<p>So as I'm looking at college programs, I have been trying to decide which is best for me. I really like the idea of going Ivy League, and I think I could get in to some Ivy schools. The question is, is it worth it? Cost is one thing, but another issue that has had me really worried is the level of competitiveness in top schools. I'm not sure if I could survive the competition.</p>
<p>In high school, I have always been a top student. I am very competitive and love the thrill of achievement. I have never really had difficulty with a class besides AP Calculus BC (I am not a math person), and I also had an excellent ACT. At the same time, however, I am beginning to wonder if a top student at a midwestern school can really be good enough at a highly selective Ivy school.</p>
<p>Anyone have any thoughts on this? Just how tough and competitive are these Ivy schools? Is it something that someone like me could survive?</p>
<p>Penn forms the Quaker consortium along with three LACs (Swarthmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr) and it is said that Penn students never take classes at those schools because the LACs' classes are more rigorous than what Penn students are used to. Just hear say, but interesting.</p>
<p>If you are able to get accepted to those places, you can almost certainly succeed there academically.</p>
<p>The Ivies are very good at selecting students who will succeed, as B@r!um suggested. The graduation rates at the Ivies are the highest in the nation: 92-98%. Don't be intimidated. Trust the admissions office. </p>
<p>Your chances might be best at the Ivies with the largest undergrad student bodies, such as Cornell and Penn.</p>
<p>I am sure you will fit in wherever you are accepted.</p>
<p>The competitiveness surely isn't the greatest at the Ivies; in fact, schools like Berkeley are more well known for being competitive. Consider that the average GPA at Harvard is like a 3.6 and a huge number of students graduate with honors -- some say that the Ivies go "soft" on their students.</p>