What school dropped off the list because of your visit?

[Anonymous]

UVA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvey Mudd.

Dc thought it was an extremely ugly campus. It is in the suburbs on a strip with several other colleges, and there is very little else nearby. We live near a major city, so dc was used to a place with more things to do outside of campus. The school has a small student population, and dc realized someplace bigger was more desirable.

Excellent, excellent school, just not a good fit for dc.

Uh, the second largest city in America is like a half hour away.

It's more like 45 minutes to an hour, *if* you have a car. Also, the vibe we got was that people didn't stray far from campus.

I don't know why I am even bothering responding to you. You are obviously in middle school because you started your response with a condescending "uh". It was rude and unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only one of my four kids had any interest in touring colleges before applying. We indulged her, but without joining her on her tours because we weren't the ones going to college. Yes, in the end, it probably helped her make her decision -- but for mature reasons, not for silly ones like clicking with the tour guide, liking the food, or discovering that the ag school made its own ice cream. She sat in on a classes in her intended major, etc. That made sense to us, but we didn't need to be there for it.

The other three kids never took a college tour. No interest.

All four went to very good colleges and did just fine. [/quot

Your story makes me sad for your daughter. Like you did not have enough interest to tour the schools with her. To share her excitement about where she might wind up.

Would you not help her pick out a wedding dress, because "it is her wedding?"

Just a totally different approach to family and parenting than in our house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe there is a difference between high-achieving students and everyone else. Generally, high-achieving kids want to go to the best academic school they can get into and their family can afford. Period. If the kid gets into Harvard, it doesn't matter what the food tastes like, whether or not the dorm is air conditioned, or if there is a nearby Starbucks. IT DOESN'T MATTER. However, if the goal is to get an average education at one of 3,000 schools across the nation, perhaps, food, dorms, recreation facilities, sports teams, etc. matter. Just keep in mind, you're paying for an eduction, not a country club. Sure, if you can have both, so be it, but it's sad if you're selecting a school based on comfort over learning, IMHO. But, to each his own.

Spoken like someone who had zero fun in college and definitely didn't get a top tier frat bid.

+1. I want to clear up something about Harvard (and Yale, too). The Harvard freshman all get to live in Harvard Yard. This is THE most historic and most photographed area of the campus. The dorms were built in 1670. They are historic and very meaningful to the students who live there. They are well-kept (the year I was there, the ivy had to come down - sad day - because it was destroying the ancient grout). All freshman can open their windows and yell at friends down in the Yard or across the Yard. And yes you CAN have window air conditioners if you need them. And heaters. I had my own fireplace and made a fire every night. The food is fine but the Yard is closer to Harvard Square than any other place on campus so you are a short walking distance to some of the best burgers I've ever had in my life (one was featured on Triple D). You also have many dining options back on campus. After freshman year you select one of the Houses to live in and live there for the next three years. Almost everyone has its own ballroom, library, sitting rooms, study halls, etc. This (Harvard Yard) and the Houses is a great way to make friends.

As to Yale - much the same thing - my DC spent a summer living in a garret room in one of the Residential Houses. There you go right into the Residential House - much like Oxford and Cambridge and their colleges. There was no A/C there but the summer coordinators had free fans sitting on the lawn for pickup. And most of the rooms are singles. And have fireplaces. Again, it's considered a matter of pride as to which Residential House you are in and the age of those rooms. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard%E2%80%93Yale_sister_colleges

Th

No Harvard dorms were built in 1670. This is Cambridge in the U.S., not Cambridge in the UK. Harvard's oldest building is Massachusetts Hall from 1720. The Houses at Harvard and Colleges you see at Yale are predominately from 1920s and 1930s and later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only one of my four kids had any interest in touring colleges before applying. We indulged her, but without joining her on her tours because we weren't the ones going to college. Yes, in the end, it probably helped her make her decision -- but for mature reasons, not for silly ones like clicking with the tour guide, liking the food, or discovering that the ag school made its own ice cream. She sat in on a classes in her intended major, etc. That made sense to us, but we didn't need to be there for it.

The other three kids never took a college tour. No interest.

All four went to very good colleges and did just fine. [/quot

Your story makes me sad for your daughter. Like you did not have enough interest to tour the schools with her. To share her excitement about where she might wind up.

Would you not help her pick out a wedding dress, because "it is her wedding?"

Just a totally different approach to family and parenting than in our house.

Most people don’t tour colleges before enrolling. It’s expensive and many people can’t afford the time off of work. It’s great that some families have this opportunity, but it’s very much an upper-middle class phenomenon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only one of my four kids had any interest in touring colleges before applying. We indulged her, but without joining her on her tours because we weren't the ones going to college. Yes, in the end, it probably helped her make her decision -- but for mature reasons, not for silly ones like clicking with the tour guide, liking the food, or discovering that the ag school made its own ice cream. She sat in on a classes in her intended major, etc. That made sense to us, but we didn't need to be there for it.

The other three kids never took a college tour. No interest.

All four went to very good colleges and did just fine. [/quot

Your story makes me sad for your daughter. Like you did not have enough interest to tour the schools with her. To share her excitement about where she might wind up.

Would you not help her pick out a wedding dress, because "it is her wedding?"

Just a totally different approach to family and parenting than in our house.

Most people don’t tour colleges before enrolling. It’s expensive and many people can’t afford the time off of work. It’s great that some families have this opportunity, but it’s very much an upper-middle class phenomenon.

This. My God. Not everyone can fly or drive all over the country to visit schools.
I’m not going to claim that virtual visits come close to the real thing, but at least anyone can take a look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe there is a difference between high-achieving students and everyone else. Generally, high-achieving kids want to go to the best academic school they can get into and their family can afford. Period. If the kid gets into Harvard, it doesn't matter what the food tastes like, whether or not the dorm is air conditioned, or if there is a nearby Starbucks. IT DOESN'T MATTER. However, if the goal is to get an average education at one of 3,000 schools across the nation, perhaps, food, dorms, recreation facilities, sports teams, etc. matter. Just keep in mind, you're paying for an eduction, not a country club. Sure, if you can have both, so be it, but it's sad if you're selecting a school based on comfort over learning, IMHO. But, to each his own.

Spoken like someone who had zero fun in college and definitely didn't get a top tier frat bid.

+1. I want to clear up something about Harvard (and Yale, too). The Harvard freshman all get to live in Harvard Yard. This is THE most historic and most photographed area of the campus. The dorms were built in 1670. They are historic and very meaningful to the students who live there. They are well-kept (the year I was there, the ivy had to come down - sad day - because it was destroying the ancient grout). All freshman can open their windows and yell at friends down in the Yard or across the Yard. And yes you CAN have window air conditioners if you need them. And heaters. I had my own fireplace and made a fire every night. The food is fine but the Yard is closer to Harvard Square than any other place on campus so you are a short walking distance to some of the best burgers I've ever had in my life (one was featured on Triple D). You also have many dining options back on campus. After freshman year you select one of the Houses to live in and live there for the next three years. Almost everyone has its own ballroom, library, sitting rooms, study halls, etc. This (Harvard Yard) and the Houses is a great way to make friends.

As to Yale - much the same thing - my DC spent a summer living in a garret room in one of the Residential Houses. There you go right into the Residential House - much like Oxford and Cambridge and their colleges. There was no A/C there but the summer coordinators had free fans sitting on the lawn for pickup. And most of the rooms are singles. And have fireplaces. Again, it's considered a matter of pride as to which Residential House you are in and the age of those rooms. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard%E2%80%93Yale_sister_colleges

Th

No Harvard dorms were built in 1670. This is Cambridge in the U.S., not Cambridge in the UK. Harvard's oldest building is Massachusetts Hall from 1720. The Houses at Harvard and Colleges you see at Yale are predominately from 1920s and 1930s and later.

Wrong - the dorms in Harvard Yard were built in 1720. But you are missing the point. To live in them is history and no one cares about lack of a/c or other things. It's the experience of living in the Yard with all the other freshmen that makes it so special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvey Mudd.

Dc thought it was an extremely ugly campus. It is in the suburbs on a strip with several other colleges, and there is very little else nearby. We live near a major city, so dc was used to a place with more things to do outside of campus. The school has a small student population, and dc realized someplace bigger was more desirable.

Excellent, excellent school, just not a good fit for dc.

Uh, the second largest city in America is like a half hour away.

It's more like 45 minutes to an hour, *if* you have a car. Also, the vibe we got was that people didn't stray far from campus.

I don't know why I am even bothering responding to you. You are obviously in middle school because you started your response with a condescending "uh". It was rude and unnecessary.

I lived in Claremont for about five years. Really is about a half hour drive outside of commuting hours. There’s also a train station very convenient to campus. No car necessary. Lots of great options. Also try not to get too triggered. It’ll be okay.

[Anonymous]

Virginia

[Anonymous]

I did think my fellow parents on the UVA tour were very D.C. Some were socially awkward and just stared at me when I said “hello,” others flashy, also some rude ones who wouldn’t move down the rows to make room for others at the presentation. No surprises.

The other kids on the tour seemed preoccupied with what high school our Guide attended. I didn’t love the application-only entry to certain majors but it’s probably because it’s so different from my college experience.

I was impressed overall. It’s a competitive place but hey, life is a competition in many ways. My child loved it.

[Anonymous]

Tulane (don’t like vibe; very DMV; no real town outside French Quarter)
U Penn (students too stressed and rushed; terrible tour)
William & Mary (college town far too small but greet tour guide)
U Michigan (presentation too arrogant)
Georgetown (disliked campus; too close to home, but good tour)

[Anonymous]

Haverford (campus dead; not a kid anywhere in sight, except in some buildings; depressing)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe there is a difference between high-achieving students and everyone else. Generally, high-achieving kids want to go to the best academic school they can get into and their family can afford. Period. If the kid gets into Harvard, it doesn't matter what the food tastes like, whether or not the dorm is air conditioned, or if there is a nearby Starbucks. IT DOESN'T MATTER. However, if the goal is to get an average education at one of 3,000 schools across the nation, perhaps, food, dorms, recreation facilities, sports teams, etc. matter. Just keep in mind, you're paying for an eduction, not a country club. Sure, if you can have both, so be it, but it's sad if you're selecting a school based on comfort over learning, IMHO. But, to each his own.

Spoken like someone who had zero fun in college and definitely didn't get a top tier frat bid.

+1. I want to clear up something about Harvard (and Yale, too). The Harvard freshman all get to live in Harvard Yard. This is THE most historic and most photographed area of the campus. The dorms were built in 1670. They are historic and very meaningful to the students who live there. They are well-kept (the year I was there, the ivy had to come down - sad day - because it was destroying the ancient grout). All freshman can open their windows and yell at friends down in the Yard or across the Yard. And yes you CAN have window air conditioners if you need them. And heaters. I had my own fireplace and made a fire every night. The food is fine but the Yard is closer to Harvard Square than any other place on campus so you are a short walking distance to some of the best burgers I've ever had in my life (one was featured on Triple D). You also have many dining options back on campus. After freshman year you select one of the Houses to live in and live there for the next three years. Almost everyone has its own ballroom, library, sitting rooms, study halls, etc. This (Harvard Yard) and the Houses is a great way to make friends.

As to Yale - much the same thing - my DC spent a summer living in a garret room in one of the Residential Houses. There you go right into the Residential House - much like Oxford and Cambridge and their colleges. There was no A/C there but the summer coordinators had free fans sitting on the lawn for pickup. And most of the rooms are singles. And have fireplaces. Again, it's considered a matter of pride as to which Residential House you are in and the age of those rooms. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard%E2%80%93Yale_sister_colleges

Th

No Harvard dorms were built in 1670. This is Cambridge in the U.S., not Cambridge in the UK. Harvard's oldest building is Massachusetts Hall from 1720. The Houses at Harvard and Colleges you see at Yale are predominately from 1920s and 1930s and later.

Wrong - the dorms in Harvard Yard were built in 1720. But you are missing the point. To live in them is history and no one cares about lack of a/c or other things. It's the experience of living in the Yard with all the other freshmen that makes it so special.

I don't have a point other than to point out that the person who said Harvard dorms were built in 1670 was off by a minimum of 50 years. The oldest one solely used as a dorm today was built in 1763, which is 93 years after 1670. The oldest of the river houses, for sophomores and up, dates from 1930.

[Anonymous]

First world problem if there ever was one: DCUMers who are arguing over when Harvard dorms were built.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tulane (don’t like vibe; very DMV; no real town outside French Quarter)
U Penn (students too stressed and rushed; terrible tour)
William & Mary (college town far too small but greet tour guide)
U Michigan (presentation too arrogant)
Georgetown (disliked campus; too close to home, but good tour)

? I don't think that's true, but maybe you didn't have a chance to really explore? There are so many cool areas of NO outside of the Quarter. Or do you mean it doesn't feel like a downtown outside the quarter? That's fair.