NE/Mid-Atlantic bias on this forum

[Anonymous]

The NE/Mid-Atlantic bias on this forum is at times laughable, but it's understandable. After all this is a DC forum. Even with the obvious NE/Mid-Atlantic bias, it is useful to get insight into what people in this region think.

My question is whether anyone knows of any similar regional forums in other areas. I know of national forums like college confidential and prowler, but are there local forums in other major employment areas: NY, LA, Chicago, Dallas?

[Anonymous]

If it's understandable, then why is it laughable?

[Anonymous]

What on Earth are you talking about? This is a DC forum. Thats not a "bias," thats a definition. And why are you asking about employment areas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's understandable, then why is it laughable?

That's pretty dense. Understandable because it is easy to imagine that many posting here have a limited perspective. Yet laughable because of the really dumb views that limited perspective leads to. Useful because regardless of how off base these perceptions may be, the views seem to be strongly held in this region - presumable by employers.

As just one example, I suppose that many in this area think UVA is on par with Northwestern, but in Chicago that would be a joke.

There is no point in listing every example, but the bias is undeniable. I'm just wondering if there are comparable boards in other regions? Posters on this forum frequently mention that they cam from other regions. I know that DC has more than its share of anal retentive snarks, but surely some comparable boards exist?

[Anonymous]

The UVA love on this board is hilarious. Outside VA, UVA is just another state school, but DCUM thinks it's Harvard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What on Earth are you talking about? This is a DC forum. Thats not a "bias," thats a definition. And why are you asking about employment areas?

The views of people in "employment areas" may be important for those who might want a job after college. Not picking on Bowdoin, but, just as an example, the views of folks in Brunswick Maine aren't as relevant to me as the views of potential employers in NYC, DC, Chicago, Dallas, LA. For those who might not have heard, college graduates are having a tough time finding jobs in many areas of the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's understandable, then why is it laughable?

That's pretty dense. Understandable because it is easy to imagine that many posting here have a limited perspective. Yet laughable because of the really dumb views that limited perspective leads to. Useful because regardless of how off base these perceptions may be, the views seem to be strongly held in this region - presumable by employers.

As just one example, I suppose that many in this area think UVA is on par with Northwestern, but in Chicago that would be a joke.

There is no point in listing every example, but the bias is undeniable. I'm just wondering if there are comparable boards in other regions? Posters on this forum frequently mention that they cam from other regions. I know that DC has more than its share of anal retentive snarks, but surely some comparable boards exist?

You've missed your own point. But don't let that stop you from insulting everyone here!

It's not "dumb" that DCUMers respect UVA -- if, in fact, a UVA degree is helpful for getting a job in this region, and even you admit that DMV employers respect UVA. I have no connection to UVA. So if I want to work in DC or northern VA, then why would I seek out a Chicago forum with an equally "limited perspective" that would tell me to go to U of I at Urbana-Champaign? That would be dumb. If I want to work in Chicago, then I agree with you that I should seek out a Chicago forum. But in that case wouldn't I be committing the same exact mistake: seeking advice from a limited, regional forum that is going to overrate U of Illinois' national appeal?

If you're seeking a "national" perspective then you need to go straight to US News rankings, with all its flaws. Or go to College Confidential.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The UVA love on this board is hilarious. Outside VA, UVA is just another state school, but DCUM thinks it's Harvard.

USNWR puts it at #23, which isn't shabby at all: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/page+2

Plus for DCUM posters who live in NOVA, the in-state tuition is a fabulous deal.

UVA makes all kids of sense for DCUM posters. But hey, props to you if your kid can get into Harvard, and if you don't have to worry about paying the full $60k tuition there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The UVA love on this board is hilarious. Outside VA, UVA is just another state school, but DCUM thinks it's Harvard.

I despise YOOVEEAAA due to its culture, but you are an idiot if you think this. UVA has a fantastic reputation in New York, Philly, Boston, Baltimore....essentially all of the BosWash Corridor, which still is the most powerful strip of area from an economic and political perspective.

It is a fantastic value for in-state especially.

That said, I agree with the premise of the OP somewhat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's understandable, then why is it laughable?

That's pretty dense. Understandable because it is easy to imagine that many posting here have a limited perspective. Yet laughable because of the really dumb views that limited perspective leads to. Useful because regardless of how off base these perceptions may be, the views seem to be strongly held in this region - presumable by employers.

As just one example, I suppose that many in this area think UVA is on par with Northwestern, but in Chicago that would be a joke.

There is no point in listing every example, but the bias is undeniable. I'm just wondering if there are comparable boards in other regions? Posters on this forum frequently mention that they cam from other regions. I know that DC has more than its share of anal retentive snarks, but surely some comparable boards exist?

Is this a quality issue or regional bias?

I.E. how is Michigan viewed in chicago in comparison to NW? Considering that Kellogg doesn't have a UG program, I think a gunner at Ross UG would have more opportunities in chiciga finance (banking, prop trading, commodities, rates) than a NW student.

However perhaps a Medill student places better in chicago media than a Mich grad.

Then there is the breadth of options issue. Yes, NW places better in Chicago, but does it places as well as UVA in NYC or Bos? How about in Atl?

[Anonymous]

OP,

Have you tried asking the guidance counselor where your kid goes to school? It doesn't really matter what people in NY or LA think; it's a matter of finding a good fit for your kid.

Unless your high schooler has a burning desire to live in one of those cities, I would start with what your he or she is interested in studying vs. the geographic location. Also, size would be a basic factor. Some kids would be completely lost at a huge university and others might be driven crazy on a small campus.

Many people stay close to home b/c it's less expensive than buying plane tickets across country and college is expensive enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The UVA love on this board is hilarious. Outside VA, UVA is just another state school, but DCUM thinks it's Harvard.

DD's friend turned down Princeton to go to UVA this year. There's a lot more to choosing a school than the US News Rankings.

[Anonymous]

OP, USNWR seems like your only hope. Nobody hear likes it for various methodological reasons. But USNWR, and College Confidential, are the only places you are going to get a national perspective instead of just another regional (you call it "biased" but that's the wrong word) perspective.

[Anonymous]

^^^^here, not hear, obviously

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What on Earth are you talking about? This is a DC forum. Thats not a "bias," thats a definition. And why are you asking about employment areas?

The views of people in "employment areas" may be important for those who might want a job after college. Not picking on Bowdoin, but, just as an example, the views of folks in Brunswick Maine aren't as relevant to me as the views of potential employers in NYC, DC, Chicago, Dallas, LA. For those who might not have heard, college graduates are having a tough time finding jobs in many areas of the country.

I have no connection to Bowdoin, but it's a little naive to think that all Bowdoin students come from Maine and stay in Maine all their lives, and that the school is unknown to prospective employers outside of Maine.