Anyone try to cultivate a lifelong interest in a certain university and had it backfire?

[Anonymous]

For example, trying to get your kid interested in your alma mater or your state's flagship?

As a Marylander and Maryland grad, I'd be happy if my kids went there (especially with a scholarship), but I wonder if they will be bored of the campus by the time they are college age if they spend too much time there (games, Maryland day etc).

Last thing I'd want is for them to skip the state school and overpay for some mediocre alternative. If they go to some super elite school instead, ok that's fine too.

[Anonymous]

you are thinking too hard.

[Anonymous]

On the other hand, university is a business decision so who cares. If they want to "find themselves" or something, they can take their tens of thousands in savings and travel the world. (This is exactly what I did - Maryland with a scholarship and traveled the world instead of paying off loans)

[Anonymous]

My dd takes music lessons at UMCP (her private teacher is also a professor there). I think it had made the campus more attractive to her. (Teacher's pedagogy is amazing). My other dd did a special computer science program there once and loved it. I also think she has a more positive view of UMCP. Maybe pick and choose a few things you know your kids will love and/or find impressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dd takes music lessons at UMCP (her private teacher is also a professor there). I think it had made the campus more attractive to her. (Teacher's pedagogy is amazing). My other dd did a special computer science program there once and loved it. I also think she has a more positive view of UMCP. Maybe pick and choose a few things you know your kids will love and/or find impressive.

That's good to hear! The computer science program sounds cool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dd takes music lessons at UMCP (her private teacher is also a professor there). I think it had made the campus more attractive to her. (Teacher's pedagogy is amazing). My other dd did a special computer science program there once and loved it. I also think she has a more positive view of UMCP. Maybe pick and choose a few things you know your kids will love and/or find impressive.

That's good to hear! The computer science program sounds cool

OP, are your kids girls? If so the comp sci program my dd did was an all girl hackathon. It's Sat-Sun, and they work and eat and play the whole time. My kid had a blast and won a Raspberry Pi & an Arduino. All the kids pick up cool swag even if they don't win big stuff. It's geared to college but open to middle and HS. My kid was in 7th when she did it. I think they will offer it again next year.

[Anonymous]

That is so cool! Yes a girl but a little too young for that still, hence my ridiculous thread on my lifelong strategy

[Anonymous]

Kids are not robots you can program. How about you participate in MD events to the extent that it is fun and logical for your family (and your kid's interests/tastes). It seems unlikely to me that both kids would pick the same school anyway. Don't try to orchestrate who they turn into. It is not a good look.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. And separate question when they reach the right age, is what your family can afford.

[Anonymous]

If you are going to encourage your kids to be interested in a university, fer chrissake make it a better one than Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are going to encourage your kids to be interested in a university, fer chrissake make it a better one than Maryland.

What’s wrong with UMD? Can you articulate specifics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are going to encourage your kids to be interested in a university, fer chrissake make it a better one than Maryland.

What’s wrong with UMD? Can you articulate specifics?

Different person but because UMD is incompetent all student records from at least 1980 to like 2015 were stolen. I am not giving them money but have to purchase identity theft protection. This is the tip of the iceberg.

[Anonymous]

I'd worry more that they aren't able to get in and feel bitter than you encouraged them to dream about a place that has a very low acceptance rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are going to encourage your kids to be interested in a university, fer chrissake make it a better one than Maryland.

What’s wrong with UMD? Can you articulate specifics?

Nothing wrong with it. Just not very selective or highly ranked academically. Get your kids to dream bigger than that.

[Anonymous]

UVA douchebags are everywhere today.