Why can't folks that send their kids to average colleges ever admit it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't read the replies because the subject line was so obnoxious, but did want to point out that the OP likely went to a subpar school and had a purely vocational major (hotel management, perhaps?), because he/she failed to learn the difference between "that" and "who."

Most unfortunate.

Pretty sure, though, that your grammatical high-handedness is equally as off putting as the subject line. Way to go!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


If you think I'm wrong about what I said above, I'd like to hear why.

No one is impressed with your BA from Allegheny. Not even the gas station clerk in Meadville.

You are reason #438 for me to *want* my son to attend an "average" college. I attended a brand-name school, definitely not "average," and it was heavily populated by jerks. You know, people like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't read the replies because the subject line was so obnoxious, but did want to point out that the OP likely went to a subpar school and had a purely vocational major (hotel management, perhaps?), because he/she failed to learn the difference between "that" and "who."

Most unfortunate.

President of my company is worth a few hundred million dollars and you'd think a fifth grader writes his emails. He went to Dartmouth.

[Anonymous]

Look, when you're 40, no one will care when you went to school. Instead, they care about how well you provide for your family and what kind of job you have. I feel sorry for 30+ people who still feel the need to brag about their college life. It makes me that they're not doing well in the present moment and therefore brag about their past to make themselves feel better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look, when you're 40, no one will care when you went to school. Instead, they care about how well you provide for your family and what kind of job you have. I feel sorry for 30+ people who still feel the need to brag about their college life. It makes me that they're not doing well in the present moment and therefore brag about their past to make themselves feel better.

You can argue part of being a great parent is giving kids legacy status at an elite and connections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, when you're 40, no one will care when you went to school. Instead, they care about how well you provide for your family and what kind of job you have. I feel sorry for 30+ people who still feel the need to brag about their college life. It makes me that they're not doing well in the present moment and therefore brag about their past to make themselves feel better.

You can argue part of being a great parent is giving kids legacy status at an elite and connections.

You could argue that, but then you'd have to argue Donald Trump was a great parent, and therein lies the logical fallacy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You are reason #438 for me to *want* my son to attend an "average" college. I attended a brand-name school, definitely not "average," and it was heavily populated by jerks. You know, people like you.

I went to Shipp. I just don't think it impresses anyone.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP who sent her kids to average colleges. Not only do I admit it, I'm insanely proud of them! We didn't spend a fortune on private colleges. They have no student loan debt. My grads are all living independently with great jobs. The ones still in school are doing great and having fun.

I'm trying to figure out what the OPs purpose for starting this thread is. Is it to make those of us with kids in average schools feel bad? If so, why would you want to do that? I'm very proud of my kids. I hope you are proud of yours.

[Anonymous]

The other thing the OP fails to realize is this: For most of us, we're aware of our kid's strengths and weaknesses, quirks and character long before they apply to college. It's not like we encourage our average kids to apply to Harvard and then are bitterly disappointed when they don't get it, and get angry and disillusioned and jealous of people whose kids did.
Most of us parted paths with the Amy Chua's at our kid's schools many years ago -- when it became obvious that our kids weren't going to be marching lock step into an Ivy. Maybe our kids are quirky and didn't really seem interested in taking 12 AP's and really just wanted to be on a swim team, or maybe they have other skills or maybe they don't. But most of us started realizing who our kids were by the time they were in middle school and by that point it was already too late to send them back. We loved them too much!

I can't imagine what kind of a cretin is bitter and disappointed by the kids they got, or what sort of a weirdo thinks a parent should feel bad because all they got was a great kid who loves them. Go visit the CHildren's cancer ward and ask those parents if they'd be disappointed if their child went to an average college. Most would be pretty thrilled if their child lived to adulthood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I went to the University of Vermont. We had a fantastic time at a pretty average school.
Our HHI is nearly $2M and our net worth is reaching $10M.

Really? Earning combine $2 mil/ year, doing what?

High tech with bonus and stock grants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The other thing the OP fails to realize is this: For most of us, we're aware of our kid's strengths and weaknesses, quirks and character long before they apply to college. It's not like we encourage our average kids to apply to Harvard and then are bitterly disappointed when they don't get it, and get angry and disillusioned and jealous of people whose kids did.
Most of us parted paths with the Amy Chua's at our kid's schools many years ago -- when it became obvious that our kids weren't going to be marching lock step into an Ivy. Maybe our kids are quirky and didn't really seem interested in taking 12 AP's and really just wanted to be on a swim team, or maybe they have other skills or maybe they don't. But most of us started realizing who our kids were by the time they were in middle school and by that point it was already too late to send them back. We loved them too much!

I can't imagine what kind of a cretin is bitter and disappointed by the kids they got, or what sort of a weirdo thinks a parent should feel bad because all they got was a great kid who loves them. Go visit the CHildren's cancer ward and ask those parents if they'd be disappointed if their child went to an average college. Most would be pretty thrilled if their child lived to adulthood.

+100 this is exactly how I feel too - I have a friend who lost her daughter to cancer at age 6 and I think about her all the time. She would give anything to have her child alive today and where she attended college would be the last thing that mattered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the big issues with OPs statement is that there doesn't seem to be a clear definition of an "average" college as opposed to an "above average" college. OP, what's your definition of an "average" college? I'd say that the top 50 national universities (as ranked by USNWR) are above average. The same goes for the top 50 LACs. Would you accept that definition OP?

No. Average to below. Top twenty: above average. Top ten: excellent.

Out of the top fifty: don't even bother. It's not worth the paper it's printed on.

Yeah, those people should just go work at Jiffy Lube. How dare they?

I wouldn't send them to Jiffy Lube, but I won't clear out my savings, retirement, home equity to send my children to a low ranked undergrad. And I most certainly wouldn't bend over backwards to spin that the college is some great place — which every parent of average kids does. Just give it a rest.

In my view, a "great" school is one that is great for my child. There is no school that is objectively "great" unless it will provide my child with the environment and opportunities he needs.

My college sophomore scored 2380 on his SATs and is at a school that OP would deem "average." It is the perfect fit for him, and it is affordable for us - he'll graduate with zero debt.

It is a great school for him.

Great *for him*. There we go. Justifying. This proves OP's point.

[Anonymous]

I went to a pretty average school. Grew up in the Midwest in a middle class (real, not DCUM type) family. Parents stressed education but didn't have a ton of money and I didn't want big loans. Had I had more perceived options I would have gone to a better school. But I don't think it has ultimately hurt me. People generally underestimate me and that is a very good thing since I am a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Nobody calls their baby ugly.

[Anonymous]

At the end of the day, it's important for me to be able to look in the mirror and think that I have done the best by my child. In our case that means making some sacrifices so DC can attend a top 10 school. YMMV.