Why is Georgia so popular?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Liberals self select agree they are very uncomfortable with others. In our wealthy town the electricians and plumbers laugh when they deal with them.

What an odd thing to say. You think liberals are all wealthy?

I am comfortable with all sorts of different people. Some of my closest friends (and family members) are Republicans. My family has a mix of military, blue collar, and white collar people. I choose to avoid Trump supporters and other cult members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m just paying closer attention now that my kids are approaching college, but it seems like a big uptick in interest in Georgia. I get that kids want warm weather and big football, but there are a bunch of schools that tick those boxes so curious why Georgia seems disproportionally popular with mcps W schools (maybe privates as well).

Not really though. UF, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, and Clemson are more popular with MCPS. Only 16 kids from these MCPS schools: all the Ws, BCC, Poolesville, and Einstein, are attending UGA from the 2025 class. It is not disproportionately popular by any means compared to other schools.

UofSC, UTK, Clemson are UGA safeties. Those kids you know going to those schools were rejected by UGA.

Not disproportional by any means. Popularity of southern schools based on # of Applicants (W schools, Poolesville, RM, Einstein, BCC):
1. UNC Chapel Hill: 619
2. Duke: 363
3. Univ of Florida: 354
4. Georgia Tech: 335
5. University of South Carolina: 326
6. Clemson: 275
7. UT Austin: 268
8. University of Georgia: 253
9. Emory: 249
10. Vanderbilt: 226
11. NC State: 216
12. Florida State: 199
13. Tennessee: 162
14. Rice: 113
15. Auburn: 93
16. LSU: 78
17. Alabama: 64
18. Ole Miss: 52

Just curious, how do the overall numbers look when you include all schools. What is the #1 applied to school and how many applications?

These are the top out of state schools for MCPS students based on the highest number of applications:

1. Pennsylvania State University: 1071
2. University of Pittsburgh: 957
3. University of Michigan: 766
4. University of Virginia: 730
5. Virginia Tech: 726
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 619
7. University of Pennsylvania: 490
8. University of Wisconsin: 480
9. Ohio State: 468
10. Northeastern: 466
11. GW: 455
12. American: 434
13. Indiana University: 409
14. University of Delaware: 408
15. Cornell: 400
16. Univ of Colorado Boulder: 394
17. Boston University: 391
18. JMU: 377
19. NYU: 366
20. Duke: 363
21. University of Florida: 354

More data here: https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/09/10/mcps-students-college/

So, in the grand scheme of things the southern schools outside of VA barely register...it's UNC, Duke and Florida.

Nobody talks much about University of Colorado which I will say has become much more popular...nor the Big 10 schools.

I am fairly surprised how popular GW and American are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not that common for VA kids.

Athens is cute, but it's still in a red state so not on the list.

They have 2 Democratic senators.

And fully Republican state government that hates women and democracy.

BS. The Ga gov and Lt gov stood up to Trump in 2020 as much as anyone. I grew up in Atlanta and it’s fantastic. And Athens is a great town and UGA a great school that improved significantly over past 39 years in part bc of HOPE scholarship.

So tired of the anti-red state hatred on this board - esp since GA is a purple state with an African American and Jewish senator. and if Democrats can’t figure out how to speak to GA they (or we) will be a permanent minority of epic proportions.

Athens is great. UGA is great.

Athens is a great town. Georgia still sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m just paying closer attention now that my kids are approaching college, but it seems like a big uptick in interest in Georgia. I get that kids want warm weather and big football, but there are a bunch of schools that tick those boxes so curious why Georgia seems disproportionally popular with mcps W schools (maybe privates as well).

Not really though. UF, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, and Clemson are more popular with MCPS. Only 16 kids from these MCPS schools: all the Ws, BCC, Poolesville, and Einstein, are attending UGA from the 2025 class. It is not disproportionately popular by any means compared to other schools.

UofSC, UTK, Clemson are UGA safeties. Those kids you know going to those schools were rejected by UGA.

Not disproportional by any means. Popularity of southern schools based on # of Applicants (W schools, Poolesville, RM, Einstein, BCC):
1. UNC Chapel Hill: 619
2. Duke: 363
3. Univ of Florida: 354
4. Georgia Tech: 335
5. University of South Carolina: 326
6. Clemson: 275
7. UT Austin: 268
8. University of Georgia: 253
9. Emory: 249
10. Vanderbilt: 226
11. NC State: 216
12. Florida State: 199
13. Tennessee: 162
14. Rice: 113
15. Auburn: 93
16. LSU: 78
17. Alabama: 64
18. Ole Miss: 52

Just curious, how do the overall numbers look when you include all schools. What is the #1 applied to school and how many applications?

UCLA is the most applied to college, followed by 5 more UC's the next 6 (NYU, Northeastern, USC, BU, Cornell, Penn). Not a single southern or red state school in the top 12

Yeah...but the UC schools warp the numbers because of all the in state CA residents and the fact that you complete just one application and then check as many UC boxes as you want to apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Savannah and suburbs are not liberal. It does have a significant old establishment Irish population that traditionally does not lean left.

Yes, just because Savanah votes heavily Democratic doesn't mean those voters are not conservative.

Boston also has a lot of fairly conservative Democratic voters. Lots of the Boston Irish.

+1

We have family there and spend a lot of time there. It isn't liberal like Athens or Atlanta.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Athens is a very liberal town and county. 70% supported Harris in the last election.

My center-left kid is going to college in GA and has already changed their voting to GA...so that's one vote for Democrats in the 2026 elections.

You can't change things by screaming from the sidelines.

Hopefully their voter registration isn't challenged. Very easy to do in GA now thanks to the Rs that control all three branches of state gov't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Savannah and suburbs are not liberal. It does have a significant old establishment Irish population that traditionally does not lean left.

Yes, just because Savanah votes heavily Democratic doesn't mean those voters are not conservative.

Boston also has a lot of fairly conservative Democratic voters. Lots of the Boston Irish.

+1

We have family there and spend a lot of time there. It isn't liberal like Athens or Atlanta.

Let's use this litmus test...who will feel more at home in Savannah...the purple-haired kid attending SCAD or some super MAGA person?

My bet is on the SCAD kid...but maybe that's only downtown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m just paying closer attention now that my kids are approaching college, but it seems like a big uptick in interest in Georgia. I get that kids want warm weather and big football, but there are a bunch of schools that tick those boxes so curious why Georgia seems disproportionally popular with mcps W schools (maybe privates as well).

Not really though. UF, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, and Clemson are more popular with MCPS. Only 16 kids from these MCPS schools: all the Ws, BCC, Poolesville, and Einstein, are attending UGA from the 2025 class. It is not disproportionately popular by any means compared to other schools.

UofSC, UTK, Clemson are UGA safeties. Those kids you know going to those schools were rejected by UGA.

Not disproportional by any means. Popularity of southern schools based on # of Applicants (W schools, Poolesville, RM, Einstein, BCC):
1. UNC Chapel Hill: 619
2. Duke: 363
3. Univ of Florida: 354
4. Georgia Tech: 335
5. University of South Carolina: 326
6. Clemson: 275
7. UT Austin: 268
8. University of Georgia: 253
9. Emory: 249
10. Vanderbilt: 226
11. NC State: 216
12. Florida State: 199
13. Tennessee: 162
14. Rice: 113
15. Auburn: 93
16. LSU: 78
17. Alabama: 64
18. Ole Miss: 52

Just curious, how do the overall numbers look when you include all schools. What is the #1 applied to school and how many applications?

These are the top out of state schools for MCPS students based on the highest number of applications:

1. Pennsylvania State University: 1071
2. University of Pittsburgh: 957
3. University of Michigan: 766
4. University of Virginia: 730
5. Virginia Tech: 726
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 619
7. University of Pennsylvania: 490
8. University of Wisconsin: 480
9. Ohio State: 468
10. Northeastern: 466
11. GW: 455
12. American: 434
13. Indiana University: 409
14. University of Delaware: 408
15. Cornell: 400
16. Univ of Colorado Boulder: 394
17. Boston University: 391
18. JMU: 377
19. NYU: 366
20. Duke: 363
21. University of Florida: 354

More data here: https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/09/10/mcps-students-college/

So, in the grand scheme of things the southern schools outside of VA barely register...it's UNC, Duke and Florida.

Nobody talks much about University of Colorado which I will say has become much more popular...nor the Big 10 schools.

I am fairly surprised how popular GW and American are.

Big 10 rules in MCPS. Some kids talk about the southern schools because of the weather and fun football but they get all the fun vibes, greek life, sports, plus reputable academics from a Big 10. Apparently weather isn't as important of a factor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m just paying closer attention now that my kids are approaching college, but it seems like a big uptick in interest in Georgia. I get that kids want warm weather and big football, but there are a bunch of schools that tick those boxes so curious why Georgia seems disproportionally popular with mcps W schools (maybe privates as well).

Not really though. UF, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, and Clemson are more popular with MCPS. Only 16 kids from these MCPS schools: all the Ws, BCC, Poolesville, and Einstein, are attending UGA from the 2025 class. It is not disproportionately popular by any means compared to other schools.

UofSC, UTK, Clemson are UGA safeties. Those kids you know going to those schools were rejected by UGA.

Because all these schools have excellent academics, quality of student life, and different strengths, I'm not sure how that can be. Not everyone has their heart set on the same university.

Georgia is a harder admit and a better college. Top 50 vs not even T100 for some of the others.

[Anonymous]

At our public, Georgia has fallen off. South Carolina has picked up. I think kids thought Georgia has become too difficult and they had a shot at South Carolina.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m just paying closer attention now that my kids are approaching college, but it seems like a big uptick in interest in Georgia. I get that kids want warm weather and big football, but there are a bunch of schools that tick those boxes so curious why Georgia seems disproportionally popular with mcps W schools (maybe privates as well).

Not really though. UF, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, and Clemson are more popular with MCPS. Only 16 kids from these MCPS schools: all the Ws, BCC, Poolesville, and Einstein, are attending UGA from the 2025 class. It is not disproportionately popular by any means compared to other schools.

UofSC, UTK, Clemson are UGA safeties. Those kids you know going to those schools were rejected by UGA.

Not disproportional by any means. Popularity of southern schools based on # of Applicants (W schools, Poolesville, RM, Einstein, BCC):
1. UNC Chapel Hill: 619
2. Duke: 363
3. Univ of Florida: 354
4. Georgia Tech: 335
5. University of South Carolina: 326
6. Clemson: 275
7. UT Austin: 268
8. University of Georgia: 253
9. Emory: 249
10. Vanderbilt: 226
11. NC State: 216
12. Florida State: 199
13. Tennessee: 162
14. Rice: 113
15. Auburn: 93
16. LSU: 78
17. Alabama: 64
18. Ole Miss: 52

Just curious, how do the overall numbers look when you include all schools. What is the #1 applied to school and how many applications?

These are the top out of state schools for MCPS students based on the highest number of applications:

1. Pennsylvania State University: 1071
2. University of Pittsburgh: 957
3. University of Michigan: 766
4. University of Virginia: 730
5. Virginia Tech: 726
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 619
7. University of Pennsylvania: 490
8. University of Wisconsin: 480
9. Ohio State: 468
10. Northeastern: 466
11. GW: 455
12. American: 434
13. Indiana University: 409
14. University of Delaware: 408
15. Cornell: 400
16. Univ of Colorado Boulder: 394
17. Boston University: 391
18. JMU: 377
19. NYU: 366
20. Duke: 363
21. University of Florida: 354

More data here: https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/09/10/mcps-students-college/

So, in the grand scheme of things the southern schools outside of VA barely register...it's UNC, Duke and Florida.

Nobody talks much about University of Colorado which I will say has become much more popular...nor the Big 10 schools.

I am fairly surprised how popular GW and American are.

Big 10 rules in MCPS. Some kids talk about the southern schools because of the weather and fun football but they get all the fun vibes, greek life, sports, plus reputable academics from a Big 10. Apparently weather isn't as important of a factor.

BIG 10 = Too large, too cold and too dreary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m just paying closer attention now that my kids are approaching college, but it seems like a big uptick in interest in Georgia. I get that kids want warm weather and big football, but there are a bunch of schools that tick those boxes so curious why Georgia seems disproportionally popular with mcps W schools (maybe privates as well).

Not really though. UF, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, and Clemson are more popular with MCPS. Only 16 kids from these MCPS schools: all the Ws, BCC, Poolesville, and Einstein, are attending UGA from the 2025 class. It is not disproportionately popular by any means compared to other schools.

UofSC, UTK, Clemson are UGA safeties. Those kids you know going to those schools were rejected by UGA.

Not disproportional by any means. Popularity of southern schools based on # of Applicants (W schools, Poolesville, RM, Einstein, BCC):
1. UNC Chapel Hill: 619
2. Duke: 363
3. Univ of Florida: 354
4. Georgia Tech: 335
5. University of South Carolina: 326
6. Clemson: 275
7. UT Austin: 268
8. University of Georgia: 253
9. Emory: 249
10. Vanderbilt: 226
11. NC State: 216
12. Florida State: 199
13. Tennessee: 162
14. Rice: 113
15. Auburn: 93
16. LSU: 78
17. Alabama: 64
18. Ole Miss: 52

Just curious, how do the overall numbers look when you include all schools. What is the #1 applied to school and how many applications?

These are the top out of state schools for MCPS students based on the highest number of applications:

1. Pennsylvania State University: 1071
2. University of Pittsburgh: 957
3. University of Michigan: 766
4. University of Virginia: 730
5. Virginia Tech: 726
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 619
7. University of Pennsylvania: 490
8. University of Wisconsin: 480
9. Ohio State: 468
10. Northeastern: 466
11. GW: 455
12. American: 434
13. Indiana University: 409
14. University of Delaware: 408
15. Cornell: 400
16. Univ of Colorado Boulder: 394
17. Boston University: 391
18. JMU: 377
19. NYU: 366
20. Duke: 363
21. University of Florida: 354

More data here: https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/09/10/mcps-students-college/

So, in the grand scheme of things the southern schools outside of VA barely register...it's UNC, Duke and Florida.

Nobody talks much about University of Colorado which I will say has become much more popular...nor the Big 10 schools.

I am fairly surprised how popular GW and American are.

Big 10 rules in MCPS. Some kids talk about the southern schools because of the weather and fun football but they get all the fun vibes, greek life, sports, plus reputable academics from a Big 10. Apparently weather isn't as important of a factor.

BIG 10 = Too large, too cold and too dreary.

And still the most popular. Kids are flocking to them. Best football teams, great basketball, large alumni network, great internship opportunities, greek life, fun student experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our public, Georgia has fallen off. South Carolina has picked up. I think kids thought Georgia has become too difficult and they had a shot at South Carolina.

W school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m just paying closer attention now that my kids are approaching college, but it seems like a big uptick in interest in Georgia. I get that kids want warm weather and big football, but there are a bunch of schools that tick those boxes so curious why Georgia seems disproportionally popular with mcps W schools (maybe privates as well).

Not really though. UF, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, and Clemson are more popular with MCPS. Only 16 kids from these MCPS schools: all the Ws, BCC, Poolesville, and Einstein, are attending UGA from the 2025 class. It is not disproportionately popular by any means compared to other schools.

UofSC, UTK, Clemson are UGA safeties. Those kids you know going to those schools were rejected by UGA.

Not disproportional by any means. Popularity of southern schools based on # of Applicants (W schools, Poolesville, RM, Einstein, BCC):
1. UNC Chapel Hill: 619
2. Duke: 363
3. Univ of Florida: 354
4. Georgia Tech: 335
5. University of South Carolina: 326
6. Clemson: 275
7. UT Austin: 268
8. University of Georgia: 253
9. Emory: 249
10. Vanderbilt: 226
11. NC State: 216
12. Florida State: 199
13. Tennessee: 162
14. Rice: 113
15. Auburn: 93
16. LSU: 78
17. Alabama: 64
18. Ole Miss: 52

Just curious, how do the overall numbers look when you include all schools. What is the #1 applied to school and how many applications?

These are the top out of state schools for MCPS students based on the highest number of applications:

1. Pennsylvania State University: 1071
2. University of Pittsburgh: 957
3. University of Michigan: 766
4. University of Virginia: 730
5. Virginia Tech: 726
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 619
7. University of Pennsylvania: 490
8. University of Wisconsin: 480
9. Ohio State: 468
10. Northeastern: 466
11. GW: 455
12. American: 434
13. Indiana University: 409
14. University of Delaware: 408
15. Cornell: 400
16. Univ of Colorado Boulder: 394
17. Boston University: 391
18. JMU: 377
19. NYU: 366
20. Duke: 363
21. University of Florida: 354

More data here: https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/09/10/mcps-students-college/

So, in the grand scheme of things the southern schools outside of VA barely register...it's UNC, Duke and Florida.

Nobody talks much about University of Colorado which I will say has become much more popular...nor the Big 10 schools.

I am fairly surprised how popular GW and American are.

Big 10 rules in MCPS. Some kids talk about the southern schools because of the weather and fun football but they get all the fun vibes, greek life, sports, plus reputable academics from a Big 10. Apparently weather isn't as important of a factor.

BIG 10 = Too large, too cold and too dreary.

And still the most popular. Kids are flocking to them. Best football teams, great basketball, large alumni network, great internship opportunities, greek life, fun student experience.

Kids are flocking to them because other than Northwestern and Michigan they are easier to gain acceptance and they admit thousands per year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m just paying closer attention now that my kids are approaching college, but it seems like a big uptick in interest in Georgia. I get that kids want warm weather and big football, but there are a bunch of schools that tick those boxes so curious why Georgia seems disproportionally popular with mcps W schools (maybe privates as well).

Not really though. UF, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, and Clemson are more popular with MCPS. Only 16 kids from these MCPS schools: all the Ws, BCC, Poolesville, and Einstein, are attending UGA from the 2025 class. It is not disproportionately popular by any means compared to other schools.

UofSC, UTK, Clemson are UGA safeties. Those kids you know going to those schools were rejected by UGA.

Not disproportional by any means. Popularity of southern schools based on # of Applicants (W schools, Poolesville, RM, Einstein, BCC):
1. UNC Chapel Hill: 619
2. Duke: 363
3. Univ of Florida: 354
4. Georgia Tech: 335
5. University of South Carolina: 326
6. Clemson: 275
7. UT Austin: 268
8. University of Georgia: 253
9. Emory: 249
10. Vanderbilt: 226
11. NC State: 216
12. Florida State: 199
13. Tennessee: 162
14. Rice: 113
15. Auburn: 93
16. LSU: 78
17. Alabama: 64
18. Ole Miss: 52

Just curious, how do the overall numbers look when you include all schools. What is the #1 applied to school and how many applications?

These are the top out of state schools for MCPS students based on the highest number of applications:

1. Pennsylvania State University: 1071
2. University of Pittsburgh: 957
3. University of Michigan: 766
4. University of Virginia: 730
5. Virginia Tech: 726
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 619
7. University of Pennsylvania: 490
8. University of Wisconsin: 480
9. Ohio State: 468
10. Northeastern: 466
11. GW: 455
12. American: 434
13. Indiana University: 409
14. University of Delaware: 408
15. Cornell: 400
16. Univ of Colorado Boulder: 394
17. Boston University: 391
18. JMU: 377
19. NYU: 366
20. Duke: 363
21. University of Florida: 354

More data here: https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/09/10/mcps-students-college/

So, in the grand scheme of things the southern schools outside of VA barely register...it's UNC, Duke and Florida.

Nobody talks much about University of Colorado which I will say has become much more popular...nor the Big 10 schools.

I am fairly surprised how popular GW and American are.

Big 10 rules in MCPS. Some kids talk about the southern schools because of the weather and fun football but they get all the fun vibes, greek life, sports, plus reputable academics from a Big 10. Apparently weather isn't as important of a factor.

BIG 10 = Too large, too cold and too dreary.

And still the most popular. Kids are flocking to them. Best football teams, great basketball, large alumni network, great internship opportunities, greek life, fun student experience.

Kids are flocking to them because other than Northwestern and Michigan they are easier to gain acceptance and they admit thousands per year.

Uh huh. That's right, so much easier to get into The Ohio State, Wisconsin, UMD, or Penn State than Alabama, Kentucky, LSU, and Mississippi.