College, Attending or want to attend Options

[*mipadi*]

Lower admission rates don't necessarily mean that only the best students go there. Getting into colleges is just as often about who an applicant knows. I mean to say that non-Ivies have atmospheres that are just as competitive as Ivies. Having been at college for a few years, I think it's better to find a school whose atmosphere suits an applicant best, rather than just looking at big-name schools with the idea that they are the only ones that provide a good, competitive learning environment. There are a lot of not-so-well-known gems out there.

[innovation]

I never said that everyone at big-name schools is brilliant. I merely said that you "generally find that sort of population". Also, I never said that there aren't any quality schools outside of the big-name schools. You said that big-name schools were overrated, but I never said anything negative about good but not-so-well-known schools.

And most people do look at the environment, as well. I know someone who chose Swarthmore over Harvard for that reason (although they're both big-name schools). But we have to be realistic here. Would someone really choose George Mason over Harvard merely because they liked Fairfax and the diversity of students at GMU? Besides, it seems more worthwhile to attend a prestigious school if you're going out of state, since generally, good private colleges are around the same price.

[[Mediocre]Artist]

If I go to college I'm thinkin of UH Downtown (Houston) or some of the art schools on the East Coast. I worry college is way too based on just getting a degree to get a good job. I want somewhere I can just learn more about what I love and some new things too. But I don't have the money to spend just studying.

[CUTEBUNNY160]

i guess
USC
UCLA
NYU
Long Beach State
or...
Columbia

[*mipadi*]

But we have to be realistic here. Would someone really choose George Mason over Harvard merely because they liked Fairfax and the diversity of students at GMU? Besides, it seems more worthwhile to attend a prestigious school if you're going out of state, since generally, good private colleges are around the same price.

I'm not saying big-name schools are completely bad, but let's be realistic with this point, too: A lot of people apply to big-name schools primarily so they can break about the name on their college sweatshirt. I'm just saying that potential students should cast a broader net and look at schools that might not get as many headlines, but still have strong programs, excellent professors, top-notch facilities, and good reputations. There are a lot of schools that might not make headlines all the time that are still very good, and students, even ones going out of state, should keep schools like that in mind, too. Having a well-recognized name isn't everything, and just because a school has a big name, does not make it automatically better than lesser-known schools.

[symphomaniac]

The one school I've seriously thought about applying to once my senior year comes is Rutgers. They've got an amazing psychology program (at least that's what my friend Rebecca says) and since either that or english are my two majoring choices, it seems like a good college for me.

But it's in New Jersey. I live in Texas. Bit of a stretch, yes?

[Just_Dream]

I really want to go to John Hopkins, since I want to be a Pharmacist. If anything else, it would be so awesome to attend NYU!

One of our moderators here (Carrie) attends NYU! CARRIIIEEEEEE

[x0_forever_0x]

I WANNA GO TO HARVARD or STANFORD! ......

[racoons > you]

As of now, i'm looking at applying to the following:

Oxford (my dream... hopefully i can work my ass off)
York
Durham
St Andrews (although their websit pissed me off no end. least user friendly thing i've found in a good while)
Nottingham

i need a sixth...

[*not_your_average*]

James, that would be so awesome. I hope you get into Oxford!

[silver-rain]

Hmm, I got accepted into SUNY: Stony Brook and the University of Michigan today. Yay for safeties.

[innovation]

Having a well-recognized name isn't everything, and just because a school has a big name, does not make it automatically better than lesser-known schools.

It still depends on how large of a gap you're looking at. Sure, there are good schools that don't "make the headlines." But I think I can automatically say that Harvard has better professors, better facilities, and better opportunities than a school that's ranked 150th.

James: I thought Cambridge was your first choice...? And for a sixth choice, how about something in the UNITED STATES? Georgetown, Northwestern (best UG school of journalism in the nation), etc.

I'm applying to the London School of Economics, so I might be UK-bound. But it's not my first choice, so we shall see.

[illumineering]

It still depends on how large of a gap you're looking at. Sure, there are good schools that don't "make the headlines." But I think I can automatically say that Harvard has better professors, better facilities, and better opportunities than a school that's ranked 150th.

I'm inclined to agree. When a school generates Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel laureates, presidents and Fortune 100 CEO's, it will attract many of the brightest professors and students. Endowments provide lucrative compensation packages, extensive research facilities and grants.

I'm glad to see you are able to submit a competative application to these types of schools. Good luck! Maybe we'll see you on C-Span in the next 20 years as Monde Libre, Chair of the Federal Reserve!

[synthase]

mm..my dream school is harvard, MIT, or lesely - however you spell it
& its kinda easy to get to these colleges because i live in BOSTON

[*mipadi*]

It still depends on how large of a gap you're looking at. Sure, there are good schools that don't "make the headlines." But I think I can automatically say that Harvard has better professors, better facilities, and better opportunities than a school that's ranked 150th.

Perhaps. I still think it's based much more on the individual student and their drive, motivation, and so forth. Some of the most successful people in the world came from nowhere, or didn't even graduate from college at all. My point is that there are a lot of schools that might not be Ivy League, but still produce excellent students and have a fine staff—and might end up being a better fit for a lot of students. I don't think students should get too caught up on the name of the school, because even lesser-known schools produce quality individuals (as well as generate ample donations). The school I attend is not "big-name", but is ranked fairly well, and has produced such distinguished individuals as Philip Roth, Les Moonves, and John McPherson, among others. Places like Harvard have, as well, but I still maintain (and this thought is backed up by research) that a good, creative, intelligent student will likely excel no matter where he goes; a bad student, on the other hand, isn't going to go anywhere, even as a Harvard alum.

My primary point is not to say that Harvard is bad and that one shouldn't apply there; I'm just pointing out that students shouldn't feel like going to a smaller school is a bad thing, or that they won't get a good education. Most people in this thread are posting about big-name schools, and I'm just advising that there are lesser-known schools that are just as good, and in some cases even better, than Ivies, depending on the student and what he wishes to study. They shouldn't automatically be disregarded just because they don't regularly make headlines.

[silver-rain]

mm..my dream school is harvard, MIT, or lesely - however you spell it   
& its kinda easy to get to these colleges because i live in BOSTON 

I don't think that it's easy to get into Harvard or MIT, regardless of where you live. And for Lesley, do you mean Wellesley?

[BOOGERSHAHA]

I don't think that it's easy to get into Harvard or MIT, regardless of where you live. And for Lesley, do you mean Wellesley?

heh maybe if you're a minority and have double legacy. sigh. haha i'm semi bitter about the whole 'not based on merit' thing.

[Rachel]

^Yay, congrats.

I won't hear from the schools I want until either later this month or next month! Hopefully not April.

[*mzkandi*]

Reading this thread brings back memories of when I was going through whole college application process. It's makes you both excited and very anxious. Anywho, good luck to of you have applied and been accepted or have applied and still are waiting on a response. I wish guys the best.

[innovation]

^ But it is based on merit. They only include the minority/legacy factor when there are two very similar applicants. So technically, the student is still qualified.

[misoshiru]

 

I lub you <3333

ilu too!

ohwell, i think i'll go to clark now...if they accept me that is.

[BOOGERSHAHA]

yes, but it still benefits to be african american/hispanic in the college admissions process, assuming you have good grades. i'll leave the rest for the affirmative action debate.

[chococat15]

i was thinking about going to johns hopkins medical school, but i'm thinking of having a job working with computers.

[anoniez]

i found out 10 minutes ago.
hah.
goodbye to the college of my dreams.

what a feeling. i know exactly what you're talking about. rice =((

well, i've gotten into UT Austin so far, my super-safety.. =D?

[innovation]

I can't find a safety that I like, so it's George Mason for me. I guess?