<p>I agree with bclintonk regarding post-graduate schools. While I enjoyed my time in law school well enough (and was actually more active in ECs there) it wasn’t the same as undergrad. I would go to the same law school again, but only if I couldn’t get into a better one. Interestingly, my GPA in law school was higher than my GPA in either HS or undergrad (but I don’t feel like I worked any harder), but my best memories and friends are from undergrad.</p>
<p>I’d go again in a heartbeat. Loved loved LOVED my small LAC in the Pacific Northwest 2,000 miles from home. I had caring professors who invited me into their homes and started me on a fulfilling career. I had wonderful friends and experiences. It was exactly the right place for me at that time in my life.</p>
<p>i’d go back for undergrad. Huge state school. Loved it. Would not go back for my grad school choice. Private school, too far from home. Was miserable there. I’d likely get grad degree at same place I got undegrad if I had to do all over again. Great price, good reputation. Back then, i wanted to attend 2 separate schools. Now that I’m wiser, considering the price tag of UGrad school for grad program and how bleak the Emerald City(where I went to grad school) was on the inside, I’d make a wiser decision</p>
<p>I also went to grad school at my hometown university and lived at home the whole time. I had a lot of fun in grad school too, but it was a different kind of fun. I associated with our professors and people of different ages, backgrounds, etc. a lot more. And I felt more OK with indulging my inner geek than I did in undergrad. The most fun thing at parties was sitting back and listening to the “learned” talk from my teachers. And I had great ones who encouraged independent thinking and different opinions. So both my undergrad and grad experiences were good, but as I mentioned upthread, I would liked to have had some more say in where I went.</p>
<p>Grad school was less personal and much more professional in the relationships I developed. I learned with a good bell shaped curve of individuals. But we were all too busy trying to survive academically that we couldn’t devote more time to develop interpersonal relationships. My memories of grad school are more about me coming of age academically rather than emotionally. </p>
<p>Postgraduate school (residency) was also very different from UG school. I trained with the best of the best colleagues under some of the most respected attendings in their field. But my time was spent working hard not to be at the bottom of my class. Everyone around me were gifted, accomplished and so smart that it motivated me to work and study harder than I ever had in my life. But life after work involved just a handful of friends and few interactions beyond a quick dinner.</p>
<p>My UG experience was filled with emotional highs, lows, discoveries, new freedom, and developments at the right time of my life. Outside of the 16 or so hours of school, 152 hours were readily available to explore my environment. That’s why I have a special affinity to my UG school. It would have been interesting to attend a prestigious Ivy school but I wouldn’t risk it knowing the experience I had at UMCP.</p>
<p>In undergraduate school everyone was in the same situation; young, single, pre-professional, and all within a few years of the same age. Graduate school was much more diverse. There were nurses and lawyers changing careers, a URM who couldn’t cut it and dropped out despite a Harvard degree, married folks with children, and an age range that could have included my parents. The atmosphere was much more serious and professional; people were much more focused than in undergraduate school.</p>
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<p>Was he or she the only one who could not cut it in your cohort? If not, why the emphasis on URM?</p>
<p>I am not sure…my alma mater seems to have changed since I attended. More intersted in “climbing the USNEWS ladder” than focussing on what makes it unique and different and part of the student’s life…at least that’s how I saw it on the tours and info sessions with my two kids…</p>
<p>No, I would prefer not to. Of course, as an unprepared, immature 18-year-old, I spent my first year of college (at the school I still wish, after 30 years have passed, I could call my alma mater) ensuring that the remainder of my undergraduate years were spent at the institutions I purposefully did not apply to as a high school student. I persevered and graduated from good old State Flagship, but I’m not particularly fond of the school, and I’m delighted my daughter doesn’t attend there.</p>
<p>I think it is interesting that people are also reflecting on whether they would want their kids to go to their alma mater. My son saw my first college and was not drawn to it at all. The other school would not have been his type either but I was happy that I was accepted to that school as others had turned me down. </p>
<p>I now live in another state and I would not have wanted him to go to this state’s flagship even though it is ranked well. Very glad he goes to school where he does.</p>
<p>The 85:15 gender ratio and the amount of work required was about 1.5x what is needed at most schools and their sink-or-swim academic attitude was not friendly to anyone struggling (I did OK, but had two roommates fail out).</p>
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<p>I attended a similar, although much smaller, school. I loved, loved, loved it! I worked my hind end off, and so did all of my friends (except those darn geniuses who seemed to get by with relatively little studying). We worked very, very hard and played even harder. Rather than being cut-throat, we banded together to get through. We grew close, and I am friends to this day with many of my classmates - married to one for 30 years. 
I was so surprised to find out that a friend who graduated a couple years ahead of me didn’t like it. I can’t imagine not liking it. It was perfect for who I was 35 years ago … and it made me who I am today. What’s not to like?!</p>
<p>On the other hand, the “today” me would want a fancy little LAC where I could study cool stuff. My alma mater was once owned by GM, and the curriculum was pre-programmed (as an industrial administration major, I took more engineering classes than some engineers I have met). The person I am today would want to go to some place like Davidson. But I was NOT this person 35 years ago!!</p>
<p>My kids had no interest whatsoever in mom & dad’s alma mater (which is good, because now that it is not subsidized by GM, it’s a lot more expensive). Both kids “could” have been engineers, but neither wanted to be.</p>
<p>I think so, certainly if the circumstances had been the same. I was afforded a wonderful opportunity, by a fantastic university, where I met great people, all of whom impressed me in their own unique way.</p>
<p>The administration was problematic at times, as were other factors at the university, but I don’t think I’d trade my time at Westwood for anyplace else.</p>
<p>Yes. And both my kids followed suit.</p>
<p>However, I’d attend the same school, but in a different way. The place is much easier to navigate in the era of computers and cellphones, and, of course, if I went back now I’d know so many things I didn’t know then…</p>
<p>I didn’t love my UG, and I think other schools would have been better for me. But when I got to grad school, I did find that I was well-prepared. DH has far warmer memories of his UG, for legitimate reasons, and I share his enthusiasm for that school. But we are not steering our kids toward any school on the basis of family heritage. </p>
<p>The kids are different people with different strengths and needs. Schools change. Society evolves, and the job market morphs. My loyalty to my kids – my desire to help them find their unique paths – supersedes any loyalty to any institution. Our schools do not match our kids’ criteria. I feel that our respect or gratitude for our UGs can be shown through monetary donations, but to steer someone else toward the school on the basis of those feelings would be unfair to the person being steered.</p>
<p>I absolutely left it up to my kids to choose. Both had equally great choices, both went to my alma mater. I was actually quite surprised that my son went there.</p>
<p>I would definitely go back to my alma mater. I am a big believer in “bloom where you are planted” though and I think I would have been happy at most of the schools to which I was admitted, except my safety school (in hindsight, it would have been too big and overwhelming for me).</p>
<p>My S has just started his freshman year at my alma mater and I am so happy he is there. About 20 of my classmates have kids there too - it’s a multi-generation kind of place.</p>
<p>And while I think I got an excellent education there, I am even more impressed with what is being done now. I see so many opportunities for my son and his classmates.</p>
<p>Took son Freshman year in high school to visit. He loved the school. By junior year it was obvious that he was good but not outstanding. Is now at a school with less prestige but a good fit.</p>
<p>To me, I think it all depends on the memories that you derive in the process. If they are good, then I would go for it, if not, never ever.</p>
<p>I attended my flagship State U, it really was my only option financially, I was on my own paying for it. I would attend it again if in that same situation, really not much of a choice. But, if I had the resources that my kids have, i.e., a dad who makes a pretty good living and is paying for college, I would choose a different college. My kids are attending very good LACs, they are receiving a much better education than I did (I know that will be a controversial statement for many). I would choose to attend a school like the ones my kids are attending if I had no financial constraints.</p>
<p>Though I met my spouse at the Ivy we attended, we both think we would have met at our state university, which had automatic acceptance based on grades and PSAT score. On an experience basis, neither of us like the state university campus.</p>
<p>So yes, I’d go back, but now being old and recognizing that going to college in a big city and taking the subway at all hours was probably risky, logically I worry if any of my kids end up going there.</p>