Any other Ivy League parents finding this funny?

[Anonymous]

I admit, I partook in this yearly Washington game of, "what school can my child get into?" We did well, but I'm appalled at the desperation I am seeing on this board. Without sounding egotistical, my sense is that most people who are dying for their children to be accepted at these "elite" elementary schools are yearning for the Ivy League stamp down the road because they never had it themselves.

$0.02 that they were the same ones that were lining up to purchase a Baby Einstein video when they first found out they were pregnant.

Going to Harvard or Princeton is NOT a big deal.
Becoming a partner at a law firm is NOT a big deal.

Perhaps I'm ungrateful, or perhaps I've realized the hard way that such pursuits are not really worth the stress and anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Reminds me of what they say about marriage being a "fortress besieged": everyone on the outside clamoring to get in, everyone on the inside clamoring to get out.

I went to Harvard, and the Harvard College degree is no guarantee of happily ever after.

[Anonymous]

That's too much logic for this board. You'll never convince these folks that the Big 3 isn't guaranteed admission to the Ivies.

But, here's a kick in the head, my friend's son just got admitted to Harvard, full scholarship, & GET THIS, 12 years of public school

Goes to show that it merit can go further than connections. Have a little more faith in your kids...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's too much logic for this board. You'll never convince these folks that the Big 3 isn't guaranteed admission to the Ivies.

But, here's a kick in the head, my friend's son just got admitted to Harvard, full scholarship, & GET THIS, 12 years of public school

Goes to show that it merit can go further than connections. Have a little more faith in your kids...

Here, here!

And congrats to your son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's too much logic for this board. You'll never convince these folks that the Big 3 isn't guaranteed admission to the Ivies.

But, here's a kick in the head, my friend's son just got admitted to Harvard, full scholarship, & GET THIS, 12 years of public school

Goes to show that it merit can go further than connections. Have a little more faith in your kids...

Here, here!

And congrats to your son.

Oops, I mean your friend's son.

[Anonymous]

19:51 here. I do, however, believe that there are advantages to a private school education. I am well aware that my DC's chances of getting into Harvard are the same whether he attends a public school or the private school he attends. However, I chose this particular private because of (1) the superior instruction in writing, which I believe our local public does not do as well, (2) the better foreign-language instruction by native speakers, (3) the smaller class size, (4) the stricter discipline, (5) the inculcation of values that my family considers important, and (6) the benefits of a single-sex education.

At Harvard I did see that some freshmen were better prepared for the academic challenges than others. All of us were able to do the work, of course, but some struggled. In particular, there was a huge difference in writing ability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's too much logic for this board. You'll never convince these folks that the Big 3 isn't guaranteed admission to the Ivies.

But, here's a kick in the head, my friend's son just got admitted to Harvard, full scholarship, & GET THIS, 12 years of public school

Goes to show that it merit can go further than connections. Have a little more faith in your kids...

Here, here!

And congrats to your son.

Oops, I mean your friend's son.

Why would you congratulate this woman's friend? I thought you all were agreeing that Harvard doesn't buy happiness. So you should be telling this woman, "Your friend is obviously horrible for choosing Harvard. She's obviously drawn to the luster of the Ivy League rather than thinking about what's good for her son's happiness or what 'fits' her son well. Shame on your friend."

You people kill me. You all gang up on moms and dads for wanting a good private school and...yes...wanting to get IN to a good private school, you all go ape shit over parents actually hoping their kid will go to a great university...even an Ivy League university. And then you have the gall to offer congratulations to someone who got in to Harvard. Was it because that boy went to public school? Is that why he's an exception? Then the fact is, it's not that you don't secretly want those same schools yourself. It's that you don't like rich people throwing money toward that same goal.

[Anonymous]

19:51 here again. I personally have no objection to people throwing money toward the goal of an Ivy education. I'm just amused that the irony of it all for those who see what a meretricious goal it can be.

[Anonymous]

I'll step up and say, yes, I want my child to be able to go to Yale (if he or she wants). I went there and was blissfully happy. I had a blast and got a terrific education that prepared me for great jobs and a great grad school. In my opinion, Yale is all that and I don't knock anyone who wants that for their child and does whatever they can to help their wish materialize. Princeton also seems pretty awesome. Can't say that much about Harvard (probably an ingrained bias .

That said, I know plenty of friends who went to great state schools (UVA, Michigan) and have done equally well and had a terrific experience, but let's not pretend that places like Yale or Princeton aren't pretty special. They are.

There. Flame away, folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I admit, I partook in this yearly Washington game of, "what school can my child get into?" We did well, but I'm appalled at the desperation I am seeing on this board. Without sounding egotistical, my sense is that most people who are dying for their children to be accepted at these "elite" elementary schools are yearning for the Ivy League stamp down the road because they never had it themselves.

$0.02 that they were the same ones that were lining up to purchase a Baby Einstein video when they first found out they were pregnant.

Going to Harvard or Princeton is NOT a big deal.
Becoming a partner at a law firm is NOT a big deal.

Perhaps I'm ungrateful, or perhaps I've realized the hard way that such pursuits are not really worth the stress and anxiety.

I am a partner at a law firm and it was a big deal when I made it and I am still proud of having achieved it - it took a lot of hard work (and I attended public school through college). I wouldn't know about going to Harvard or Princeton, but I imagine the folks who got into those places worked very hard to do so and it was a big deal for them. I don't equate those things with getting your kid into a froofy elementary school - that is about the kid. But the most important thing is that none of this guarantees happiness - I know a lot of law firm partners and ivy grads who are very unhappy people. A good education is critical, but that is available from public school. I think the more important goal is to help your kid figure out what makes him happy, then help him learn how to achieve what he wants for himself. It may be excelling in a sport, creating close friendships, becoming a good musician or excelling academically. You don't need any of the fancy private schools for that. It is a nice thing to be able to give your kid that education, but there are so many more important gifts every parent can give.

[Anonymous]

Well, for that matter, let's not pretend that schools like St. Albans and Sidwell aren't special too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's too much logic for this board. You'll never convince these folks that the Big 3 isn't guaranteed admission to the Ivies.

But, here's a kick in the head, my friend's son just got admitted to Harvard, full scholarship, & GET THIS, 12 years of public school

Goes to show that it merit can go further than connections. Have a little more faith in your kids...

Here, here!

And congrats to your son.

Oops, I mean your friend's son.

And, presumably "hear, hear!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll step up and say, yes, I want my child to be able to go to Yale (if he or she wants). I went there and was blissfully happy. I had a blast and got a terrific education that prepared me for great jobs and a great grad school. In my opinion, Yale is all that and I don't knock anyone who wants that for their child and does whatever they can to help their wish materialize. Princeton also seems pretty awesome. Can't say that much about Harvard (probably an ingrained bias .

That said, I know plenty of friends who went to great state schools (UVA, Michigan) and have done equally well and had a terrific experience, but let's not pretend that places like Yale or Princeton aren't pretty special. They are.

There. Flame away, folks.

There's this unspoken rule for graduates of Ivy colleges and especially of HYP. You're supposed to downplay how great it was. Noblesse oblige.

[Anonymous]

We all covet that which we do not have.

[Anonymous]

Aw c'mon, let them dream a little. They just want what you have. Is that too much to ask? Why not let them feel special and feel some happiness for them when they reach their goal? Then they can be all smug and take it for granted like you and warn the next generation about the grass being greener on the other side.