<p>It must have been 23 years since Reds came out because that was another thing that I did when I should have been at home in bed ( the 2nd was go to a Bonnie Raitt concert)
it was a really long movie- but engrossing
Doncha love how we can turn any discussion to movies/books/music?</p>
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<blockquote> <p>"Oh, Middlebury, could you fetch me my vest?" <<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>For proper effect it probably should be "waistcoat" instead of vest.</p>
<p>I know it is another one of those bogus ratings things, but you could casually mention where you saw the Princeton Review Academic rating for Wesleyan University is 95, while Harvard's is 94. Might rile 'em up a little.</p>
<p>lbridge, any one who sends their kid to an LAC had better develop a thick skin fast. We've learned to expect the typical reaction to "Williams": first the blank look, then the wan smile, followed by "how nice" meaning too bad he couldn't get into a GOOD school. But . . . those that know, KNOW. </p>
<p>Wesleyan's a wonderful choice. Congratulations to your daughter. Maybe she could take her cousin aside and privately educate him.</p>
<p>Mini, re school names and butlers: my husband and I just had a similar game; what college would make the best name for a dog? We decided on Baylor or Colby.</p>
<p>I've already gotten used to the where's Wesleyan, is that in Massachusetts? Ohio? It doesn't bother me one bit, it's just from someone soooo close that should know better. Giving the ratings won't help either, the less I say the better. The last thing I want to do is sound like it bothers me. He's just a pompous ass, and I'm not playing into it.. I was just looking for some solice and got some good laughs! Thank you all.</p>
<p>Lisa</p>
<p>I just realized something, I hope they don't or any of their friends read this board!!!</p>
<p>Don't worry, lbridge, they'll never recognize themselves! What's that saying.....you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your relatives??? I think I'd rather have some of 'mudge's buffalo for rellies than your BIL, although I've got a BIL myself who's been a real pill on occasion. Luckily, we're 1200 miles apart..so absence does tend to make the heart grow...well... more tolerant, at least.</p>
<p>Your thoughts to keep quiet are probably best for some semblance of family harmony, especially if you have frequent contact. Your D will be having the time of her life, and that's how it should be. You can embrace that knowledge - and to heck with the BIL. When he gets on his high horse, you can silently channel someone much wiser than me (Mark Twain, perhaps? - help me out here, friends)..."It's always better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you're an idiot, than to open it and prove them right."</p>
<p>"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." --Abraham Lincoln</p>
<p>I have always liked this quote.</p>
<p>Thank you, bookiemom.....I apparently have been exposed to the 'dumbed down' version, complete with wrong attribution, but I completely agree with the sentiment! I just have trouble adhering to it sometimes....</p>
<p>I told my sister about a friend who was going to Davidson. She said that she wouldn't send her child to any school that she's never heard of, she'd like to send her D to Brown. How nice of her!</p>
<p>She can't believe that I am thinking of sending my child to gasp!, a public school, one in state of all the horrors.</p>
<p>I try to avoid her most of the time.</p>
<p>In my daughter's public IB magnet program, most of the grads wind up going to the flagship state U which gives incredible merit aid. One of her classmates turns up her nose and looks down upon anyone who would choose to go there. I think she's applying to HYPS with the state school as her "safety". Let's see where she winds up!</p>
<p>There is such a short period of time for "parents" to live in the fantasy of child being admitted to the "dream" school......let them swim in their own spit for very soon the ED letters will be in the mailbox with all of the holiday cards and then the defensive comments will come forth!!</p>
<p>Good point, hazmat. I think we all had starry eyes at one time, dreaming about potential schools for our pride and joys.</p>
<p>Reality sets in soon enough - and who am I to say that some child will or won't win the Ivy Lottery? All the advice I need to give is that the college must fit the student, and vice versa.</p>
<p>There is NO GREATER support than a parent who can "forget" but still support a dream!! My best supporter let me reach while knowing that I had a place of safety to crawl into if results were not good. You sound like a great supporter for your student. Don't let your own pride get mixed up with what your student is trying to do. Pride for a student who rides the wave is all that is required. Some kids never paddle the board away from shore.......some kids paddle out and then panic but watching at the shore on the ready......that is a great parent.</p>
<p>I might have asked, "If he is only interested in the IVYS why did he look at Middlebury?" but that would have been wrong.</p>
<p>People who get quality confused with prestige are understandable....their insecurity and lack of understanding leave them vulnerable to popular choices and advertising campaigns, whether it is colleges or cars. I don't wish any bad luck for the kid...I hope that while at college he learns to think and to critique his choices a little better....at least before the next presidential election. Best of luck to your daughter.</p>
<p>Mini - would you ask Cornell to bring the car around front.</p>
<p>They are at the very beginning of the process, I could only hope that they get "wise" and learn what it's really all about. In a conversation I had with my SIL on Father's Day, I mentioned that the school should be a "good fit". She looked at me like I had 3 heads. Time will only tell what will be. I can only be concerned about my own, and will have to bite my tongue for the next 2 years or so. My next son will be a HS sophmore come September and soon enough the ride will start all over again, just this time I'll know what to expect.</p>
<p>Last night I saw the reality show The Scholar (which embodied everything wrong with high-stakes stress-filled adolescence), the best part was the founder of the supporting Broad (I believe) foundation that in one spot said "I attended the Detroit public schools, graduated from MSU, and founded two Fortune 500 companies, ...getting an education is important." I remember thinking, "I wonder how many Ivy graduates work for him?"</p>
<p>WESLEYAN! A second tier school????????????</p>
<p>Oh, Gosh, I am from Bulgaria, and even I know that Wes is a great school. It surprises me that there are Americans who consider it second quality, and that there are others who have not heard about Williams. Perhaps, I cannot understand this because I am international, but how is this possible. We are talking about two of the best colleges in the States after all...</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this is not limited to one country alone. Here people think that in the USA the bachelor's degree is completed in 6 years, that one semester at Harvard costs $ 125 000, that Yale is a third tier school...</p>
<p>The last one makes me sick since I will be going there in the fall, but what comforted me was the thought that people who think in this way can be met only in Bulgaria.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this thread proves the opposite.</p>
<p>Davidson, bring the Bentley around. Augustana and I will be attending the "Juniata" tonight with the Colbys and those horridly guache Rose-Hulmans and will be out late. And for God's sake, man, make sure Emory walks the Pitzers!</p>
<p>Carleton and I were out too- too late last night with the Claremont Mckennas.They were staying in town at the Vanderbilt and came down from their place in Haverford in the sleekest little two seater Vassar.
Unfortunately Hamilton ate something that didn't agree with him and Grinelled all over my Bowdoin. I had to grab Washington & Lee quick before they rolled in it.</p>