<p>It bothers me to see parents doing headstands and capping CONGRATS in huge fonts to some kids or their parents who have chosen ivies or other so-called top schools while all but ignoring other posters who have chosen a different path. The bias on this forum is palpable. My guess is that's why participation in the threads for "less prestigious" colleges is so low. The unspoken and unwritten message is apparently clear. </p>
<p>But you could at least sincerely congratulate all the kids - that isn't too much to ask, is it? Or is it?</p>
<p>I agree that congratulations are in order for EVERYONE accepted to ANY college or university. I think that many of us on this board have developed a friendly acquaintance with others and have been very involved and/or interested in discussing their children's acceptances and decisions. I certainly don't think any of us intend to leave anyone out. CONGRATULATIONS to all of our CC seniors who will graduate soon and head on to a higher education!</p>
<p>One kid's safety is another kid's reach. Celebrate every kid's accomplishments. Congratulations to all. Alas, I suspect there are a bunch of lurkers out there who are hesitant to post their kid's choices because of all of the excited fuss over the ivies and other "top" schools.</p>
<p>thank you for a point well-taken, mcdeb. I often don't post congrats, because I don't "know" the OP well and am trying to keep my post count down (to hide the extent of my addiction :o). I will now post a congrats to every non-elite school I see.</p>
<p>btw, when I posted gS' acceptance to UNew Hampshire, I received many congrats from those who had followed his story (most of whom are "elite school" parents themselves, so I don't really think it's a bias - but it sure can come across that way). And I know many of us really, really want to see cc's use expanded to those considering all types of colleges. The advice and support here is too wonderful to be limited to a select few.</p>
<p>Agreed! And it's also worth noting that many, many students who go to less than "prestigious" schools for undergrad end up at the top schools for grad school. Also, prestige doesn't mean a thing when set against motivation and joy in learning.</p>
<p>Congratulations to all who love to learn and get to continue!</p>
<p>I think it really just is that when I've followed the person's voyage I am more apt to congratulate than when someone who has lurked posts a decision. Not that there is anything wrong with lurking, clearly, but those who have bled on the board engage my emotions. Just IMHO. And I couldn't agree more about every kid choosing a college has done something wonderful for themselves and should be congratulated.</p>
<p>I don't feel I have a bias, but I tend to congratulate the frequent posters more often because they've conveyed what they've gone through to get to their goal. Like alumother I am moved by those who have "bled on the board"--yes, aptly put! And though I am on here a lot, there are times when I'm not here at all, and miss things, but when I come back on I look for the threads/posts of those who have (usually by being a fairly active/frequent poster) become familiar names to me!</p>
<p>I don't find that the congratulations threads are biased in favor of ivies--I think posters here offer kudos galore to anyone happy with their acceptance, and go out of their way to congratulate those not thrilled to be dinged from their first choice, to remind them that they have done well with the choices they have.</p>
<p>Congratulations to all the families whose children are going off to live independently. Best wishes for a future of much happiness and adventure.</p>
<p>Congratulations as well to everybody (sorry, I still can't remember how to change font sizes, or how to quote for that matter)! </p>
<p>I admit that I haven't noticed any bias in the congratulations, and as the parent of a S who in all likelihood won't be shooting for the Ivies or Top 25 LAC, I think I would have noticed it. </p>
<p>But to mcdeb's broader comment that the bias on this board is "palpable", I agree that I often feel like I'm in a very small minority. But that's okay -- there's a ton of very good general info and advice that I find very helpful, and the participants on this forum are (IMHO) very nice, pleasant, witty and humourous. I just ignore the threads that are clearly irrelevant to me -- unless I see a thread that just goes on and on and on, a sure tip-off that a spirited conversation of some sort is in the works, usually having nothing to do with the original post!</p>
<p>mstee - exactly :eek:! (I have temporarily given up trying, because there seems extra need for support these days - me included).</p>
<p>btw, one humorous friend of mind says that "95% of college is getting away from home and 5% is which college you go to; it's just that parents get the %ages mixed up." LOL</p>
<p>I guess my worry about parents getting so excited about the colleges themselves is that it would be hard for the kid to admit next year to being unhappy in any way at their particular college. I also think when you get that excited the kid may feel like their career choices are narrowed, too, to ones that the parents would be equally excited about. JMHO, my comments are not directed at anyone in particular.</p>
<p>Absolutely congratulations to all the soon to be freshman and to their parents, guardians and family, friends...and teachers, and devoted pets, for standing by them!</p>
<p>(I never post on any threads because 1. I don't know too many folks on here and 2. I'd spend way too much time on here and end up giving some of the old timers a run for their money on #s of posts. ;) :D</p>
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It bothers me to see parents doing headstands and capping CONGRATS in huge fonts to some kids or their parents who have chosen ivies or other so-called top schools while all but ignoring other posters who have chosen a different path. The bias on this forum is palpable.
[/quote]
mcdeb~
Since I have taken to using large, colored fonts recently (since I've only recently learned HOW to work sizes and colors), I so hope that you are not referring to me. In fact, I try to congratulate everyone who posts about a college decision, whether or not I am overly familiar with the poster, simply because this whole thing is a HUGE deal to everyone. I genuinely do not feel that any choices are more "congratulatable" than others.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, if I have inadvertantly left anyone out (I do have a "real life" and six "real" kids, after all :)), please forgive me and rest assured in the knowledge that it was unintentional.</p>
<p>I am of the mind that a generic congratulations to everyone all at once holds a bit less meaning, but maybe I'd have been better off issuing that? </p>
<p>I do know that I've put a great deal of personal information and raw emotion out on this forum, and to all of those who have shown kindness and support for my son, I thank you from the heart.</p>
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Also, berurah is sharpening her new found skills to have a big colorful congratulation thread party.
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<p>simba,
You are MOST correct!! I am actually a pretty colorful person in real life as well...I ALWAYS write with my lavendar pen--can't survive a day without it! ~b.</p>
<p>berurah, it's been very apparent in many threads that you take the time to congratulate loads of people. I noticed it well before anyone remarked on whether people did so.</p>