"Let's face it. Everyone here wants the Ivies for their kids" . . . Is this true

[Anonymous]

Sorry to dissemble, but DH and I both went to Ivies and we want that opportunity for our children. Not so much because we believe the quality of education is any better than one can get at many other outstanding schools, but the whole experience there was unique and special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, I hope I am raising a future Morehouse man. However, I hope that when that time arrives, I am the kind of parent that is supportive of the decision my son chooses. It would have been his hardwork, therefore his choice.

Morehouse for my son too or Howard. We will save Ivies for grad school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to dissemble, but DH and I both went to Ivies and we want that opportunity for our children. Not so much because we believe the quality of education is any better than one can get at many other outstanding schools, but the whole experience there was unique and special.

So what is it you're dissembling about -- your Ivy league credentials, the unique and special nature of the experience, or both?

[Anonymous]

You don't have to attend an Ivy to have a unique and special experience. Just ask anyone who has gone to Howard or Spelman for example. Ask anyone that is artsy and attended Cooper Union, RISD or Pratt as another example. See the thread on smaller liberal arts colleges. Lots of folks enjoyed their college experience.

I would love it if my kids went to the same school I went to - but it may not be a match for them. My philosophy is like the previous poster, my kids get to make their choice with some guidance from us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to dissemble, but DH and I both went to Ivies and we want that opportunity for our children. Not so much because we believe the quality of education is any better than one can get at many other outstanding schools, but the whole experience there was unique and special.

"dissemble" means to fake or conceal.

[Anonymous]

What age are the children of the PP's? I can't say what kind of college I want my daughter to go to because she is still too little. She might do better in a very small college. She might need a college with a strong music department or a theater department. She might need to go somewhere with a solid athletic program.

I think until your child is in high school it's too early to predict what sort of school will be the best fit. I definitely want her to go to a good college, but what constitutes the best school for her is highly personal.

The PP who misused the word "dissemble" and thinks the Ivies are the route to a "special" experience is an example of why I would just as soon my daughter not choose an Ivy League school when the time comes.

[Anonymous]

I love the above response! I have to agree--misusing the word "dissemble" doesn't say a lot for 18:29's "unique and special" Ivy experience. PLEASE tell us which "unique and special" Ivy you graduated from? LOL!

[Anonymous]

I would love for my children to have the CHOICE of attending an Ivy League school. Sure, they may decide another school is a better fit or has a stronger department in some area of interest, but come on - who doesn't want to get into Harvard or Standard and have the option of attending one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

[Anonymous]

OP, i don't think you're the only one, but there is no need to assume that parents who would like their children to attend the ivies want it in lieu of their children's happiness, satisfaction, etc... Many simply see this as a way to reach that happiness / satisfaction, and I think that there is a grain of truth to it, especially where it comes to professional life: being a gradute from an ivy league just adds that small stamp of confidence which helps initially to open doors. Moreover, just because someone wants it now for their 2 or 5 yo they may still want it or have it for their 16 year old. A lot can change in 10 - 15 years.

So, while I would love for my daughter to go to an ivy school, I realize that it may just remain a wish of mine for many factors a major one of them is: what she would like to do, would we be able to afford it, and will she be able to get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to dissemble, but DH and I both went to Ivies and we want that opportunity for our children. Not so much because we believe the quality of education is any better than one can get at many other outstanding schools, but the whole experience there was unique and special.

Glad you had the unique and special experience. Many who went to Ivies are not unique and special but got in based on family -decades of legacies, money, almost automatic flow. And the top of the heap at local privates don't always get into the Ivies since others still get the traditional preferences. Funny how many who are the most successful in high school don't get in and others are admitted.

[Anonymous]

9:19, where can I get an application for Standard University? Is that part of the college consortium, including Regular, Rote and Uniform Universities?

[Anonymous]

Y'all might want to read this book before you make up your mind about what kind of college to send you babies to:

Bright College Years: Inside the American College Today by Anne Matthews

[Anonymous]

I want my child to learn how to think critically and to be able to adapt. I don't really care about Harvard specifically. I just think the world will be a very different place in 2050 or so, and I want my son to be able to have a decent life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would love for my children to have the CHOICE of attending an Ivy League school. Sure, they may decide another school is a better fit or has a stronger department in some area of interest, but come on - who doesn't want to get into Harvard or Standard and have the option of attending one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

What's the point of your child going to Harvard if YOU are the only one benefiting from it? Sure you can say, "MY CHILD goes to __________", but what's in it for your child? Parents like this kill me...All just for the pretige. Stop living through your kids.

[Anonymous]

Dear Holier than Thou Above,

A lot of people in DC would like for their kids to go to the best colleges they can get into. What's wrong with that. If you want your kid going to MK -- it's your choice. But, some of us would honestly like for our kids to go someplace better than we may have. Or, for people who did go to someplace great -- maybe they'd just like for their kids to enjoy similar great experiences.