<p>This might be a strange thing to ask, but I've learned so much from the collective wisdom of College Confidential posters, that I thought that I’d try posting – I’ll be interested to hear people’s opinions.</p>
<p>My daughter is currently a high school junior in a large-ish, academically strong suburban school, and we live in the Midwest. She is considering applying to several out of state public schools, including University of Maryland, and University of Delaware. Before she goes through the lengthy process of applying to these schools, I have a question about college “fit” and cultural differences. </p>
<p>I have often gotten the vibe that people on the East Coast are culturally different from people who live in the Midwest. Has anyone found this to be true, and if so, in what way? Would it be difficult for a Midwestern suburban kid to adjust to the social environment of a public college in the East? </p>
<p>Part of what makes me ask – I grew up in the Midwest myself, and I spent a summer in Philadelphia where I took some post-graduate training. I had never lived outside of the Midwest before, and it seemed that the people I encountered in Philly were more reserved, less “warm and friendly” than what I was accustomed to. I even felt a tiny bit “looked down upon” because of where I grew up – perceived as being less sophisticated, maybe? I can’t exactly put my finger on it, but it definitely felt like I didn't “fit”. Granted – I was only there for 4 months, so I didn't have a real commitment to trying to adjust to the city.</p>
<p>So – any thoughts on this? Are there significant cultural differences between the two? Would this make it difficult for a freshman to adjust to, especially since there are so many other adjustments to deal with? Has anyone moved between these two parts of the country? Did you notice any differences, and if so, what kind? Did it complicate your adjustment? I’m sure everyone’s experiences are different, but I’d love to hear your stories! : )</p>
<p>I spent many years on the East Coast, then the same number or so in the Mid west and am now back East, though further North. So East Coast can vary from Miami to Maine as US1 runs. Spots in along that coast are more like the midwest than like being in the hub of the big cities.</p>
<p>The schools you mention UMD, UDel and I’ll throw Penn State in there are more Midwest in feel than they are like the city schools. A number of my kids went west for the schools, and they found the experience very much more relaxing than some of the NYC schools, but they are holding NYU up as an example. Frankly a school like UCh is more eastern in feel, as is CMU and CWU than the big unis. </p>
<p>There are "feels’ that one gets about a school and reading some of the narrative reports as well as visiting can give you an idea of what they are. But really I don’t think your kids would have any issues going to UMD vs, say Michigan or OSU in an East/West way. But going to a city school in NY or Philly, or Boston… would be tantamount to going to a down town school in Chicago or like big city. It’s just that the east has a lot of big cities so close together. </p>
<p>I don’t think you’ll fine the vibe much different at the big “east” public universities. You may be thinking more about urban Northeastern cities, such as Phillidelphia, New York, Boston, etc. I wouldn’t worry too much about schools like University of Maryland, and University of Delaware (or Rutgers, PSU, UVa, and on…).</p>
<p>Sure, there are cultural differences. My best example is from the work world. Right now, getting a teaching position at a university is tough. Lots of applicants for every opening, even here in the middle of nowhere. We have absolutely NO LUCK getting candidates from the East to stay, unless they have a prior connection to the Midwest. Retention here is also a problem for students who come from the East. We do better with the kids from the left coast, and of course, students from the region. </p>
<p>It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what the cultural differences are, though. I think I’d have to say it’s a matter of perceptions. What do we see as a good work ethic or what do we consider friendly? I’m sure people from all regions feel friendly, but how you show it is just . . . different. </p>
<p>Thanks for your thoughts, ordinarylives. The topic of cultural and regional differences is fascinating to me - possibly because I can sometimes “feel” them, but I usually can’t articulate what they are! : )</p>
<p>As a side note - my friend is encouraging her college age kids NOT to settle in the Midwest, primarily because of the local weak economy (Detroit’s financial meltdown weighs heavily on the region). </p>
<p>Here is a good interactive tool to see where freshman class comes from for any school you are considering.<br>
There are definitely cultural differences. It is good to have diversity, but what about dating and fitting in? In a large school it should not be a problem, though.</p>
<p>My S, from Boston, went to Marquette for one year. He hated it. I hate to say it but I think he had too much of an edge. He thought the students were too nice, too slow (not intellectually), goody, goody types, etc. He left 2 years ago and just recently went back to visit friends who still attend, but those friends are all from the coasts (East and West). On my 2 visits there I thought everyone was very friendly, the city was very nice and a great environment to go to school in. I think my son, who attended HS in Boston had too much of an “edge” to fit in. And I don’t think he wanted to conform. Whether your D will find the schools you mentioned not to her liking is anyones guess. I suggest you try to arrange and overnight visit while school is in session so she can spend time in class and out side of class to get a taste for it. </p>
<p>There are differences. Among college students it isn’t so bad, though. All freshmen go primed to meet new people and have a great new adventure, so they are more open. Your child may really enjoy the subtle differences between where she lives now and where she goes to school.</p>
<p>I have lived all over and consider myself to be pretty adaptable. I started out as a southerner, so that is my basic programming. I went to college in the East. I can remember thinking that East Coasters talk faster, walk faster, dress differently, use different words. I was used to putting on make up and fixing my hair before I went out, not in a big way, just a little mascara and lip gloss. My peers didn’t even bother to dry their hair before leaving the room! It was different, and liberating. There was less of the courtliness (for lack of a better word, I guess I could also call it game playing) among the East Coasters. I realized my home culture had elaborate rules for giving compliments and making small talk before real conversation got started. </p>
<p>Loved the Midwest. People were straightforward and down to earth, but not in your face. Grassroots movements like block parties and neighborhood phone directories were common. Kids who missed the bus would ring my doorbell and ask for a ride to school. </p>
<p>I think your daughter will love her experience. This is a great time to try a new place.And next thing you know she will studying abroad!</p>
<p>“Loved the Midwest. People were straightforward and down to earth, but not in your face. Grassroots movements like block parties and neighborhood phone directories were common. Kids who missed the bus would ring my doorbell and ask for a ride to school.”</p>
<p>Is this not standard behavior? We are in the NW but that was standard operating procedure in my neighborhood - in fact DS would have had many more absences if that weren’t the case. That or “I couldn’t find my house key this morning. Could you go back and lock our front door?”</p>
<p>SF, you make me nostalgic for the Midwest. I took in dogs who escaped from their yards and held them until their owners came home. I borrowed a cat to catch a mouse. If the NW is like that, too, I will have to move there next. </p>
<p>saintfan, it used to be a lot more common when we were growing up. It also depends where you live. And of course some people are just very neighborly, wherever they live. I have a good friend like that, and he has the kind of relationship with the fellow tenants in their small building in Brunswick where they bring each other food when they bake or make a big pot of soup. I think he started it when he moved in. He was the same way when he lived in northern NJ for 40 years.</p>
<p>None of my relatives who live in the midwest have the kind of relationship you describe with their neighbors. </p>
<p>The impression that I get from students and parents posting here is that, among high-achieving students, those in eastern states think of their public schools (e.g. Rutgers, SUNYs, UMass) as undesirable last-choice schools, while those in the midwest think of their public schools as desirable schools that they rank high on their preference lists (sometimes as their first choices).</p>
<p>I’ve only lived in the South and the East. I found that people in the South were on the whole a lot more polite. There were definitely rules of behavior that eluded me (being from Philly). Being called “ma’am” at 25 was disconcerting. I found that while people can be friendly and genuine, the Southern “politeness” (I wouldn’t call it friendly, because it definitely wasn’t friendly) was too passive-aggressive for me. If a person is mad at me, I’d rather they say they were mad at me instead of “Bless your sweet heart…” In Philly, people were much more straightforward. </p>
<p>My old roommate from Iowa was a nice blend of the South and the East. He was always very polite and considerate but he had and showed honest reactions.</p>
That or “I couldn’t find my house key this morning. Could you go back and lock our front door?”</p>