<p>To randomgrandeur, don't get caught in the B.S...of college confidential. When I said I got into McGill, people in my neighborhood who had heard of the school thought I must be a genious. Like you, I was leaving the state (actually the country) to study. Most kids at McGill or BC who got in from a mediocre public school were at the very top of their class and had to struggle for it. If you went to some rich kids prep school, then yeah, you probably chose the school as a saftey, and money probably wasn't an issue.</p>
<p>My mom tends to brag more about the fact that I'm graduating a year early and then starting my PhD than where I go. I don't feel particularly proud about getting into my university because I was practically guaranteed admission (massive legacy, in state, went to local feeder school, dual enrolled there during high school) and it's the absolute closest university/college to my house. But I guess it's ok since they have a top 10 graduate program in my field.</p>
<p>hmmm, when i first got in my parents told everyone we met where i was going to school. But it's recently gotten a little better. See typical conversation below-</p>
<p>Dad: Hi (insert generic work colleague's name), this is my daughter. She's home from school.
Work Colleague: Oh, really? My daughter is a sophomore at Ohio State. She loves it. Where does hotpiece go to school?
Mom: Oh, well hotpiece goes to HARVARD!!!!! We are just so proud of her.
Work Colleague: Well, you must be one very bright and accomplished young lady. Congratulations!!! How do you like it there?
Me: It's good. The people are nice and the classes are interesting. But it really is just like any other school.
Work Colleague: Well, I doubt that. It's HARVARD!!!!!!</p>
<p>My parents aren't the worse, though. My friends brag about my school so much more!!!!! It is so annoying. At least when my parents would brag to other adults those adults who simply say congrats and ask how school is. When other teens find out where I go, the reaction is always the same. Tehy initially think I am lying and then question me as if I am from another planet. Typical convo below-</p>
<p>Friend 1: Hi Chris, these are my friends hotpiece, friend 2 and friend 3.
Chris: Hi. Where do you guys go to school?
Friend 2: I go to Ohio State with Friend 1.
Friend 3: I go to Northwestern.
(awkward silence because I really don't wanna say where I go to school)
Chris: Where do you go to school hotpiece?
Friend 1: Oh, she goes to HARVARD!!!!
Chris: Really? You guys are kidding right? You go to Ohio State don't you, hotpiece?
Friend 2: Nope, she really goes to Harvard.
Chris: Really?
Me: Yeah..
Chris: Are you like a genius or something?
Me: No, not really...
Chris: Do any famous people go there or is it all nerds?
Me: There are a few famous people...
Chris: Are there every any parties? I doubt it because you guys are probably busy studying all the time.
Me: There is a pretty decent social scene. I'm sure it doesn't compare to OSU, but it's pretty good...
Chris: Do the kids there know what alcohol and sex are? I bet they don't because all they do is study all the time. I know I just met you, but it seems to me as if you're too "normal" to go to Harvard.
Me: A lot of normal people go to Harvard...
Chris: Yeah, sure...
(this whole time the rest of my friends are silent because the conversation has shifted from the group to only me)</p>
<p>I hate living in the midwest. going to harvard is such a big deal here. it was not nearly as much as a big deal when i was on the east coast.</p>
<p>NoFX, she pronounces it "Jalle". I'd feel like too much of a snob if I corrected her.</p>
<p>hotpiece, haha, I sympathize (it does get awkward, even around people you've known for eternities). But it's a very luxurious problem to have.</p>
<p>My best "You Got In Where" conversation:</p>
<p>Friend: Oh, by the way, F you for getting into Yale.
Me: (Laughing so hard I choke on my cigarette)
Friend: Come on. Like nobody's ever wanted to tell you that.
Me: I guess It is a very F you-worthy accomplishment.</p>
<p>Every time I've seen him since, he says "F you!" and I say "Thank you!". It's so honest and sweet in the way only Friend could be honest and sweet. It's that kind of a-hole honesty you can never feel weird around.</p>
<p>coming from a school where 17 of graduating class go to stanford, 2 to harvard and 2 to yale, and then all those other ivies is really annoying. </p>
<p>you don't feel a sense of accomplishment after getting into a pretty good school. when you talk to people it's like there's the silent question "why didn't get into stanford?"</p>
<p>So my parents does not say much about it unless someone specifically asks. they are happy with where i'll go, and i don't care too much about it.</p>
<p>haha, I wish people around here cared about college. :P</p>
<p>Sort of...it's gotten pretty annoying when everyone asks.."Oh, how do you like Seattle?" or "Do you go see the White House often?" Dude...it's Washington University IN St. Louis. </p>
<p>Sometimes I feel bad about turning down Chicago and Cornell.</p>
<p>It sucked when I had to post a link to my grandfather through email with the school rankings...blah.</p>
<p>To randomgrandeur, don't get caught in the B.S...of college confidential. When I said I got into McGill, people in my neighborhood who had heard of the school thought I must be a genious. Like you, I was leaving the state (actually the country) to study. Most kids at McGill or BC who got in from a mediocre public school were at the very top of their class and had to struggle for it. If you went to some rich kids prep school, then yeah, you probably chose the school as a saftey, and money probably wasn't an issue."</p>
<p>BC as my safety? Haha. It was definitely one of my reaches. My stats were within their range (at the time), but going to public school with a declining trend, I had no additional resources, i.e. money for those SAT prep courses, tutoring, etc.... Plus, my parents didn't even go to college so yeah. Honestly, my first choice was Northeastern for their co-op program, but their aid was non-existant. It turned out to be a GREAT blessing in disguise though.</p>
<p>lmao frrrph. that's a true friend.</p>
<p>
[quote]
It sucked when I had to post a link to my grandfather through email with the school rankings
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yeah, none of my friends believed me either when I said I'd gotten into a top 20 university. WashU is doing the right thing with all that damn mail. People need to know!</p>
<p>ridewitbd24- that's awesome! you parents definitely have bragging rights, you got in all on your own, without any connections. that's rare these days!</p>
<p>and yeah, my dad didn't graduate from college, long story. i'm not going to such a bad school, my mom loves telling everyone and anyone who will listen. i just let her, it makes her feel good haha =)</p>
<p>Maybe, maybe not.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if my grandmother can even read :/
But yeah. My parents are definitely proud of me not dropping out, and conversely, my sister going back to take her highschool diploma then going on to college. None of us really thought me and my sis would pick ourselves up like this - and that's worth more pride than any ranking, I feel.</p>
<p>depends. if they know the person they're talking to went there then they'll say that i got in there. but they don't go around yelling "guess where our kids going?" like some other parents do.</p>
<p>on the other hand, i tend to brag about it were i work. it's a private country club, full of old people, old money...and since i'm 17, they figure that i'm a drug addict. so whenever i get the chance i slip it in as if saying "screw you".</p>
<p>^lol..i do the same thing at work. im a package handler at fedex. the top of the intellectual food chain doesnt exactly work there. im like the only 18 year old there. everyone assumes im just another dumb kid who messed up in high school and went str8 to the work world. its funny when they know who I really am.</p>
<p>"its funny when they know who I really am." </p>
<p>wow...not full of yourself or anything :P</p>
<p>^Respect mah ranking!!!</p>
<p>hey, i feel im better than middle aged men who load trucks for a living. if thats being full of myself than so be it.</p>
<p>Let's not get too cocky now.</p>
<p>i sorta understand what ridewitbd24 is saying, all though i don't really agree with his terms.</p>
<p>the summer before college i worked in a local grocery store. everyone who worked there was either a 14 year old kid who couldn't get hired anywhere else or adults who held the job as their career. more than a few times coworkers or customers would assume that i was some high school drop out. it got especially bad towards the end of summer. the high school had started up again but harvard hadn't, so everyone assumed that i must not be enrolled in any school. </p>
<p>once, this ignorant guy came in with his kids. he took one look at me and saw a black teenager working in a grocery store when most other kids my age where either in high school or college. he said to me, "all the other kids are back in school now, aren't they? it must be hard being the only cashier in the store on a busy day like this. that's why i teach my kids to stay in school so they don't have to work in a dead end job like this." and if that wasn't the worse of it, he actually added "but what can you do as a teenage mom. you probably have kids to feed, right?"</p>
<p>i was so shocked. i could not believe that this guy not only assumed that i wasn't in school, but also that i was a teenage mother. so, i smiled at him and politely responded, "actually, sir, i don't have any kids. i'm just working here as a summer job. i'll be starting college in 2 weeks." and then i turned to his kids and said, "your daddy is right, you guys should study hard and stay in school and then one day you can go to a really good college just like me."</p>
<p>the father then said, "oh, you must be headed to OSU. i knew they started kinda late. i went there, and let me tell you that it is the ONE of the best schools in the country in my opinion. but i was in the honors college, so you may have a difference experience than me, you being in the regular school and all."</p>
<p>so, i responded, "actually sir, i'm not headed to OSU. i'm going to Harvard. the best school in the COUNTRY. Have a good day."</p>
<p>that guy walked outta there so fast...</p>
<p>so, i can see where ridewitbd24 is coming from. it is super annoying that people think i'm a dropout. although, i wouldn't necessarily say that i am better than someone who didn't go to college. maybe better educated, but not better in general.</p>
<p>^well said. sorry if i had any arrogance, but i get this kind of attitude all the time from the same aforementioned middle-aged men. i guess i was venting some bent up frustration.</p>