Bright student going to his safety school?

[Anonymous]

Both of my kids sound like your son. Both were stressed out by their HS experience, and chose safety undergrads they loved and took advantage of many opportunities. Both went on to top tier highly competitive grad programs (one and Ivy and one a top 5 professional program) - both received merit funding. There are many paths to success and happiness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious - without revealing too much that you are uncomfortable about sharing, can you say more about what his experience has been like? What do you mean by "not surrounded with true peers"? And thanks for contributing.

In most of his classes, including the small upper level ones in his major, most fellow students don’t evidence critical thinking skills. Many can’t think on their feet when called on. Many lack basic foundational knowledge.

There is an undeniable “is this going to be on the test? Do you have a rubric?” attitude in humanities classes. ie, if I don’t need to know it for the exam, then I don’t need to know it at all.

To be clear, his professors are generally good to excellent and there are of course exceptions to what he describes. They tend to be grad students. But he was shocked to find out how deficient, lethargic and occasionally just stupid students have been.

[Anonymous]

Pp again. We’ve discussed his experience in such detail because he was seriously contemplating a transfer. That’s why I know so much, I promise i’m not a meddling parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious - without revealing too much that you are uncomfortable about sharing, can you say more about what his experience has been like? What do you mean by "not surrounded with true peers"? And thanks for contributing.

In most of his classes, including the small upper level ones in his major, most fellow students don’t evidence critical thinking skills. Many can’t think on their feet when called on. Many lack basic foundational knowledge.

There is an undeniable “is this going to be on the test? Do you have a rubric?” attitude in humanities classes. ie, if I don’t need to know it for the exam, then I don’t need to know it at all.

To be clear, his professors are generally good to excellent and there are of course exceptions to what he describes. They tend to be grad students. But he was shocked to find out how deficient, lethargic and occasionally just stupid students have been.

Maybe when you make college admissions about jumping through a lot of hoops, you get fewer critical/creative thinkers and more people who are really good at identifying hoops and jumping through them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious - without revealing too much that you are uncomfortable about sharing, can you say more about what his experience has been like? What do you mean by "not surrounded with true peers"? And thanks for contributing.

In most of his classes, including the small upper level ones in his major, most fellow students don’t evidence critical thinking skills. Many can’t think on their feet when called on. Many lack basic foundational knowledge.

There is an undeniable “is this going to be on the test? Do you have a rubric?” attitude in humanities classes. ie, if I don’t need to know it for the exam, then I don’t need to know it at all.

To be clear, his professors are generally good to excellent and there are of course exceptions to what he describes. They tend to be grad students. But he was shocked to find out how deficient, lethargic and occasionally just stupid students have been.

Maybe when you make college admissions about jumping through a lot of hoops, you get fewer critical/creative thinkers and more people who are really good at identifying hoops and jumping through them.

I am the PP you're responding to and I agree with you. Paradoxically, OP's son might well find more interesting peers at his school of choice than a higher-ranked school -- because it sounds like there are fewer boxes to check off and maybe less resume building for the sake of buildling a resume. Maybe the kids would be more authentic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is 100 percent your son’s decision. Support. Don’t judge.

I disagree. I think parents should have some input if they are paying $$$ for it. I don't think parents should force their kids, but I do think parents should have some say. It should be a collaborative decision.

And that is absolute bullshit. You’re one of THOSE parents obviously.

Wow you’re obnoxious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious - without revealing too much that you are uncomfortable about sharing, can you say more about what his experience has been like? What do you mean by "not surrounded with true peers"? And thanks for contributing.

In most of his classes, including the small upper level ones in his major, most fellow students don’t evidence critical thinking skills. Many can’t think on their feet when called on. Many lack basic foundational knowledge.

There is an undeniable “is this going to be on the test? Do you have a rubric?” attitude in humanities classes. ie, if I don’t need to know it for the exam, then I don’t need to know it at all.

To be clear, his professors are generally good to excellent and there are of course exceptions to what he describes. They tend to be grad students. But he was shocked to find out how deficient, lethargic and occasionally just stupid students have been.

Maybe when you make college admissions about jumping through a lot of hoops, you get fewer critical/creative thinkers and more people who are really good at identifying hoops and jumping through them.

I am the PP you're responding to and I agree with you. Paradoxically, OP's son might well find more interesting peers at his school of choice than a higher-ranked school -- because it sounds like there are fewer boxes to check off and maybe less resume building for the sake of buildling a resume. Maybe the kids would be more authentic.

I think a lot of us are hoping you’ll name the school because we hope you’re not talking about our alma maters.

[Anonymous]

It’s your kid’s decision. Let them be.

[Anonymous]

My 4.0 (4.6 unweighted), 14 AP (all 5s), 1560 SAT, National Merit Scholar Finalist chose Penn State and he is living his best life!

He had 60 credits transfer and he is doing a double major in three years.

He honestly loves it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious - without revealing too much that you are uncomfortable about sharing, can you say more about what his experience has been like? What do you mean by "not surrounded with true peers"? And thanks for contributing.

In most of his classes, including the small upper level ones in his major, most fellow students don’t evidence critical thinking skills. Many can’t think on their feet when called on. Many lack basic foundational knowledge.

There is an undeniable “is this going to be on the test? Do you have a rubric?” attitude in humanities classes. ie, if I don’t need to know it for the exam, then I don’t need to know it at all.

To be clear, his professors are generally good to excellent and there are of course exceptions to what he describes. They tend to be grad students. But he was shocked to find out how deficient, lethargic and occasionally just stupid students have been.

Maybe when you make college admissions about jumping through a lot of hoops, you get fewer critical/creative thinkers and more people who are really good at identifying hoops and jumping through them.

I am the PP you're responding to and I agree with you. Paradoxically, OP's son might well find more interesting peers at his school of choice than a higher-ranked school -- because it sounds like there are fewer boxes to check off and maybe less resume building for the sake of buildling a resume. Maybe the kids would be more authentic.

I think a lot of us are hoping you’ll name the school because we hope you’re not talking about our alma maters.

I’m not sure it matters. PP has said enough that I’m sure it’s not my alma mater, but I have a neighbor who recently graduated from my alma mater and she was disappointed in a similar way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100 percent depends on his career goals and aspirations. If grad school, look at the stats. If entering the workforce look at which employers if any actively recruit there.

Has he ever interacted with non-honors non-AP kids at his high school? Because that’s who his peers will be. There tends to be a delta in maturity, intellectual curiosity, mental processing, communication skills, humor, etc. he needs to think about it. Maybe spend time on campus with current student if they offer something like that.

NP. What a positively revolting reply.

+1
This entire thread is revolting. These parents *actually* believe their kids are smarter - and better - than everyone else. It reads like satire, but sadly is not.