Notre Dame or Georgetown

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD applied to both ND and Georgetown early action. We really think she'll get into both and are already discussing the differences, the pros and cons. Any insights on the schools from people who have kids there now. Things besides academics as both are great in that regard. Thank you.

Both are great choices. As you say, she'll get a great education at either one. ND is much more overtly Catholic (parietals and single sex dorms), and some people call it "Catholic Disneyland." Personally, I prefer the more nuanced Jesuit Catholicism of Georgetown to the slightly more didactic Holy Cross Catholicism of Notre Dame. Georgetown is much more diverse and has more international students. The locations are quite different. There's more to do in D.C. than in South Bend, and it's probably easier to get internships in D.C., but ND has a beautiful campus. ND also has a better football team. Hoyas wear blue and grey; the Fighting Irish wear blue and Kelly green. Great options, so it's a tough choice.

Georgetown isn't really Catholic anymore though. It is "catholic" for fundraising from alumni, but other than that it has mostly rejected Catholicism.

Georgetown is a modern university first and a Catholic institution second, meaning academic freedom is not smothered by Catholic traditions. However, there is a rigorous theological requirement for undergrads. All students are required to take a year of philosophy and a year of theology. Modern Jesuits tend to respect freedom of conscience more and to be more subtle and nuanced in their analyses of moral questions than adherents of non-Jesuit traditions. Students at Georgetown will be engaged but not indoctrinated. It's a good place for an independent thinker who is willing to be challenged. Other than that, Georgetown is as Catholic or not Catholic as you want it to be. If you want daily mass and regular retreats, they are there. It is much more liberal theologically (although not necessarily politically) than Notre Dame. Pope Francis is, of course, a Jesuit, and he embodies the Jesuit tradition beautifully through his efforts to understand individual circumstances, his respect for the primacy of conscience, and his commitment to social justice. This is the direction of the modern Church. The Jesuit tradition, imo, helps one to negotiate our complicated modern world with integrity and compassion.

The two schools have the same number of required philosophy and theo classes - and a similar wide variety of classes that fulfill those requirements.

Neither require mass attendance or anything like that.

I think people have an outdated notion of who goes there these days. Nikole Hanna Jones is a proud ND graduate, for example. Amy Coney Barrett is tossed around a lot, but she went to Rhodes. I agree if you want to talk about ND Law, it's more Federalist Society than not.

I think one appeals to kids who want a big sports program and one appeals to kids who want DC.

I’m a Notre Dame Law grad and I agree. Coney Barrett has tarnished the reputation of the university as a whole but the real truth is that the law school is way more conservative than undergrad. The undergrad school has all kinds. I’m not sure I’d send my own kids there’s but there’s no denying that that school has a helluva lot to offer the right students and has plenty of kids who lean left.

Not in conservative circles! My DD is applying to its law school just for this reason. She wants to have real debate in the classroom - not be told how and what to think by faculty and students alike

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD applied to both ND and Georgetown early action. We really think she'll get into both and are already discussing the differences, the pros and cons. Any insights on the schools from people who have kids there now. Things besides academics as both are great in that regard. Thank you.

Both are great choices. As you say, she'll get a great education at either one. ND is much more overtly Catholic (parietals and single sex dorms), and some people call it "Catholic Disneyland." Personally, I prefer the more nuanced Jesuit Catholicism of Georgetown to the slightly more didactic Holy Cross Catholicism of Notre Dame. Georgetown is much more diverse and has more international students. The locations are quite different. There's more to do in D.C. than in South Bend, and it's probably easier to get internships in D.C., but ND has a beautiful campus. ND also has a better football team. Hoyas wear blue and grey; the Fighting Irish wear blue and Kelly green. Great options, so it's a tough choice.

Georgetown isn't really Catholic anymore though. It is "catholic" for fundraising from alumni, but other than that it has mostly rejected Catholicism.

Georgetown is a modern university first and a Catholic institution second, meaning academic freedom is not smothered by Catholic traditions. However, there is a rigorous theological requirement for undergrads. All students are required to take a year of philosophy and a year of theology. Modern Jesuits tend to respect freedom of conscience more and to be more subtle and nuanced in their analyses of moral questions than adherents of non-Jesuit traditions. Students at Georgetown will be engaged but not indoctrinated. It's a good place for an independent thinker who is willing to be challenged. Other than that, Georgetown is as Catholic or not Catholic as you want it to be. If you want daily mass and regular retreats, they are there. It is much more liberal theologically (although not necessarily politically) than Notre Dame. Pope Francis is, of course, a Jesuit, and he embodies the Jesuit tradition beautifully through his efforts to understand individual circumstances, his respect for the primacy of conscience, and his commitment to social justice. This is the direction of the modern Church. The Jesuit tradition, imo, helps one to negotiate our complicated modern world with integrity and compassion.

The two schools have the same number of required philosophy and theo classes - and a similar wide variety of classes that fulfill those requirements.

Neither require mass attendance or anything like that.

I think people have an outdated notion of who goes there these days. Nikole Hanna Jones is a proud ND graduate, for example. Amy Coney Barrett is tossed around a lot, but she went to Rhodes. I agree if you want to talk about ND Law, it's more Federalist Society than not.

I think one appeals to kids who want a big sports program and one appeals to kids who want DC.

I’m a Notre Dame Law grad and I agree. Coney Barrett has tarnished the reputation of the university as a whole but the real truth is that the law school is way more conservative than undergrad. The undergrad school has all kinds. I’m not sure I’d send my own kids there’s but there’s no denying that that school has a helluva lot to offer the right students and has plenty of kids who lean left.

Get over yourself. Are you so inflexible that you can’t handle differing opinions?

[Anonymous]

My DS got into both Georgetown and Notre Dame early 2 weeks ago (and 42 minutes apart). He's leaning towards Georgetown, but still waiting for 19 other decision to come out by April before making his decision. Biochem major, with pre-med.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS got into both Georgetown and Notre Dame early 2 weeks ago (and 42 minutes apart). He's leaning towards Georgetown, but still waiting for 19 other decision to come out by April before making his decision. Biochem major, with pre-med.

19 more schools?! Congrats to your DS. Georgetown is a great school. Very good medical school placement outcomes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD applied to both ND and Georgetown early action. We really think she'll get into both and are already discussing the differences, the pros and cons. Any insights on the schools from people who have kids there now. Things besides academics as both are great in that regard. Thank you.

Both are great choices. As you say, she'll get a great education at either one. ND is much more overtly Catholic (parietals and single sex dorms), and some people call it "Catholic Disneyland." Personally, I prefer the more nuanced Jesuit Catholicism of Georgetown to the slightly more didactic Holy Cross Catholicism of Notre Dame. Georgetown is much more diverse and has more international students. The locations are quite different. There's more to do in D.C. than in South Bend, and it's probably easier to get internships in D.C., but ND has a beautiful campus. ND also has a better football team. Hoyas wear blue and grey; the Fighting Irish wear blue and Kelly green. Great options, so it's a tough choice.

Georgetown isn't really Catholic anymore though. It is "catholic" for fundraising from alumni, but other than that it has mostly rejected Catholicism.

Georgetown is a modern university first and a Catholic institution second, meaning academic freedom is not smothered by Catholic traditions. However, there is a rigorous theological requirement for undergrads. All students are required to take a year of philosophy and a year of theology. Modern Jesuits tend to respect freedom of conscience more and to be more subtle and nuanced in their analyses of moral questions than adherents of non-Jesuit traditions. Students at Georgetown will be engaged but not indoctrinated. It's a good place for an independent thinker who is willing to be challenged. Other than that, Georgetown is as Catholic or not Catholic as you want it to be. If you want daily mass and regular retreats, they are there. It is much more liberal theologically (although not necessarily politically) than Notre Dame. Pope Francis is, of course, a Jesuit, and he embodies the Jesuit tradition beautifully through his efforts to understand individual circumstances, his respect for the primacy of conscience, and his commitment to social justice. This is the direction of the modern Church. The Jesuit tradition, imo, helps one to negotiate our complicated modern world with integrity and compassion.

Georgetown is no longer even a little bit Catholic.

Their student tour guides brag about this when they take you around.

It is unfortunate, because Georgetown is the papal university and is supposed to be the premier [/b]Catholic[b] university in the USA. However, Georgetown is no longer interested in Catholic students (as shown by their student breakdown) and actively rejects Catholicism.

Georgetown has a Catholic past, but is no longer Catholic. They are a secular institution and should not claim to be Catholic any more, especially if "not doing any of that Catholic stuff" is what they promote to prospective families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS got into both Georgetown and Notre Dame early 2 weeks ago (and 42 minutes apart). He's leaning towards Georgetown, but still waiting for 19 other decision to come out by April before making his decision. Biochem major, with pre-med.

Really? 19 more schools on top of Georgetown and Notre Dame? Unless you are shopping for aid, this is a problem....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS got into both Georgetown and Notre Dame early 2 weeks ago (and 42 minutes apart). He's leaning towards Georgetown, but still waiting for 19 other decision to come out by April before making his decision. Biochem major, with pre-med.

Really? 19 more schools on top of Georgetown and Notre Dame? Unless you are shopping for aid, this is a problem....

This is why the common app culture is such a bad thing.

Kids like this are wasting admissions offices time and causing perfectly qualified kids to get rejections and deferraps, just so they can brag on social media about how many acceptances they received.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD applied to both ND and Georgetown early action. We really think she'll get into both and are already discussing the differences, the pros and cons. Any insights on the schools from people who have kids there now. Things besides academics as both are great in that regard. Thank you.

Both are great choices. As you say, she'll get a great education at either one. ND is much more overtly Catholic (parietals and single sex dorms), and some people call it "Catholic Disneyland." Personally, I prefer the more nuanced Jesuit Catholicism of Georgetown to the slightly more didactic Holy Cross Catholicism of Notre Dame. Georgetown is much more diverse and has more international students. The locations are quite different. There's more to do in D.C. than in South Bend, and it's probably easier to get internships in D.C., but ND has a beautiful campus. ND also has a better football team. Hoyas wear blue and grey; the Fighting Irish wear blue and Kelly green. Great options, so it's a tough choice.

Georgetown isn't really Catholic anymore though. It is "catholic" for fundraising from alumni, but other than that it has mostly rejected Catholicism.

Georgetown is a modern university first and a Catholic institution second, meaning academic freedom is not smothered by Catholic traditions. However, there is a rigorous theological requirement for undergrads. All students are required to take a year of philosophy and a year of theology. Modern Jesuits tend to respect freedom of conscience more and to be more subtle and nuanced in their analyses of moral questions than adherents of non-Jesuit traditions. Students at Georgetown will be engaged but not indoctrinated. It's a good place for an independent thinker who is willing to be challenged. Other than that, Georgetown is as Catholic or not Catholic as you want it to be. If you want daily mass and regular retreats, they are there. It is much more liberal theologically (although not necessarily politically) than Notre Dame. Pope Francis is, of course, a Jesuit, and he embodies the Jesuit tradition beautifully through his efforts to understand individual circumstances, his respect for the primacy of conscience, and his commitment to social justice. This is the direction of the modern Church. The Jesuit tradition, imo, helps one to negotiate our complicated modern world with integrity and compassion.

Georgetown is no longer even a little bit Catholic.

Their student tour guides brag about this when they take you around.

It is unfortunate, because Georgetown is the papal university and is supposed to be the premier [/b]Catholic[b] university in the USA. However, Georgetown is no longer interested in Catholic students (as shown by their student breakdown) and actively rejects Catholicism.

Georgetown has a Catholic past, but is no longer Catholic. They are a secular institution and should not claim to be Catholic any more, especially if "not doing any of that Catholic stuff" is what they promote to prospective families.

.
What are you talking about? Catholic University is the “papal university,” which is plenty Catholic. Georgetown is Jesuit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS got into both Georgetown and Notre Dame early 2 weeks ago (and 42 minutes apart). He's leaning towards Georgetown, but still waiting for 19 other decision to come out by April before making his decision. Biochem major, with pre-med.

19 more schools?! Congrats to your DS. Georgetown is a great school. Very good medical school placement outcomes.

19 schools is right! Good job hoodwinking Notre Dame, because this is the opposite of the kind of applicant they are looking for. For that reason, Georgetown is a better fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD applied to both ND and Georgetown early action. We really think she'll get into both and are already discussing the differences, the pros and cons. Any insights on the schools from people who have kids there now. Things besides academics as both are great in that regard. Thank you.

Both are great choices. As you say, she'll get a great education at either one. ND is much more overtly Catholic (parietals and single sex dorms), and some people call it "Catholic Disneyland." Personally, I prefer the more nuanced Jesuit Catholicism of Georgetown to the slightly more didactic Holy Cross Catholicism of Notre Dame. Georgetown is much more diverse and has more international students. The locations are quite different. There's more to do in D.C. than in South Bend, and it's probably easier to get internships in D.C., but ND has a beautiful campus. ND also has a better football team. Hoyas wear blue and grey; the Fighting Irish wear blue and Kelly green. Great options, so it's a tough choice.

Georgetown isn't really Catholic anymore though. It is "catholic" for fundraising from alumni, but other than that it has mostly rejected Catholicism.

Georgetown is a modern university first and a Catholic institution second, meaning academic freedom is not smothered by Catholic traditions. However, there is a rigorous theological requirement for undergrads. All students are required to take a year of philosophy and a year of theology. Modern Jesuits tend to respect freedom of conscience more and to be more subtle and nuanced in their analyses of moral questions than adherents of non-Jesuit traditions. Students at Georgetown will be engaged but not indoctrinated. It's a good place for an independent thinker who is willing to be challenged. Other than that, Georgetown is as Catholic or not Catholic as you want it to be. If you want daily mass and regular retreats, they are there. It is much more liberal theologically (although not necessarily politically) than Notre Dame. Pope Francis is, of course, a Jesuit, and he embodies the Jesuit tradition beautifully through his efforts to understand individual circumstances, his respect for the primacy of conscience, and his commitment to social justice. This is the direction of the modern Church. The Jesuit tradition, imo, helps one to negotiate our complicated modern world with integrity and compassion.

Georgetown is no longer even a little bit Catholic.

Their student tour guides brag about this when they take you around.

It is unfortunate, because Georgetown is the papal university and is supposed to be the premier [/b]Catholic[b] university in the USA. However, Georgetown is no longer interested in Catholic students (as shown by their student breakdown) and actively rejects Catholicism.

Georgetown has a Catholic past, but is no longer Catholic. They are a secular institution and should not claim to be Catholic any more, especially if "not doing any of that Catholic stuff" is what they promote to prospective families.

.
What are you talking about? Catholic University is the “papal university,” which is plenty Catholic. Georgetown is Jesuit.

Georgetown is Catholic in name only.

The need to own that they are now a secular university with a few jesuits hanging around.

Perhaps Georgetown is still nominally "culturally Catholic." I will give you that. But it doesn't believe in most Catholic teachings and works actively against the faith.

If it wants to be a secular university, fine. Then drop the Catholic claims and own the secular identity.

Georgetown is a fine secular university with a Catholic past, that prefers non Catholic students over Catholic students.

If you want Catholic, a school like Notre Dame is a much better bet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD applied to both ND and Georgetown early action. We really think she'll get into both and are already discussing the differences, the pros and cons. Any insights on the schools from people who have kids there now. Things besides academics as both are great in that regard. Thank you.

Both are great choices. As you say, she'll get a great education at either one. ND is much more overtly Catholic (parietals and single sex dorms), and some people call it "Catholic Disneyland." Personally, I prefer the more nuanced Jesuit Catholicism of Georgetown to the slightly more didactic Holy Cross Catholicism of Notre Dame. Georgetown is much more diverse and has more international students. The locations are quite different. There's more to do in D.C. than in South Bend, and it's probably easier to get internships in D.C., but ND has a beautiful campus. ND also has a better football team. Hoyas wear blue and grey; the Fighting Irish wear blue and Kelly green. Great options, so it's a tough choice.

Georgetown isn't really Catholic anymore though. It is "catholic" for fundraising from alumni, but other than that it has mostly rejected Catholicism.

Georgetown is a modern university first and a Catholic institution second, meaning academic freedom is not smothered by Catholic traditions. However, there is a rigorous theological requirement for undergrads. All students are required to take a year of philosophy and a year of theology. Modern Jesuits tend to respect freedom of conscience more and to be more subtle and nuanced in their analyses of moral questions than adherents of non-Jesuit traditions. Students at Georgetown will be engaged but not indoctrinated. It's a good place for an independent thinker who is willing to be challenged. Other than that, Georgetown is as Catholic or not Catholic as you want it to be. If you want daily mass and regular retreats, they are there. It is much more liberal theologically (although not necessarily politically) than Notre Dame. Pope Francis is, of course, a Jesuit, and he embodies the Jesuit tradition beautifully through his efforts to understand individual circumstances, his respect for the primacy of conscience, and his commitment to social justice. This is the direction of the modern Church. The Jesuit tradition, imo, helps one to negotiate our complicated modern world with integrity and compassion.

The two schools have the same number of required philosophy and theo classes - and a similar wide variety of classes that fulfill those requirements.

Neither require mass attendance or anything like that.

I think people have an outdated notion of who goes there these days. Nikole Hanna Jones is a proud ND graduate, for example. Amy Coney Barrett is tossed around a lot, but she went to Rhodes. I agree if you want to talk about ND Law, it's more Federalist Society than not.

I think one appeals to kids who want a big sports program and one appeals to kids who want DC.

I’m a Notre Dame Law grad and I agree. Coney Barrett has tarnished the reputation of the university as a whole but the real truth is that the law school is way more conservative than undergrad. The undergrad school has all kinds. I’m not sure I’d send my own kids there’s but there’s no denying that that school has a helluva lot to offer the right students and has plenty of kids who lean left.

Not in conservative circles! My DD is applying to its law school just for this reason. She wants to have real debate in the classroom - not be told how and what to think by faculty and students alike

+ a million

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD applied to both ND and Georgetown early action. We really think she'll get into both and are already discussing the differences, the pros and cons. Any insights on the schools from people who have kids there now. Things besides academics as both are great in that regard. Thank you.

Both are great choices. As you say, she'll get a great education at either one. ND is much more overtly Catholic (parietals and single sex dorms), and some people call it "Catholic Disneyland." Personally, I prefer the more nuanced Jesuit Catholicism of Georgetown to the slightly more didactic Holy Cross Catholicism of Notre Dame. Georgetown is much more diverse and has more international students. The locations are quite different. There's more to do in D.C. than in South Bend, and it's probably easier to get internships in D.C., but ND has a beautiful campus. ND also has a better football team. Hoyas wear blue and grey; the Fighting Irish wear blue and Kelly green. Great options, so it's a tough choice.

Georgetown isn't really Catholic anymore though. It is "catholic" for fundraising from alumni, but other than that it has mostly rejected Catholicism.

Georgetown is a modern university first and a Catholic institution second, meaning academic freedom is not smothered by Catholic traditions. However, there is a rigorous theological requirement for undergrads. All students are required to take a year of philosophy and a year of theology. Modern Jesuits tend to respect freedom of conscience more and to be more subtle and nuanced in their analyses of moral questions than adherents of non-Jesuit traditions. Students at Georgetown will be engaged but not indoctrinated. It's a good place for an independent thinker who is willing to be challenged. Other than that, Georgetown is as Catholic or not Catholic as you want it to be. If you want daily mass and regular retreats, they are there. It is much more liberal theologically (although not necessarily politically) than Notre Dame. Pope Francis is, of course, a Jesuit, and he embodies the Jesuit tradition beautifully through his efforts to understand individual circumstances, his respect for the primacy of conscience, and his commitment to social justice. This is the direction of the modern Church. The Jesuit tradition, imo, helps one to negotiate our complicated modern world with integrity and compassion.

The two schools have the same number of required philosophy and theo classes - and a similar wide variety of classes that fulfill those requirements.

Neither require mass attendance or anything like that.

I think people have an outdated notion of who goes there these days. Nikole Hanna Jones is a proud ND graduate, for example. Amy Coney Barrett is tossed around a lot, but she went to Rhodes. I agree if you want to talk about ND Law, it's more Federalist Society than not.

I think one appeals to kids who want a big sports program and one appeals to kids who want DC.

I’m a Notre Dame Law grad and I agree. Coney Barrett has tarnished the reputation of the university as a whole but the real truth is that the law school is way more conservative than undergrad. The undergrad school has all kinds. I’m not sure I’d send my own kids there’s but there’s no denying that that school has a helluva lot to offer the right students and has plenty of kids who lean left.

When I was at the law school, there was a specific God Squad contingent, but the majority of students and professors were not conservative. And it only mattered in your choice of the Jurisprudence course.

[suhrenough]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS got into both Georgetown and Notre Dame early 2 weeks ago (and 42 minutes apart). He's leaning towards Georgetown, but still waiting for 19 other decision to come out by April before making his decision. Biochem major, with pre-med.

Really? 19 more schools on top of Georgetown and Notre Dame? Unless you are shopping for aid, this is a problem....

Why would this be a problem? Admissions to top colleges is crazy. He strategized it so he could maximize his chances in getting into schools he would like to attend. After he finds out what schools will admit him, he'll sit down with me and my wife and we'll figure out together what makes the most sense, including any possible aid at some schools.

If you care to know, he's only applying to schools amongst the most selective in the country and very likely may only get a few (if any) at all, given how competitive the process is and such.

Every other student can do the same thing if s/he chooses to do so. Or not.

Not a problem, but a reflection of what top students have to (and in all reality should) do.

[suhrenough]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS got into both Georgetown and Notre Dame early 2 weeks ago (and 42 minutes apart). He's leaning towards Georgetown, but still waiting for 19 other decision to come out by April before making his decision. Biochem major, with pre-med.

19 more schools?! Congrats to your DS. Georgetown is a great school. Very good medical school placement outcomes.

19 schools is right! Good job hoodwinking Notre Dame, because this is the opposite of the kind of applicant they are looking for. For that reason, Georgetown is a better fit.

Georgetown may or may not be a better fit. It's simply where he's leaning to right now given his current options (only 2 options plus a state university). We're not even Catholic, if that's of any relevance, so the entire "is it still a real Catholic school anymore" debate is irrelevant to us. Also, I went to Georgetown for both undergrad and law school and in reality, and I got the sense that it had a Catholic air about it (at least from my standards), but I do think it's lost some of that over the years. When they hired DeGoia (their first non-Jesuit president) about 20 years, it signified a change.

As for Notre Dame, from what I understand of it, it does really maintain much more of a traditional Catholic feel. Again, irrelevant to us, but I can see why that would be a positive or a minus for someone. I'm waiting to see if my DS gets one of their merit scholarships ($25,000 a year). If so, that might make the decision between these two schools tilt towards ND.

Then again, we wait and see what happens in March and April.

[suhrenough]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS got into both Georgetown and Notre Dame early 2 weeks ago (and 42 minutes apart). He's leaning towards Georgetown, but still waiting for 19 other decision to come out by April before making his decision. Biochem major, with pre-med.

Really? 19 more schools on top of Georgetown and Notre Dame? Unless you are shopping for aid, this is a problem....

This is why the common app culture is such a bad thing.

Kids like this are wasting admissions offices time and causing perfectly qualified kids to get rejections and deferraps, just so they can brag on social media about how many acceptances they received.

Wow, the hate is strong in this one. But he's secure enough in what he's doing and has planned how to go about his college application journey. His stats and talents warrant him giving it a go and seeing if he can be selected and then making a meaningful choice from amongst as many schools as he would like to attend. I believe that's a basic free market principle. Your notion that he's worked as hard as he has and has excelled to the point that he has just so he brag on social media about it is kind of funny in that you'll never know who he is, or ultimatley how many acceptances he receives or from where.

Perhaps your issue might be more palpably directed to applicants who have no realistic shot in being accepted to the schools they check off on Common App and Coalition, who select test optional and have been so coddled by their parents and others to believe they are so uniquely qualified and ought to somehow defy the odds and get into a school where 19 out of 20 are ultimately denied. If you truly have a concern about him taking spots from other "perfectly qualified kids", then clearly, those other kids will get acceptances to schools...at many places he ultimatley will not. So I guess, using some sort of transitive thought here, maybe those other kids should not have applied to those schools because they would cause my DS to be either deferred or denied a spot at those schools.

But really, who needs logic and sense these days?