<p>I know a number of students who were accepted to several colleges and went with their lowest ranked, least prestigious choices because they followed their hearts. Each of these students is happy and wouldn’t go anywhere else. The people I know who “compromised” on schools lead just as happy, fulfilling, worthwhile lives as those I know who have gone to the “top” schools in the country.</p>
<p>A student with the goal of working on Wall Street or serving on the U.S. Supreme Court, should probably use the “Ivy or nothing” approach. Everyone else, though, has a lot more flexibility. The older (and wiser) I get, the less I value prestige and the more I treasure relationships and compassion.</p>