brags of parents living vicariously through the achievements of their high schoolers who will end up going to college and spending all their parents' money getting drunk and trying to get laid.

[Anonymous]

I add context when answering, not trying to brag. Only time it bothers me when I read it is when I feel envious. Someone could brag about sports scholarship and wouldn’t care. Someone else could brag about some acceptances we hoped for and I would feel jealous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of braggarts in this thread.

Tell me, if your kid scored a 1050 on the SAT, and spent their summers sleeping in and playing video games, would you share that "contextual information"? Doubtful.

Right here!