Anonymous
12/17/2025 09:00
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DD 3.5 W was denied but offered Fall 2027 admit. 🙄. Thankfully she has other options.
So interesting about a 2027 admit offer, never heard of that! Also, the interest in southern schools from liberal DMV people is interesting, particularly because those schools tend to skew conservative.
Are you sure? These are R1 flagships with top researchers in liberal college towns. You might want to check your bias.
I'm just saying with the TN student population, one will be forced to deal with modern day republicans, something you wouldn't need to do with so many coastal schools.
And they will be forced to deal with modern day liberals. Which is a good thing for all concerned.
WTF do you think is the purpose of college?
Hint: it’s confronting new ideas, new people, and new environments, as well as learning the skills (hard and soft) that one needs to thrive.
+1
People like the PP enjoy living in their airtight echo chambers. God forbid others have different opinions.
My DS will be attending a NE private that is socioeconomically diverse with international students from all over the world. He will encounter a wider variety of cultures, opinions and lifestyles than he would at a SEC school with the possible exceptions of UGA and Florida.
What percentage of students at your kid’s school are Black? How about the state in which the college is located? I’ll be waiting.
+1
My kids both opted for SEC/southern schools that I’m quite confident are far more diverse both racially, culturally, socioeconomically, and politically than the pp’s small NE private bubble where everyone looks, talks, and thinks alike.
Their parents might as well homeschool them since they clearly aren’t interested in having their 18 year old actually broaden their horizon, live and work among people from all walks of life, challenge their opinions, and (gasp!) be open to discovering that at the end of the day most of us have far more in common (think: our humanity, goals, and morals) and are far more than any political label.
Re: TN - Like Clemson, Auburn, and many other southern schools, TN quickly became very popular. The sudden and dramatic influx of applications (including tons of smart kids from the DC metro area and east coast looking for merit dollars and a fun college experience) allow the school to be more selective. Just a handful of years ago these schools were safety schools, and now kids with great stats are being deferred.
If you want to get ahead of this, the new schools throwing big money at kids from our DC area are Ole Miss, LSU, KY, and Bama. I know kids on full rides at these schools who will go onto med school and law school. Their parents are thrilled to have money available for grad school, and their kids will likely have an edge when they apply when coming from schools that aren’t the typical feeders—and when their essays, internships, volunteer work, etc. demonstrate a unique and well-rounded life experience.
Well said, especially about diversity of thought.
Bama has been throwing money at kids for a while now.
Add Mizzou to your list. They are a great school, especially in programs like journalism and veterinary sciences, and offer a ton of merit to out of state.
Iowa is another hidden gem.
The Florida universities out of state tuition is less than Virginia in state tuition in many cases.
Anonymous
12/17/2025 08:58
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DD 3.5 W was denied but offered Fall 2027 admit. 🙄. Thankfully she has other options.
So interesting about a 2027 admit offer, never heard of that! Also, the interest in southern schools from liberal DMV people is interesting, particularly because those schools tend to skew conservative.
Are you sure? These are R1 flagships with top researchers in liberal college towns. You might want to check your bias.
I'm just saying with the TN student population, one will be forced to deal with modern day republicans, something you wouldn't need to do with so many coastal schools.
And they will be forced to deal with modern day liberals. Which is a good thing for all concerned.
WTF do you think is the purpose of college?
Hint: it’s confronting new ideas, new people, and new environments, as well as learning the skills (hard and soft) that one needs to thrive.
+1
People like the PP enjoy living in their airtight echo chambers. God forbid others have different opinions.
My DS will be attending a NE private that is socioeconomically diverse with international students from all over the world. He will encounter a wider variety of cultures, opinions and lifestyles than he would at a SEC school with the possible exceptions of UGA and Florida.
What percentage of students at your kid’s school are Black? How about the state in which the college is located? I’ll be waiting.
Not the PP but UTK is 5% black. I'm not sure that's exactly a flex. Especially considering TN is 17% black.
So you’re saying the state of TN has a higher Black percentage than Mass? How interesting!
So you say a kid at UTK is going to venture off to Memphis while on spring break to commune with the black folks of TN? Give me a break. You're missing the headline. UTK is not representative of the state that it serves even though ~80% of UTK is from TN. You don't find that alarming?
Boston College and Tufts actually have black students that represent the state.
Again, this is not the flex you think it is.
-Black mom with kid going to HBCU
+1
We were struck by how white Knoxville is (both the campus and the town).
My husband wondered aloud if that might be one of the draws for some white kids from more diverse areas like the DC metro area. It’s just so striking…you can’t miss it when driving around.
We were also struck by how many people had so many visible tattoos (like, multiple huge ones). We felt like the only people without ink surrounded by people who looked like they had just done hard time in prison.
FTR, we don’t have a kid there and we didn’t seriously consider it. We were in the area for another reason.
HBCU mom. Also this is not a statement of anti south or even anti SEC. My kid is in the south and considered LSU. Didn't even apply anywhere north of PA.
Anonymous
12/17/2025 08:24
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DD 3.5 W was denied but offered Fall 2027 admit. 🙄. Thankfully she has other options.
So interesting about a 2027 admit offer, never heard of that! Also, the interest in southern schools from liberal DMV people is interesting, particularly because those schools tend to skew conservative.
Are you sure? These are R1 flagships with top researchers in liberal college towns. You might want to check your bias.
I'm just saying with the TN student population, one will be forced to deal with modern day republicans, something you wouldn't need to do with so many coastal schools.
And they will be forced to deal with modern day liberals. Which is a good thing for all concerned.
WTF do you think is the purpose of college?
Hint: it’s confronting new ideas, new people, and new environments, as well as learning the skills (hard and soft) that one needs to thrive.
+1
People like the PP enjoy living in their airtight echo chambers. God forbid others have different opinions.
My DS will be attending a NE private that is socioeconomically diverse with international students from all over the world. He will encounter a wider variety of cultures, opinions and lifestyles than he would at a SEC school with the possible exceptions of UGA and Florida.
What percentage of students at your kid’s school are Black? How about the state in which the college is located? I’ll be waiting.
Not the PP but UTK is 5% black. I'm not sure that's exactly a flex. Especially considering TN is 17% black.
So you’re saying the state of TN has a higher Black percentage than Mass? How interesting!
So you say a kid at UTK is going to venture off to Memphis while on spring break to commune with the black folks of TN? Give me a break. You're missing the headline. UTK is not representative of the state that it serves even though ~80% of UTK is from TN. You don't find that alarming?
Boston College and Tufts actually have black students that represent the state.
Again, this is not the flex you think it is.
-Black mom with kid going to HBCU
+1
We were struck by how white Knoxville is (both the campus and the town).
My husband wondered aloud if that might be one of the draws for some white kids from more diverse areas like the DC metro area. It’s just so striking…you can’t miss it when driving around.
We were also struck by how many people had so many visible tattoos (like, multiple huge ones). We felt like the only people without ink surrounded by people who looked like they had just done hard time in prison.
FTR, we don’t have a kid there and we didn’t seriously consider it. We were in the area for another reason.
Anonymous
12/17/2025 08:21
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DD 3.5 W was denied but offered Fall 2027 admit. 🙄. Thankfully she has other options.
So interesting about a 2027 admit offer, never heard of that! Also, the interest in southern schools from liberal DMV people is interesting, particularly because those schools tend to skew conservative.
You’re right. I had a neighbor whose cousin’s kid went to an SEC school, & the kid actually met a Republican. Can you believe it?
Anonymous
12/17/2025 08:12
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DD 3.5 W was denied but offered Fall 2027 admit. 🙄. Thankfully she has other options.
So interesting about a 2027 admit offer, never heard of that! Also, the interest in southern schools from liberal DMV people is interesting, particularly because those schools tend to skew conservative.
Are you sure? These are R1 flagships with top researchers in liberal college towns. You might want to check your bias.
I'm just saying with the TN student population, one will be forced to deal with modern day republicans, something you wouldn't need to do with so many coastal schools.
And they will be forced to deal with modern day liberals. Which is a good thing for all concerned.
WTF do you think is the purpose of college?
Hint: it’s confronting new ideas, new people, and new environments, as well as learning the skills (hard and soft) that one needs to thrive.
+1
People like the PP enjoy living in their airtight echo chambers. God forbid others have different opinions.
My DS will be attending a NE private that is socioeconomically diverse with international students from all over the world. He will encounter a wider variety of cultures, opinions and lifestyles than he would at a SEC school with the possible exceptions of UGA and Florida.
What percentage of students at your kid’s school are Black? How about the state in which the college is located? I’ll be waiting.
Not the PP but UTK is 5% black. I'm not sure that's exactly a flex. Especially considering TN is 17% black.
So you’re saying the state of TN has a higher Black percentage than Mass? How interesting!
So you say a kid at UTK is going to venture off to Memphis while on spring break to commune with the black folks of TN? Give me a break. You're missing the headline. UTK is not representative of the state that it serves even though ~80% of UTK is from TN. You don't find that alarming?
Boston College and Tufts actually have black students that represent the state.
Again, this is not the flex you think it is.
-Black mom with kid going to HBCU
Anonymous
12/17/2025 08:02
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize it had become so competitive for out of state. Try 'Bama, LSU, UK, Ole' Miss, for those applying next year wanting a somewhat similar SEC experience.
Bama and Ole Miss have better campuses, college towns, and networking opportunities than TN.
LSU had too many students who accepted last year that they were housing groups of kids in buildings/rooms that weren’t actual dorms.
KY is throwing money at kids…desperately trying to make fetch happen.
Anonymous
12/17/2025 07:58
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DD 3.5 W was denied but offered Fall 2027 admit. 🙄. Thankfully she has other options.
So interesting about a 2027 admit offer, never heard of that! Also, the interest in southern schools from liberal DMV people is interesting, particularly because those schools tend to skew conservative.
Are you sure? These are R1 flagships with top researchers in liberal college towns. You might want to check your bias.
I'm just saying with the TN student population, one will be forced to deal with modern day republicans, something you wouldn't need to do with so many coastal schools.
And they will be forced to deal with modern day liberals. Which is a good thing for all concerned.
WTF do you think is the purpose of college?
Hint: it’s confronting new ideas, new people, and new environments, as well as learning the skills (hard and soft) that one needs to thrive.
+1
People like the PP enjoy living in their airtight echo chambers. God forbid others have different opinions.
My DS will be attending a NE private that is socioeconomically diverse with international students from all over the world. He will encounter a wider variety of cultures, opinions and lifestyles than he would at a SEC school with the possible exceptions of UGA and Florida.
What percentage of students at your kid’s school are Black? How about the state in which the college is located? I’ll be waiting.
+1
My kids both opted for SEC/southern schools that I’m quite confident are far more diverse both racially, culturally, socioeconomically, and politically than the pp’s small NE private bubble where everyone looks, talks, and thinks alike.
Their parents might as well homeschool them since they clearly aren’t interested in having their 18 year old actually broaden their horizon, live and work among people from all walks of life, challenge their opinions, and (gasp!) be open to discovering that at the end of the day most of us have far more in common (think: our humanity, goals, and morals) and are far more than any political label.
Re: TN - Like Clemson, Auburn, and many other southern schools, TN quickly became very popular. The sudden and dramatic influx of applications (including tons of smart kids from the DC metro area and east coast looking for merit dollars and a fun college experience) allow the school to be more selective. Just a handful of years ago these schools were safety schools, and now kids with great stats are being deferred.
If you want to get ahead of this, the new schools throwing big money at kids from our DC area are Ole Miss, LSU, KY, and Bama. I know kids on full rides at these schools who will go onto med school and law school. Their parents are thrilled to have money available for grad school, and their kids will likely have an edge when they apply when coming from schools that aren’t the typical feeders—and when their essays, internships, volunteer work, etc. demonstrate a unique and well-rounded life experience.
Anonymous
12/17/2025 07:47
Subject: Re:What’s the deal with TN?
Interesting information about the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK). Thank you OP for starting this thread.
I do understand why many are confused by the standards for non-residents and, somewhat, by the popularity of UTK. Not sure that UTK will become & remain a hot school. Probably temporary because of the upcoming decline in applicants nationwide due to declining number of US high school graduates and due to declining number of foreign applicants in the current political climate (anti-immigrant).
UTK has the benefit of its setting adjacent to the naturally beautiful Smoky Mountains.
Too much pressure, and fear, on current college applicants to get an acceptance as many share their stories of high stats kids receiving unexpected rejections.
Fun campus in an interesting location for outdoorsy types.
I do understand why many are confused by the standards for non-residents and, somewhat, by the popularity of UTK. Not sure that UTK will become & remain a hot school. Probably temporary because of the upcoming decline in applicants nationwide due to declining number of US high school graduates and due to declining number of foreign applicants in the current political climate (anti-immigrant).
UTK has the benefit of its setting adjacent to the naturally beautiful Smoky Mountains.
Too much pressure, and fear, on current college applicants to get an acceptance as many share their stories of high stats kids receiving unexpected rejections.
Fun campus in an interesting location for outdoorsy types.
Anonymous
12/17/2025 07:43
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DD 3.5 W was denied but offered Fall 2027 admit. 🙄. Thankfully she has other options.
So interesting about a 2027 admit offer, never heard of that! Also, the interest in southern schools from liberal DMV people is interesting, particularly because those schools tend to skew conservative.
Are you sure? These are R1 flagships with top researchers in liberal college towns. You might want to check your bias.
I'm just saying with the TN student population, one will be forced to deal with modern day republicans, something you wouldn't need to do with so many coastal schools.
And they will be forced to deal with modern day liberals. Which is a good thing for all concerned.
WTF do you think is the purpose of college?
Hint: it’s confronting new ideas, new people, and new environments, as well as learning the skills (hard and soft) that one needs to thrive.
+1
People like the PP enjoy living in their airtight echo chambers. God forbid others have different opinions.
My DS will be attending a NE private that is socioeconomically diverse with international students from all over the world. He will encounter a wider variety of cultures, opinions and lifestyles than he would at a SEC school with the possible exceptions of UGA and Florida.
What percentage of students at your kid’s school are Black? How about the state in which the college is located? I’ll be waiting.
Not the PP but UTK is 5% black. I'm not sure that's exactly a flex. Especially considering TN is 17% black.
So you’re saying the state of TN has a higher Black percentage than Mass? How interesting!
Anonymous
12/17/2025 07:34
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DD 3.5 W was denied but offered Fall 2027 admit. 🙄. Thankfully she has other options.
So interesting about a 2027 admit offer, never heard of that! Also, the interest in southern schools from liberal DMV people is interesting, particularly because those schools tend to skew conservative.
Are you sure? These are R1 flagships with top researchers in liberal college towns. You might want to check your bias.
I'm just saying with the TN student population, one will be forced to deal with modern day republicans, something you wouldn't need to do with so many coastal schools.
And they will be forced to deal with modern day liberals. Which is a good thing for all concerned.
WTF do you think is the purpose of college?
Hint: it’s confronting new ideas, new people, and new environments, as well as learning the skills (hard and soft) that one needs to thrive.
+1
People like the PP enjoy living in their airtight echo chambers. God forbid others have different opinions.
My DS will be attending a NE private that is socioeconomically diverse with international students from all over the world. He will encounter a wider variety of cultures, opinions and lifestyles than he would at a SEC school with the possible exceptions of UGA and Florida.
What percentage of students at your kid’s school are Black? How about the state in which the college is located? I’ll be waiting.
Not the PP but UTK is 5% black. I'm not sure that's exactly a flex. Especially considering TN is 17% black.
Anonymous
12/17/2025 07:25
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
I didn't realize it had become so competitive for out of state. Try 'Bama, LSU, UK, Ole' Miss, for those applying next year wanting a somewhat similar SEC experience.
Anonymous
12/17/2025 06:51
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:It’s not my first choice for her so I’m not too upset but DD deferred, 3.95 weighted, 8 AP classes, very good ECs.
It’s so strange to me that TN has become so competitive.
UTK has become very popular, OP, mostly due to sports. There is a HUGE difference between the average out-of-state student vs the average in-state student because TN has one of those "guaranteed admission" programs and the criteria are not that high. I respect state schools making efforts to serve their own population but personally I don't see the appeal for an out-of-state student.
Anonymous
12/17/2025 00:16
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:UTK is an ugly campus. Right up there with OSU. But they have rabid football culture!
Tennesse is actually a very pretty campus.
Most of it is uphill both ways, nestled in the mountains, so if walking stairs and hills aren't your thing then I understand seeing the campus so negatively.
My kid was deferred.
They looked up the stats today, and saw that the average out of state admit was over a 4.0 this year. They are below a 4.0. Upset at first, but seeing the cut off they are less upset about the deferral.
If you look at UTs social media, it appears that they admitted fewer out of state kids compared to the past couple of years, just based on the comments and stories. There are far fewer "yay, I'm heading to Rocky Top" comments and stories on their out of state admittance post.
Anonymous
12/16/2025 23:46
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DD 3.5 W was denied but offered Fall 2027 admit. 🙄. Thankfully she has other options.
So interesting about a 2027 admit offer, never heard of that! Also, the interest in southern schools from liberal DMV people is interesting, particularly because those schools tend to skew conservative.
Are you sure? These are R1 flagships with top researchers in liberal college towns. You might want to check your bias.
I'm just saying with the TN student population, one will be forced to deal with modern day republicans, something you wouldn't need to do with so many coastal schools.
And they will be forced to deal with modern day liberals. Which is a good thing for all concerned.
WTF do you think is the purpose of college?
Hint: it’s confronting new ideas, new people, and new environments, as well as learning the skills (hard and soft) that one needs to thrive.
+1
People like the PP enjoy living in their airtight echo chambers. God forbid others have different opinions.
My DS will be attending a NE private that is socioeconomically diverse with international students from all over the world. He will encounter a wider variety of cultures, opinions and lifestyles than he would at a SEC school with the possible exceptions of UGA and Florida.
Highly, highly doubt it. But do continue telling yourself this fiction.
Anonymous
12/16/2025 23:44
Subject: What’s the deal with TN?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DD 3.5 W was denied but offered Fall 2027 admit. 🙄. Thankfully she has other options.
So interesting about a 2027 admit offer, never heard of that! Also, the interest in southern schools from liberal DMV people is interesting, particularly because those schools tend to skew conservative.
Are you sure? These are R1 flagships with top researchers in liberal college towns. You might want to check your bias.
I'm just saying with the TN student population, one will be forced to deal with modern day republicans, something you wouldn't need to do with so many coastal schools.
And they will be forced to deal with modern day liberals. Which is a good thing for all concerned.
WTF do you think is the purpose of college?
Hint: it’s confronting new ideas, new people, and new environments, as well as learning the skills (hard and soft) that one needs to thrive.
+1
People like the PP enjoy living in their airtight echo chambers. God forbid others have different opinions.
You also described every single MAGA person today and of course had to bring "God" into it.
Oh wow. You actually think the expression "god forbid" is... "bring God into it". It's an expression that normal people use. Which I guess explains your ridiculous reaction.