my top 3 guesses of why someone would do that:
1) money. Is it worth it to go to an Ivy if you're going to be in massive debt because of it...this is something each individual/family has to weigh for themselves. I can see a lot of scenarios where it is smarter to go w/ the cheaper option.
2) as PP mentioned, maybe the kid applied to Harvard not thinking they would ever get in and never visited Harvard before applying but then once they got in they visited and decided they actually didn't really like it that much? Or already had their heart set on UVA because they never imagined they'd get into Harvard?
3) their BF/GF is going to UVA and they want to stay in the relationship (I hope this isn't the reason! I hate it when this happens but I've seen it many times and in most cases the kid winds up breaking up w/ BF/GF soon after college starts anyway)

It’s a very smart decision. Only suckers pay 60k+ for college. ANY college.

Parent here of 3 past/current UVA undergrads. Yes, students turn down Ivys for UVA, including Harvard. I’ve seen it with my kid’s’ friends. Also, the parent FB groups around this time of year often have posts from parents of prospective Hoos informing that their DC is deciding between UVA and an Ivy and asking for opinions from parents whose DCs were in a similar situation and decided on UVA. While the questions and answers come more frequently from in-state, OOS parents are definitely in the mix.

Anonymous wrote:Is this fairly common at public schools?

One kid at my child’s public just turned down Harvard for UVA. I can understand not choosing NYU or Georgetown for UVA, but Harvard???

Boy or girl?
Intended field of study?
Athlete?
Never mind the prestige, Harvard seems more depressing than UVA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t always worth it for a family to put a huge stress on their finances for an impressive school. UVA produces very successful students and was likely much cheaper. I get it. The Ivy brand isn’t necessarily a good purchase if you, say, hurt your retirement.

UVA is barely top 25 and they are very weak in STEM and CS. It doesn’t attract top students.

oh stop with that. UVA grads in those areas get the exact same jobs as those who you'd consider "stronger". And yes it does attract top students.

its possible that if this kid got into Harvard, they may be a Jefferson Scholar, which is def worth the trade off.

That being said, I have never met a Harvard grad that didn't walk in with a massive ego. I actually prefer NOT to hire people from Harvard for that reason. Perhaps this is just a normal kid who wants a fun experience and be surrounded by "normal" smart kids.

Well, let's assume then that Harvard grads wouldn't even consider hiring a UVA grad. Only talking kids direct out of undergrad, not mid-career hires.

If you believe that to be true, then you have to admit there are a ton of opportunities available for Harvard grads that are not available whatsoever for UVA grads. Most VC firms, many hedge funds, many P/E funds, boutique IBanking and Consulting firms, etc.

That's the difference. It may not matter for 98% of kids...but it may matter quite a bit for 2% of the kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard is expensive
Not everyone likes Harvard or feel it is a fit for them
UVA is a great school
One data point does not make a trend or norm

Then why did this person apply to Harvard ?

Parental pressure, a dare, the reasons are endless.

Most of the time, kids don't visit the ivies before they apply....they wait to see where they get in. Even if you can afford to....its often a super reach and waste of time....so maybe they checked it out and realized its not the right fit?

Happens all the time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t always worth it for a family to put a huge stress on their finances for an impressive school. UVA produces very successful students and was likely much cheaper. I get it. The Ivy brand isn’t necessarily a good purchase if you, say, hurt your retirement.

UVA is barely top 25 and they are very weak in STEM and CS. It doesn’t attract top students.

Hey, guess what? There are many other majors that aren’t STEM or CS. And UVA is very strong in a lot of them.

If you’re majoring in something that will likely require a PhD to get a decent job, it absolutely makes sense to go to a cheaper, but still solid, undergraduate school. With the right preparation from highly-qualified faculty, a top graduate program is entirely possible—and you’re less likely to be starting out in debt.

Stop feeding the barley 25 not strong in STEM and CS troll please.

The truth doesn't care about your feelings.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t always worth it for a family to put a huge stress on their finances for an impressive school. UVA produces very successful students and was likely much cheaper. I get it. The Ivy brand isn’t necessarily a good purchase if you, say, hurt your retirement.

UVA is barely top 25 and they are very weak in STEM and CS. It doesn’t attract top students.

oh stop with that. UVA grads in those areas get the exact same jobs as those who you'd consider "stronger". And yes it does attract top students.

its possible that if this kid got into Harvard, they may be a Jefferson Scholar, which is def worth the trade off.

That being said, I have never met a Harvard grad that didn't walk in with a massive ego. I actually prefer NOT to hire people from Harvard for that reason. Perhaps this is just a normal kid who wants a fun experience and be surrounded by "normal" smart kids.

What is Jefferson scholar?

I don't think the same kid coming out of UVA vs Harvard is getting the same job offers. Not even close.

A lot of people do this for financial reasons. I know several who turned down Ivies for University of Florida. The financial savings is HUGE.

A HS friend of mine got a full ride to our state school (not UVA, although she got in there OOS) then went to Harvard for grad school.

If you're a donut hole family, this makes good financial sense, even when you have an Ivy as an undergrad option

We just ran numbers with our financial advisor yesterday and came in $60K short for the private school my daughter wants to attend and fully covered for her state school option. The private school has some great resources and opportunities, but is it worth going into debt for it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t always worth it for a family to put a huge stress on their finances for an impressive school. UVA produces very successful students and was likely much cheaper. I get it. The Ivy brand isn’t necessarily a good purchase if you, say, hurt your retirement.

UVA is barely top 25 and they are very weak in STEM and CS. It doesn’t attract top students.

Hey, guess what? There are many other majors that aren’t STEM or CS. And UVA is very strong in a lot of them.

If you’re majoring in something that will likely require a PhD to get a decent job, it absolutely makes sense to go to a cheaper, but still solid, undergraduate school. With the right preparation from highly-qualified faculty, a top graduate program is entirely possible—and you’re less likely to be starting out in debt.

Stop feeding the barley 25 not strong in STEM and CS troll please.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t always worth it for a family to put a huge stress on their finances for an impressive school. UVA produces very successful students and was likely much cheaper. I get it. The Ivy brand isn’t necessarily a good purchase if you, say, hurt your retirement.

UVA is barely top 25 and they are very weak in STEM and CS. It doesn’t attract top students.

Hey, guess what? There are many other majors that aren’t STEM or CS. And UVA is very strong in a lot of them.

If you’re majoring in something that will likely require a PhD to get a decent job, it absolutely makes sense to go to a cheaper, but still solid, undergraduate school. With the right preparation from highly-qualified faculty, a top graduate program is entirely possible—and you’re less likely to be starting out in debt.

Maybe MYOB?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It isn’t always worth it for a family to put a huge stress on their finances for an impressive school. UVA produces very successful students and was likely much cheaper. I get it. The Ivy brand isn’t necessarily a good purchase if you, say, hurt your retirement.

UVA is barely top 25 and they are very weak in STEM and CS. It doesn’t attract top students.

oh stop with that. UVA grads in those areas get the exact same jobs as those who you'd consider "stronger". And yes it does attract top students.

its possible that if this kid got into Harvard, they may be a Jefferson Scholar, which is def worth the trade off.

That being said, I have never met a Harvard grad that didn't walk in with a massive ego. I actually prefer NOT to hire people from Harvard for that reason. Perhaps this is just a normal kid who wants a fun experience and be surrounded by "normal" smart kids.