I am right with you on the “oh” comments. My D chose a school with at 60% admit rate. It is perfect for her and she got a great package there. We got a lot of “oh.” And it wasn’t because they were unfamiliar with the school. It was clear disapproval. Once, when I told someone where D was going, a person actually said, “Oh…is she happy about that?” I could have killed.
Now, a few years later, when people ask how D is doing, I get to tell them about the prestigious internship she has won at a place all the Ivy kids would kill for – all because she is at a school that is right for her and that she made the most of.
Now, people say, “wow.”
But, none of us should have to face this kind of disapproval in the first place. We shouldn’t have to preface things by saying what colleges we turned down or that we are going there for a great scholarship. What does that say about the kids who are going there without those things? At first, I always told everyone about her scholarship right away, as if I had to justify her choice. I stopped doing that. It does a disservice to all the kids going without the great package. It does a disservice to the school, which is wonderful and doesn’t have to be justified.
People need to learn that the only acceptable reaction when someone tells you where they are going to college is – Congratulations!! Thats great!