Anonymous wrote:First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price. My DC attends an Ivy (Brown). We pay about half full COA. We are what most people would consider affluent but not by DCUM standards (250K HHI) and have 529 savings, but not enough for all four years. We have another in college, which is a big part of the reasons we are only paying COA.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

This. As discussed at length on DCUM, the wealthy/connected and the rest don't mix much at the Ivies.
My kid is at one and it's almost two schools in one. You're not going there from Loudoun County or even from DC and leaving with a Rolodex of BFFs from Manhattan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

This.
Those who disparage ivies just come off as bitter and jealous. Those who disparage any school just comes off as annoying and dismissible.

Also the cost is not a hardship for some families. And not all pay full price.

Having a highly intellectual peer groupings good fit for some kids. Some breeze through HS highest rigor and really want a challenge academically and want to be around others who also thrive in such a challenge. Some will breeze through an ivy education also.

Not sure why you think the ivies can’t possibly be the right fit for any student.

Well stated. And these are not just people they will spend four years with. These are their friends, colleagues and peers for life.

IYKYK

You have low standards.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

This.
Those who disparage ivies just come off as bitter and jealous. Those who disparage any school just comes off as annoying and dismissible.

Also the cost is not a hardship for some families. And not all pay full price.

Having a highly intellectual peer groupings good fit for some kids. Some breeze through HS highest rigor and really want a challenge academically and want to be around others who also thrive in such a challenge. Some will breeze through an ivy education also.

Not sure why you think the ivies can’t possibly be the right fit for any student.

Well stated. And these are not just people they will spend four years with. These are their friends, colleagues and peers for life.

IYKYK

Same as parents hope to get out of any T50?

Anonymous wrote:First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

This.
Those who disparage ivies just come off as bitter and jealous. Those who disparage any school just comes off as annoying and dismissible.

Also the cost is not a hardship for some families. And not all pay full price.

Having a highly intellectual peer groupings good fit for some kids. Some breeze through HS highest rigor and really want a challenge academically and want to be around others who also thrive in such a challenge. Some will breeze through an ivy education also.

Not sure why you think the ivies can’t possibly be the right fit for any student.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand your question.

I have one and an ivy and one at an ivy plus. Each costs about the same (abt $100k). So why is whatever you’re asking ivy-directed?

Not OP but genuine question, what is an "ivy plus"? Is it something to do with that list of "public ivies"?

Goggleable

Ok so the answer is no, it's not the "public ivies" its places like MIT, Stanford, Duke, Cal Tech etc.

First, keep in mind not all parents are paying full price. My DC attends an Ivy (Brown). We pay about half full COA. We are what most people would consider affluent but not by DCUM standards (250K HHI) and have 529 savings, but not enough for all four years. We have another in college, which is a big part of the reasons we are only paying COA.

And here's the answer to the question: it's peer group, but not for marrying/networking purposes. Rather, it's peer group for learning potential. My DC is truly "brought up" by others around them. They relish being around others smarter than them, even if only perceived. They thrive in groups and by being challenged. There are lots of smart kids at our state flagship (which is where I went and this DS's sibling goes) but it's not the same environment. It's just not.

The Brown environment is good for my kid. Not every Ivy would be, though. Choosing an Ivy environment doesn't make a kid or parent a snob.

I'm a little tired of the "they're only chasing prestige" comments. It is possible that a school that happens to be an Ivy is a good environment for a kid. Otherwise, do these commenters feel they should just shut Ivys down? Please keep in mind that these (among many other schools) are places where research is done that changes lives. They are real schools, where real teaching and learning occurs. I feel like people forget that sometimes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand your question.

I have one and an ivy and one at an ivy plus. Each costs about the same (abt $100k). So why is whatever you’re asking ivy-directed?

Not OP but genuine question, what is an "ivy plus"? Is it something to do with that list of "public ivies"?

Goggleable

Get your child an English tutor.

I see that English is not your first language, OP.

People want it all: future economic stability and contacts with other successful people.

Is this what is delivered? Unknown.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand your question.

I have one and an ivy and one at an ivy plus. Each costs about the same (abt $100k). So why is whatever you’re asking ivy-directed?

Not OP but genuine question, what is an "ivy plus"? Is it something to do with that list of "public ivies"?

No, OP, it’s mostly the “name.”

The education, the opportunities, and the connections. And it’s not just the Ivy League.

I don’t understand your question.

I have one and an ivy and one at an ivy plus. Each costs about the same (abt $100k). So why is whatever you’re asking ivy-directed?

I am curious and I have questions for families that have smart kids get admitted into Ivy league regardless of majors they choose. Parents, spending that tons of money for 4 years, would rather want them to study hard for a diploma, expose them to elite and knowledges, spend more time on networking opportunities or possibly find a future spouse over those 4 years? I am sure kids are proven to be smart and that must be something other than the "name" that is worth it for families wanting their kids going to ivy league.