<p>My parents had plenty of other stickers on the car (Chicago, Brown, even Bryn Mawr)...but not Harvard.</p>
<p>My parents did accept items from me that say Leverett House or Veritones. That way they can wear the "UCLA" gear without inviting awkward conversations. Yes, if someone else gets uncomfortable just because of where I went to school that's their fault, not mine...but it's no fun to make other people uncomfortable.</p>
<p>Thanks CC - you've helped me find the hot "must-have" item for every proud new Harvard parent :-) :</p>
<p>No one has ever said anything unpleasant about Harvard to me except for a Yalie! </p>
<p>Otherwise, yup I have a sticker on my car and I do wear a Harvard T-shirt once in a while. </p>
<p>And my little ones have the hoodies - that's a cute look - cause they really miss their brother.</p>
<p>Read the first several posts, and I have to say... I have that problem as an admit. I really want to know where all my friends are going, but I die a little inside each time I have to respond to, "Oh, I was rejected at [reach] so I'm going to [xxx]. What about you?" And my mom is now in the process of telling everyone in the world who is not legally deaf. <em>wince</em></p>
<p>Ethan - That's probably the big thing from my perspective. Other folks in our town are all excited to announce that they or their student are going to be going to South Central State College, which is great - they should be excited and celebrating. And if I then have to mention H, it sounds at least as if I'm trying to one-up them, or at worst make them feel less celebratory. So I think the best solution is to cerebrate our friends without offering my D's results, but answer questions honestly when they're asked.</p>
<p>Ethan Let your Mom enjoy!</p>
<p>Ethan's got five 800s, a 4.0 and acceptances to Y and P as well as H. I think his Mom's been enjoying herself for some time now. :-)</p>
<p>Is there any shirts or coffee mugs or anything that read "Harvard Grandparent" ?</p>
<p>I'm sure there are more, but here are a few.</p>
<p>Harvard Grandparent t-shirt:</p>
<p>Harvard Grandparent sweatshirt:</p>
<p>Harvard Grandparent hoodie:</p>
<p>The Coop sells grandparent coffee mugs too. I think grandparents have immunity from H-bomb bashfulness.</p>
<p>Glad I saw this post, because I have been feeling this way and thought I was being silly. My D got into Harvard and of course we were are all very excited, it was her "dream school" and we love the financial package! I have found though that I am reluctant to let my friends know about her acceptance and have only told those who ask. (She also got rejected at some schools so when I do say something, I generally let them know that she did get rejected as well.) We live overseas (we are American) so I generally correspond by e-mail and I do feel funny about sharing the news. I guess the way I need to look at it is if my friends aren't going to be excited for my daughter then maybe they aren't as good as friends as I thought! So....Maybe I will go send out an e-mail and then order up a sweatshirt. LOL</p>
<p>cosar, gadad, thank you! My parents will be very happy to have anything read "Harvard Grandparent".</p>
<p>^^Yes, grandparents are specifically exempted from having to pass the UCLA Test. They can brag all they want. </p>
<p>In fact, as a Harvard parent, the one sharp sadness I felt when all my daughter's acceptances rolled in was that my parents never lived to see the day. My dad had been dead for several years, but my mom missed it only be a few months.</p>
<p>My daughter has attened one of the famous prep school and now she attends H. I have decided not to put any H decal on my car as why draw unnecessary attention. My daughter does not wear any H clothes. We decided to do the same. If someone ask that where is my daughter attending college, we tell them a college in Boston. Only if they ask the name, then we say Harvard.</p>
<p>Like others before me ^, I chose not to beat around the bush. I don't offer it, but when asked, I just say it - "Harvard." (I think that avoiding it is even more awkward). Some will respond, "Whoa." To which I say: "That's what we said when we found out she got in." :)</p>
<p>The simple thing to do is get a sweatshirt/bumper sticker/coffee mug/window decal/etc/etc/etc from the local community college or trade school and put it on your car, wear it, etc. Then you won't have to worry about this.</p>
<p>I don't think many people read the college stickers on the car anyway. I have one and even my neighbors continue to ask me where my son goes. </p>
<p>I just prefer the straight up truth. I worry that subterfuge will appear condescending and when other people do find out they may question the evasiveness.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I worry that subterfuge will appear condescending and when other people do find out they may question the evasiveness.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree. Few things seem more contrived - or are more grating - than a phony display of modesty.</p>
<p>"I agree. Few things seem more contrived - or are more grating - than a phony display of modesty."</p>
<p>Completely agree. This game is far too common among both students and parents:</p>
<p>"Where does your child go to school?"
"He/she goes to school in ... Boston"
"Oh, where in Boston?"
"Near Cambridge."
"Which school in Cambridge?"
"Uh ... Harvard."</p>
<p>IMHO, what this often really means is: "I'm sensitive about making you feel bad b/c my child is so superior that he/she attends Harvard ... so I'll be elusive and act modest." Being at Harvard is nothing to be bashful about, and IMO the appropriate response to this question is simply: "My child goes to Harvard" (same as if it were Princeton, UCLA, Pine Manor College, etc).</p>