Anonymous wrote:DS goes to MCPS W School. Got into a discussion in homeroom and discovered all but one of the 15 kids were applying to UVA. Brought this up with his (rather large) friend group at lunch who almost all reported to also be applying to UVA. I know it's a great school but what causes the intensity of the draw for MoCo and DC kids?

OP -- I think PPs are missing where you say that your DS was in two discussions with other students where virtually all said they were applying to UVA. Does your DS now feel pressure to apply to UVA whereas maybe previously he wasn't considering it? I'm wondering if that's where this is coming from. Is he feeling now like "I'd better apply too; everyone else is applying so I should, as well; there must be something there I'm missing out on if I don't at least apply."

This can happen a LOT with college-bound students in high school. They talk about colleges and applications far more than parents really realize and many kids can get very wound up, wondering if they should apply to X or Y or Z because others are doing so. And they spread tons of misinformation to each other (not intentionally but because they just hear all kinds of myth and nonsense about specific colleges and about the application process in general).

If your DC looks at UVA and sees majors there of real interest, and programs that fit well with DC's interests, then DC and you can research it and see if it's right for application, but otherwise, I'd emphasize hard to DC that the right college is going to be the one with the best academic program for DC's interests plus a campus atmosphere and student body where DC will thrive as a person. Knee-jerk application to a generic university just because Everyone Applies There is a waste of precious time.

Maybe your DC is NOT feeling any pressure but just was filling you in -- that's good if that's the case! But just noting that kids can feel a ton of pressure of which parents sometimes aren't aware, when it comes to "If you don't apply to UVA/UMD/Giant college X/Elite college Y you must not be very smart because all the smart kids apply there."

Anonymous wrote:My FCPS DC with a 4.4 GPA and a 1530 SAT is not applying--perceives it (rightly or wrongly) as more of same people he doesn't care for in HS.

well, this one is true . But off topic since the OP was talking about kids in MCPS

Anonymous wrote:It's one of maybe 3 highly rated universities within 2 hours of DC. Likely #3 of 3, behind Univ. of Penn and Georgetown. And cheaper than private, easier to get into. I can see the draw.

Is it really any cheaper than private for MD families? If you can swing OOS, you can obviously afford any private. And if you can afford any college, I'm not sure why you'd urge your kids to only go <2 hours from home?

I'd assume Maryland families who want their kid at UVA do so because they want their kid in the snobby UVA frat/sorority culture. If that's your thing, fine, but other than that, it's a total waste of money when there are so many better options at that price point.

Anonymous wrote:Neither of my kids considered applying.

We are on DC.

+1

It's one of maybe 3 highly rated universities within 2 hours of DC. Likely #3 of 3, behind Univ. of Penn and Georgetown. And cheaper than private, easier to get into. I can see the draw.

If you are in-state, it makes sense. If oos-- no, it is just another southern state school.

Anonymous wrote:Easier to get in for a good to excellent student from a MCPS "W" school than from in-state, coming from a FCPS public. It's a good choice for the MCPS "W" school student. At least it may as well be considered.

That’s factually untrue. There is nothing but your feelings that supports this.

Anonymous wrote:No to UVA or UMD. Those schools have no appeal for us.

Ditto. VA residents. DD attended MD private.

Anonymous wrote:Neither of my kids applied. And yes we live in VA. We visited it, it’s just a big state school with a southern feel. Neither of my kids liked it. They both ended up at different top 25 schools and never looked back.

But you did.

70k is not bad as it is in confederate money.

My FCPS DC with a 4.4 GPA and a 1530 SAT is not applying--perceives it (rightly or wrongly) as more of same people he doesn't care for in HS.

Anonymous wrote:My MCPS W school kid is not considering UVA. No way to justify the exorbitant OOS tuition.

Exorbitant? It’s less than my Slac at $82k a year! And why should the Commonwealth get f Virginia be educating your OOS at $58k (that includes all fees) at all unless they bring something very special to the campus? Same with UCLA and Berkeley

Neither of my kids applied. And yes we live in VA. We visited it, it’s just a big state school with a southern feel. Neither of my kids liked it. They both ended up at different top 25 schools and never looked back.

My husband and I are both UVA grads and my senior is not applying. It’s not everyone’s perfect fit or dream school.

I'm surprised it's so popular OOS. We're at a NoVA HS so of course it's popular. Going by Naviance, 39% of DS's class applied last year (including him).

My junior DD, however, will not be applying. She wants a smaller school and W&M is her first choice.