If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?

[Anonymous]

If he’s happy, you are happy. That is all that really matters. Tell them to STFU. Smart kid. He will do well. Congrats to him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't read all of the responses but just got my first response from a parent today looking down on my kid going to UMD. She chose UMD from many others (including selective SLACs) for very similar reasons your DC chose GMU. It feels shitty but proud of our smart kids who know themselves and made the best choices for them.

Don’t let the haters get to you. We have 2 terps and we have experienced it too. But the fact is there are tons of kids who would feel lucky to attend UMD and many parents who want their kids to attend too. It’s my yongest’s dream school and he is sad that he likely won’t be accepted. Most of the smart high performing kids we know ended up at UMD because it’s a great education for their price. Look at how many kids come from the magnets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't read all of the responses but just got my first response from a parent today looking down on my kid going to UMD. She chose UMD from many others (including selective SLACs) for very similar reasons your DC chose GMU. It feels shitty but proud of our smart kids who know themselves and made the best choices for them.

I was getting these kind of comments all last summer (2023 grad). One of these people had a kid rejected from UMD this cycle. Karma.

[Anonymous]

Lot's and lot's of therapy. They are 26 and I just now am able to leave the house. It was shameful for many many years that I could not state that my kid didn't go to a T20, I would be shunned at the country and yacht clubs, friends disowned us. I mean Mason wasn't even a President, just a lowly congressman. At least UVA was founded by a President and JMU is named after one. Have you seen Gunston Hall in Lorton? So tiny.. shame will forever be with my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lot's and lot's of therapy. They are 26 and I just now am able to leave the house. It was shameful for many many years that I could not state that my kid didn't go to a T20, I would be shunned at the country and yacht clubs, friends disowned us. I mean Mason wasn't even a President, just a lowly congressman. At least UVA was founded by a President and JMU is named after one. Have you seen Gunston Hall in Lorton? So tiny.. shame will forever be with my family.

I too struggled like you. I finally learned to cope by winking, raising the pinky on my cosmo glass and in my best yacht club accent coyly say with a head cock and inquisitive look "Who? Oh, he goes to a 3 letter Virginia University founded by a well established Founding Father"... to wit, I always get the "GO HOOS, f@#k Tech response. 50% of the time it works all the time.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:DS is a top student. 1580 SAT. Also took ACT and scored 35. He was accepted to all the schools he applied to and he did not apply to many: GMU, Pitt, VaTech, JMU, VCU, UMD, and WPI. He wants to choose GMU Honors for (1) cost savings and (2) location. We live maybe 35 minutes away. He will live on campus. He can see us every day or never, it's up to him. He has ADHD. He likes his therapist and doesn't want to lose her, he doesn't want to worry about access to his meds, and he takes solace in us being near just in case he needs support. The problem is everyone thinks he is throwing his talent away and they look down on him for his choice. I've heard his friends tease him about it. Many chose UVA, VATech, JMU. W&M. I am proud of him for choosing what is best for him. How do I help him be comfortable and confident in his decision?

I think that GMU is really the equivalent of a UK “plate glass university,” like the University of Warwick. It’s a top school in a top location. Nothing to be ashamed of at all.

WTH?? The University of Warwick is nothing like GMU — I went there. It certainly is not in a top location and it is very self-contained. Sinfully ugly, but one of the best universities in the UK. GMU is a suburban school and it’s fine. Nothing against it, but couldn’t be more different than Warwick.

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And GMU is rapidly becoming one of the best U.S. research universities in the United States. It’s just new, not bad.

please don't keep saying this - it makes you sound a bit delusional. people have been trying to make this happen for at least 25 years. The biggest bump the school has received was when the mens basketball team made it to the final 4 in the ncaa tournament in 2006 (and that's still a crown jewel achievement for the school).

Go read wiki before you post. GMU is already the largest R1 (top research) university in the Commonwealth.

That doesn't mean GMU does the most research. It means it has more students than any other R1 university in Virginia.

false. go look up what R1 means

GMU ranks behind UVA, VT, and VCU in research spending.

False. VCU is ahead in "sponsored research funding" which means ou the research activity is sponsored (funded) by an external organization, i.e. a federal, state, or private organization or agency.

Why don't you cite a source showing GMU ahead of VCU?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:What “comments and looks,” OP? You sound incredibly insecure.

People around here who are parents of high school students do give looks when they hear Mason, especially if your kid is high stats.

It seems to decrease the closer the kids get to graduation, but definitely carries through to freshman year of college.

People in NoVA are status obsessed snobs.

NO, they don't. DC went all four years to GMU and had a wonderful time. No comments from anyone, high school, college, friends or family. Read up on what is happening at GMu. Start with wikipedia. It's astounding what has happened at that campus in just the last decade.

My kid went to GMU for the past 4 years as well.

I stand by my observations that yes, parents of high schoolers are very status obsessed and to react negatively when they hear Mason mentioned.

Two of my friends kids went/or going to GMU.

One kid is earning $300k now in NOVA, graduated from GMU 6 years ago. That kid (an adult now) is a role model among our friend circle for our children, and not just for making money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't read all of the responses but just got my first response from a parent today looking down on my kid going to UMD. She chose UMD from many others (including selective SLACs) for very similar reasons your DC chose GMU. It feels shitty but proud of our smart kids who know themselves and made the best choices for them.

Don’t let the haters get to you. We have 2 terps and we have experienced it too. But the fact is there are tons of kids who would feel lucky to attend UMD and many parents who want their kids to attend too. It’s my yongest’s dream school and he is sad that he likely won’t be accepted. Most of the smart high performing kids we know ended up at UMD because it’s a great education for their price. Look at how many kids come from the magnets.

UMD has always been a great school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is a top student. 1580 SAT. Also took ACT and scored 35. He was accepted to all the schools he applied to and he did not apply to many: GMU, Pitt, VaTech, JMU, VCU, UMD, and WPI. He wants to choose GMU Honors for (1) cost savings and (2) location. We live maybe 35 minutes away. He will live on campus. He can see us every day or never, it's up to him. He has ADHD. He likes his therapist and doesn't want to lose her, he doesn't want to worry about access to his meds, and he takes solace in us being near just in case he needs support. The problem is everyone thinks he is throwing his talent away and they look down on him for his choice. I've heard his friends tease him about it. Many chose UVA, VATech, JMU. W&M. I am proud of him for choosing what is best for him. How do I help him be comfortable and confident in his decision?

OP, I am not clear on your question - there are grown adults making comments about where your kid attends college? If a grown adult comments on where your kid (or anyone else's kid) is going to college, they are not well in the head. This is especially true of the types who would claim to be "joking" - they know what they are doing. Are they jealous? Is their kid going to a lesser college? If so, that is their problem, not yours.

If you are insecure about where your kid is going to college, your kid will pick up on it, immediately, so watch that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is a top student. 1580 SAT. Also took ACT and scored 35. He was accepted to all the schools he applied to and he did not apply to many: GMU, Pitt, VaTech, JMU, VCU, UMD, and WPI. He wants to choose GMU Honors for (1) cost savings and (2) location. We live maybe 35 minutes away. He will live on campus. He can see us every day or never, it's up to him. He has ADHD. He likes his therapist and doesn't want to lose her, he doesn't want to worry about access to his meds, and he takes solace in us being near just in case he needs support. The problem is everyone thinks he is throwing his talent away and they look down on him for his choice. I've heard his friends tease him about it. Many chose UVA, VATech, JMU. W&M. I am proud of him for choosing what is best for him. How do I help him be comfortable and confident in his decision?

Teach him to hold the silence and not care. If they say something negative just say I'm happy with my choice. If they keep it up then go silent and mske them uncomfortable. They are being rude!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a top student. 1580 SAT. Also took ACT and scored 35. He was accepted to all the schools he applied to and he did not apply to many: GMU, Pitt, VaTech, JMU, VCU, UMD, and WPI. He wants to choose GMU Honors for (1) cost savings and (2) location. We live maybe 35 minutes away. He will live on campus. He can see us every day or never, it's up to him. He has ADHD. He likes his therapist and doesn't want to lose her, he doesn't want to worry about access to his meds, and he takes solace in us being near just in case he needs support. The problem is everyone thinks he is throwing his talent away and they look down on him for his choice. I've heard his friends tease him about it. Many chose UVA, VATech, JMU. W&M. I am proud of him for choosing what is best for him. How do I help him be comfortable and confident in his decision?

I think that GMU is really the equivalent of a UK “plate glass university,” like the University of Warwick. It’s a top school in a top location. Nothing to be ashamed of at all.

WTH?? The University of Warwick is nothing like GMU — I went there. It certainly is not in a top location and it is very self-contained. Sinfully ugly, but one of the best universities in the UK. GMU is a suburban school and it’s fine. Nothing against it, but couldn’t be more different than Warwick.

0.
And GMU is rapidly becoming one of the best U.S. research universities in the United States. It’s just new, not bad.

please don't keep saying this - it makes you sound a bit delusional. people have been trying to make this happen for at least 25 years. The biggest bump the school has received was when the mens basketball team made it to the final 4 in the ncaa tournament in 2006 (and that's still a crown jewel achievement for the school).

Go read wiki before you post. GMU is already the largest R1 (top research) university in the Commonwealth.

That doesn't mean GMU does the most research. It means it has more students than any other R1 university in Virginia.

false. go look up what R1 means

GMU ranks behind UVA, VT, and VCU in research spending.

False. VCU is ahead in "sponsored research funding" which means ou the research activity is sponsored (funded) by an external organization, i.e. a federal, state, or private organization or agency.

Why don't you cite a source showing GMU ahead of VCU?

Why don't cite a souce? Why don't you use proper descriptors?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a top student. 1580 SAT. Also took ACT and scored 35. He was accepted to all the schools he applied to and he did not apply to many: GMU, Pitt, VaTech, JMU, VCU, UMD, and WPI. He wants to choose GMU Honors for (1) cost savings and (2) location. We live maybe 35 minutes away. He will live on campus. He can see us every day or never, it's up to him. He has ADHD. He likes his therapist and doesn't want to lose her, he doesn't want to worry about access to his meds, and he takes solace in us being near just in case he needs support. The problem is everyone thinks he is throwing his talent away and they look down on him for his choice. I've heard his friends tease him about it. Many chose UVA, VATech, JMU. W&M. I am proud of him for choosing what is best for him. How do I help him be comfortable and confident in his decision?

I think that GMU is really the equivalent of a UK “plate glass university,” like the University of Warwick. It’s a top school in a top location. Nothing to be ashamed of at all.

WTH?? The University of Warwick is nothing like GMU — I went there. It certainly is not in a top location and it is very self-contained. Sinfully ugly, but one of the best universities in the UK. GMU is a suburban school and it’s fine. Nothing against it, but couldn’t be more different than Warwick.

0.
And GMU is rapidly becoming one of the best U.S. research universities in the United States. It’s just new, not bad.

please don't keep saying this - it makes you sound a bit delusional. people have been trying to make this happen for at least 25 years. The biggest bump the school has received was when the mens basketball team made it to the final 4 in the ncaa tournament in 2006 (and that's still a crown jewel achievement for the school).

Go read wiki before you post. GMU is already the largest R1 (top research) university in the Commonwealth.

That doesn't mean GMU does the most research. It means it has more students than any other R1 university in Virginia.

false. go look up what R1 means

GMU ranks behind UVA, VT, and VCU in research spending.

False. VCU is ahead in "sponsored research funding" which means ou the research activity is sponsored (funded) by an external organization, i.e. a federal, state, or private organization or agency.

Why don't you cite a source showing GMU ahead of VCU?

Why don't cite a souce? Why don't you use proper descriptors?

NSF

https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/profiles/site?method=rankingBySource&ds=herd

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a top student. 1580 SAT. Also took ACT and scored 35. He was accepted to all the schools he applied to and he did not apply to many: GMU, Pitt, VaTech, JMU, VCU, UMD, and WPI. He wants to choose GMU Honors for (1) cost savings and (2) location. We live maybe 35 minutes away. He will live on campus. He can see us every day or never, it's up to him. He has ADHD. He likes his therapist and doesn't want to lose her, he doesn't want to worry about access to his meds, and he takes solace in us being near just in case he needs support. The problem is everyone thinks he is throwing his talent away and they look down on him for his choice. I've heard his friends tease him about it. Many chose UVA, VATech, JMU. W&M. I am proud of him for choosing what is best for him. How do I help him be comfortable and confident in his decision?

I think that GMU is really the equivalent of a UK “plate glass university,” like the University of Warwick. It’s a top school in a top location. Nothing to be ashamed of at all.

WTH?? The University of Warwick is nothing like GMU — I went there. It certainly is not in a top location and it is very self-contained. Sinfully ugly, but one of the best universities in the UK. GMU is a suburban school and it’s fine. Nothing against it, but couldn’t be more different than Warwick.

0.
And GMU is rapidly becoming one of the best U.S. research universities in the United States. It’s just new, not bad.

please don't keep saying this - it makes you sound a bit delusional. people have been trying to make this happen for at least 25 years. The biggest bump the school has received was when the mens basketball team made it to the final 4 in the ncaa tournament in 2006 (and that's still a crown jewel achievement for the school).

Go read wiki before you post. GMU is already the largest R1 (top research) university in the Commonwealth.

That doesn't mean GMU does the most research. It means it has more students than any other R1 university in Virginia.

false. go look up what R1 means

GMU ranks behind UVA, VT, and VCU in research spending.

False. VCU is ahead in "sponsored research funding" which means ou the research activity is sponsored (funded) by an external organization, i.e. a federal, state, or private organization or agency.

Why don't you cite a source showing GMU ahead of VCU?

Why don't cite a souce? Why don't you use proper descriptors?

NSF

https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/profiles/site?method=rankingBySource&ds=herd

That's R&D; you said "sponsored research funding". Big difference. You used the wrong descriptor/noun

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a top student. 1580 SAT. Also took ACT and scored 35. He was accepted to all the schools he applied to and he did not apply to many: GMU, Pitt, VaTech, JMU, VCU, UMD, and WPI. He wants to choose GMU Honors for (1) cost savings and (2) location. We live maybe 35 minutes away. He will live on campus. He can see us every day or never, it's up to him. He has ADHD. He likes his therapist and doesn't want to lose her, he doesn't want to worry about access to his meds, and he takes solace in us being near just in case he needs support. The problem is everyone thinks he is throwing his talent away and they look down on him for his choice. I've heard his friends tease him about it. Many chose UVA, VATech, JMU. W&M. I am proud of him for choosing what is best for him. How do I help him be comfortable and confident in his decision?

I think that GMU is really the equivalent of a UK “plate glass university,” like the University of Warwick. It’s a top school in a top location. Nothing to be ashamed of at all.

WTH?? The University of Warwick is nothing like GMU — I went there. It certainly is not in a top location and it is very self-contained. Sinfully ugly, but one of the best universities in the UK. GMU is a suburban school and it’s fine. Nothing against it, but couldn’t be more different than Warwick.

0.
And GMU is rapidly becoming one of the best U.S. research universities in the United States. It’s just new, not bad.

please don't keep saying this - it makes you sound a bit delusional. people have been trying to make this happen for at least 25 years. The biggest bump the school has received was when the mens basketball team made it to the final 4 in the ncaa tournament in 2006 (and that's still a crown jewel achievement for the school).

Go read wiki before you post. GMU is already the largest R1 (top research) university in the Commonwealth.

That doesn't mean GMU does the most research. It means it has more students than any other R1 university in Virginia.

false. go look up what R1 means

GMU ranks behind UVA, VT, and VCU in research spending.

False. VCU is ahead in "sponsored research funding" which means ou the research activity is sponsored (funded) by an external organization, i.e. a federal, state, or private organization or agency.

Why don't you cite a source showing GMU ahead of VCU?

Why don't cite a souce? Why don't you use proper descriptors?

NSF

https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/profiles/site?method=rankingBySource&ds=herd

That's R&D; you said "sponsored research funding". Big difference. You used the wrong descriptor/noun

Get your story straight when you attempt a put down. I said "research spending". The NSF rankings cover "R&D expenditures". R&D = Research and Development. The meaning of "expenditure" is "an amount of money spent".

So I provided a source (really the definitive source) that shows GMU behind UVA, VT, and VCU. You show me where it is ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't read all of the responses but just got my first response from a parent today looking down on my kid going to UMD. She chose UMD from many others (including selective SLACs) for very similar reasons your DC chose GMU. It feels shitty but proud of our smart kids who know themselves and made the best choices for them.

Don’t let the haters get to you. We have 2 terps and we have experienced it too. But the fact is there are tons of kids who would feel lucky to attend UMD and many parents who want their kids to attend too. It’s my yongest’s dream school and he is sad that he likely won’t be accepted. Most of the smart high performing kids we know ended up at UMD because it’s a great education for their price. Look at how many kids come from the magnets.

UMD has always been a great school.