What’s with DC attitudes about college and careers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are so many people in this country promoting this new fascination with the poorly educated? Why is that something to aspire to?

I think the DC area is trying to hold onto whatever dignity we have left thanks to the poorly educated around the country who thought smart people are just snobs. Sexual predators with less education were the preferred way to go. We are all doomed when people like OP condemn striving for excellence and instead try to make it cool to stay under a very low bar.

My son will be attending a T20 school next year where he will hone his critical thinking skills. We are fortunate enough to be able to afford it and I cannot imagine raising a child who cannot think for themselves. That's how we got this very popular cult today who thinks dictatorship is good and democracy is bad!

What on earth did I just read? Three paragraphs of nonsense. And this isn't the political forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are so many people in this country promoting this new fascination with the poorly educated? Why is that something to aspire to?

I think the DC area is trying to hold onto whatever dignity we have left thanks to the poorly educated around the country who thought smart people are just snobs. Sexual predators with less education were the preferred way to go. We are all doomed when people like OP condemn striving for excellence and instead try to make it cool to stay under a very low bar.

My son will be attending a T20 school next year where he will hone his critical thinking skills. We are fortunate enough to be able to afford it and I cannot imagine raising a child who cannot think for themselves. That's how we got this very popular cult today who thinks dictatorship is good and democracy is bad!

What on earth did I just read? Three paragraphs of nonsense. And this isn't the political forum.

I actually agree with the PP. All we hear about these days are the woes of the "working class," and how we need to maintain and support their lifestyle-blue collar, low income, and mostly unintelligent people. It's become pretentious to support education and believe that people should go to college. We are failing as a nation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived in the DC area for the past ten years, but recently moved away after our kids finished high school. We and our kids have attended or currently attend highly-selective, private universities. You’d think that would make us snotty, but we’re just nerdy. That said, we are SO happy we left the DC area, which seems fixated on attending a top school and landing a job in consulting, high finance, or FANG. If not those, then it’s medical or law school. Why is DC so uncreative, so money-focused, and so prestige-centric? If you don’t fit the mold, the assumption is that you’re a loser. Why is that?

Hilarious!

+1
Right? I laughed out loud as I read the OP's post. Zero self-awareness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are so many people in this country promoting this new fascination with the poorly educated? Why is that something to aspire to?

I think the DC area is trying to hold onto whatever dignity we have left thanks to the poorly educated around the country who thought smart people are just snobs. Sexual predators with less education were the preferred way to go. We are all doomed when people like OP condemn striving for excellence and instead try to make it cool to stay under a very low bar.

My son will be attending a T20 school next year where he will hone his critical thinking skills. We are fortunate enough to be able to afford it and I cannot imagine raising a child who cannot think for themselves. That's how we got this very popular cult today who thinks dictatorship is good and democracy is bad!

What on earth did I just read? Three paragraphs of nonsense. And this isn't the political forum.

I actually agree with the PP. All we hear about these days are the woes of the "working class," and how we need to maintain and support their lifestyle-blue collar, low income, and mostly unintelligent people. It's become pretentious to support education and believe that people should go to college. We are failing as a nation.

This is not at ALL the impression I have. Who says it's "pretentious to support education" and college? Quotes?

[Anonymous]

“We and our kids have attended or currently attend highly-selective, private universities.”

You felt compelled to mention that, right, OP? You’re no better than anybody else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I get it. It makes me kind of ill. There are so many options for these well educated and well funded kids and for most of them, honestly, their only goal is to preserve and grow their wealth. I find it discouraging. Who is really passionate about consulting?

Oh stuff it. Money is great! Money buys you experiences. Money buys you top health care. Money buys you highest quality 1:1 long-term care, for your parents and later you. Money buys you 1:1 services if your kid needs help. Money buys you $700 psychiatrists who don't take insurance. Money buys you life-saving neurosurgery for your dog who broke his back by being an idiot.

I could do this all night, and still not even get to "money buys you designer bags and the Hamptons." Having plenty of money buys you peace of mind that frankly is not available at the median salary for your city. You'd better believe we're encouraging DS to make money.

I completely agree and do not pretend otherwise. My kids are not privileged enough to not have to care about money. The reality is that there is no real safety net in the U.S. If you want to buy a house in a safe neighborhood close to where you work, pay for your kids to go to college, not worry about medical bills or unexpected expenses, eat healthy food, and take care of your elderly parents, then you need a high paying job. My kids are going to college so that they can continue to be educated, but more importantly, be better positioned for the job market. I would honestly rather my kids go into vocational school and learn how to be an excellent plumber, electrician, mechanic, builder, etc., than go somewhere and major in philosophy. They can read Kant in their free time and not go into 80k/per year college debt to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I get it. It makes me kind of ill. There are so many options for these well educated and well funded kids and for most of them, honestly, their only goal is to preserve and grow their wealth. I find it discouraging. Who is really passionate about consulting?

Oh stuff it. Money is great! Money buys you experiences. Money buys you top health care. Money buys you highest quality 1:1 long-term care, for your parents and later you. Money buys you 1:1 services if your kid needs help. Money buys you $700 psychiatrists who don't take insurance. Money buys you life-saving neurosurgery for your dog who broke his back by being an idiot.

I could do this all night, and still not even get to "money buys you designer bags and the Hamptons." Having plenty of money buys you peace of mind that frankly is not available at the median salary for your city. You'd better believe we're encouraging DS to make money.

I completely agree and do not pretend otherwise. My kids are not privileged enough to not have to care about money. The reality is that there is no real safety net in the U.S. If you want to buy a house in a safe neighborhood close to where you work, pay for your kids to go to college, not worry about medical bills or unexpected expenses, eat healthy food, and take care of your elderly parents, then you need a high paying job. My kids are going to college so that they can continue to be educated, but more importantly, be better positioned for the job market. I would honestly rather my kids go into vocational school and learn how to be an excellent plumber, electrician, mechanic, builder, etc., than go somewhere and major in philosophy. They can read Kant in their free time and not go into 80k/per year college debt to do so.

Do you not realize that the best of the 80(now 90) k per year colleges give aid to over half the students? Families under 150k often go free. 150k is far above the median income in this country. The best schools are very affordable. most of the other half, the full pay half who have 250k HHI, does not have to take loans, they saved or can cash-flow it. From the true elite ivy-plus top15 overall schools one can do anything and make money easily if they want. Or they can just be a regular doctor or lawyer or engineer and make in the top 2-4% which is plenty to live off and plenty to save so they can offer their kids the same. A top college opens many doors . All former first gen-ers at ivy/plus realize this and have worked hard to make sure we can write the checks for anywhere for our kids. Our degree at the fancy school got us where we are. That is why we do not want legacy to go away: we just got here. Our family should benefit as prior generations did. Luckily mine are super smart and attend a top private, so can likely get in to T20 without legacy if it goes away. since we were formerly poor we know how to save. 90k x 3 kids in 6 yrs will not be an issue for us.

[Anonymous]

^and of course they can major in philosophy or urban studies or whatever they choose if it is T20 we know they will be fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This seems more like a complaint about DCUM than my actual real life lived experience of the DMV.

Actually, it's about OP wondering if her move away was best for her children since, outside of NYC, we have some of the best privates in the U.S. She's doubting the move. so is seeking affirmation of her decision by criticizing the entire region

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived in the DC area for the past ten years, but recently moved away after our kids finished high school. We and our kids have attended or currently attend highly-selective, private universities. You’d think that would make us snotty, but we’re just nerdy. That said, we are SO happy we left the DC area, which seems fixated on attending a top school and landing a job in consulting, high finance, or FANG. If not those, then it’s medical or law school. Why is DC so uncreative, so money-focused, and so prestige-centric? If you don’t fit the mold, the assumption is that you’re a loser. Why is that?

Hilarious!

+1
Right? I laughed out loud as I read the OP's post. Zero self-awareness.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Op, you sound just like them. My older one went to DCPS and is going to community college. All his choice and we are all happy. Younger one told us that he was not even going to college. He will just manage his investment account. That's quite creative.