Reaction to college acceptance

[Anonymous]

My kid was recently admitted to UVA ED. I shared the news with a few friends who attended elite schools and whose kids are striving to do the same. I was somewhat surprised that their reaction was somewhat muted and they quickly changed the topic. Any idea what’s up here?

[Anonymous]

People are jealous. I learned my lesson to not share news.

[Anonymous]

Many possibilities, among which are:
- their own kid was rejected in the ED round
- their own kid didn’t apply ahead anywhere and is still on pins and needles
- they don’t consider UVA great shakes
- you / your kid was so secretive about where she was applying that they aren’t sure if they are “allowed” to act excited for her
- they don’t give a fig where your kid is going to college
- they have bigger things to focus on

Be happy for your kid and don’t worry about other’s reactions.

[Anonymous]

You should not care.

Your child got into their first choice college.

Be happy

[Anonymous]

Weird post OP. (And I went to UVA for grad school.)

[Anonymous]

What were you expecting exactly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People are jealous. I learned my lesson to not share news.

OP here. This is close to my own thinking. Here are my two thoughts:

1) We’re not one of those families that believes a student must cure cancer to go to a good school. My kid took tough courses, got good grades and test scores, and wrote great essays. That’s it. I think there’s disbelief that it can be that simple. So, there’s the notion that we’re “lucky.”

2) We do not believe that somewhat better ranked privates are worth the money; instead we see UVA as a great value. Thus, we were very practical with the ED selection. Many other kids with similar qualifications ED to a reach, and are oftentimes disappointed. Typically, these students cycle back to a better state school. From that perspective, we cut the madness short. Again, we are “lucky.”

In sum, I think it’s jealously and disbelief that we got the “prize” without the craziness.

[Anonymous]

It was a like a knife to their hearts, OP. Go easy on them. Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

Op, more likely they just don’t particularly care where your kid is going to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are jealous. I learned my lesson to not share news.

OP here. This is close to my own thinking. Here are my two thoughts:

1) We’re not one of those families that believes a student must cure cancer to go to a good school. My kid took tough courses, got good grades and test scores, and wrote great essays. That’s it. I think there’s disbelief that it can be that simple. So, there’s the notion that we’re “lucky.”

2) We do not believe that somewhat better ranked privates are worth the money; instead we see UVA as a great value. Thus, we were very practical with the ED selection. Many other kids with similar qualifications ED to a reach, and are oftentimes disappointed. Typically, these students cycle back to a better state school. From that perspective, we cut the madness short. Again, we are “lucky.”

In sum, I think it’s jealously and disbelief that we got the “prize” without the craziness.

Just stop OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, more likely they just don’t particularly care where your kid is going to college.

OP here. That may be true, but I got a very different response from friends whose kids are not applying or whose parents didn’t go to selective schools. Their response was lots of genuine happiness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid was recently admitted to UVA ED. I shared the news with a few friends who attended elite schools and whose kids are striving to do the same. I was somewhat surprised that their reaction was somewhat muted and they quickly changed the topic. Any idea what’s up here?

I found the same. I’m so excited for others so have been surprised. I’ve learned to tamp down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many other kids with similar qualifications ED to a reach, and are oftentimes disappointed. Typically, these students cycle back to a better state school. From that perspective, we cut the madness short. Again, we are “lucky.”

Maybe they think you exaggerate the likelihood of a bad outcome for those who make different choices and whom you seem to hold in disdain?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are jealous. I learned my lesson to not share news.

OP here. This is close to my own thinking. Here are my two thoughts:

1) We’re not one of those families that believes a student must cure cancer to go to a good school. My kid took tough courses, got good grades and test scores, and wrote great essays. That’s it. I think there’s disbelief that it can be that simple. So, there’s the notion that we’re “lucky.”

2) We do not believe that somewhat better ranked privates are worth the money; instead we see UVA as a great value. Thus, we were very practical with the ED selection. Many other kids with similar qualifications ED to a reach, and are oftentimes disappointed. Typically, these students cycle back to a better state school. From that perspective, we cut the madness short. Again, we are “lucky.”

In sum, I think it’s jealously and disbelief that we got the “prize” without the craziness.

So you told them the news to stick it to them because you are less “crazy” than they are and you are wondering why they weren’t jumping up and down with excitement? Okay.

[Anonymous]

It's not your place to share. They probably thought you were bragging and tacky.