Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 17:46     Subject: If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
FWIW, OP, I know of others making this same choice for high stats kids. In this case, picking a great program and saving a huge amount of money to pay for eventual grad school. Tell your son that people are idiots and we can't control that, then buy him and you sweatshirts and bumper stickers and wear them proudly. That's the best path thru. Own the choice. It's a great one!
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 17:13     Subject: If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DS is a top student. 1580 SAT. Also took ACT and scored 35. He was accepted to all the schools he applied to and he did not apply to many: GMU, Pitt, VaTech, JMU, VCU, UMD, and WPI. He wants to choose GMU Honors for (1) cost savings and (2) location. We live maybe 35 minutes away. He will live on campus. He can see us every day or never, it's up to him. He has ADHD. He likes his therapist and doesn't want to lose her, he doesn't want to worry about access to his meds, and he takes solace in us being near just in case he needs support. The problem is everyone thinks he is throwing his talent away and they look down on him for his choice. I've heard his friends tease him about it. Many chose UVA, VATech, JMU. W&M. I am proud of him for choosing what is best for him. How do I help him be comfortable and confident in his decision?


I think that GMU is really the equivalent of a UK “plate glass university,” like the University of Warwick. It’s a top school in a top location. Nothing to be ashamed of at all.


WTH?? The University of Warwick is nothing like GMU — I went there. It certainly is not in a top location and it is very self-contained. Sinfully ugly, but one of the best universities in the UK. GMU is a suburban school and it’s fine. Nothing against it, but couldn’t be more different than Warwick.


And GMU is rapidly becoming one of the best U.S. research universities in the United States. It’s just new, not bad.
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 16:51     Subject: Re:If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
My severe ADHD son is much younger but I hope he someday makes the same type of mature, sound decision as yours, OP. Congratulations to him on a smart, well thought out plan for success.
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 16:40     Subject: If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
OP, I wish I had the common sense and maturity at 17-18 that your DS does! I was a good student and really got swept up in applying for far away, expensive colleges like my peers did when we had a great public university only an hour away (albeit in a pretty boring location). It was viewed as the school where the B+ students go, not the A students, they only applied as a safety. Hang in there a couple more months and best of luck to him!
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 15:23     Subject: Re:If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
Anonymous wrote:OP, Your DS is like Kirk Cousins at GMU while kids that attend Ivies are like RGIII. RGIII won the Heisman, drafted by the Commanders as the 2nd overall in the 2012 draft while Cousins was drafted by the Commanders in the same draft but in the 4th round. Guess what, RGIII is no longer in the NFL while Cousins played two years for the Commanders under the franchise tag, 20M+ per year. After that, Cousins signed a 84M with the Vikings after he left the Commanders. I think he just signed a one year contract with the Vikings for 35M. In terms of earnings, Cousins probably makes ten times more than RGIII. Twenty years prior to that, the Commanders drafted Heath Shuler in the 3rd overall and Gus Frerotte in the 6th round. Gus ended up becoming the starter and made more money than Shuler. The former Commanders QB Carson Wentz went to a no name school and got drafted as the 2nd overall pick in the NFL by the Eagles and they gave him a 120M+ contract.

Your kid will do well at GMU. Big name schools are overrated. You should not give a F___ what people think.


Your analogy doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense. Maybe Ben Roethlisberger who went to Miami, Ohio and is a hall of fame quarterback is a better example? Neither Cousins nor Wentz will be remembered either...Wentz has already flamed out...while Jalen Hurts from Alabama and Oklahoma (Ivies of NCAA football?) just signed one of the richest deals in history after knocking Wentz out of the starting position.
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 15:12     Subject: Re:If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Your kid sounds amazing and mature. Congrats!


I thought the same thing. Good for him maturely choosing the school he feels would be the best for him (and the family with the financial aspect).

And that's the answer for anyone rude enough to feel the need to comment. "Thank you, but I've chosen the school that I feel is best for me." Same with Mom and Dad's response, "our family supports his well-thought out decision." The. End.

Wishing your son all the best!


When I mentioned UMD as a possibility to someone in my neighborhood, the numskull mother said to me “Why are you sending her to a school that is only 20 minutes away”’. Duh. Because it’s our in state best option and has what we need, idiot! But I held my tongue. Where do these people get off? Mind your own business!!


That's crazy. I live in Old Town, Alexandria VA. UMD is maybe 35-40 minutes. I'd love to send my child there and would say so with pride, but the OOS tuition makes it a "no."
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 14:57     Subject: If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
I made a similar decision in that I chose an expensive, private school closer to home instead of the state flagship where I got a full ride. Coming from a blue collar background, it was seen as foolish. I didn’t know then that I had ADHD, but I had enough sense to know I had a better chance of success at a smaller school where I had support if I needed it.

I think your son is wise to know what’s best for him. It’s better to get good grades and get the most out of his time at GMU than to struggle at one of the other schools.
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 14:57     Subject: Re:If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My DS will be attending GMU in the fall for the CS major. He turned down UVA 45K/year school of engineering and decided to attend GMU and live at home, and commute to school in his brand new 2023 Tesla Model Y.


Ew.

(My kid is a CS major at GMU and very happy there, but Elon? Ew.)


+1 That's the thing about Teslas -- they come with a side a disgust.

But to the first PP -- congrats on your kid making a smart decision that works for him!
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 14:52     Subject: If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
Op, this is how it will be. If people don't understand, they don't understand. If they don't value something, they don't value something. They should be polite. You can demand that they are polite. In time, they may come-around as they see how this plays out, and see the successful person he becomes. Otherwise, this is no short cut to changing minds/opinions.
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 14:42     Subject: If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
You can be very proud of DS, OP!

My DD chose GMU because it offered her field of study AND was close to home so that she could maintain her network of physicians. DD has several health conditions that require ongoing treatments and therefore, GMU was a perfect fit for her. She lived on campus for 2 years, off for 2 and valued all of her residential life, academic and campus experiences.

Mom of GMU graduate, ‘22.
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 14:34     Subject: If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
Comp Sci at GMU is a terrific and competitive program with great outcomes!

I used to teach at Mason, and have had some pretty brilliant students that chose the school because it made financial sense for them. Even in classes with 200 kids, they stood out, and ended up with some great letters of recommendations, not just from me, but from other faculty as well. The ones I have stayed in touch with have done well in live (went on to med schools).
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 14:17     Subject: If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
People are idiots when it comes to this process, all that matters he's happy with his choice, sometimes it's great to be a standout student because you can cultivate that into an advantage. He's going to do great I'm sure.
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 13:13     Subject: If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
Your kid will do well. My magnet kid with excellent credentials chose UMD for CS and Math. Turned down 4 better rated CS schools because he wanted to be close to home.

He is kicking a$$ at school because he understood what a boon it is to get logistical and emotional support from home. He has access to his doctors and medical care, he is among many familiar faces in campus, he has in with internships at prestigious organizations from his HS days, he is able to attend all the family celebrations, he is not homesick, he does not spend on anything except eating out or socialization becaue he usually takes what he needs from home. All of this, while living in the dorm and enjoying thecollege life.
Before starting college, he asked and got a modest amount of seed money that he saved us by going in-state college, so that he could start his investment account. This kid is very intelligent.
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 13:06     Subject: Re:If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
OP I haven’t read the responses here but I also have a son at a school that raises some eye brows around here. My advice is to say the less the better. Happily: “GMU… YES… COMP SCI…. YES, HE CHOSE GMU. SO EXCITED FOR HIM ……
Anything more comes off as super defensive. (Also, I never feel the same about those people who cannot manage to keep their own opinions in check. Unless it’s like my sister or BFF who is really truly interested and not judgmental).
Anonymous
Post 04/25/2023 12:56     Subject: Re:If you have a top student who chose GMU, how did you get over the comments/looks?
OP, Your DS is like Kirk Cousins at GMU while kids that attend Ivies are like RGIII. RGIII won the Heisman, drafted by the Commanders as the 2nd overall in the 2012 draft while Cousins was drafted by the Commanders in the same draft but in the 4th round. Guess what, RGIII is no longer in the NFL while Cousins played two years for the Commanders under the franchise tag, 20M+ per year. After that, Cousins signed a 84M with the Vikings after he left the Commanders. I think he just signed a one year contract with the Vikings for 35M. In terms of earnings, Cousins probably makes ten times more than RGIII. Twenty years prior to that, the Commanders drafted Heath Shuler in the 3rd overall and Gus Frerotte in the 6th round. Gus ended up becoming the starter and made more money than Shuler. The former Commanders QB Carson Wentz went to a no name school and got drafted as the 2nd overall pick in the NFL by the Eagles and they gave him a 120M+ contract.

Your kid will do well at GMU. Big name schools are overrated. You should not give a F___ what people think.