Anyone truly not care where their kid goes to college? Come on in!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do care because I equate top schools with better opportunities. I know that my child wants a lifestyle that is at least the same as how they grew up (UMC) and a top school will make that more likely. Do you not care because you don’t care about those sorts of outcomes?

How do you know a top school will make that outcome more likely? Your child could go to a less prestigious school and continue their UMC existence.

It’s more likely because the kind of employers that pay really well routinely hire from top schools. While it’s certainly not impossible to achieve a UMC existence without a top school (and if that weren’t possible for my kid for whatever reason, I wouldn’t think that it couldn’t be achieved) , I don’t think anyone can reasonably argue that it’s not more likely. I understand that a top school is not dispositive of success but it’s one more thing that helps.

It's less about the school and more about the major they have there, if you are concerned about salary after graduation and you don't expect them to want to go to grad school. A math major, or stem major will have vastly more opportunities to make money after graduation from a state school or lesser known school than a social sciences major from an ivy league school.

All “stem” majors are not created equally. I think most folks equate stem with CS. Bio, Chem, geology, etc. do not pay as well as CS.

True, for now. These demands swing like a pendulum though. No jobs - other than medicine maybe - stay in demand forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone pushing stem majors when there is a critical shortage of mental health professionals in this country.(Following up on my earlier post about teachers and health care professionals)

Can we please work on training people for the jobs that are actually needed?

You don't decide what's needed, the market does.

Psychiatrists are the top of the mental health professional, and they are medical doctors.
You can also become PA or NP and concentrate on psychiatry.

These are in fact related to STEM in a way, in high demand, and compensated nicely.

Psychologists are usually PhDs. You have to go through all that studying spending time and $$$, but the financial reward is relatively not great.
I think this profession is more suitable for kids with affluent family.

The rest are not so valuable.
My kid looked into this option.

I think a lot of the things being pushed here as high paying careers are GROSSLY overpaid.

I don't have a say in the matter, obviously (don't even get me started on our market system and what is "valued"), but I do know that there are shortages in the fields I have mentioned. Are they hard jobs? YES. But they are desperately needed. Who is going to teach your kids to get them into these colleges if no one goes into education? Who is going to deal with the ever growing percentage of people in this country with mental health issues? Who is going to work with and treat the physical problems of our rapidly aging population?

Our priorities are so screwed up and so many people just decide that money is everything.

Typical DCUM. Constantly bleating about teachers and the availability of mental health treatment, but god forbid their kids go into one of those fields.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do care because I equate top schools with better opportunities. I know that my child wants a lifestyle that is at least the same as how they grew up (UMC) and a top school will make that more likely. Do you not care because you don’t care about those sorts of outcomes?

How do you know a top school will make that outcome more likely? Your child could go to a less prestigious school and continue their UMC existence.

It’s more likely because the kind of employers that pay really well routinely hire from top schools. While it’s certainly not impossible to achieve a UMC existence without a top school (and if that weren’t possible for my kid for whatever reason, I wouldn’t think that it couldn’t be achieved) , I don’t think anyone can reasonably argue that it’s not more likely. I understand that a top school is not dispositive of success but it’s one more thing that helps.

It's less about the school and more about the major they have there, if you are concerned about salary after graduation and you don't expect them to want to go to grad school. A math major, or stem major will have vastly more opportunities to make money after graduation from a state school or lesser known school than a social sciences major from an ivy league school.

All “stem” majors are not created equally. I think most folks equate stem with CS. Bio, Chem, geology, etc. do not pay as well as CS.

If oil/commodity prices are strong, geologists are usually some of the highest-paid folks...unfortunately, your career can fluctuate with commodities prices

[Anonymous]

My kid just negotiated with us to set aside the amount of her merit aid at a “lesser” school and give it to her for a house down payment after she graduates. We were prepared to be full pay, so why not. I think it’s a solid plan and smart in her part. So, yes, I’m ok with a lesser school for no debt and having almost 90k toward a house payment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just negotiated with us to set aside the amount of her merit aid at a “lesser” school and give it to her for a house down payment after she graduates. We were prepared to be full pay, so why not. I think it’s a solid plan and smart in her part. So, yes, I’m ok with a lesser school for no debt and having almost 90k toward a house payment.

I posted this. It’s meant to respond to the original question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just negotiated with us to set aside the amount of her merit aid at a “lesser” school and give it to her for a house down payment after she graduates. We were prepared to be full pay, so why not. I think it’s a solid plan and smart in her part. So, yes, I’m ok with a lesser school for no debt and having almost 90k toward a house payment.

A 17 year old told you they want a house? I find that hard to believe. Is this in writing? A lot can happen to a family’s finances over the next 4-8 years or whenever she wants a house. And when the time comes, mom and dad may have to fess up they blew the money on a new kitchen appliances and a boat. But hey, easy to justify because it was their money anyways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid just negotiated with us to set aside the amount of her merit aid at a “lesser” school and give it to her for a house down payment after she graduates. We were prepared to be full pay, so why not. I think it’s a solid plan and smart in her part. So, yes, I’m ok with a lesser school for no debt and having almost 90k toward a house payment.

A 17 year old told you they want a house? I find that hard to believe. Is this in writing? A lot can happen to a family’s finances over the next 4-8 years or whenever she wants a house. And when the time comes, mom and dad may have to fess up they blew the money on a new kitchen appliances and a boat. But hey, easy to justify because it was their money anyways.

Yes. She did. My kids are both super practical. We will likely out the money in a brokerage account in her name. That’s why we did with some money that had been set aside for her sister for a car that she does not want. Both of my kids already have brokerage accounts and savings accounts. We would never blow money we promised her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid just negotiated with us to set aside the amount of her merit aid at a “lesser” school and give it to her for a house down payment after she graduates. We were prepared to be full pay, so why not. I think it’s a solid plan and smart in her part. So, yes, I’m ok with a lesser school for no debt and having almost 90k toward a house payment.

A 17 year old told you they want a house? I find that hard to believe. Is this in writing? A lot can happen to a family’s finances over the next 4-8 years or whenever she wants a house. And when the time comes, mom and dad may have to fess up they blew the money on new kitchen appliances and a boat. But hey, easy to justify because it was their money anyways.

Yes. She did. My kids are both super practical. We will likely out the money in a brokerage account in her name. That’s why we did with some money that had been set aside for her sister for a car that she does not want. Both of my kids already have brokerage accounts and savings accounts. We would never blow money we promised her.

That’s very prudent of her. I would still caution you speaking in such absolutes. You never know if financial crisis, health scare, job loss or temptation is lurking years from now. You never know. I’ve seen similar promises not come to fruition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do care because I equate top schools with better opportunities. I know that my child wants a lifestyle that is at least the same as how they grew up (UMC) and a top school will make that more likely. Do you not care because you don’t care about those sorts of outcomes?

How do you know a top school will make that outcome more likely? Your child could go to a less prestigious school and continue their UMC existence.

It’s more likely because the kind of employers that pay really well routinely hire from top schools. While it’s certainly not impossible to achieve a UMC existence without a top school (and if that weren’t possible for my kid for whatever reason, I wouldn’t think that it couldn’t be achieved) , I don’t think anyone can reasonably argue that it’s not more likely. I understand that a top school is not dispositive of success but it’s one more thing that helps.

It's less about the school and more about the major they have there, if you are concerned about salary after graduation and you don't expect them to want to go to grad school. A math major, or stem major will have vastly more opportunities to make money after graduation from a state school or lesser known school than a social sciences major from an ivy league school.

All “stem” majors are not created equally. I think most folks equate stem with CS. Bio, Chem, geology, etc. do not pay as well as CS.

good point. So my point of major choice being most important (if not going to grad school and focused on income post graduation) is correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid just negotiated with us to set aside the amount of her merit aid at a “lesser” school and give it to her for a house down payment after she graduates. We were prepared to be full pay, so why not. I think it’s a solid plan and smart in her part. So, yes, I’m ok with a lesser school for no debt and having almost 90k toward a house payment.

A 17 year old told you they want a house? I find that hard to believe. Is this in writing? A lot can happen to a family’s finances over the next 4-8 years or whenever she wants a house. And when the time comes, mom and dad may have to fess up they blew the money on a new kitchen appliances and a boat. But hey, easy to justify because it was their money anyways.

Yes. She did. My kids are both super practical. We will likely out the money in a brokerage account in her name. That’s why we did with some money that had been set aside for her sister for a car that she does not want. Both of my kids already have brokerage accounts and savings accounts. We would never blow money we promised her.

Of course you wouldn't. Just keep it in the account with her name and it's hers.
I think this is a very responsible girl you have!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just negotiated with us to set aside the amount of her merit aid at a “lesser” school and give it to her for a house down payment after she graduates. We were prepared to be full pay, so why not. I think it’s a solid plan and smart in her part. So, yes, I’m ok with a lesser school for no debt and having almost 90k toward a house payment.

You have a smart kid. I've told mine I'd rather pay for graduate school than a pricey school. I'd be ok with doing a downpayment too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just curious how many of us are out there. My Junior does well in school (not stellar), is artsy and a pretty good kid all around. I am letting her steer the ship in regards to college/major. I really just want her to be happy. Don’t give a crap about college rankings at all (pretty sure she doesn’t either). Anyone else?

OP. Thanks for this! I used to care. But now that I have a senior and a junior, I see that the Undergraduate Admissions Emperor has no clothes.

There is no way to game a system that has no rules and no referees. The "holistic" process is useless because there is no transparency into what really happens -- athletics, alumni, advancement, and academics compete against each other to get their preferred applicants.

It's a perfect storm: pseudo transparency of online resources like the CommonApp and Niche, along with covid test policy madness, racist privilege-hoarding lawsuits, declining college-age population, flight of Black talent to HBCUs and elite matching, massive marketing spending and recruitment of corporate marketing execs, and the ever-expanding college "advising" business (going rate for rush-job essay edit is about $500.)

I'm exhausted, my kids are confused, and our school's college "counselor" is stuck in 2019 mode.

At this point, I'm happy so long as they have ONE thing that motivates my kids to get out of my house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious how many of us are out there. My Junior does well in school (not stellar), is artsy and a pretty good kid all around. I am letting her steer the ship in regards to college/major. I really just want her to be happy. Don’t give a crap about college rankings at all (pretty sure she doesn’t either). Anyone else?

OP. Thanks for this! I used to care. But now that I have a senior and a junior, I see that the Undergraduate Admissions Emperor has no clothes.

There is no way to game a system that has no rules and no referees. The "holistic" process is useless because there is no transparency into what really happens -- athletics, alumni, advancement, and academics compete against each other to get their preferred applicants.

It's a perfect storm: pseudo transparency of online resources like the CommonApp and Niche, along with covid test policy madness, racist privilege-hoarding lawsuits, declining college-age population, flight of Black talent to HBCUs and elite matching, massive marketing spending and recruitment of corporate marketing execs, and the ever-expanding college "advising" business (going rate for rush-job essay edit is about $500.)

I'm exhausted, my kids are confused, and our school's college "counselor" is stuck in 2019 mode.

At this point, I'm happy so long as they have ONE thing that motivates my kids to get out of my house.

Ignore all the craziness. If your kids are working hard and pursuing their passions they'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do care because I equate top schools with better opportunities. I know that my child wants a lifestyle that is at least the same as how they grew up (UMC) and a top school will make that more likely. Do you not care because you don’t care about those sorts of outcomes?

How do you know a top school will make that outcome more likely? Your child could go to a less prestigious school and continue their UMC existence.

It’s more likely because the kind of employers that pay really well routinely hire from top schools. While it’s certainly not impossible to achieve a UMC existence without a top school (and if that weren’t possible for my kid for whatever reason, I wouldn’t think that it couldn’t be achieved) , I don’t think anyone can reasonably argue that it’s not more likely. I understand that a top school is not dispositive of success but it’s one more thing that helps.

It's less about the school and more about the major they have there, if you are concerned about salary after graduation and you don't expect them to want to go to grad school. A math major, or stem major will have vastly more opportunities to make money after graduation from a state school or lesser known school than a social sciences major from an ivy league school.

All “stem” majors are not created equally. I think most folks equate stem with CS. Bio, Chem, geology, etc. do not pay as well as CS.

If oil/commodity prices are strong, geologists are usually some of the highest-paid folks...unfortunately, your career can fluctuate with commodities prices

Leaving aside working for an oil company, can some of these fields pay reasonably well assuming someone gets a PhD? Thinking atmospheric sciences, geoscience, chemistry, etc…I’m not talking I-banking money but like 150-200k?

[Anonymous]

No, I don’t care! In fact, I would rather they learn a trade, serve in the military, or do just about anything else productive than spending 4 drunken years and a fortune getting a piece of paper. A college degree isn’t worth what it was 20 or 30 years ago.