<p>Because I answered the question doesn’t mean I think of the country that way. I was merely listing schools many NE students do find desirable that are out of the NE.</p>
<p>And maybe dream school is a silly term, but college is, in part, a consumer item. FA makes it possible for students other than the uber rich to have real presences. If a true preference emerges based on more than whim and parents can afford it, than yes, in some cases, it does make students happy to attend. My out of pocket costs were onmy marginally greater than our state u when both were in school, but close enough when only one was. One school had a no loan policy.</p>
<p>We were lucky. And not everything in life has gone my way or my kids’ way, but it was fun that this did.</p>
<p>Having said that, it was not essential that it did. And it did not ensure a life of hirabity or bliss. It was fun, and the kids received an excellent education in the process. And they do know that not everything will always be fun.</p>
<p>On another note: I just gave an over generous C to a student whose papers were strictly plot summary each time. There was no evidence of critical thinking at all. I asked why he didn’t correct this from paper to paper, and he said he didn’t care what I thought because he has a 3.9. I’m not so much angry with him, but I am angry with my colleagues. Right now I AM NOT AT MY DREAM SCHOOL.</p>
<p>The point of the original post was curiosity about kids on CC who talk about their “dream” school and their laser-like focus on the idea that they <em>must</em> get in to this one school. It seems that they would be over-the-top happy if they were able to attend their dream school based on the posts I read. </p>
<p>We very much went into college applications last fall with the idea that my son might not get into any school and to be open to anything, even continuing at the community college and transferring. Heck, he even talked about forgoing college and starting a business.</p>
<p>So, the idea of a “dream school” is foreign here. </p>
<p>When I went to school in the dark ages, I started at a local community college. I then decided I wanted two things: To move to So. Cal. and to be a dance major. I found a school, auditioned, got good scholarship, and came over here. </p>
<p>When I ran out of money to pay for that school, I transferred to the local state univ. and finished my time there.</p>
<p>I really enjoy learning, though I wasn’t a great college student until grad school. However, I never “loved” any of my schools. I was very uninvolved at the state univ. because I worked almost full time. The people in my major were nice and were my friends but I didn’t think anything about the school, positive or negative.</p>
<p>My son really, really enjoys learning and feels he’ll have some great opportunities to be challenged like never before. But he wasn’t gushing when he was accepted and didn’t gush when he made the decision. He’s happy about it, but then, he’s usually happy about life.</p>
<p>“The point of the original post …”</p>
<p>I’m not certain the posters on this thread have a common interpretation of the OP’s intent. In the absolute, a “Dream School” would never disappoint. Since we know that to be untrue, it’s logical to conclude that “Dream School” is an abstract construct unique to the individual. Sometimes the individual’s abstraction meshes well with reality … sometimes it doesn’t. </p>
<p>"… but then, he’s usually happy about life."</p>
<p>Here in CT, we’re surrounded by schools prominent on many students’ “Dream School” lists. I see many of those students on a daily basis. Some have interned with me. All are smart, many are wonderful … a fraction are best avoided. If they’re happy, it’s not because they’re attending HYP.</p>
<p>If the “dream school” is one that the student has been exposed to for years through events like visits, camps, concerts, and/or sports, AND it would be a good fit for the student, AND the student gets a good or at least tolerable roommate, then yes, I think it’s very likely that the student will be happier there than anywhere else – because the student went in with knowledge and planning.</p>
<p>If, however, it’s the “dream school” just because it’s an Ivy or because the student is a fan of one of the school’s teams, but doesn’t know that much about the school before applying, then I think the possibility of “dream school” let-down is much more likely.</p>