Are today's students more pressured to attend top universities?

[decrescendo]

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But when finalizing their college list and applying to schools they definetely see themselves being at, the alterior reasons can become the sole motive for applying. I was attracted to Harvard and Yale a couple of months ago, but now I know those schools are not for me. The title of an institution also has a lot to do with its strength and the other reasons for attending that you listed, so prestige and the true reasons for applying can usually become mixed together.

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<p>I agree that for the strongest applicants, it’s almost always a mix of the prestige of the name and the strength of the program.</p>

<p>But I have seen far too many a number of people on CC posting chance threads to Harvard when, clearly, the only reason they want to go there is because “It’s Harvard.” I don’t think anyone should be patronized for using that kind of logic. But if, as you said, it becomes the defining factor of why someone is choosing an institution, there is a very good chance that their college experience will be a disappointing one, no matter where they end up.</p>