Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You imply that Ivies are the only selective schools. My kid got into Julliard though and I'm beyond thrilled for her because this has been her dream since third grade.

I couldn't care less that it's not an Ivy.

Julliard is very difficult to get into. Kudos to your daughter!! She must be extraordinarily talented.

Thanks! I really love watching her dance.

I would be much prouder of a Julliard admission than an Ivy admission. Any smart kid who wants to grind it out can get into an Ivy. Julliard takes real talent, though.

Actually, no. The Ivies turn away tons of 2400 SATs and valedectorians every year. That said, Julliard (and Curtis and Pratt) are all places to be very proud of, too.

Actually, yes. There is the one and only Julliard which makes the PP's daughter's accomplishment a real achievement. Julliard turns away a ton of superior talented applicants every year.

Doctorate in Pharmacy - it's a 2+4 combined program and her undergrad merit aid counted for 4yrs. It's a bit complicated

When DD friends found out she accepted substantial merit aid to attend an out-of-state public, several friends said it must be that she didn't reach high enough - if they wanted her so bad. Fast forward, that merit aid permitted her (monetarily) to be receiving doctorate - probably first in her class.

Good for your DD--her friends sound like brats.

However the latter part doesn't really make that much sense. Most doctorates worth doing are funded (with a few exceptions). And typically, at least for your federal loans you can defer interest while you are in grad school. So why would the merit aid impact her ability, financially to go to grad school?

When DD friends found out she accepted substantial merit aid to attend an out-of-state public, several friends said it must be that she didn't reach high enough - if they wanted her so bad. Fast forward, that merit aid permitted her (monetarily) to be receiving doctorate - probably first in her class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You imply that Ivies are the only selective schools. My kid got into Julliard though and I'm beyond thrilled for her because this has been her dream since third grade.

I couldn't care less that it's not an Ivy.

Julliard is very difficult to get into. Kudos to your daughter!! She must be extraordinarily talented.

Thanks! I really love watching her dance.

I would be much prouder of a Julliard admission than an Ivy admission. Any smart kid who wants to grind it out can get into an Ivy. Julliard takes real talent, though.

Actually, no. The Ivies turn away tons of 2400 SATs and valedectorians every year. That said, Julliard (and Curtis and Pratt) are all places to be very proud of, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You imply that Ivies are the only selective schools. My kid got into Julliard though and I'm beyond thrilled for her because this has been her dream since third grade.

I couldn't care less that it's not an Ivy.

Julliard is very difficult to get into. Kudos to your daughter!! She must be extraordinarily talented.

Thanks! I really love watching her dance.

I would be much prouder of a Julliard admission than an Ivy admission. Any smart kid who wants to grind it out can get into an Ivy. Julliard takes real talent, though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You imply that Ivies are the only selective schools. My kid got into Julliard though and I'm beyond thrilled for her because this has been her dream since third grade.

I couldn't care less that it's not an Ivy.

Julliard is very difficult to get into. Kudos to your daughter!! She must be extraordinarily talented.

Thanks! I really love watching her dance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of the families whose kids got into Ivies? I admit it, I wish my DC was going to a slightly better school. I'm proud and he knows I'm proud but I am a little bit jealous. I know it's superficial and it's probably not even the right fit but they do have a lot of cache. I am glad I'm not trying to pay for it, however.

Not really jealous. DD's potential major is a bit unusual and the schools with the best programs for her have mid tier rankings overall.

You are so right about this! It is ALL about what's right for the kid and what major they choose, not the name of the school.

Anonymous wrote:I'm proud of you son. But, you know, I'd be prouder if you had gotten into Princeton like Janie Jones. Now there's a smart kid.

Anonymous wrote:Of the families whose kids got into Ivies? I admit it, I wish my DC was going to a slightly better school. I'm proud and he knows I'm proud but I am a little bit jealous. I know it's superficial and it's probably not even the right fit but they do have a lot of cache. I am glad I'm not trying to pay for it, however.

Actually, we don't intend to apply to many, if any, "selective" schools. Our strong impression is that they are overrated and overpriced for the actual quality of education they provide (exceptions exist of course, esp. for specialized areas of study). Heck, I've often heard that the most challenging part of an Ivy League education is getting in.

The fact of the matter is that the U.S. has one of the best university systems on Earth, and even an "average" university will do an overall excellent job of preparing knowledgable, employable graduates in their chosen field of study.

Anonymous wrote:Not at all. I am so grateful to have a child who is healthy, intelligent, kind, and happy to attend a non-Ivy. Life is really not a competition unless you frame it as one.

+1000
social media makes it hard for many.....

Anonymous wrote:Of the families whose kids got into Ivies? I admit it, I wish my DC was going to a slightly better school. I'm proud and he knows I'm proud but I am a little bit jealous. I know it's superficial and it's probably not even the right fit but they do have a lot of cache. I am glad I'm not trying to pay for it, however.

Not really jealous. DD's potential major is a bit unusual and the schools with the best programs for her have mid tier rankings overall.

OP,

I hear you. DC didn't apply to any Ivies, but I was very aware that I would feel disappointed if DC didn't get into his first choice, which was a reach and more prestigious than the rest.

Not at all. Why? Because success is not about what school you went to. Success is about how you apply the knowledge that you have, and how persistent you are re: achieving your goals.

Too many people come out of these 'top schools' and can't communicate effectively. They don't know how to work with others. They feel that they are the sharpest nail in the box, and therefore don't have to.

A corporation is made up of lots of people. Run your own business, and you will also be dealing with lots of people. Being able to do that effectively is the key to long-term success.

I'm proud of you son. But, you know, I'd be prouder if you had gotten into Princeton like Janie Jones. Now there's a smart kid.