What parents hope their kids get out from ivy league?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price. My DC attends an Ivy (Brown). We pay about half full COA. We are what most people would consider affluent but not by DCUM standards (250K HHI) and have 529 savings, but not enough for all four years. We have another in college, which is a big part of the reasons we are only paying COA.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

This. As discussed at length on DCUM, the wealthy/connected and the rest don't mix much at the Ivies.
My kid is at one and it's almost two schools in one. You're not going there from Loudoun County or even from DC and leaving with a Rolodex of BFFs from Manhattan.

This is true at many other schools, as well. There’s a lot of gatekeeping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The education, the opportunities, and the connections. And it’s not just the Ivy League.

+1. There is a similar thread on this topic started last week. The answer is for the connections, the peer group, the professors and their LOCs, and industry contacts, which leads to internships, which leads to jobs after graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price. My DC attends an Ivy (Brown). We pay about half full COA. We are what most people would consider affluent but not by DCUM standards (250K HHI) and have 529 savings, but not enough for all four years. We have another in college, which is a big part of the reasons we are only paying COA.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

This. As discussed at length on DCUM, the wealthy/connected and the rest don't mix much at the Ivies.
My kid is at one and it's almost two schools in one. You're not going there from Loudoun County or even from DC and leaving with a Rolodex of BFFs from Manhattan.

You won't if you don't try. My DCPS grad is at an Ivy, in a fraternity (not the "best", but also not the "worst") and has a pretty good rolodex of BFFs, but more importantly, a pretty good rolodex of wealthy alums who he has met with on several occasions (both at reunion/homecoming events and on his own reaching out in NYC, SF et al).

[Anonymous]

all these schools cost the same.

if you had your choice of homes, all for the same price, would you buy the one that you liked the most?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price. My DC attends an Ivy (Brown). We pay about half full COA. We are what most people would consider affluent but not by DCUM standards (250K HHI) and have 529 savings, but not enough for all four years. We have another in college, which is a big part of the reasons we are only paying COA.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

This. As discussed at length on DCUM, the wealthy/connected and the rest don't mix much at the Ivies.
My kid is at one and it's almost two schools in one. You're not going there from Loudoun County or even from DC and leaving with a Rolodex of BFFs from Manhattan.

You won't if you don't try. My DCPS grad is at an Ivy, in a fraternity (not the "best", but also not the "worst") and has a pretty good rolodex of BFFs, but more importantly, a pretty good rolodex of wealthy alums who he has met with on several occasions (both at reunion/homecoming events and on his own reaching out in NYC, SF et al).

Did you intend to write "gold Rolex" ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price. My DC attends an Ivy (Brown). We pay about half full COA. We are what most people would consider affluent but not by DCUM standards (250K HHI) and have 529 savings, but not enough for all four years. We have another in college, which is a big part of the reasons we are only paying COA.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

That’s a lot of words to say “the name.”

[Anonymous]

Higher education, like healthcare or insurance, is just another huge business. Everything is sold in some way, complete with price tags, rankings, and marketing around prestige.

[Anonymous]

including benefits like finding the right spouse

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price. My DC attends an Ivy (Brown). We pay about half full COA. We are what most people would consider affluent but not by DCUM standards (250K HHI) and have 529 savings, but not enough for all four years. We have another in college, which is a big part of the reasons we are only paying COA.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

Totally agree. I have one kid who just graduated from Yale (though she also loved Brown and would have been delighted to go there - only 2 ivies of interest to her) and it was the environment of the school that really drew her :peer group, approach to teaching, interdisciplinary options etc. The school was just a great fit for her all around. My other kid is at a state school that is also a great match for him. It’s not an elite state school, just a solid one. Truly, we are EQUALLY delighted with where our kids ended up- the right school, awesome peer group, the opportunities they were looking for. 18 to 22 is a pretty formative age, it was way more important to me that my kids be happy in their environment than any particular notion of prestige, where one goes to undergrad is really pretty irrelevant in the big picture.

[Anonymous]

I understand OP's question.

What differences it makes if you go to Cornell vs. Northwestern? The former is an ivy.

The reality is there is NONE!

In fact, depending on the major, one may benefit from attending Northwestern more than Cornell. Sure, hotel management, Ag, labor relation, you are better off going to Cornell. But journalism? or premed? Northwestern any minute.

Peers? especially the connection with the wealthy? That's really striver's thinking. Moms will be disappointed.

[Anonymous]

^ different poster. Kid at Ivy. Full pay. That’s a weird assumption. My kid’s friend group is varied- from a small town full FA to one with a private jet and you wouldn’t know the difference when meeting them. The uber rich one is very unassuming. The one not well-off is just as well-spoken, funny and intelligent. The kids dress pretty much the same and they don’t wear watches anymore, pp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price. My DC attends an Ivy (Brown). We pay about half full COA. We are what most people would consider affluent but not by DCUM standards (250K HHI) and have 529 savings, but not enough for all four years. We have another in college, which is a big part of the reasons we are only paying COA.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

Well stated. It was exhilarating to spend four years with such brilliant and interesting people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price. My DC attends an Ivy (Brown). We pay about half full COA. We are what most people would consider affluent but not by DCUM standards (250K HHI) and have 529 savings, but not enough for all four years. We have another in college, which is a big part of the reasons we are only paying COA.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

Well stated. It was exhilarating to spend four years with such brilliant and interesting people.

Brilliant and interesting people are not Ivy exclusive. MIT Caltech CMU [Berkeley EECS] probably are full of smart folks if not more.

[Anonymous]

It’s kind of ironic that while everyone is busy doing all sorts of “great things” just to squeeze into the big-name institutions, some of the most genuinely brilliant work is actually coming from elsewhere. Think of DeepMind out of Cambridge, or the cancer vaccine work at Oxford.

As a parent of a young child, it makes me wonder whether it might be time to move somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s kind of ironic that while everyone is busy doing all sorts of “great things” just to squeeze into the big-name institutions, some of the most genuinely brilliant work is actually coming from elsewhere. Think of DeepMind out of Cambridge, or the cancer vaccine work at Oxford.

As a parent of a young child, it makes me wonder whether it might be time to move somewhere else.

True. Many recent nobel laureates are from UCs. The lower ivies produced none in recent years.