Dropping out at CMU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what major

Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering is a HARD major!!! Can he change to something easier? I doubt it will be easy anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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%

NP.. My kid is thinking of applying to CMU for CS. I keep hearing that students at CMU seem miserable, barely any social life. I think my DC might want to re-think CMU. DC is in a magnet program and can handle a tough work load, BUT, they want college to be fun, too, and I don't blame DC. DC just spent the last four years working their tail off, but at least had a fun group of kids to hang out with and had a social life. I asked DC if DC wants to spend another four years of having to work their tail off but with very little social life. Something to think about.

Kids at CMU are extremely smug and stuck up in my opinion. I would never send my kids there. Pitt, on the other hand, yes indeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what major

Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering is a HARD major!!! Can he change to something easier? I doubt it will be easy anywhere.

yes, it can and likely will be significantly easier at many other schools. CMU is most known for their CS/CompEng---they are up there with MIT. Most in that program have 1570+ and 4.0+ gpa with 10+ AP credits. They are a group of driven, studious, focused students. It's a pressure cooker school in CS/Engineering---way beyond what even other Elite universities are. The school is not known for being social and that group/majors certainly is NOT (typically). The OP kid is very smart, he will succeed almost anywhere else, but his mental health matters and he needs to be happy for the 4 years.

[Anonymous]

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?

Apply to UVA and Tech and don’t look back. He will love the change!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, the date could have been 2002 on this thread and I wouldn’t have blinked. My brother *should* have dropped out of CMU way back then, and a good 25% of his friends from freshman year did, including his roommate. He did everything possible to try to make it fun- fraternity, booth & buggy, girlfriend, study abroad- but it wasn’t very effective. I visited often but never got a good feel for the school. There were so many beautiful common spaces that were lifeless.

The good thing is that now with Covid disruptions and gap years, no one bats an eye at a year off or a transfer. It is simply not a big deal. It truly isn’t. Don’t let fear of the dropout label stop your child from making the choice that is right for them.

This is OP. Thank you.

As I've said before, my DS has nothing but positive things to say about CMU. It is an exceptional place for hard working AND talented students, it is just NOT the place FOR HIM. He gave it a try and it just didn't work out.

I told DS that whatever he decides to do, I am going to be OK with it because it is his life, not mine. Unless he asks for my advice, I am going to stay in my lane.

OP---It' takes a lot to step back and say you made a mistake and it's not the place for you. Your son is mature and has done just that. More importantly he's done it before his mental health declines and his grades plummet. He's got this, he will regroup and find a better fit for himself. The fact he's doing this all himself is impressive.

-1

Backing away from a tough challenge that is also an AMAZING opportunity (almost everyone in the country would KILL to go to CMU for CS) is NOT mature or impressive at all in my book.

OP, if I were you, I'd try to make sure my kid stays at CMU CS no matter what. Having a CS degree from there will brand you for life, no matter the kid's damage to their "mental health" or whatever. I'm also the OP of this thread:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1067220.page

I think the posters on this thread, as with the American population at large, are WAY too lenient on their kids and discourage resilience and grit by letting their kid back away from tough challenges. I'd rather have my kid get a CS degree from CMU with depression and anxiety and an unhappy 4 years (but a lifetime of financial rewards as evidenced by CMU CS's median earnings) than letting them back away from a challenge like this.

OP, show your kid that you have faith in him! How is he supposed to believe in himself when you won't even believe in him to complete tough challenges?!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, the date could have been 2002 on this thread and I wouldn’t have blinked. My brother *should* have dropped out of CMU way back then, and a good 25% of his friends from freshman year did, including his roommate. He did everything possible to try to make it fun- fraternity, booth & buggy, girlfriend, study abroad- but it wasn’t very effective. I visited often but never got a good feel for the school. There were so many beautiful common spaces that were lifeless.

The good thing is that now with Covid disruptions and gap years, no one bats an eye at a year off or a transfer. It is simply not a big deal. It truly isn’t. Don’t let fear of the dropout label stop your child from making the choice that is right for them.

This is OP. Thank you.

As I've said before, my DS has nothing but positive things to say about CMU. It is an exceptional place for hard working AND talented students, it is just NOT the place FOR HIM. He gave it a try and it just didn't work out.

I told DS that whatever he decides to do, I am going to be OK with it because it is his life, not mine. Unless he asks for my advice, I am going to stay in my lane.

OP---It' takes a lot to step back and say you made a mistake and it's not the place for you. Your son is mature and has done just that. More importantly he's done it before his mental health declines and his grades plummet. He's got this, he will regroup and find a better fit for himself. The fact he's doing this all himself is impressive.

-1

Backing away from a tough challenge that is also an AMAZING opportunity (almost everyone in the country would KILL to go to CMU for CS) is NOT mature or impressive at all in my book.

OP, if I were you, I'd try to make sure my kid stays at CMU CS no matter what. Having a CS degree from there will brand you for life, no matter the kid's damage to their "mental health" or whatever. I'm also the OP of this thread:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1067220.page

I think the posters on this thread, as with the American population at large, are WAY too lenient on their kids and discourage resilience and grit by letting their kid back away from tough challenges. I'd rather have my kid get a CS degree from CMU with depression and anxiety and an unhappy 4 years (but a lifetime of financial rewards as evidenced by CMU CS's median earnings) than letting them back away from a challenge like this.

OP, show your daughter kid that you have faith in him! How is he supposed to believe in himself when you won't even believe in him to complete tough challenges?!!!!

What’s your degree and where is it from? Have you had to pass killer weedout engineering classes at a place like CMU?

I suspect not. Even if you have, that doesn’t mean other people can necessarily do that, or that the people who do that will prosper if the economic winds change. Past degree performance does not predict future results.

[Anonymous]

Why would he completely quit school instead of switching a few classes to get something easier out of the way, or cut back a class or two? Completely quit school- ummmmm……. Good luck with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would he completely quit school instead of switching a few classes to get something easier out of the way, or cut back a class or two? Completely quit school- ummmmm……. Good luck with that.

+1

Dropping out of CMU is a major red flag to any reputable school or employer. OP, you MUST get your kid to stay no matter what.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, the date could have been 2002 on this thread and I wouldn’t have blinked. My brother *should* have dropped out of CMU way back then, and a good 25% of his friends from freshman year did, including his roommate. He did everything possible to try to make it fun- fraternity, booth & buggy, girlfriend, study abroad- but it wasn’t very effective. I visited often but never got a good feel for the school. There were so many beautiful common spaces that were lifeless.

The good thing is that now with Covid disruptions and gap years, no one bats an eye at a year off or a transfer. It is simply not a big deal. It truly isn’t. Don’t let fear of the dropout label stop your child from making the choice that is right for them.

This is OP. Thank you.

As I've said before, my DS has nothing but positive things to say about CMU. It is an exceptional place for hard working AND talented students, it is just NOT the place FOR HIM. He gave it a try and it just didn't work out.

I told DS that whatever he decides to do, I am going to be OK with it because it is his life, not mine. Unless he asks for my advice, I am going to stay in my lane.

OP---It' takes a lot to step back and say you made a mistake and it's not the place for you. Your son is mature and has done just that. More importantly he's done it before his mental health declines and his grades plummet. He's got this, he will regroup and find a better fit for himself. The fact he's doing this all himself is impressive.

-1

Backing away from a tough challenge that is also an AMAZING opportunity (almost everyone in the country would KILL to go to CMU for CS) is NOT mature or impressive at all in my book.

OP, if I were you, I'd try to make sure my kid stays at CMU CS no matter what. Having a CS degree from there will brand you for life, no matter the kid's damage to their "mental health" or whatever. I'm also the OP of this thread:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1067220.page

I think the posters on this thread, as with the American population at large, are WAY too lenient on their kids and discourage resilience and grit by letting their kid back away from tough challenges. I'd rather have my kid get a CS degree from CMU with depression and anxiety and an unhappy 4 years (but a lifetime of financial rewards as evidenced by CMU CS's median earnings) than letting them back away from a challenge like this.

OP, show your kid that you have faith in him! How is he supposed to believe in himself when you won't even believe in him to complete tough challenges?!!!!

You would rather your kid be depressed and anxious so they can have a certain status? This so messed up. He can have plenty of the financial independence and still the prestige you seek while not being miserable at UVA or tech. He’ll still have access to great jobs. You can push your kid when they need it without actually pushing them over the edge which is what you’re suggesting. I truly truly do not understand this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would he completely quit school instead of switching a few classes to get something easier out of the way, or cut back a class or two? Completely quit school- ummmmm……. Good luck with that.

+1

Dropping out of CMU is a major red flag to any reputable school or employer. OP, you MUST get your kid to stay no matter what.

Dropping out of CMU is a sign that a student might not be a top CS genius. There’s plenty of room in the world for people who aren’t CS geniuses

I know some CS geniuses, and it’s wonderful that they’re geniuses, but there are other good paths through life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would he completely quit school instead of switching a few classes to get something easier out of the way, or cut back a class or two? Completely quit school- ummmmm……. Good luck with that.

+1

Dropping out of CMU is a major red flag to any reputable school or employer. OP, you MUST get your kid to stay no matter what. [/quote

How are they even going to know he dropped out of CMU?

He won't put it on his resume.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would he completely quit school instead of switching a few classes to get something easier out of the way, or cut back a class or two? Completely quit school- ummmmm……. Good luck with that.

+1

Dropping out of CMU is a major red flag to any reputable school or employer. OP, you MUST get your kid to stay no matter what. [/quote

How are they even going to know he dropped out of CMU?

He won't put it on his resume.

Absolutely true. The world is full of bright successful happy people who didn't attend CMU. Some of them are even computer science engineers. My spouse is a happy and gainfully employed engineer who switched schools twice. He is a lovely person with a happy family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, the date could have been 2002 on this thread and I wouldn’t have blinked. My brother *should* have dropped out of CMU way back then, and a good 25% of his friends from freshman year did, including his roommate. He did everything possible to try to make it fun- fraternity, booth & buggy, girlfriend, study abroad- but it wasn’t very effective. I visited often but never got a good feel for the school. There were so many beautiful common spaces that were lifeless.

The good thing is that now with Covid disruptions and gap years, no one bats an eye at a year off or a transfer. It is simply not a big deal. It truly isn’t. Don’t let fear of the dropout label stop your child from making the choice that is right for them.

This is OP. Thank you.

As I've said before, my DS has nothing but positive things to say about CMU. It is an exceptional place for hard working AND talented students, it is just NOT the place FOR HIM. He gave it a try and it just didn't work out.

I told DS that whatever he decides to do, I am going to be OK with it because it is his life, not mine. Unless he asks for my advice, I am going to stay in my lane.

OP---It' takes a lot to step back and say you made a mistake and it's not the place for you. Your son is mature and has done just that. More importantly he's done it before his mental health declines and his grades plummet. He's got this, he will regroup and find a better fit for himself. The fact he's doing this all himself is impressive.

-1

Backing away from a tough challenge that is also an AMAZING opportunity (almost everyone in the country would KILL to go to CMU for CS) is NOT mature or impressive at all in my book.

OP, if I were you, I'd try to make sure my kid stays at CMU CS no matter what. Having a CS degree from there will brand you for life, no matter the kid's damage to their "mental health" or whatever. I'm also the OP of this thread:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1067220.page

I think the posters on this thread, as with the American population at large, are WAY too lenient on their kids and discourage resilience and grit by letting their kid back away from tough challenges. I'd rather have my kid get a CS degree from CMU with depression and anxiety and an unhappy 4 years (but a lifetime of financial rewards as evidenced by CMU CS's median earnings) than letting them back away from a challenge like this.

OP, show your kid that you have faith in him! How is he supposed to believe in himself when you won't even believe in him to complete tough challenges?!!!!

What an ignorant comment. I think OP wants a child who is alive. F**K status.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what major

Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering is a HARD major!!! Can he change to something easier? I doubt it will be easy anywhere.

yes, it can and likely will be significantly easier at many other schools. CMU is most known for their CS/CompEng---they are up there with MIT. Most in that program have 1570+ and 4.0+ gpa with 10+ AP credits. They are a group of driven, studious, focused students. It's a pressure cooker school in CS/Engineering---way beyond what even other Elite universities are. The school is not known for being social and that group/majors certainly is NOT (typically). The OP kid is very smart, he will succeed almost anywhere else, but his mental health matters and he needs to be happy for the 4 years.

Just because a school attracts kids with high SATs does not mean their actual classes are harder than the same class a different school. If you can't comprehend Calc III at one shcool you will not magically "get it" at another school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would he completely quit school instead of switching a few classes to get something easier out of the way, or cut back a class or two? Completely quit school- ummmmm……. Good luck with that.

+1

Dropping out of CMU is a major red flag to any reputable school or employer. OP, you MUST get your kid to stay no matter what.

There is no reason for a person to put "dropped out of CMU in the first semester" on a job resume.