How much are you socking away for retirement each month?

coach wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

Ha!

I was not a good enough student in high school (nor good enough athletically with just 9:48 and 15:48 HS PRs) to get into an Ivy League School, so I didn't even apply. I do not mind admitting that.

Both of my kids were recruited athletes by multiple Ivy League schools, and they both had the grades and the test scores to be admitted. I will tell you that ONE of my kids decided not to go the Ivy League route because THAT kid wanted to compete at a higher level (former HS All-American). My other kid may or may not have gone to an Ivy League school, but regardless, it WAS and IS an elite university.

What does it mean to be elite anyway? The University of Illinois might not be considered an elite university to most of the people on this board but its computer science department is elite. The University of Texas has an accounting program that is elite. I can go on and on with other examples. Applying to an ivy league school with an interest in sociology and sustainability might not be as hard as getting into some engineering programs at very good state schools.

coach wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

Ha!

I was not a good enough student in high school (nor good enough athletically with just 9:48 and 15:48 HS PRs) to get into an Ivy League School, so I didn't even apply. I do not mind admitting that.

Both of my kids were recruited athletes by multiple Ivy League schools, and they both had the grades and the test scores to be admitted. I will tell you that ONE of my kids decided not to go the Ivy League route because THAT kid wanted to compete at a higher level (former HS All-American). My other kid may or may not have gone to an Ivy League school, but regardless, it WAS and IS an elite university.

What does it mean to be elite anyway? The University of Illinois might not be considered an elite university to most of the people on this board but its computer science department is elite. The University of Texas has an accounting program that is elite. I can go on and on with other examples. Applying to an ivy league school with an interest in sociology and sustainability might not be as hard as getting into some engineering programs at very good state schools.

Flagpole wrote:

Sub-9 guy wrote:

Link:www.ranker.com/list/southern-colleges-...

Here you go. Perhaps your daughter attended one of these. While I don’t personally agree with this entire list, the top 20, and, especially the top 10 are going to serve any kid well throughout life. So, if a kid can pull a full ride or full tuition from one of these schools, why would you choose an Ivy over that?

Future value cost savings of $60,000-85,000 per year for four years over a 10-20 year time horizon with a 7% assumed interest rate. That’s the math we are talking about on this thread. That is part of the retirement savings plan, the cost of college and the opportunity cost of saving that money. When you at it this way, a good state school makes a lot of sense for people, especially if you live in CA, MI, VA, TX, NC, FL or WA or have some form of reciprocity with them.

MANY colleges will serve a kid well...you just need to find the right fit. Both of my children are gifted (in gifted program before college). My daughter though, was VERY interested in being surrounded by super smart and talented people in college, so she ONLY was interested in colleges that would be considered "elite." Only a handful (actually fewer) of the schools that were in your link would be in the same category as the school she went to, and some (I probably would) would argue that the school she went to was a rung above ALL of those schools...a little nitpicking depending on what major you chose could make two or three of them equivalent, but overall I'd say the university she went to was better than all of those...and I think MOST people would agree). My son did not have the same need, so he opted not to attend an Ivy League school or any other "elite" college. His university and degree path has served him well.

A good state school makes a lot of sense for MOST people, because MOST people can't get into an elite university...kind of why they are "elite."

Sub-9 guy wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

You haven't met enough Ivy League graduates then (maybe you've only met Donald Trump...who didn't get in on his own merits by the way)...if any at all. People who can't get into an Ivy League school or their kids can't get in, find ways to make those Ivy League graduates look less than. The reality is that the vast majority of Ivy League graduates are smart and talented, driven successful, and grounded.

You really are full of yourself. I’ve hired and fired Ivy League grads. Book smarts does not equal capability in a corporate environment. All of them, while obviously smart, have been so underwhelming.

I bet your daughter didn’t pull a 4.0 unweighted w 12 AP classes and a 1570 SAT. You’re going to say she did, but multiple posters now have proven you are FOS.

One would have to be a complete idiot to take pay full go at Dartmouth over a full ride at Washington & Lee. Or UNC or UT. An idiot.

Sub-9 guy wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

MANY colleges will serve a kid well...you just need to find the right fit. Both of my children are gifted (in gifted program before college). My daughter though, was VERY interested in being surrounded by super smart and talented people in college, so she ONLY was interested in colleges that would be considered "elite." Only a handful (actually fewer) of the schools that were in your link would be in the same category as the school she went to, and some (I probably would) would argue that the school she went to was a rung above ALL of those schools...a little nitpicking depending on what major you chose could make two or three of them equivalent, but overall I'd say the university she went to was better than all of those...and I think MOST people would agree). My son did not have the same need, so he opted not to attend an Ivy League school or any other "elite" college. His university and degree path has served him well.

A good state school makes a lot of sense for MOST people, because MOST people can't get into an elite university...kind of why they are "elite."

Again, bro, nobody gives a $hit. You are going to sit here and tell me that wherever your esteemed daughter (sounds like her old man) went is better than a Duke, Vanderbilt, or Rice? Unless you are talking about MIT, Stanford, or Cal Tech, then you are FOS. If you are talking about a school like Amherst or Middlebury, you are FOS. If you are talking about a Colorado College, you are really FOS.

So, where did she go? What gifted program that you buried all of your money into your house and cars so she should get full financial aid did she go to?

Flagpole wrote:

Sub-9 guy wrote:

You really are full of yourself. I’ve hired and fired Ivy League grads. Book smarts does not equal capability in a corporate environment. All of them, while obviously smart, have been so underwhelming.

I bet your daughter didn’t pull a 4.0 unweighted w 12 AP classes and a 1570 SAT. You’re going to say she did, but multiple posters now have proven you are FOS.

One would have to be a complete idiot to take pay full go at Dartmouth over a full ride at Washington & Lee. Or UNC or UT. An idiot.

1) 4.0 unweighted? Yes. She was one of her HS's valedictorians...straight As from K-12. 12 AP classes? I know it was a ton, but I honestly don't know how many it was. I know she took all that were available to her, and our school system is great, so it was a LOT. 1570 SAT? NOPE!, because she took it when it was based on 2400. I will credit The Lovely Mrs. Flagpole for giving my kids their intelligence, because she is a bonafide genius (as are my kids). I am NOT a genius by the way.

2) No one here as ever proven that I am FOS...kind of hard to do that since I am not.

3) I have no dog in the fight over your last sentence. I WILL say though that some people have SOOOOO much money that paying full price for an Ivy League school is NOTHING, so for those people, it doesn't make them an idiot if they decide to pay full price for such a school.

4) You keep telling yourself that Ivy League graduates are inferior if that makes you feel better.

Sub-9 guy wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

1) 4.0 unweighted? Yes. She was one of her HS's valedictorians...straight As from K-12. 12 AP classes? I know it was a ton, but I honestly don't know how many it was. I know she took all that were available to her, and our school system is great, so it was a LOT. 1570 SAT? NOPE!, because she took it when it was based on 2400. I will credit The Lovely Mrs. Flagpole for giving my kids their intelligence, because she is a bonafide genius (as are my kids). I am NOT a genius by the way.

2) No one here as ever proven that I am FOS...kind of hard to do that since I am not.

3) I have no dog in the fight over your last sentence. I WILL say though that some people have SOOOOO much money that paying full price for an Ivy League school is NOTHING, so for those people, it doesn't make them an idiot if they decide to pay full price for such a school.

4) You keep telling yourself that Ivy League graduates are inferior if that makes you feel better.

I’m not saying Ivy League grads are inferior, just that they can’t get out of their own way in a typical corporate structure. Many times they are smarter to be sure. BUT, legacy and athletic admits dilute the pool of super geniuses.

I agree that UT Austin isn’t elite, but you are looking through a USNWR, and, probably Covid or pre-Covid lens. For many kids, it is among the most selective.

Link:www.ivyscholars.com/2022/07/07/ut-aust...

In fact, I’m guessing your daughter applied to college pre-Covid. It is SO much harder to get admitted to elite universities now since most have gone test optional, because the pool of applicants with inflated grades due to Covid soared.

I’m guessing your daughter went to an Amherst, since you won’t come out with it. Great school but definitely not better than Duke, Vandy, or Rice. Nope.

Sub-9 guy wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

1) 4.0 unweighted? Yes. She was one of her HS's valedictorians...straight As from K-12. 12 AP classes? I know it was a ton, but I honestly don't know how many it was. I know she took all that were available to her, and our school system is great, so it was a LOT. 1570 SAT? NOPE!, because she took it when it was based on 2400. I will credit The Lovely Mrs. Flagpole for giving my kids their intelligence, because she is a bonafide genius (as are my kids). I am NOT a genius by the way.

2) No one here as ever proven that I am FOS...kind of hard to do that since I am not.

3) I have no dog in the fight over your last sentence. I WILL say though that some people have SOOOOO much money that paying full price for an Ivy League school is NOTHING, so for those people, it doesn't make them an idiot if they decide to pay full price for such a school.

4) You keep telling yourself that Ivy League graduates are inferior if that makes you feel better.

I’m not saying Ivy League grads are inferior, just that they can’t get out of their own way in a typical corporate structure.

Flagpole wrote:

Sub-9 guy wrote:

I’m not saying Ivy League grads are inferior, just that they can’t get out of their own way in a typical corporate structure. Many times they are smarter to be sure. BUT, legacy and athletic admits dilute the pool of super geniuses.

I agree that UT Austin isn’t elite, but you are looking through a USNWR, and, probably Covid or pre-Covid lens. For many kids, it is among the most selective.

Link:www.ivyscholars.com/2022/07/07/ut-aust...

In fact, I’m guessing your daughter applied to college pre-Covid. It is SO much harder to get admitted to elite universities now since most have gone test optional, because the pool of applicants with inflated grades due to Covid soared.

I’m guessing your daughter went to an Amherst, since you won’t come out with it. Great school but definitely not better than Duke, Vandy, or Rice. Nope.

Yeah yeah yeah...I'm sure it was super easy when my daughter entered college to get into the EXTREMELY elite college she went to. Whatever, dude. You go find some joy.