<p>Any teenager who aspires to attend an Ivy League school and states that the “name brand” has nothing to do with it is kidding themselves. Certainly we may have alterior motives for attending: strength in particular programs, incredible research opportunities, unparalleled experience among faculty. When it all boils down to it though, I doubt Harvard’s acceptance rate would be at or near 7% if the Harvard name wasn’t so incredibly prestigious. Just saying it aloud makes me quiver. Schools that are “name brand schools” such as Harvard, Yale, and Stanford are so desired mainly because of the title attached to their institution. Be offended all you want; subconsciously, it’s true for all of you to a certain extent, myself included.</p>