I know that Harvard has the largest endowment of any university in the world, and has the greatest name recognition.
There is nothing wrong with saying that “Ivy League schools are highly prestigious, and constitute some of the best in the world”
But I have a problem with someone saying something entirely subjective such as “Harvard is the best” or “Princeton/Yale are not as prestigious”
Prestige cannot be ranked among the Big Three, can it?
I have read that, actually, Princeton was ranked #1 by U.S. News and World Report for a number of years (though ranking is relatively arbitrary)
According to Boston Magazine, "For the ninth year in a row, Princeton has been dubbed the best college in the nation by the magazine, which highlights its ‘profound and distinctive commitment to undergraduate education’ a focus on ‘cross-disciplinary learning’ and ‘groundbreaking financial aid program.’”
I’m not trying to inflame anyone, I’m just offering my discussion.
I’m not trying to be combative, but I felt the need to share this article. One thing I will not stand for is people mindlessly asserting that Ivy League colleges are “hollistic”, or that they are “a meritocracy, not as nearly as elitist as they used to be” That’s not true. The truth would be bad for business.
The “Manhunt” essay from Harvard is one of the poorest excuses of innovation I’ve ever heard. I feel a need to speak out against any attempt to legitimize mediocrity.
Yes, there are truly extraordinary students who attend such schools (excellent moral character, truly pioneering work, courage to take risks) but those students only comprise a very, very small segment of even the Ivy League’s population.
Just feel the need to point out that the Ivies were formed as an amateur sports league, not an academic group. Harvard and Dartmouth couldn’t be more different college experiences, their teams just happen to play each other every year.
And for sheer creativity’s sake in ice cream flavors, I’m going with Ben and Jerry’s Karamel Sutra.
@monydad , I believe they were referring to the 1% financially, based on income, not necessarily intellect. It is reported much of the time that Ivy League schools do in fact favor the wealthy and that it is still a problem. When I applied to an elite LAC (top 15) 4 years ago, I had personally known someone that got in, and they were a wealthy legacy, and I didn’t. Granted, my GPA was average, though I had a rare award and uncommon ECs.
It does you no good to rehash rejections from 4 years ago. Once again I urge you to move on and focus on making the best choices for your current situation.
I also will echo @MaineLonghorn suggestion that you seek out counseling.
If your goal is to attend any one of the Ivies, you’re not a good fit for any of them, and will likely be rejected by all of them. Do your own homework on these and other colleges and find the colleges that are best for you.
@ 1NJParent , I already know that. I have a specific goal in mind. I know that wanting to go to a college simply because it is prestigious is very shallow.
My interest is much deeper than that.
Thank you for asking @austinmshauri . Well, I want to major in Political Science, and minor in Film.
My career dream is to work for the US government as an attorney. I want to represent the oppressed.
Then get a great undergrad GPA, “ace” the LSAT, attend a top 14 law school, intern for the government and pass the bar. You do these things and you will be well on your way to achieving your goal. Good luck.
@LZHope, what’s your home state? Have you checked any of those schools to see if they have a solid Poli sci major? I think that’s the first step I’d take.
@austinmshauri, yes I did. I live in Florida. It was a college I actually attended for one semester and had to withdraw for personal reasons. I intend to go back there within a year.