Did anyone's kid choose quality of life/social factors over prestige?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan is highly selective but not as selective as some other small liberal arts colleges. Lots of Wesleyan students choose it anyway because of the arts and music scene, the progressive political traditions, and the college's commitment to diversity.

My kid is at a school similarly ranked to Wesleyan. Applied ED foregoing higher ranked options, got in, and is very happy.

So I wouldn't say that she choose quality of life OVER prestige because her school is still prestigious, but I would say that she balanced a lot of factors and prestige was not the driving factor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVA over Berkley?

It is UC Berkeley.

[Anonymous]

DC picked for social fit and quality of life and picked the ivy, over several other top 10/top publics including UVA. They are all decently prestigious at that level. The ivy simply had a lot more to offer outside the classroom as well as the benefits of small classes and access to professors. The final three were all top 10 but the other two were not a match based on outside the classroom factors. It has been a great fit filled with challenge, fun and personal

[Anonymous]

DC chose UT Austin over Cornell. Loves UT and it’s been great for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid has Penn or Columbia, then he should pick one of those options. The whole "campus environment" notion is overrated. Most kids acclimate wherever they go and enjoy it. The prestige difference between Penn/Columbia and UVA is substantial, so more career opportunities will be opened if he goes Ivy.

This. Crazy to turn down Penn/Columbia especially if she might be interested in finance/consulting

How about if you have visited Penn and Columbia & thought both were disgusting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC picked for social fit and quality of life and picked the ivy, over several other top 10/top publics including UVA. They are all decently prestigious at that level. The ivy simply had a lot more to offer outside the classroom as well as the benefits of small classes and access to professors. The final three were all top 10 but the other two were not a match based on outside the classroom factors. It has been a great fit filled with challenge, fun and personal

Why can’t you just name the Ivy? It would be more helpful to this discussion. There is no risk of your child being outed; literally thousands of students apply to both UVA and Ivy institutions every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid has Penn or Columbia, then he should pick one of those options. The whole "campus environment" notion is overrated. Most kids acclimate wherever they go and enjoy it. The prestige difference between Penn/Columbia and UVA is substantial, so more career opportunities will be opened if he goes Ivy.

This. Crazy to turn down Penn/Columbia especially if she might be interested in finance/consulting

How about if you have visited Penn and Columbia & thought both were disgusting?

What was “disgusting”?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP and haven't checked this thread for a a few days. She turned down both Penn and Columbia. Never thought I'd be typing that. However, on Fri she missed a call from Vanderbilt admissions. She called back and got the person's voice mail. If they offer her a spot she says she will take it.

I'm surprised at how active some waitlists have been. None of this happened with my last child 2 years ago. My DC has a classmate who got off both Brown and Wash U on Friday. Wild.

OP, any update on the Vanderbilt call? This is school is high on my daughter’s list for next year.

[Anonymous]

Bumping for an OP update!

[Anonymous]

Mine turned down the Naval Academy because he didn't really want to spend 6 years in Navy.

But also wanting an OP update! I'm shocked she turned down schools without hearing from Vanderbilt!