Why Such Snobbery Against State Universities on These Fora?

[Anonymous]

FWIW, I attended one private university and one semi-public university back in the 1990s, and I received a good education at both and have moved on to have a fulfilling career(s) in my chosen fields of study. My daughter is now attending her second year at the University of Virginia. When we were applying to universities, I continually impressed on my daughter that she would have to make a very strong case for paying either private school tuition or OOS tuition given that we have very good in-state options in the Old Dominion. In the end, she did turn down Georgetown because, IMHO, it was not worth the extra $20K over UVA.

Its interesting to read the banter back and forth on these fora about what constitutes a "prestigious" university or college. You know what? Who cares? I'm not looking for bragging rights, but for the right fit for my child.

I am completely amused by the snobbery at state schools here. Somehow, some tiny LAC in backwoods Maine I've never heard of is a better choice than anything on offer at any of our fine public institutions. Two of the greatest things the United States ever did was create the system of Land Grant universities under the Morrill Act and open up the higher education system to the lower and middle classes through the GI Bill. This more or less democratized our educational institutions. The Ivies and other so-called "elite" schools play an oversized role in our higher education system while educating a very small percentage of our college students. As Robert Kaplan pointed out in his recent book "Earning the Rockies," the public institutions - the Indianas, the Iowas, etc. - play a much bigger and more important role in American educational and economic life. Much of the scientific, technological, and engineering research and training of America ton which postindustrial society depends takes place at our public institutions. They are worthy of our support and our respect.

[Anonymous]

What “fora”? This is one forum.

[Anonymous]

Disagree with OP. This forum often states that the high price of privates is not worth it.

[Anonymous]

I think the consensus was that, if the question can’t be answered after pages and pages of posts, the school is not readily seen as “prestigious.” That said—and I hope this gives you the affirmation you’re seeking—there are very, very, very few places that would be a better choice than UVA instate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the consensus was that, if the question can’t be answered after pages and pages of posts, the school is not readily seen as “prestigious.” That said—and I hope this gives you the affirmation you’re seeking—there are very, very, very few places that would be a better choice than UVA instate.

you mean considering the cost?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the consensus was that, if the question can’t be answered after pages and pages of posts, the school is not readily seen as “prestigious.” That said—and I hope this gives you the affirmation you’re seeking—there are very, very, very few places that would be a better choice than UVA instate.

you mean considering the cost?

Yes. Considering the cost and UVA’s fantastic reputation.

[Anonymous]

Blame this on U.S. News rankings. You have to go down to #21 before you get to a public university, Cal-Berkely.
And then maybe only 3 or 4 in the top 30.
Some people who are asking about "prestige" really are motivated by that factor. I agree it isn't a good way to choose a college, but certain names do impress employers and graduate programs more.

[Anonymous]

DC is one of a pocketful of high income areas where this sort of snobbery exists. Go to other parts of the country and people find the notion of 70K schools laughable - it’s kinda like “only an idiot would pay that much for ...where??”. All of these expensive schools may gun for apps to people who could never afford it, and that pushes up numbers. But at the end of the day they KNOW who the small percentage are with the real money willing to pay full freight. A good percentage of this lot is admitted and then they all pat themselves on the back and dis the smart ones paying in state so they feel better. I see this all the time at our private. Woohoo.

[Anonymous]

The lady doth protest too much, methinks

[Anonymous]

For my kid, maybe. TJ kid, but ADHD. Does exceptionally well with small, discussion based classes and interdisciplinary settings. Tunes out in large lectures. Would be very well served by a SLAC with 2000 kids.

That said, WM should be able to give him most of what he needs. So that is where he is going unless he gets at least some merit aid— which means looking at the midwestern SLACss, not the Eastern ones. Because we cannot afford full pay private times two kids, two years apart.

Most states do not have a WM option though. This particular kid would really struggle at a big state U. He is an example of a kid where UVA, VT, UNC, etc would not work. Not because of snobbery. These are great schools. But because of my kid’s particular learning needs.

[Anonymous]

Georgetown is only 20K more than UVA???

[Anonymous]

I went to a so-called big 3 and then to a land grant university.

I wouldn't trade either experience for the world.

[Anonymous]

I think the snobbery is within a very limited portion of the population that is oversampled in the DC area. My DC went to Michigan and while there are certainly some wealthy Michiganders who choose to go elsewhere, for many people going to Michigan is a huge accomplishment and in fact they are considered to be a little snobby. That is true for other flagship universities. Going to UT Austin is a big deal and seen to be very desirable if you live in Texas.

[Anonymous]

Nothing wrong with public universities. I would argue that they are one of the great strengths of the US. There are more brilliant professors and students at public universities than all of the elite institutions, if for no other reason than the fact that there are 1000x more faculty and students at publics. But, in choosing where to spend 4 years as an undergrad, the emphasis on frats/sororities and big-time sports at state schools is really off putting to some. If you're not a jock or a fratty bro, you might think the social environment is a lot like middle school gym class with too much booze and weed. And, they have different academic goals. For good reason, state schools place an emphasis on vocational majors - social work, physical therapy, nursing, communications, marketing, etc. - that are not considered academically oriented or rigorous by many.

[Anonymous]

Backlash against/rivalry between UMD and UVA boosters?