University choice and state political climate

[Anonymous]

Look, I have plenty of D voting friends who have told me they don’t care about this when it comes to college. Friends in AL and TX, who despite hating on their states’ laws, aren’t factoring that in when it comes to their kids. I got pushback on the decisions we made as a family. I had my reasons, they have theirs.

You make your choices. We’ll make ours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t vilify the south. It just happens that many of the states passing regressive laws happen to be there. Sadly, a lot of midwestern and mountain states, too. I’m not pointing to just one area. I point to states. I’m not sending my kids to WI or ID or UT or AZ, either.

And no study abroad, correct?

Study abroad would open a whole different can of worms re:medications for ADHD. It was bad enough across state lines

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t vilify the south. It just happens that many of the states passing regressive laws happen to be there. Sadly, a lot of midwestern and mountain states, too. I’m not pointing to just one area. I point to states. I’m not sending my kids to WI or ID or UT or AZ, either.

And no study abroad, correct?

Study abroad would open a whole different can of worms re:medications for ADHD. It was bad enough across state lines

Most of the EU has very restrictive and regressive censorship laws.

[Anonymous]

My kid is loving life at a red state OOS large public that is not in the top 30 (so most of DCUM would sneer at it) but has a great program for his major. He has had several internships and is on track to getting a great job. He’s moving back to the DC area at graduation.

If anything, he’s influencing his more local peers by being a thinking Democrat.

He’s also gotten great merit aid and has made lots of friends. The school is 40% OOS.

If people here think I’m not going to send him there because of the political crackpots in the state, fine. But it’s been a great choice for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The IU v. UMich thread got me thinking more about state politics and college choice. My senior has Tulane (Louisiana) and Wake Forest (NC) on her list - along with many schools in New England. Does the state/state political climate factor into your son/daughter's decision about where to attend?

100%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s just about values. If I value science and education and healthcare and the economy and free speech, why would I choose to move to a place where the state government is against these things and where a majority of the people voted for government who is against these things?

Exactly

[Anonymous]

My big issue is with the peer groups.

If half (or more) of the kids come from MAGA families that really limits the social options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My big issue is with the peer groups.

If half (or more) of the kids come from MAGA families that really limits the social options.

Why? They throw the best tailgates, by far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My big issue is with the peer groups.

If half (or more) of the kids come from MAGA families that really limits the social options.

Why? They throw the best tailgates, by far.

Have you seen the parking lot after a MAGA tailgate. Those twats leave everything on the floors it's gross and horrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It didn't factor for mine.

Schools like Duke, Vanderbilt, Rice, Emory, Notre Dame and WashU are in very blue areas in red states.

Whereas schools like Cornell, Dartmouth, Williams, Carleton, and most SLACs are in very red areas in blue states.

I personally think the immediate community is more important for most students. Nashville and Atlanta are going to be a lot more diverse and tolerant than rural New England and the Midwest.

Cornell, Dartmouth, Williams, and Carleton are all in very Democratic communities in their states. The surrounding areas are also often easily a Democratic majority. Pretty much any midwest college town is going to be very much a Democratic majority.

If you're looking for diversity, of course a city has that, and rather than discount a region several hundred miles across, it's better to look this stuff up for the college you're interested in.

[Anonymous]

For my politically moderate DS yes, it is a consideration. I'm surprised at all the people ridiculing folks whose kids care about this. The state government matters, and especially R state govts these days. I also would not think any less of a very right-wing R kid who doesn't want to go to college in MA. There is nothing wrong with that.

[Anonymous]

My liberal kid is at Rice and loving it.

[Anonymous]

Doubt these liberals kids would recognize a major college football game since Mom and Dad went to Oberlin and Vassar.

[Anonymous]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/23/professors-us-south-leaving

[Anonymous]

Are there no republican pro-lifers here? My pro-life daughter is praying to go to school in Indiana.