What is the obsession on DCUM with university rankings and were your kid goes to school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to public schools in NOVA then to UVA. Saved thousands and thousands of dollars in tuition while the kids got a great education and attended a college that was plenty good enough for us to hold our heads up high at cocktail parties and other DMV social events - and to retire much earlier than the typical DCUM poster.

But hey, continue to argue about whether Northeastern or Emory or Tulane or etc is prestigious and worth the money. Y’all are crazy.

Well, I would have done that too but UVA only takes the top 5% of the class and in some high schools, that’s still a 4.5. It wasn’t an option for my kid. So maybe be grateful your kids got into UVA and gave you the freedom you have now.

Ok, so where did your kids end up going and what in state or other less expensive options did you have available? I’m genuinely curious about your thought process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to public schools in NOVA then to UVA. Saved thousands and thousands of dollars in tuition while the kids got a great education and attended a college that was plenty good enough for us to hold our heads up high at cocktail parties and other DMV social events - and to retire much earlier than the typical DCUM poster.

But hey, continue to argue about whether Northeastern or Emory or Tulane or etc is prestigious and worth the money. Y’all are crazy.

1. You sound bitter
2. Emory is a better school than UVA
3. This board hates Northeastern and Tulane and would never compare than to UVA let alone Emory.
4. UVA parents are always trying to validate their choice by bringing better schools down.

Look, I’m not here to argue whether Emory or Tulane or Northeastern is “better” or worse than UVA. This much is clear, though: none of them is so much better that they are worth twice the price and then some.

My kid got scholarshp, so luckily they could get the F outta VA, and explore other parts of the country (Boston) in earlier age.
It was great choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to public schools in NOVA then to UVA. Saved thousands and thousands of dollars in tuition while the kids got a great education and attended a college that was plenty good enough for us to hold our heads up high at cocktail parties and other DMV social events - and to retire much earlier than the typical DCUM poster.

But hey, continue to argue about whether Northeastern or Emory or Tulane or etc is prestigious and worth the money. Y’all are crazy.

1. You sound bitter
2. Emory is a better school than UVA
3. This board hates Northeastern and Tulane and would never compare than to UVA let alone Emory.
4. UVA parents are always trying to validate their choice by bringing better schools down.

Look, I’m not here to argue whether Emory or Tulane or Northeastern is “better” or worse than UVA. This much is clear, though: none of them is so much better that they are worth twice the price and then some.

You have a very linear vision and thinking.
Many other people have different situations and conditions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to public schools in NOVA then to UVA. Saved thousands and thousands of dollars in tuition while the kids got a great education and attended a college that was plenty good enough for us to hold our heads up high at cocktail parties and other DMV social events - and to retire much earlier than the typical DCUM poster.

But hey, continue to argue about whether Northeastern or Emory or Tulane or etc is prestigious and worth the money. Y’all are crazy.

1. You sound bitter
2. Emory is a better school than UVA
3. This board hates Northeastern and Tulane and would never compare than to UVA let alone Emory.
4. UVA parents are always trying to validate their choice by bringing better schools down.

Look, I’m not here to argue whether Emory or Tulane or Northeastern is “better” or worse than UVA. This much is clear, though: none of them is so much better that they are worth twice the price and then some.

My kid got scholarshp, so luckily they could get the F outta VA, and explore other parts of the country (Boston) in earlier age.
It was great choice.

We’re not talking about scholarship kids. Those kids don’t pay ridiculous tuition. But why not name the school that your kid went to instead of UVA? It would be helpful to the discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to public schools in NOVA then to UVA. Saved thousands and thousands of dollars in tuition while the kids got a great education and attended a college that was plenty good enough for us to hold our heads up high at cocktail parties and other DMV social events - and to retire much earlier than the typical DCUM poster.

But hey, continue to argue about whether Northeastern or Emory or Tulane or etc is prestigious and worth the money. Y’all are crazy.

1. You sound bitter
2. Emory is a better school than UVA
3. This board hates Northeastern and Tulane and would never compare than to UVA let alone Emory.
4. UVA parents are always trying to validate their choice by bringing better schools down.

Look, I’m not here to argue whether Emory or Tulane or Northeastern is “better” or worse than UVA. This much is clear, though: none of them is so much better that they are worth twice the price and then some.

You have a very linear vision and thinking.
Many other people have different situations and conditions.

Give an example of such “situations and conditions” where it makes sense to compromise you and your family’s entire financial future for college when you have the in state UVA option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to public schools in NOVA then to UVA. Saved thousands and thousands of dollars in tuition while the kids got a great education and attended a college that was plenty good enough for us to hold our heads up high at cocktail parties and other DMV social events - and to retire much earlier than the typical DCUM poster.

But hey, continue to argue about whether Northeastern or Emory or Tulane or etc is prestigious and worth the money. Y’all are crazy.

1. You sound bitter
2. Emory is a better school than UVA
3. This board hates Northeastern and Tulane and would never compare than to UVA let alone Emory.
4. UVA parents are always trying to validate their choice by bringing better schools down.

Look, I’m not here to argue whether Emory or Tulane or Northeastern is “better” or worse than UVA. This much is clear, though: none of them is so much better that they are worth twice the price and then some.

My kid got scholarshp, so luckily they could get the F outta VA, and explore other parts of the country (Boston) in earlier age.
It was great choice.

We’re not talking about scholarship kids. Those kids don’t pay ridiculous tuition. But why not name the school that your kid went to instead of UVA? It would be helpful to the discussion.

DP here. No, it wouldn't - because DCUMers would Google, then provide the Googled info. as an "argument" against the school PP chose. You need to educate yourself about the good schools - stop expecting other people to do it for you.

ITA with other PP about GTFO VA. People need to expand their horizons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to public schools in NOVA then to UVA. Saved thousands and thousands of dollars in tuition while the kids got a great education and attended a college that was plenty good enough for us to hold our heads up high at cocktail parties and other DMV social events - and to retire much earlier than the typical DCUM poster.

But hey, continue to argue about whether Northeastern or Emory or Tulane or etc is prestigious and worth the money. Y’all are crazy.

1. You sound bitter
2. Emory is a better school than UVA
3. This board hates Northeastern and Tulane and would never compare than to UVA let alone Emory.
4. UVA parents are always trying to validate their choice by bringing better schools down.

Look, I’m not here to argue whether Emory or Tulane or Northeastern is “better” or worse than UVA. This much is clear, though: none of them is so much better that they are worth twice the price and then some.

My kid got scholarshp, so luckily they could get the F outta VA, and explore other parts of the country (Boston) in earlier age.
It was great choice.

We’re not talking about scholarship kids. Those kids don’t pay ridiculous tuition. But why not name the school that your kid went to instead of UVA? It would be helpful to the discussion.

Northeatsern.
My kid was born and raised in Fairfax/Chantilly whole life.
Kid wanted to go out and explore in college years.
Luckily total price came out to be just little more than UVA, and was a great fit.

Also got into other schools ranked higher like #28 #36 at the time and Northeatern was #47 something like that at the time, but rankingn was not important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I must be new here.

Why do so many of you care where our DC or other kids choose to go to college? I just don't understand all the arguments Public vs Private, blah blah blah. Top 10-50 colleges or bust? (You are a fool for spending $50K a year on private school) when my kids public school was free (and our public kid was accepted to the same university as your private school kid}.

What exactly is the point of these posts? Why does it matter? I hope that we all make decisions that we believe are best for our kids.

I went to an elite college. Lots of amazing peers and many amazing professors. A few terrible profs and bad required classes in and out of major. About 1/4 of my classes were a total waste for one reason or another. Did I get a $200K education? Absolutely not. Did I get a $200K degree and make connections and get a job that paid that back and a lot more? Yes.

And I don't mean hobnobbing at country clubs. I hated the concept of networking and "golf" and "tennis"; I was committed to earning my way on my own efforts, and wanted to believe the world was fair. I got some bad grades because I refused to cheat or accept giveaways from profs like many classmates did.

But just casually knowing someone who knew someone who was hiring for upwardly mobile roles, set my life trajectory.

I got an amazing job for a new grad, from career fair in college because a friend's older friend worked there and invited me to apply, even after I applied my filter of avoiding "evil" companies.
I got an interview at a rising star company because a friend from HS and college was visiting and told me their friend from college had a friend from college who was hiring, and gave me the hiring manager's info.
A classmate friend married a classmate whose family member was someone you know from the news, and gave me that person's cell phone number to apply for a job at their young growing company.

That's why elite colleges are important to people. Even people who don't know those details, who only know "PYSH is elite" are indirectly getting their impression from facts like what I mentioned above. People who go to those schools arecon average more successful than people who don't, all else equal.

Are things different now? Can you rise above your station thanks to the Internet and Twitter and whatever to find opportunities and compete in your merit? Maybe.

The reason things are different now is that colleges are deprioritizing admitting students based on things that correlate with their ability to help their friends get jobs. Those kids are going to state schools now, which will likely compress outcomes.

[Anonymous]

I don't see a mystery, just like parents try to give their kid an advantage by picking the best affordable and available, daycare, Montessori, public school district, private school, tutoring, athletics, major, track etc, same way they try to find best fit college. Not everyone is trying to find the cheapest option. Lots of parents work hard and live frugally to save for college. Lots of parents are eligible for financial aid and don't need to worry about affordability.

Everyone does what seems best for their kid. Some kids are super smart, some as smart but not as high achieving, some mediocre, some just not into academics, some gunning for best programs, others for easiest route, some shine when they find their interest, etc etc.

This and other similar forums give parents option to share information and opinions, that's beneficial. There is no need for unanimous agreement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to public schools in NOVA then to UVA. Saved thousands and thousands of dollars in tuition while the kids got a great education and attended a college that was plenty good enough for us to hold our heads up high at cocktail parties and other DMV social events - and to retire much earlier than the typical DCUM poster.

But hey, continue to argue about whether Northeastern or Emory or Tulane or etc is prestigious and worth the money. Y’all are crazy.

Well, I would have done that too but UVA only takes the top 5% of the class and in some high schools, that’s still a 4.5. It wasn’t an option for my kid. So maybe be grateful your kids got into UVA and gave you the freedom you have now.

Wrong.

https://admission.virginia.edu/admission/statistics

86%
of enrolling students had reported rank in top tenth of class


(not all applicants reported rank)

-----

Another source claims
"An impressive 89.6% of the University of Virginia’s class of 2025 graduated in the top 10% of their high school class"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you are new here.

And new to any area with UMC+ families. This is hardly a DCUM thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is a multi-cultural city and I think we have a lot of posters here from cultures that infamously put a lot of pressure on their kids to go to to an ivy and/or make a lot of money. I swear I recognize one poster whose daughter got her finance degree 10 years ago - just obsessed with name dropping and prestige. No kidding , she found a way to bring up her SAT score at her wedding speech.

Since you’re new, I’ll warn you about the finance bros and their moms. They post a lot and perpetuate the “should my 1510 kid retake?” and “T20 or bust”. They’ll tell you a 3.8 1400 kid should start at community college.

Older white money is going to argue the benefits of a SLAC, and people from other parts of the country argue state flagship is best. Lots of inaccurate, ignorant posts about southern schools, but also lots of interest because it’s tough out there and people need to stay open-minded.

Welcome to the most miserable subject forum on the site.

+1

In addition, there are a number of teen posters. An irritating combination would be a teen gunning for prestige who doesn't know anything about the varied employment market in the US insisting on what they believe to be the facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to public schools in NOVA then to UVA. Saved thousands and thousands of dollars in tuition while the kids got a great education and attended a college that was plenty good enough for us to hold our heads up high at cocktail parties and other DMV social events - and to retire much earlier than the typical DCUM poster.

But hey, continue to argue about whether Northeastern or Emory or Tulane or etc is prestigious and worth the money. Y’all are crazy.

1. You sound bitter
2. Emory is a better school than UVA
3. This board hates Northeastern and Tulane and would never compare than to UVA let alone Emory.
4. UVA parents are always trying to validate their choice by bringing better schools down.

Look, I’m not here to argue whether Emory or Tulane or Northeastern is “better” or worse than UVA. This much is clear, though: none of them is so much better that they are worth twice the price and then some.

My kid got scholarshp, so luckily they could get the F outta VA, and explore other parts of the country (Boston) in earlier age.
It was great choice.

We’re not talking about scholarship kids. Those kids don’t pay ridiculous tuition. But why not name the school that your kid went to instead of UVA? It would be helpful to the discussion.

Northeatsern.
My kid was born and raised in Fairfax/Chantilly whole life.
Kid wanted to go out and explore in college years.
Luckily total price came out to be just little more than UVA, and was a great fit.

Also got into other schools ranked higher like #28 #36 at the time and Northeatern was #47 something like that at the time, but rankingn was not important.

Did your kid actually apply and get into UVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We sent our kids to public schools in NOVA then to UVA. Saved thousands and thousands of dollars in tuition while the kids got a great education and attended a college that was plenty good enough for us to hold our heads up high at cocktail parties and other DMV social events - and to retire much earlier than the typical DCUM poster.

But hey, continue to argue about whether Northeastern or Emory or Tulane or etc is prestigious and worth the money. Y’all are crazy.

1. You sound bitter
2. Emory is a better school than UVA
3. This board hates Northeastern and Tulane and would never compare than to UVA let alone Emory.
4. UVA parents are always trying to validate their choice by bringing better schools down.

Look, I’m not here to argue whether Emory or Tulane or Northeastern is “better” or worse than UVA. This much is clear, though: none of them is so much better that they are worth twice the price and then some.

My kid got scholarshp, so luckily they could get the F outta VA, and explore other parts of the country (Boston) in earlier age.
It was great choice.

We’re not talking about scholarship kids. Those kids don’t pay ridiculous tuition. But why not name the school that your kid went to instead of UVA? It would be helpful to the discussion.

Northeatsern.
My kid was born and raised in Fairfax/Chantilly whole life.
Kid wanted to go out and explore in college years.
Luckily total price came out to be just little more than UVA, and was a great fit.

Also got into other schools ranked higher like #28 #36 at the time and Northeatern was #47 something like that at the time, but rankingn was not important.

Did your kid actually apply and get into UVA?

Yes Northeastern was harder admit. You don't know this?
UVA and VT were at the bottom of the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I must be new here.

Why do so many of you care where our DC or other kids choose to go to college? I just don't understand all the arguments Public vs Private, blah blah blah. Top 10-50 colleges or bust? (You are a fool for spending $50K a year on private school) when my kids public school was free (and our public kid was accepted to the same university as your private school kid}.

What exactly is the point of these posts? Why does it matter? I hope that we all make decisions that we believe are best for our kids.

I went to an elite college. Lots of amazing peers and many amazing professors. A few terrible profs and bad required classes in and out of major. About 1/4 of my classes were a total waste for one reason or another. Did I get a $200K education? Absolutely not. Did I get a $200K degree and make connections and get a job that paid that back and a lot more? Yes.

And I don't mean hobnobbing at country clubs. I hated the concept of networking and "golf" and "tennis"; I was committed to earning my way on my own efforts, and wanted to believe the world was fair. I got some bad grades because I refused to cheat or accept giveaways from profs like many classmates did.

But just casually knowing someone who knew someone who was hiring for upwardly mobile roles, set my life trajectory.

I got an amazing job for a new grad, from career fair in college because a friend's older friend worked there and invited me to apply, even after I applied my filter of avoiding "evil" companies.
I got an interview at a rising star company because a friend from HS and college was visiting and told me their friend from college had a friend from college who was hiring, and gave me the hiring manager's info.
A classmate friend married a classmate whose family member was someone you know from the news, and gave me that person's cell phone number to apply for a job at their young growing company.

That's why elite colleges are important to people. Even people who don't know those details, who only know "PYSH is elite" are indirectly getting their impression from facts like what I mentioned above. People who go to those schools arecon average more successful than people who don't, all else equal.

Are things different now? Can you rise above your station thanks to the Internet and Twitter and whatever to find opportunities and compete in your merit? Maybe.

But if you stop accepting the legacy kids and rich 1%s, these type of opportunities are diminished. Is your first gen roommate’s dad going to get you a summer job? If the rich and powerful are no longer at the school, the chance for connections and social mobility are also minimized.

Reduced, not minimized. A lot of rich people are smart and have smart well educated kids. If some demographic gets a boost due to some wokeness, that applies broadly across many schools, and the top schools still get the cream of each crop. If all schools admit less richies and more smarties, the schools with more smarties are still going to be better at building a network with opportunities to help each other get jobs or start companies.