Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It always surprises me how many of my kids' friends aren't interested in UVA. I think there are some kids who think it's really snobby, some kids who think it's boring (everyone goes there!), and some who think they can get into a better school. Of course, the ones who usually end up going there are those kids who think they will get into a better school. They often do end up getting offers from other schools, but once their parents realize the price difference of UVA and some of the other schools, reality kicks in. The good news is that almost every kid I know ends up loving UVA. (I don't have a kid in UVA. It's just my observation.)

This is simply not true for in state kids. It certainly wasn't for mine. There's a big difference between a top 10 private and UVA. Once a kid realizes, and it's pretty obvious, that realistically they're not getting into Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc., a smart in state kid doesn't bother applying to them and doesn't really consider other private universities because they're clearly not so much better that they justify the price. Of course, the calculation is different for out of state kids.

I had three kids who were qualified enough to get into UVA. Two were very mainstream -- smart, cute, funny, popular and nice -- and were the type who could fit in anywhere. Those two both went to UVA and loved it. The other just knew it wasn't a fit, and we didn't disagree. Never applied, got into William & Mary instead, and ended up at a very good liberal arts college that offered lots of merit aid. Without the aid she would have gone to W&M and would have been just fine.

We weren't a family who obsessed over colleges. We didn't approach the process like a kid choosing a spouse, which so many DCUM families seem to do. There are plenty of fits, not just one. But if you live in VA, are smart but not quite Ivy material, and aren't a complete weirdo it makes very little sense to look too far beyond UVA, William & Mary, or Virginia Tech.

I was with you but the “cute” part? Come on. gross.
(And I have a kid at UVA)

Anonymous wrote:Because my child is more interested in VA Tech, since he wants to study engineering.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It always surprises me how many of my kids' friends aren't interested in UVA. I think there are some kids who think it's really snobby, some kids who think it's boring (everyone goes there!), and some who think they can get into a better school. Of course, the ones who usually end up going there are those kids who think they will get into a better school. They often do end up getting offers from other schools, but once their parents realize the price difference of UVA and some of the other schools, reality kicks in. The good news is that almost every kid I know ends up loving UVA. (I don't have a kid in UVA. It's just my observation.)

This is simply not true for in state kids. It certainly wasn't for mine. There's a big difference between a top 10 private and UVA. Once a kid realizes, and it's pretty obvious, that realistically they're not getting into Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc., a smart in state kid doesn't bother applying to them and doesn't really consider other private universities because they're clearly not so much better that they justify the price. Of course, the calculation is different for out of state kids.

I had three kids who were qualified enough to get into UVA. Two were very mainstream -- smart, cute, funny, popular and nice -- and were the type who could fit in anywhere. Those two both went to UVA and loved it. The other just knew it wasn't a fit, and we didn't disagree. Never applied, got into William & Mary instead, and ended up at a very good liberal arts college that offered lots of merit aid. Without the aid she would have gone to W&M and would have been just fine.

We weren't a family who obsessed over colleges. We didn't approach the process like a kid choosing a spouse, which so many DCUM families seem to do. There are plenty of fits, not just one. But if you live in VA, are smart but not quite Ivy material, and aren't a complete weirdo it makes very little sense to look too far beyond UVA, William & Mary, or Virginia Tech.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because not everyone wants to go to UVA. Neither of my kids were remotely interested.

Translation: they couldn't get in

Both kids are in 75th percentile for both grades and SAT according to SCHEV, one didn't apply and the other doesn't plan to apply. we visited but they weren't interested.

Anonymous wrote:It always surprises me how many of my kids' friends aren't interested in UVA. I think there are some kids who think it's really snobby, some kids who think it's boring (everyone goes there!), and some who think they can get into a better school. Of course, the ones who usually end up going there are those kids who think they will get into a better school. They often do end up getting offers from other schools, but once their parents realize the price difference of UVA and some of the other schools, reality kicks in. The good news is that almost every kid I know ends up loving UVA. (I don't have a kid in UVA. It's just my observation.)

Anonymous wrote:It's such a prestigious school and a great, affordable education IF you can get in in-state. Why wouldn't every VA res shoot their shot ED unless they're hell bent on spending more money?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because not everyone wants to go to UVA. Neither of my kids were remotely interested.

Translation: they couldn't get in

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has no interest in going to UVA. He said it is his last choice. He likes many other schools, some ranked lower than UVA, over UVA. They are all private schools. Fortunately, we can pay for private.

Then this question isn’t for you. It’s for students who WANT to attend UVA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because not everyone wants to go to UVA. Neither of my kids were remotely interested.

Translation: they couldn't get in

Anonymous wrote:My kid has no interest in going to UVA. He said it is his last choice. He likes many other schools, some ranked lower than UVA, over UVA. They are all private schools. Fortunately, we can pay for private.