In this case, I think “snotty hyperbole” would be more apt than “projection”–the intrapsychic stakes aren’t high enough here to mobilize a defense mechanism. To your credit, you haven’t put down the school, but it becomes difficult not to conflate people who have so much to say about a school of which they have no firsthand experience. But you’re in the midst of a college search though for your kid, right? So your interest comes honestly.