Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 18:31     Subject: Positivity
It was fun to re-visit some of the same colleges- 30 years later
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 18:25     Subject: Positivity
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We stopped at Hood College in Frederick after touring GU, GW, and AU almost as a “scared straight” experience for our prone-to-slacking-off kid. I felt like an elitist snob when I realized that it was truly a beautiful campus with a gorgeous new library, honors college, and a recent multi-million dollar gift for scholarships. It actually went on the safety list.


One of the things I have come to appreciate about the whole college application process is that it has knocked most of the elitist snob tendencies out of me. I am a much kinder and enlightened person than I was four years ago, at least when it comes to education. I just assumed my kid would go to one of a few dozen schools I had heard of, assumed he'd be a great student, assumed that schools I had never heard of were not as good as the ones I had.

But oh, it is a great big world out there! So many paths, so many possibilities, so many "right" places to land.

I had never heard of the school my kid will be going to in the fall until a year or so ago. I now wear the t-shirt proudly.

Can I just say this comment is so refreshing among all the usual negative on the college forum? Thank you for sharing
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 17:14     Subject: Positivity
Anonymous wrote:Having been through the process twice so far, I loved how my kids and every one of their friends found a place to go that they were excited about - it was just a pleasure seeing them all land on their feet no matter where they ended up!

And another vote for how fun it was overall visiting colleges with my sons - we had fun road trips, great discussions in the car, and good meals. DH and I split visits up and both agreed it was great bonding time.


Yes! To both counts.

I was excited for all of my son’s friends, didn’t matter if the school was on the other side of the country, or if it was in our same city. It’s been a joy to watch these little birds spread their wings and fly.

And we had a great time on college tours. Having not lived at my college being a commuter, I had a great time seeing various dorm rooms and I especially enjoyed the tours where we could eat in a food hall. And it was so nice to spend the time with my kid exploring different campuses and cities/towns.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 17:07     Subject: Positivity
My DD is at UVA. What do I love about UVA? I love that she loves it!
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 17:01     Subject: Positivity
Another vote of positivity for the vibe at Northeastern. Great energy.

I also liked the vibe at Pitt - down to earth, diverse, Pittsburgh has a surprising amount to offer.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 16:48     Subject: Positivity
Anonymous wrote:Having been through the process twice so far, I loved how my kids and every one of their friends found a place to go that they were excited about - it was just a pleasure seeing them all land on their feet no matter where they ended up!

And another vote for how fun it was overall visiting colleges with my sons - we had fun road trips, great discussions in the car, and good meals. DH and I split visits up and both agreed it was great bonding time.


Agreed. I really enjoy this, too.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 16:48     Subject: Positivity
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We stopped at Hood College in Frederick after touring GU, GW, and AU almost as a “scared straight” experience for our prone-to-slacking-off kid. I felt like an elitist snob when I realized that it was truly a beautiful campus with a gorgeous new library, honors college, and a recent multi-million dollar gift for scholarships. It actually went on the safety list.


One of the things I have come to appreciate about the whole college application process is that it has knocked most of the elitist snob tendencies out of me. I am a much kinder and enlightened person than I was four years ago, at least when it comes to education. I just assumed my kid would go to one of a few dozen schools I had heard of, assumed he'd be a great student, assumed that schools I had never heard of were not as good as the ones I had.

But oh, it is a great big world out there! So many paths, so many possibilities, so many "right" places to land.

I had never heard of the school my kid will be going to in the fall until a year or so ago. I now wear the t-shirt proudly.


Yes, yes, yes. And the world feels more expansive as a result.



Ahhhh, what a refreshing day on DCUM!
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 16:21     Subject: Positivity
Having been through the process twice so far, I loved how my kids and every one of their friends found a place to go that they were excited about - it was just a pleasure seeing them all land on their feet no matter where they ended up!

And another vote for how fun it was overall visiting colleges with my sons - we had fun road trips, great discussions in the car, and good meals. DH and I split visits up and both agreed it was great bonding time.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 16:14     Subject: Positivity
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We stopped at Hood College in Frederick after touring GU, GW, and AU almost as a “scared straight” experience for our prone-to-slacking-off kid. I felt like an elitist snob when I realized that it was truly a beautiful campus with a gorgeous new library, honors college, and a recent multi-million dollar gift for scholarships. It actually went on the safety list.


One of the things I have come to appreciate about the whole college application process is that it has knocked most of the elitist snob tendencies out of me. I am a much kinder and enlightened person than I was four years ago, at least when it comes to education. I just assumed my kid would go to one of a few dozen schools I had heard of, assumed he'd be a great student, assumed that schools I had never heard of were not as good as the ones I had.

But oh, it is a great big world out there! So many paths, so many possibilities, so many "right" places to land.

I had never heard of the school my kid will be going to in the fall until a year or so ago. I now wear the t-shirt proudly.


Yes, yes, yes. And the world feels more expansive as a result.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 16:09     Subject: Positivity
We had a miserable, cold and wet tour at Brandeis and we didn't love the school, but they gave us fresh baked cookies at the end of our tour!

But my bigger positive takeaway is how many truly wonderful schools are out there. I loved my undergrad experience and felt that it was unique and that my school was special or unusual (I still do) but I have grown to realize how many schools offer amazing things and that my child will be happy, well-educated, challenged in the wonderful ways, and cared for wherever she ends up.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 16:01     Subject: Positivity
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We stopped at Hood College in Frederick after touring GU, GW, and AU almost as a “scared straight” experience for our prone-to-slacking-off kid. I felt like an elitist snob when I realized that it was truly a beautiful campus with a gorgeous new library, honors college, and a recent multi-million dollar gift for scholarships. It actually went on the safety list.


One of the things I have come to appreciate about the whole college application process is that it has knocked most of the elitist snob tendencies out of me. I am a much kinder and enlightened person than I was four years ago, at least when it comes to education. I just assumed my kid would go to one of a few dozen schools I had heard of, assumed he'd be a great student, assumed that schools I had never heard of were not as good as the ones I had.

But oh, it is a great big world out there! So many paths, so many possibilities, so many "right" places to land.

I had never heard of the school my kid will be going to in the fall until a year or so ago. I now wear the t-shirt proudly.


Amen
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 14:56     Subject: Positivity
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We stopped at Hood College in Frederick after touring GU, GW, and AU almost as a “scared straight” experience for our prone-to-slacking-off kid. I felt like an elitist snob when I realized that it was truly a beautiful campus with a gorgeous new library, honors college, and a recent multi-million dollar gift for scholarships. It actually went on the safety list.


One of the things I have come to appreciate about the whole college application process is that it has knocked most of the elitist snob tendencies out of me. I am a much kinder and enlightened person than I was four years ago, at least when it comes to education. I just assumed my kid would go to one of a few dozen schools I had heard of, assumed he'd be a great student, assumed that schools I had never heard of were not as good as the ones I had.

But oh, it is a great big world out there! So many paths, so many possibilities, so many "right" places to land.

I had never heard of the school my kid will be going to in the fall until a year or so ago. I now wear the t-shirt proudly.


+1 It was so nice and eye-opening to see colleges that had not previously been on my parent radar screen.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 14:53     Subject: Positivity
Anonymous wrote:We stopped at Hood College in Frederick after touring GU, GW, and AU almost as a “scared straight” experience for our prone-to-slacking-off kid. I felt like an elitist snob when I realized that it was truly a beautiful campus with a gorgeous new library, honors college, and a recent multi-million dollar gift for scholarships. It actually went on the safety list.


One of the things I have come to appreciate about the whole college application process is that it has knocked most of the elitist snob tendencies out of me. I am a much kinder and enlightened person than I was four years ago, at least when it comes to education. I just assumed my kid would go to one of a few dozen schools I had heard of, assumed he'd be a great student, assumed that schools I had never heard of were not as good as the ones I had.

But oh, it is a great big world out there! So many paths, so many possibilities, so many "right" places to land.

I had never heard of the school my kid will be going to in the fall until a year or so ago. I now wear the t-shirt proudly.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 14:29     Subject: Positivity
We stopped at Hood College in Frederick after touring GU, GW, and AU almost as a “scared straight” experience for our prone-to-slacking-off kid. I felt like an elitist snob when I realized that it was truly a beautiful campus with a gorgeous new library, honors college, and a recent multi-million dollar gift for scholarships. It actually went on the safety list.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 13:20     Subject: Positivity
I loved seeing the mammoth skeleton in the science museum at Amherst. It made a mythical creature come to life. Also loved lunch at the Thai restaurant near campus.

Dartmouth has the cutest diner in Hanover, NH. It's called "Lou's" and is a throwback to the 1950s.

Stanford's tour guides have this funny tradition where people who recognize the guide yell "Happy Birthday [Name]!" I actually thought it was his birthday before he told us that it's just a tradition.

Claremont Colleges are such a neat place - the 5 colleges are contiguous so you can step from Scripps to Harvey Mudd to Pomona without even knowing it.