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

[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.

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.

The shyt talkers always stem from hate and jealousy- that is all you need to know to not spend time around them, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is JMU there lol
GMU and JMU are at the same level.
GMU is in better location.[/quote]

Not for kids that grew up here. Most kids don’t want to go to college where they grew up. Especially if it’s Fairfax County we are talking about. GMU even acknowledges its commuter school rep on its website. Not that I think OP’s kid isn’t making the right decision. He sounds very smart.

[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?

Let me make myself clear.
You are the problem.

A student should go to the best school for them who gives a shit about others.

Now if you said your kid was going to liberty or Hillsdale or some religious shit education then sure there is a place for ridicule but in this case no.

[Anonymous]

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?

Let me make myself clear.
You are the problem.

A student should go to the best school for them who gives a shit about others.

Now if you said your kid was going to liberty or Hillsdale or some religious shit education then sure there is a place for ridicule but in this case no.

I imagine you are mocked and ridiculed daily for being a garbage human being...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You two are such an inspiration. As a current GMU parent, I can only hope that one day I too may be able to move on with my life as you so courageously have. Kudos!

[Anonymous]

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 [b]GMU is rapidly becoming one of the best U.S. research universities in the United States[/b]. 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).

+1. There a continuum here. GMU is a good school and OP’s son will do well there. No, it is most certainly not becoming one of the best research universities in the US. No one is confusing it for JHU, UPenn, or UMich. Literally, nobody.

[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?

Unless people giving comments and looks plan to help me with tuition, I'd ignore it all and wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You two are such an inspiration. As a current GMU parent, I can only hope that one day I too may be able to move on with my life as you so courageously have. Kudos!

There is hope, I wish you well!

[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.

That's crazy! I'd kill for my kid to go to UMD. Show them this Forbes article - https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawhitford/2024/04/29/exclusive-employers-are-souring-on-ivy-league-grads-while-these-20-new-ivies-ascend/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1QB3fSEavd7YKPhw2wNHW26kS_II8QxVx34FOXLM2om7_2X5XuD0Y3PC8_aem_ATbuJ1DwSycI6qfXqqitVOSbNaFUrIACg4hxzq6VLLhC_akATScpdHK_d17ZzzOjKL8R_XHBlh2O3bY9dLDIA6B5&mibextid=xfxF2i

UMD is listed as a public "new Ivy"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He’s missing a chance to grow and stretch his wings. He should pick VT.

Yes because the middle of nowhere in Blacksburg is where wings are spread, not a hub of a major U.S. city like Washington, DC.

[Anonymous]

Congrats to your kid who knows what he needs/wants at this point! Trusting yourself is a long process also good for him. I think keep reinforcing this.

And, good for you to stay supportive and not getting caught up in ranking silliness. I wish I’d been quicker to realize this for my kid who said no to some “selective highly ranked” schools for a great school. I kept asking are you sure etc…I finally got the message that my questions were not helpful. So again, congrats.

I’ll add that a few years in and my kid was right- mt kid’s choice has been a great fir! Good luck!!