Anyone know families OBSESSED with getting into UVA, period?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really is all about the cost. I know lots of people in NOVA absolutely OBSESSED with UVA but I guarantee you, if all colleges cost the same, they would not be.

But they don't, so no, you can't guarantee it.

So the driver of the obsession is college cost? From age 0-17 parents are in essence brainwashing their kids to want to go to the best college they can afford?

What's wrong with that? I think it is better than giving your kid false hope of being able to get into a school you/she/he can't afford, or being burdened with loans that will take years to pay off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
What's wrong with that? I think it is better than giving your kid false hope of being able to get into a school you/she/he can't afford, or being burdened with loans that will take years to pay off.

I'm genuinely curious -- not sure why some of think this was a hostile or snarky question. I couldn't care less if someone doesn't care where my kids go to college -- it is the way it is said by UVA fanatics, as if UVA is THE END ALL BE ALL, dismissive of out of state colleges. We just always encouraged our kids to broaden their horizons and shoot for the top, so it's interesting that families build up this hype around UVA -- that is their bar, that is the geography their kids funnel to.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it is anything to brag about so I get your point OP. The only state schools I would get excited about are Berkeley and UCLA. Otherwise, no big deal

[Anonymous]

If Cornell's annual tuition was $17k like UVA then many VA families would be obsessed with Cornell too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What's wrong with that? I think it is better than giving your kid false hope of being able to get into a school you/she/he can't afford, or being burdened with loans that will take years to pay off.

I'm genuinely curious -- not sure why some of think this was a hostile or snarky question. I couldn't care less if someone doesn't care where my kids go to college -- it is the way it is said by UVA fanatics, as if UVA is THE END ALL BE ALL, dismissive of out of state colleges. We just always encouraged our kids to broaden their horizons and shoot for the top, so it's interesting that families build up this hype around UVA -- that is their bar, that is the geography their kids funnel to.

Good for you. Some of us don't have the extra $160K to do that.

[Anonymous]

I get OPs point because I have known families in ES who are obesessed with UVA for their kids, which is a fine goal. We can't pay full freight out of state either. Our kids will go in state or get merit money.

But your kid might grow up to be an engineering major, and VT would be a better school for them. Or you have a kid who would do better at a smaller school like WM, or just prefer the atmosphere there. Or the kid has a niche that makes VCU better, like their art program or direct admit medical program. 3rd or 4th grade is really young to have decided that UVA is the one or only option for your kid and to tell them that all the time. But the parents, who are not are UVA alums, are UVA or die.

I do not get that mentality. Because in VA, UVA is not the best school academically in every discipline or for every kid with the academic strength to get in. It's hard to see WM for as a disappointment a nerdy humanities major who like the vibe or VT as a disappointment for the Engineering school. But some parents do.

[Anonymous]

1. UVA is basically a cult. You have to buy in to a group-think culture, like: The Honor Code is good because it enables any three kids to sit in a room and get a fourth kid (that they dislike) kicked out. And, not having to carry ID in order to cash a paper check is excellent preparation for life.

2. False exclusivity. UVA admission from NoVa is extremely competitive, due to the low price tag, because UVA basically doesn't want NoVa applicants any more. UVA would prefer applicants with 3.4 GPAs from Goochington County 4H over 4.1 applicants from Arlington AP programs. NoVa is basically for taxation, not admission. So getting into UVA from NoVa has become a bit of a curiosity. But that's geography, not merit.

[Anonymous]

If you think Virginia is bad, you should check out states where the flagship is in the SEC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. UVA is basically a cult. You have to buy in to a group-think culture, like: The Honor Code is good because it enables any three kids to sit in a room and get a fourth kid (that they dislike) kicked out. And, not having to carry ID in order to cash a paper check is excellent preparation for life.

2. False exclusivity. UVA admission from NoVa is extremely competitive, due to the low price tag, because UVA basically doesn't want NoVa applicants any more. UVA would prefer applicants with 3.4 GPAs from Goochington County 4H over 4.1 applicants from Arlington AP programs. NoVa is basically for taxation, not admission. So getting into UVA from NoVa has become a bit of a curiosity. But that's geography, not merit.

Complete garbage and you know it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you think Virginia is bad, you should check out states where the flagship is in the SEC.

NP here, and yeah, I could do without getting ROLL TIDEd throughout the school year (and if Alabama is not in the SEC, sorry, but I think I'm in keeping with the PP's point: So much enthusiasm! Can you not be true to your school, just like you would to your girl or guy, without allowing it to occupy at least 30% of your brain at all times?)

There is something off about a school that refers to itself as The University. Berkeley and Michigan don't do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get OPs point because I have known families in ES who are obesessed with UVA for their kids, which is a fine goal. We can't pay full freight out of state either. Our kids will go in state or get merit money.

But your kid might grow up to be an engineering major, and VT would be a better school for them. Or you have a kid who would do better at a smaller school like WM, or just prefer the atmosphere there. Or the kid has a niche that makes VCU better, like their art program or direct admit medical program. 3rd or 4th grade is really young to have decided that UVA is the one or only option for your kid and to tell them that all the time. But the parents, who are not are UVA alums, are UVA or die.

I do not get that mentality. Because in VA, UVA is not the best school academically in every discipline or for every kid with the academic strength to get in. It's hard to see WM for as a disappointment a nerdy humanities major who like the vibe or VT as a disappointment for the Engineering school. But some parents do.

I'm one of these UVA obsessed people and I think you're reading too much into it. I and I assume most others would not be the least be disappointed if my child turned down UVA for W&M. The reason I focus on UVA instead of W&M is because it is larger and has more opportunities so I assume they won't reject it because it lacks a specific major, but I don't see it as any better overall than William and Mary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What's wrong with that? I think it is better than giving your kid false hope of being able to get into a school you/she/he can't afford, or being burdened with loans that will take years to pay off.

I'm genuinely curious -- not sure why some of think this was a hostile or snarky question. I couldn't care less if someone doesn't care where my kids go to college -- it is the way it is said by UVA fanatics, as if UVA is THE END ALL BE ALL, dismissive of out of state colleges. We just always encouraged our kids to broaden their horizons and shoot for the top, so it's interesting that families build up this hype around UVA -- that is their bar, that is the geography their kids funnel to.

Good for you. Some of us don't have the extra $160K to do that.

Seriously. Is PP that clueless??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get OPs point because I have known families in ES who are obesessed with UVA for their kids, which is a fine goal. We can't pay full freight out of state either. Our kids will go in state or get merit money.

But your kid might grow up to be an engineering major, and VT would be a better school for them. Or you have a kid who would do better at a smaller school like WM, or just prefer the atmosphere there. Or the kid has a niche that makes VCU better, like their art program or direct admit medical program. 3rd or 4th grade is really young to have decided that UVA is the one or only option for your kid and to tell them that all the time. But the parents, who are not are UVA alums, are UVA or die.

I do not get that mentality. Because in VA, UVA is not the best school academically in every discipline or for every kid with the academic strength to get in. It's hard to see WM for as a disappointment a nerdy humanities major who like the vibe or VT as a disappointment for the Engineering school. But some parents do.

+1
We know a family who is absolutely obsessed with WM. One of the parents went there, and they've donated a ton of money to it over the years. They FULLY EXPECT their four kids will all be going there. There is no other school. Only WM. One kid is there now, and I'm wondering if the other three will happily go or if they'll decide they like other schools better. I just hate the way the parents have zero doubts that a) their kids will all get in and b) they'll all want to go there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. UVA is basically a cult. You have to buy in to a group-think culture, like: The Honor Code is good because it enables any three kids to sit in a room and get a fourth kid (that they dislike) kicked out. And, not having to carry ID in order to cash a paper check is excellent preparation for life.

2. False exclusivity. UVA admission from NoVa is extremely competitive, due to the low price tag, because UVA basically doesn't want NoVa applicants any more. UVA would prefer applicants with 3.4 GPAs from Goochington County 4H over 4.1 applicants from Arlington AP programs. NoVa is basically for taxation, not admission. So getting into UVA from NoVa has become a bit of a curiosity. But that's geography, not merit.

Complete garbage and you know it.

True. Complete garbage. Average GPA is 4.23 and average ACT is now 31-34 DS got in and was a 36. 94% of the students are the top 10% of their classes.

[Anonymous]

Forgot the link ^^. http://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/UVA-admission-requirements,