Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:56     Subject: What’s the deal with TN?

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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


TN is more diverse than Mass. Almost every southern state is more diverse than the NE and Midwest. Do you have a cite for diversity enrollment at BC and Tufts?


Google is your friend


You made the claim. Cite your sources.


There were no stats presented. I made a general statement that those colleges actually represent the state in which they're located. If you want actual stats, you should look them up.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:51     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:
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


TN is more diverse than Mass. Almost every southern state is more diverse than the NE and Midwest. Do you have a cite for diversity enrollment at BC and Tufts?


Google is your friend


You made the claim. Cite your sources.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:36     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


TN is more diverse than Mass. Almost every southern state is more diverse than the NE and Midwest. Do you have a cite for diversity enrollment at BC and Tufts?


Google is your friend
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:34     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:
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.


I’m the pp that the HBCU mom is responding to, and FTR, I have two kids at SEC/southern schools…just not TN.

I think most dcum posters would be pleasantly surprised (shocked, even?) if they bothered to tour SEC schools or any school in a red state. They would probably be surprised to meet a diverse student body (including lgbtq students and profs) from across the country and around the globe. They would probably be surprised to see all different kinds of kids living and working together without issues.

This doesn’t fit their biased assumptions that aren’t grounded in any firsthand experience.


Oh I totally agree with you. Again, LSU was in my kid's top 3, partly because of the diversity. I'm just saying I wouldn't use UTK as the token of diversity as it's clearly one of the least diverse, particularly considering the state demos.


Fair enough. Would you agree it’s problematic that U Wisconsin at Madison is less than 3% African American?


Yes. That said, WI is like 7% black. Not as much as a disparity as TN. Trust me when I say I did this research intensely during application season. We were focusing on publics and HBCUs. If you're looking for northern publics that has disproportionate black %, a better example would be Michigan and Michigan State. Or even Maryland.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:33     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:
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.


I’m the pp that the HBCU mom is responding to, and FTR, I have two kids at SEC/southern schools…just not TN.

I think most dcum posters would be pleasantly surprised (shocked, even?) if they bothered to tour SEC schools or any school in a red state. They would probably be surprised to meet a diverse student body (including lgbtq students and profs) from across the country and around the globe. They would probably be surprised to see all different kinds of kids living and working together without issues.

This doesn’t fit their biased assumptions that aren’t grounded in any firsthand experience.


Oh I totally agree with you. Again, LSU was in my kid's top 3, partly because of the diversity. I'm just saying I wouldn't use UTK as the token of diversity as it's clearly one of the least diverse, particularly considering the state demos.


Agreed.

UTK is shockingly super-duper white. So is the campus downtown area (shops and restaurants). It’s like some bizarro world.

If you live and work in the dc metro area like I do, it’s obvious that we are in a very, very diverse area. I think I recently read that MoCo is the most diverse county in the country (particularly when you factor in all the countries represented in our school demographics). So it’s shocking when you visit the UTK campus and can count the diversity on one hand.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:20     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:
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.


I’m the pp that the HBCU mom is responding to, and FTR, I have two kids at SEC/southern schools…just not TN.

I think most dcum posters would be pleasantly surprised (shocked, even?) if they bothered to tour SEC schools or any school in a red state. They would probably be surprised to meet a diverse student body (including lgbtq students and profs) from across the country and around the globe. They would probably be surprised to see all different kinds of kids living and working together without issues.

This doesn’t fit their biased assumptions that aren’t grounded in any firsthand experience.


Oh I totally agree with you. Again, LSU was in my kid's top 3, partly because of the diversity. I'm just saying I wouldn't use UTK as the token of diversity as it's clearly one of the least diverse, particularly considering the state demos.


Fair enough. Would you agree it’s problematic that U Wisconsin at Madison is less than 3% African American?
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:20     Subject: Re:What’s the deal with TN?

Years ago according to Naviance, U of Minnesota rejected any student, that once in awhile applied from our FCPS HS - until one student got in. I knew the family. I think because they visited before applying and showed genuine interest. Most large state schools don't require demonstrated interest but it has mattered for some.


Wrong. Stop with your yield protection bullshit. Im sure you dont have a cite. It should be reported to Jeff.


This happened. It was observable. Why so hostile over something that DID happen
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:17     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:
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.


I’m the pp that the HBCU mom is responding to, and FTR, I have two kids at SEC/southern schools…just not TN.

I think most dcum posters would be pleasantly surprised (shocked, even?) if they bothered to tour SEC schools or any school in a red state. They would probably be surprised to meet a diverse student body (including lgbtq students and profs) from across the country and around the globe. They would probably be surprised to see all different kinds of kids living and working together without issues.

This doesn’t fit their biased assumptions that aren’t grounded in any firsthand experience.


Oh I totally agree with you. Again, LSU was in my kid's top 3, partly because of the diversity. I'm just saying I wouldn't use UTK as the token of diversity as it's clearly one of the least diverse, particularly considering the state demos.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:07     Subject: What’s the deal with TN?

Anonymous wrote:Op, yield protection/thinking the student won't actually attend.

Years ago according to Naviance, U of Minnesota rejected any student, that once in awhile applied from our FCPS HS - until one student got in. I knew the family. I think because they visited before applying and showed genuine interest. Most large state schools don't require demonstrated interest but it has mattered for some.


Wrong. Stop with your yield protection bullshit. Im sure you dont have a cite. It should be reported to Jeff.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:06     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.


Huh.

We are minority and went there.

We did not notice any of what you describe.

There was not a single visible tattoo on the students. They were all athletic looking and well groomed, much more professional in appearance than kids around here. And their parents all looked like typical middle class people.

Are you getting Knoxville confused with Dollywood?
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:05     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:
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.


I’m the pp that the HBCU mom is responding to, and FTR, I have two kids at SEC/southern schools…just not TN.

I think most dcum posters would be pleasantly surprised (shocked, even?) if they bothered to tour SEC schools or any school in a red state. They would probably be surprised to meet a diverse student body (including lgbtq students and profs) from across the country and around the globe. They would probably be surprised to see all different kinds of kids living and working together without issues.

This doesn’t fit their biased assumptions that aren’t grounded in any firsthand experience.


+100 Compare the diversity of SEC schools to the Big 10.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:04     Subject: What’s the deal with TN?

Op, yield protection/thinking the student won't actually attend.

Years ago according to Naviance, U of Minnesota rejected any student, that once in awhile applied from our FCPS HS - until one student got in. I knew the family. I think because they visited before applying and showed genuine interest. Most large state schools don't require demonstrated interest but it has mattered for some.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:04     Subject: What’s the deal with TN?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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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


TN is more diverse than Mass. Almost every southern state is more diverse than the NE and Midwest. Do you have a cite for diversity enrollment at BC and Tufts?
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:03     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:
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.


I’m the pp that the HBCU mom is responding to, and FTR, I have two kids at SEC/southern schools…just not TN.

I think most dcum posters would be pleasantly surprised (shocked, even?) if they bothered to tour SEC schools or any school in a red state. They would probably be surprised to meet a diverse student body (including lgbtq students and profs) from across the country and around the globe. They would probably be surprised to see all different kinds of kids living and working together without issues.

This doesn’t fit their biased assumptions that aren’t grounded in any firsthand experience.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 09:03     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


80% of UTK is from Tennessee because Tennesse has strict guaranteed admission policies for the top students graduating from Tennessee high schools.

Virginia should take notice, particularly UVA