Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is that, fair or not, Maryland has zero cachet. Most students and parents are still embarrassed to say they or their kid goes there. Obviously this doesn’t happen with UVA, nor does it happen with the Ra Ra schools.

I totally get what OP is feeling. I do. I certainly would not recommend that she or her daughter incur any unnecessary financial expense to go to school out of state - the college years are fleeting and in the end the Maryland degree is more than fine. But, having said that, it is precisely because of the limited Maryland options that when we move their family to the DMV, we chose Virginia.

Nope.

Adults have been saying they were impressed kid got accepted, how hard it is to get in now, etc. Kid knew many who did not get into UMD.

The kids we know attending were top 10 in their class, and several are valedictorians.

If you are embarrassed by UMD, that has something to do with you and not the school.

Phrases like “zero cachet” and “most students and parents” show careless thinking and identify you are a black and white thinker.

Of course adults are going to “say” that to your face, but it’s not really what many are really thinking. And, yes, top students do enroll at UMD and its admissions are highly selective. But that why I said “fair or not.”

Most people I know who either attended or have kids attending UMD will follow up saying where they attended/attend with a “but” - as if some kind of explanation is required. Nobody says that about UVA or the Ra Ra schools, or if they do say it after the Ra Ra schools it’s typically “I/kid got into Maryland but wanted a more fun experience.”

Anonymous wrote:We simply told our kids that they could only apply to instate schools, so that we could cover their tuition. So they did and that was that. We would never have let them apply OOS if we couldn't afford it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is that, fair or not, Maryland has zero cachet. Most students and parents are still embarrassed to say they or their kid goes there. Obviously this doesn’t happen with UVA, nor does it happen with the Ra Ra schools.

I totally get what OP is feeling. I do. I certainly would not recommend that she or her daughter incur any unnecessary financial expense to go to school out of state - the college years are fleeting and in the end the Maryland degree is more than fine. But, having said that, it is precisely because of the limited Maryland options that when we move their family to the DMV, we chose Virginia.

Oh for goodness sake. UMD is 17 for computer science on US News — tied with Harvard. Ranked 19 for engineering, ahead of almost all the Ivies. Top 10 in physics. Seriously, no one is embarrassed to be at UMD.

Again, it’s why a said “fair or not.” I’m talking perception, not reality.

Then your problem is your friends. It’s not perceived badly at all among my set. And yes we are highly educated professionals.

Never said it was perceived badly. It’s typically perceived with a shrug.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is that, fair or not, Maryland has zero cachet. Most students and parents are still embarrassed to say they or their kid goes there. Obviously this doesn’t happen with UVA, nor does it happen with the Ra Ra schools.

I totally get what OP is feeling. I do. I certainly would not recommend that she or her daughter incur any unnecessary financial expense to go to school out of state - the college years are fleeting and in the end the Maryland degree is more than fine. But, having said that, it is precisely because of the limited Maryland options that when we move their family to the DMV, we chose Virginia.

Nope.

Adults have been saying they were impressed kid got accepted, how hard it is to get in now, etc. Kid knew many who did not get into UMD.

The kids we know attending were top 10 in their class, and several are valedictorians.

If you are embarrassed by UMD, that has something to do with you and not the school.

Phrases like “zero cachet” and “most students and parents” show careless thinking and identify you are a black and white thinker.

Of course adults are going to “say” that to your face, but it’s not really what many are really thinking. And, yes, top students do enroll at UMD and its admissions are highly selective. But that why I said “fair or not.”

Most people I know who either attended or have kids attending UMD will follow up saying where they attended/attend with a “but” - as if some kind of explanation is required. Nobody says that about UVA or the Ra Ra schools, or if they do say it after the Ra Ra schools it’s typically “I/kid got into Maryland but wanted a more fun experience.”

I don't get the whole "more fun experience." What is it with these Ra Ra schools that make it more fun that UMD? Where kids get drunk M-F? What are Ra Ra schools to begin with? It seems to me that you and your daughter have been watching too many TikToks. I can understand if you're comparing your Ra Ras (whatever they are) to a small private but this is a Big Ten school for crying out loud.

You don’t “get it” because you’re just old and out of touch. Sorry.

Sorry, but you sound like a privileged DB. You do realize that many smart students with their head on their shoulders actually prioritize their future and academics over partying, right? If my DD gets accepted to UMD and Penn State, she knows she's going for UMD for the in-state tuition. Still plenty of parties and stuff to do at UMD. I'm not paying an extra $30K just so she can have "slightly" more fun (if that's the perception) at a football game.

Right. And you sound like somebody’s grandfather. No offense. You’re just proving my point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is that, fair or not, Maryland has zero cachet. Most students and parents are still embarrassed to say they or their kid goes there. Obviously this doesn’t happen with UVA, nor does it happen with the Ra Ra schools.

I totally get what OP is feeling. I do. I certainly would not recommend that she or her daughter incur any unnecessary financial expense to go to school out of state - the college years are fleeting and in the end the Maryland degree is more than fine. But, having said that, it is precisely because of the limited Maryland options that when we move their family to the DMV, we chose Virginia.

Oh for goodness sake. UMD is 17 for computer science on US News — tied with Harvard. Ranked 19 for engineering, ahead of almost all the Ivies. Top 10 in physics. Seriously, no one is embarrassed to be at UMD.

Again, it’s why a said “fair or not.” I’m talking perception, not reality.

Then your problem is your friends. It’s not perceived badly at all among my set. And yes we are highly educated professionals.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is that, fair or not, Maryland has zero cachet. Most students and parents are still embarrassed to say they or their kid goes there. Obviously this doesn’t happen with UVA, nor does it happen with the Ra Ra schools.

I totally get what OP is feeling. I do. I certainly would not recommend that she or her daughter incur any unnecessary financial expense to go to school out of state - the college years are fleeting and in the end the Maryland degree is more than fine. But, having said that, it is precisely because of the limited Maryland options that when we move their family to the DMV, we chose Virginia.

Nope.

Adults have been saying they were impressed kid got accepted, how hard it is to get in now, etc. Kid knew many who did not get into UMD.

The kids we know attending were top 10 in their class, and several are valedictorians.

If you are embarrassed by UMD, that has something to do with you and not the school.

Phrases like “zero cachet” and “most students and parents” show careless thinking and identify you are a black and white thinker.

Of course adults are going to “say” that to your face, but it’s not really what many are really thinking. And, yes, top students do enroll at UMD and its admissions are highly selective. But that why I said “fair or not.”

Most people I know who either attended or have kids attending UMD will follow up saying where they attended/attend with a “but” - as if some kind of explanation is required. Nobody says that about UVA or the Ra Ra schools, or if they do say it after the Ra Ra schools it’s typically “I/kid got into Maryland but wanted a more fun experience.”

I don't get the whole "more fun experience." What is it with these Ra Ra schools that make it more fun that UMD? Where kids get drunk M-F? What are Ra Ra schools to begin with? It seems to me that you and your daughter have been watching too many TikToks. I can understand if you're comparing your Ra Ras (whatever they are) to a small private but this is a Big Ten school for crying out loud.

You don’t “get it” because you’re just old and out of touch. Sorry.

Sorry, but you sound like a privileged DB. You do realize that many smart students with their head on their shoulders actually prioritize their future and academics over partying, right? If my DD gets accepted to UMD and Penn State, she knows she's going for UMD for the in-state tuition. Still plenty of parties and stuff to do at UMD. I'm not paying an extra $30K just so she can have "slightly" more fun (if that's the perception) at a football game.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is that, fair or not, Maryland has zero cachet. Most students and parents are still embarrassed to say they or their kid goes there. Obviously this doesn’t happen with UVA, nor does it happen with the Ra Ra schools.

I totally get what OP is feeling. I do. I certainly would not recommend that she or her daughter incur any unnecessary financial expense to go to school out of state - the college years are fleeting and in the end the Maryland degree is more than fine. But, having said that, it is precisely because of the limited Maryland options that when we move their family to the DMV, we chose Virginia.

Oh for goodness sake. UMD is 17 for computer science on US News — tied with Harvard. Ranked 19 for engineering, ahead of almost all the Ivies. Top 10 in physics. Seriously, no one is embarrassed to be at UMD.

Again, it’s why a said “fair or not.” I’m talking perception, not reality.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is that, fair or not, Maryland has zero cachet. Most students and parents are still embarrassed to say they or their kid goes there. Obviously this doesn’t happen with UVA, nor does it happen with the Ra Ra schools.

I totally get what OP is feeling. I do. I certainly would not recommend that she or her daughter incur any unnecessary financial expense to go to school out of state - the college years are fleeting and in the end the Maryland degree is more than fine. But, having said that, it is precisely because of the limited Maryland options that when we move their family to the DMV, we chose Virginia.

Nope.

Adults have been saying they were impressed kid got accepted, how hard it is to get in now, etc. Kid knew many who did not get into UMD.

The kids we know attending were top 10 in their class, and several are valedictorians.

If you are embarrassed by UMD, that has something to do with you and not the school.

Phrases like “zero cachet” and “most students and parents” show careless thinking and identify you are a black and white thinker.

Of course adults are going to “say” that to your face, but it’s not really what many are really thinking. And, yes, top students do enroll at UMD and its admissions are highly selective. But that why I said “fair or not.”

Most people I know who either attended or have kids attending UMD will follow up saying where they attended/attend with a “but” - as if some kind of explanation is required. Nobody says that about UVA or the Ra Ra schools, or if they do say it after the Ra Ra schools it’s typically “I/kid got into Maryland but wanted a more fun experience.”

I don't get the whole "more fun experience." What is it with these Ra Ra schools that make it more fun that UMD? Where kids get drunk M-F? What are Ra Ra schools to begin with? It seems to me that you and your daughter have been watching too many TikToks. I can understand if you're comparing your Ra Ras (whatever they are) to a small private but this is a Big Ten school for crying out loud.

You don’t “get it” because you’re just old and out of touch. Sorry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is that, fair or not, Maryland has zero cachet. Most students and parents are still embarrassed to say they or their kid goes there. Obviously this doesn’t happen with UVA, nor does it happen with the Ra Ra schools.

I totally get what OP is feeling. I do. I certainly would not recommend that she or her daughter incur any unnecessary financial expense to go to school out of state - the college years are fleeting and in the end the Maryland degree is more than fine. But, having said that, it is precisely because of the limited Maryland options that when we move their family to the DMV, we chose Virginia.

Nope.

Adults have been saying they were impressed kid got accepted, how hard it is to get in now, etc. Kid knew many who did not get into UMD.

The kids we know attending were top 10 in their class, and several are valedictorians.

If you are embarrassed by UMD, that has something to do with you and not the school.

Phrases like “zero cachet” and “most students and parents” show careless thinking and identify you are a black and white thinker.

Of course adults are going to “say” that to your face, but it’s not really what many are really thinking. And, yes, top students do enroll at UMD and its admissions are highly selective. But that why I said “fair or not.”

Most people I know who either attended or have kids attending UMD will follow up saying where they attended/attend with a “but” - as if some kind of explanation is required. Nobody says that about UVA or the Ra Ra schools, or if they do say it after the Ra Ra schools it’s typically “I/kid got into Maryland but wanted a more fun experience.”

I don't get the whole "more fun experience." What is it with these Ra Ra schools that make it more fun that UMD? Where kids get drunk M-F? What are Ra Ra schools to begin with? It seems to me that you and your daughter have been watching too many TikToks. I can understand if you're comparing your Ra Ras (whatever they are) to a small private but this is a Big Ten school for crying out loud.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is that, fair or not, Maryland has zero cachet. Most students and parents are still embarrassed to say they or their kid goes there. Obviously this doesn’t happen with UVA, nor does it happen with the Ra Ra schools.

I totally get what OP is feeling. I do. I certainly would not recommend that she or her daughter incur any unnecessary financial expense to go to school out of state - the college years are fleeting and in the end the Maryland degree is more than fine. But, having said that, it is precisely because of the limited Maryland options that when we move their family to the DMV, we chose Virginia.

Oh for goodness sake. UMD is 17 for computer science on US News — tied with Harvard. Ranked 19 for engineering, ahead of almost all the Ivies. Top 10 in physics. Seriously, no one is embarrassed to be at UMD.

+1

If my DC can get accepted to UMD and save thousands of dollars in tuition compared to other out of state publics, then great. The average GPA is 4.0 / 1400 SAT / 32 ACT. That's competitive admissions. Not a cakewalk.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is that, fair or not, Maryland has zero cachet. Most students and parents are still embarrassed to say they or their kid goes there. Obviously this doesn’t happen with UVA, nor does it happen with the Ra Ra schools.

I totally get what OP is feeling. I do. I certainly would not recommend that she or her daughter incur any unnecessary financial expense to go to school out of state - the college years are fleeting and in the end the Maryland degree is more than fine. But, having said that, it is precisely because of the limited Maryland options that when we move their family to the DMV, we chose Virginia.

Nope.

Adults have been saying they were impressed kid got accepted, how hard it is to get in now, etc. Kid knew many who did not get into UMD.

The kids we know attending were top 10 in their class, and several are valedictorians.

If you are embarrassed by UMD, that has something to do with you and not the school.

Phrases like “zero cachet” and “most students and parents” show careless thinking and identify you are a black and white thinker.

Of course adults are going to “say” that to your face, but it’s not really what many are really thinking. And, yes, top students do enroll at UMD and its admissions are highly selective. But that why I said “fair or not.”

Most people I know who either attended or have kids attending UMD will follow up saying where they attended/attend with a “but” - as if some kind of explanation is required. Nobody says that about UVA or the Ra Ra schools, or if they do say it after the Ra Ra schools it’s typically “I/kid got into Maryland but wanted a more fun experience.”