Dropping out at CMU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS had a very hard time academically at CMU last year; however, he decided to give it a try by coming back this year. Based on the past two weeks, he feels like it is going to get much harder and he will not make it. Today is the last day to drop classes for a full refund. He wants to take off at least this semester to decide what he will do next, possibly transfer to a state school in Virginia. He admitted that CMU is a difficult place to succeed even when he spends at least 70 hours a week to study and it is effecting his mental health.

Anyone with kids dropping out of CMU recently?

Totally let him do whatever works for him. His mental health is more important. He is a smart kud, who'll find something where his hard work makes him happy and successful.

OP here. DS just confirmed that he cancelled all of his classes for this semester and going home once he can find someone to take over his lease. He will take off this semester and is looking into transfer. He still wants to major in Computer Engineering at another university.

Wise of him and bravo to you for supporting him.

My kid (douible major with CS and a STEM) is having a great time. Straight As first 2 years. Wonderful friends, great relationships with professors, does several ECs. Definitely a school for high achievers.

wow PP your kid is SO amazing. Thanks for sharing their amazingness on a thread related to another kid having trouble. Just another demonstration of why this board is filled with absolutely evil people.

I think it could be just a small number of people who make up stuff and post repeatedly. Like all the one and done 1570 SAT takers who post multiple times when that info isn’t being solicited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS had a very hard time academically at CMU last year; however, he decided to give it a try by coming back this year. Based on the past two weeks, he feels like it is going to get much harder and he will not make it. Today is the last day to drop classes for a full refund. He wants to take off at least this semester to decide what he will do next, possibly transfer to a state school in Virginia. He admitted that CMU is a difficult place to succeed even when he spends at least 70 hours a week to study and it is effecting his mental health.

Anyone with kids dropping out of CMU recently?

Totally let him do whatever works for him. His mental health is more important. He is a smart kud, who'll find something where his hard work makes him happy and successful.

OP here. DS just confirmed that he cancelled all of his classes for this semester and going home once he can find someone to take over his lease. He will take off this semester and is looking into transfer. He still wants to major in Computer Engineering at another university.

Wise of him and bravo to you for supporting him.

My kid (douible major with CS and a STEM) is having a great time. Straight As first 2 years. Wonderful friends, great relationships with professors, does several ECs. Definitely a school for high achievers.

wow PP your kid is SO amazing. Thanks for sharing their amazingness on a thread related to another kid having trouble. Just another demonstration of why this board is filled with absolutely evil people.

I think it could be just a small number of people who make up stuff and post repeatedly. Like all the one and done 1570 SAT takers who post multiple times when that info isn’t being solicited.

I tend to believe you, I think it's a handful of people. I've already identified one who posts on multiple sub forums - the one with the 6 kids who do not talk to their parents anymore but somehow they are the be all and know it all of parenting. People with an axe to grind and too much time on their hands.

[Anonymous]

Tell him to transfer to community college until he’s able to handle life. Have him get a job and apartment and live on his own so he gets experience handling new situations. That way college won’t be so overwhelming if he tried again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS had a very hard time academically at CMU last year; however, he decided to give it a try by coming back this year. Based on the past two weeks, he feels like it is going to get much harder and he will not make it. Today is the last day to drop classes for a full refund. He wants to take off at least this semester to decide what he will do next, possibly transfer to a state school in Virginia. He admitted that CMU is a difficult place to succeed even when he spends at least 70 hours a week to study and it is effecting his mental health.

Anyone with kids dropping out of CMU recently?

Totally let him do whatever works for him. His mental health is more important. He is a smart kud, who'll find something where his hard work makes him happy and successful.

OP here. DS just confirmed that he cancelled all of his classes for this semester and going home once he can find someone to take over his lease. He will take off this semester and is looking into transfer. He still wants to major in Computer Engineering at another university.

Wise of him and bravo to you for supporting him.

My kid (douible major with CS and a STEM) is having a great time. Straight As first 2 years. Wonderful friends, great relationships with professors, does several ECs. Definitely a school for high achievers.

OP here. DS has nothing but positive things to say about CMU Computer Engineering program. It is an exceptional university for high achievers but it is not a fit for him. He gave it a try and it didn't work out.

FWIW, he graduated from FCPS with 4.35 GPAs with 10 AP courses, 1590 on the SAT, 36 on the ACT, and scored a five on all 10 AP exams.

How did he do with life skills? Handling his own schedule, problem solving, cooking, cleaning, laundry, scheduling appointments, living with other people, dealing with peer pressure, shopping, meal planning, engaging in social activities, making friends, following an unstructured routine, self-discipline? Without those things in place he won’t do well in college regardless of his high school grades.

[Anonymous]

Op, good for you and your kid. I strongly believe that it's NOT about finding the highest ranked college (and rankings are so subjective anyway), but about finding the best college fit. If your kid is happy, they will excel there. If your kid is not happy for whatever reason, the grades will likely suffer. Moreover, college is about growing as a person, not just acing all tests. Sounds like your kid is on the right path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS had a very hard time academically at CMU last year; however, he decided to give it a try by coming back this year. Based on the past two weeks, he feels like it is going to get much harder and he will not make it. Today is the last day to drop classes for a full refund. He wants to take off at least this semester to decide what he will do next, possibly transfer to a state school in Virginia. He admitted that CMU is a difficult place to succeed even when he spends at least 70 hours a week to study and it is effecting his mental health.

Anyone with kids dropping out of CMU recently?

Totally let him do whatever works for him. His mental health is more important. He is a smart kud, who'll find something where his hard work makes him happy and successful.

OP here. DS just confirmed that he cancelled all of his classes for this semester and going home once he can find someone to take over his lease. He will take off this semester and is looking into transfer. He still wants to major in Computer Engineering at another university.

He has shown maturity by having a pause. He already proved his intellectual excellence by his successful admission to CMU. Every school has its vibe and this school may not be the best kind for your DS who may operate in his own way toward excellence. Just need to find another school whose environment can better fit him, or if he still wants to try, come back in the spring and see if he feels more comfortable after some relax. In any case, your DS is smart and doing very courageous thing. Best luck to him!

Maturity by showing a pause? The kid wasn’t prepared and quit rather than using resources available to push through. This will not look good for future college applications. He should get an associates from a community college so the next real college won’t notice he dropped out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell him to transfer to community college until he’s able to handle life. Have him get a job and apartment and live on his own so he gets experience handling new situations. That way college won’t be so overwhelming if he tried again.

these people suggesting a kid can't function in life because he chose not to continue the CMU CS grind need to sit down and shut up

[Anonymous]

These days, mental health is everything. Dropping out or taking time off college is a thing! My kids have so many friends who took a year out, and they are at ivy and top liberal arts college. Don’t let the stigma get to you. His happiness matters more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS had a very hard time academically at CMU last year; however, he decided to give it a try by coming back this year. Based on the past two weeks, he feels like it is going to get much harder and he will not make it. Today is the last day to drop classes for a full refund. He wants to take off at least this semester to decide what he will do next, possibly transfer to a state school in Virginia. He admitted that CMU is a difficult place to succeed even when he spends at least 70 hours a week to study and it is effecting his mental health.

Anyone with kids dropping out of CMU recently?

Totally let him do whatever works for him. His mental health is more important. He is a smart kud, who'll find something where his hard work makes him happy and successful.

OP here. DS just confirmed that he cancelled all of his classes for this semester and going home once he can find someone to take over his lease. He will take off this semester and is looking into transfer. He still wants to major in Computer Engineering at another university.

He has shown maturity by having a pause. He already proved his intellectual excellence by his successful admission to CMU. Every school has its vibe and this school may not be the best kind for your DS who may operate in his own way toward excellence. Just need to find another school whose environment can better fit him, or if he still wants to try, come back in the spring and see if he feels more comfortable after some relax. In any case, your DS is smart and doing very courageous thing. Best luck to him!

Maturity by showing a pause? The kid wasn’t prepared and quit rather than using resources available to push through. This will not look good for future college applications. He should get an associates from a community college so the next real college won’t notice he dropped out.

I'm a professor and this about as wrong as you can get. Kids transfer out of schools all the time, take off a semester for a variety of reasons and it doesn't look bad. A kid who got into CMU for Computer Engineering will have no difficulties finding an excellent school to transfer into. My advice would be to take the semester to seriously research schools and try to enroll in the Spring. Sure it would have been better if he had made the decision last spring to seamlessly transfer somewhere else in the Fall, but better to make the switch than persist somewhere you are clearly unhappy. The reason I encourage him to quickly research other places and try to transfer in the spring is 1)not to lose momentum, and 2) not to let some of the foundational knowledge fade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS had a very hard time academically at CMU last year; however, he decided to give it a try by coming back this year. Based on the past two weeks, he feels like it is going to get much harder and he will not make it. Today is the last day to drop classes for a full refund. He wants to take off at least this semester to decide what he will do next, possibly transfer to a state school in Virginia. He admitted that CMU is a difficult place to succeed even when he spends at least 70 hours a week to study and it is effecting his mental health.

Anyone with kids dropping out of CMU recently?

Totally let him do whatever works for him. His mental health is more important. He is a smart kud, who'll find something where his hard work makes him happy and successful.

OP here. DS just confirmed that he cancelled all of his classes for this semester and going home once he can find someone to take over his lease. He will take off this semester and is looking into transfer. He still wants to major in Computer Engineering at another university.

Wise of him and bravo to you for supporting him.

My kid (douible major with CS and a STEM) is having a great time. Straight As first 2 years. Wonderful friends, great relationships with professors, does several ECs. Definitely a school for high achievers.

OP here. DS has nothing but positive things to say about CMU Computer Engineering program. It is an exceptional university for high achievers but it is not a fit for him. He gave it a try and it didn't work out.

FWIW, he graduated from FCPS with 4.35 GPAs with 10 AP courses, 1590 on the SAT, 36 on the ACT, and scored a five on all 10 AP exams.

How did he do with life skills? Handling his own schedule, problem solving, cooking, cleaning, laundry, scheduling appointments, living with other people, dealing with peer pressure, shopping, meal planning, engaging in social activities, making friends, following an unstructured routine, self-discipline? Without those things in place he won’t do well in college regardless of his high school grades.

DP. All I can say to this is Holy $H@T

[Anonymous]

CMU is a miserable place for those who enjoy friends. It is a very solo place and not collaborative. Everyone in CS there is trying to prove that MIT missed out on them. Your son probably enjoys an environment that is more collaborative and friendly, and many top schools can provide that. You don’t have to go to community college if you feel CMU isn’t the right place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell him to transfer to community college until he’s able to handle life. Have him get a job and apartment and live on his own so he gets experience handling new situations. That way college won’t be so overwhelming if he tried again.

Wow---not needed.

He is handling life and college. Smart enough to get into CMU and also smart enough to recognize it's a pressure cooker school and not the place for him. So he dropped out for semester while he can still get his $$$ back, and is searching to transfer. I think he is handling new situations just fine. Mommy isn't doing this--the kid is. He's being a responsible adult and developed a plan. He will do just fine in life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS had a very hard time academically at CMU last year; however, he decided to give it a try by coming back this year. Based on the past two weeks, he feels like it is going to get much harder and he will not make it. Today is the last day to drop classes for a full refund. He wants to take off at least this semester to decide what he will do next, possibly transfer to a state school in Virginia. He admitted that CMU is a difficult place to succeed even when he spends at least 70 hours a week to study and it is effecting his mental health.

Anyone with kids dropping out of CMU recently?

Totally let him do whatever works for him. His mental health is more important. He is a smart kud, who'll find something where his hard work makes him happy and successful.

OP here. DS just confirmed that he cancelled all of his classes for this semester and going home once he can find someone to take over his lease. He will take off this semester and is looking into transfer. He still wants to major in Computer Engineering at another university.

He has shown maturity by having a pause. He already proved his intellectual excellence by his successful admission to CMU. Every school has its vibe and this school may not be the best kind for your DS who may operate in his own way toward excellence. Just need to find another school whose environment can better fit him, or if he still wants to try, come back in the spring and see if he feels more comfortable after some relax. In any case, your DS is smart and doing very courageous thing. Best luck to him!

Maturity by showing a pause? The kid wasn’t prepared and quit rather than using resources available to push through. This will not look good for future college applications. He should get an associates from a community college so the next real college won’t notice he dropped out.

I'm a professor and this about as wrong as you can get. Kids transfer out of schools all the time, take off a semester for a variety of reasons and it doesn't look bad. A kid who got into CMU for Computer Engineering will have no difficulties finding an excellent school to transfer into. My advice would be to take the semester to seriously research schools and try to enroll in the Spring. Sure it would have been better if he had made the decision last spring to seamlessly transfer somewhere else in the Fall, but better to make the switch than persist somewhere you are clearly unhappy. The reason I encourage him to quickly research other places and try to transfer in the spring is 1)not to lose momentum, and 2) not to let some of the foundational knowledge fade.

THis^^^. He's a smart kid demonstrating a lot of resilience and foresight. It takes a lot to say "the elite school isn't for me" after working so hard to get in. He's stepping back, and figuring things out. Much better to do this before his mental health declines by sticking around another semester when he's miserable. Note he still wants to major in CompEng, just not at CMU (which is a non-collaborative, pressure cooker---definately not for everyone--I attended CMU for grad school---it's definately not a place for most people---I did undergrad at a T10 and my undergrad was a much friendlier/collaborative place, people were generally happy, not at CMU)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a nerdy, soulless place and really only good for a small fraction of people. Walk down Forbes Ave, immediately adjacent to Pitt & CMU dorms — you’ll 100% be able to spot which school the kid attends.

This 100%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS had a very hard time academically at CMU last year; however, he decided to give it a try by coming back this year. Based on the past two weeks, he feels like it is going to get much harder and he will not make it. Today is the last day to drop classes for a full refund. He wants to take off at least this semester to decide what he will do next, possibly transfer to a state school in Virginia. He admitted that CMU is a difficult place to succeed even when he spends at least 70 hours a week to study and it is effecting his mental health.

Anyone with kids dropping out of CMU recently?

Totally let him do whatever works for him. His mental health is more important. He is a smart kud, who'll find something where his hard work makes him happy and successful.

OP here. DS just confirmed that he cancelled all of his classes for this semester and going home once he can find someone to take over his lease. He will take off this semester and is looking into transfer. He still wants to major in Computer Engineering at another university.

He has shown maturity by having a pause. He already proved his intellectual excellence by his successful admission to CMU. Every school has its vibe and this school may not be the best kind for your DS who may operate in his own way toward excellence. Just need to find another school whose environment can better fit him, or if he still wants to try, come back in the spring and see if he feels more comfortable after some relax. In any case, your DS is smart and doing very courageous thing. Best luck to him!

Maturity by showing a pause? The kid wasn’t prepared and quit rather than using resources available to push through. This will not look good for future college applications. He should get an associates from a community college so the next real college won’t notice he dropped out.

I'm a professor and this about as wrong as you can get. Kids transfer out of schools all the time, take off a semester for a variety of reasons and it doesn't look bad. A kid who got into CMU for Computer Engineering will have no difficulties finding an excellent school to transfer into. My advice would be to take the semester to seriously research schools and try to enroll in the Spring. Sure it would have been better if he had made the decision last spring to seamlessly transfer somewhere else in the Fall, but better to make the switch than persist somewhere you are clearly unhappy. The reason I encourage him to quickly research other places and try to transfer in the spring is 1)not to lose momentum, and 2) not to let some of the foundational knowledge fade.

This. Ignore the people with a myopic world view.