Anonymous wrote:I also know a Vanderbilt student who whose parents donated enough for a spot for their poorly performing student. And it wasn't 8 figures.

Interestingly, I know 2 families who investigated the same at Michigan for their B/C students and were not successful. Michigan didn't budge.

I know someone local who appears to be doing this. It’s getting to be far too obvious. Bad look for Vandy.

Anonymous wrote:wow what high school kicked out the bully? usually they do nothing and the victim leaves

Given this and how celebrity kids are usually protected, tells you how bad the behavior must have been.

Anonymous wrote:I also know a Vanderbilt student who whose parents donated enough for a spot for their poorly performing student. And it wasn't 8 figures.

Interestingly, I know 2 families who investigated the same at Michigan for their B/C students and were not successful. Michigan didn't budge.

Two vandy kids from our private with bottom 50% grades; applied ED. Deferred and admitted. There’s a “development” meeting parents had in Jan last year.

I also know a Vanderbilt student who whose parents donated enough for a spot for their poorly performing student. And it wasn't 8 figures.

Interestingly, I know 2 families who investigated the same at Michigan for their B/C students and were not successful. Michigan didn't budge.

wow what high school kicked out the bully? usually they do nothing and the victim leaves

Anonymous wrote:On the first day of freshman orientation, my kid was totally overwhelmed, already homesick, didn’t want us to leave. As we are standing there telling her it’s going to be alright, another freshman goes skipping by, giant smile on her face. As she passes, we heard her say to her dad, “I’m having so much fun!” Same experience and yet totally different experiences.

Which is why I don’t understand the point of this thread. Is the assumption that kids all just passive consumers of college experiences that are varying degrees of “good” or “bad?”

Agreed. Hope your daughter is doing better!

On the first day of freshman orientation, my kid was totally overwhelmed, already homesick, didn’t want us to leave. As we are standing there telling her it’s going to be alright, another freshman goes skipping by, giant smile on her face. As she passes, we heard her say to her dad, “I’m having so much fun!” Same experience and yet totally different experiences.

Which is why I don’t understand the point of this thread. Is the assumption that kids all just passive consumers of college experiences that are varying degrees of “good” or “bad?”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spin off a previous post - that was bumped up - on what parents overhear from freshman Kids & friends (from high school) this week about the trail’s & tribulations of freshman year.

Have heard a lot this week about who’s thriving, who’s still searching for ppl and who’s already looking to transfer.

Anyone else want to dish? I’ll share but don’t want to go first (given how that other poster was treated for the reported eavesdropping).

I’m particularly interested in those kids who are having a fabulous first semester. Any clue as to why/what’s made it so successful?

Just heard about two female Colgate transfers. Miserable. Both of them.

And Vanderbilt has been confirmed as the place where you can buy your way in (eight figures, does it).

where do the Colgate kids want to go?

Anonymous wrote:Spin off a previous post - that was bumped up - on what parents overhear from freshman Kids & friends (from high school) this week about the trail’s & tribulations of freshman year.

Have heard a lot this week about who’s thriving, who’s still searching for ppl and who’s already looking to transfer.

Anyone else want to dish? I’ll share but don’t want to go first (given how that other poster was treated for the reported eavesdropping).

I’m particularly interested in those kids who are having a fabulous first semester. Any clue as to why/what’s made it so successful?

Just heard about two female Colgate transfers. Miserable. Both of them.

And Vanderbilt has been confirmed as the place where you can buy your way in (eight figures, does it).

I think this is very specific to a specific kid. What does it matter if a person I’ve never met, son’s friend like tech. The local schools all have lots of local kids in them. So the culture seems familiar and they start with built in friends. Have had 3 in college and each one was unhappy and talked about transferring. None transferred and absolutely found friends and amazing experience as they grew and matured.

I don't get the point of this thread and am only posting because my experience of last few days runs counter to some posts on first page here.

UVA: very happy. Was a little disappointed that students didn't seem super academically invested and kid doesn't like frat scene but loving one activity and has great friends from activity.

Penn. Very unhappy. Too frat-based,kids not as intellectual as expected, loads of money. Considering transferring.

Harvard, Very happy socially, clicking with classmates, and with classes

Tech, Mixed bag, One very happy, other not so much, Complaint about an online class, Complaint about dominance of frat culture (though kid was wishing he had joined, not morally opposed).

Delaware , kid seemed very happy, very comfortable. Seems to feel like it's the right fit.

Georgia , a bit of culture shock. A lot of it actually. But still happy there

Anything else that we missed? It's Sunday night...

Freshman DD at Colorado School of Mines.

Having a blast. Has met a group of nice kids that study, eat, and hang out on the weekends together. Weekends have consisted of hanging out on campus, heading to a local friends parents house for the weekend, and camping trips.

Classes are hard but enjoyable. Always someone on the floor to help out when there is a question. Her superpower is the ability to bake. She has made lots of friends by baking cookies or brownies at 11pm.

1 week orientation seems to have set her up for success. This includes a 2 night camp out where the kids really get to know each other--think MCPS Outdoor Ed at Camp Letts.

Can't wait to head back and is looking forward to using her IKON pass.

Awesome question as a mom with a junior in college!


Colby: Hoping study abroad reinvigorates her, sick of the environment and people, but loves the professors (complete switch from freshman year!)
Harvard: nothing but good things to say, school has made him a lot quieter, but maybe that’s a good thing?
Pomona: Perfect fit! Wants to go straight into a PhD in statistics and feels prepared for the challenge- spent summer at Yale and has amazing friends since first year.
UCLA: wants to stay in California sun forever! Has a niche major, so small classes and finds the environment intellectual “but still chill.” Transfer from UVA
GWU: graduating early and can’t wait to get out. Wants to go to NYC and start fresh, has a few friends, but enjoys visiting boyfriend (NYU) more than her current institution.

Only kid who seems to dislike it so far is the Cornell kid.