So if it's an STA grad that has to "settle" for Indiana, there's an explanation and excuse about how it's actually a great opportunity blah blah blah. If it's a Sidwell student then that is an indicator of Sidwell's demise.

Anonymous wrote:Going to Indiana from STA is a disappointment.

Are you the parent of this young man? If not, how do you know it's a disappointment? If so, why?

As PPs have noted, Indiana has a renowned music school. It also has one of the best journalism programs in the country. I know 2 kids who went there in recent years for these programs and they were not disappointed, nor were their parents.

I'll tell you a story -- we know a young man, (grad of another Big 3) who was very disappointed about "having to go" to another Big Ten school. Well, four years later, he just graduated and has a great job waiting for him. He had loads of fun at the school -- my DS, who attends a "Top Ivy" (yes, I'm going to get a window decal with that on it so DCUMers everywhere will salivate with envy when they see my car), went out to visit him last fall and went to a football game. He texted us from the game to say that we should really look at this school for our youngest, who's in HS. Woo-hoo! If DS's buddy can score some tickets for us, I'm so taking her out there for a football game next fall.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Going to Indiana from STA is a disappointment.

Don't be disappointed. Indiana-Bloomington is actually a really good school. They have some strong programs.

Also, perhaps he/she doesn't qualify, but you should also be aware that there is a an honors college there.

they must have had some reason for picking that one. U.S. News ranks it #83, so that's really not that impressive (on the face of it).

It might be a great experience out in the heartland for the STA grad. Life is full of twists and turns and is it so bad that the grad is by himself in a new place having to make choices and figure stuff out in a totally new environment? Life skill. And coming out of any four-year university with a stellar grade point average and lots of activities would make him/her competitive anywhere. Plus, big state schools are a lot of fun-- I grew up in a similar town. And if you live in D.C., the D.C. government pays $10K toward any State school's tuition, making it totally affordable. You'd graduate without debt most likely.

Anonymous wrote:Going to Indiana from STA is a disappointment.

Don't be disappointed. Indiana-Bloomington is actually a really good school. They have some strong programs.

Also, perhaps he/she doesn't qualify, but you should also be aware that there is a an honors college there.

STA grad going to Indiana, is he going for music? If so, should not be a disappointment, IMO.

Anonymous wrote:Going to Indiana from STA is a disappointment.

ITA. As a supportive parent you don't share your disappointment with your son. Transfer is always an option.

Going to Indiana from STA is a disappointment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not that simple some kids are not going to be motivated to go to college by publics.

My DCs public school typically has 25-30 going to Ivy League schools and many many more going to top colleges. My public school DC is applying to much more competitive colleges than I did as a big 3 grad. The counseling is pretty hands off compared to private schools yet the kids still do extremely well in admissions.

Do you mind sharing which public school?

My guess would be Wilson; the top of the class is demographically similar to the top of the class at many private schools, with similar results.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not that simple some kids are not going to be motivated to go to college by publics.

My DCs public school typically has 25-30 going to Ivy League schools and many many more going to top colleges. My public school DC is applying to much more competitive colleges than I did as a big 3 grad. The counseling is pretty hands off compared to private schools yet the kids still do extremely well in admissions.

Do you mind sharing which public school?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not that simple some kids are not going to be motivated to go to college by publics.

My DCs public school typically has 25-30 going to Ivy League schools and many many more going to top colleges. My public school DC is applying to much more competitive colleges than I did as a big 3 grad. The counseling is pretty hands off compared to private schools yet the kids still do extremely well in admissions.

Different poster here. My DC in a MoCo public is one of 7 headed to the same top ivy next year.

Anonymous wrote:It is not that simple some kids are not going to be motivated to go to college by publics.

My DCs public school typically has 25-30 going to Ivy League schools and many many more going to top colleges. My public school DC is applying to much more competitive colleges than I did as a big 3 grad. The counseling is pretty hands off compared to private schools yet the kids still do extremely well in admissions.

Anonymous wrote:No time is spent on the bottom 80% other than the college counsellors disuading them from applying to any good schools.

I had a horrible counselor who told me that I would only get into to MD when it was an easy school to attend. I applied and was accepted to schools at the bottom end of the top 25. Sorry to hear this is common.

Huh?

It is not that simple some kids are not going to be motivated to go to college by publics.