<p>In an interesting conversation with an Ivy engineering Dean (but not one of the “top” engineering schools) he told my son that while he loved a certain “top engineering school” one took the risk of becoming a technician as opposed to coming to <em>HIS</em> school where he would have the opportunity to take advantage of one of the top business schools in the country and develop contacts with lots of different types of people. Son went with his advice and is incredibly happy with his decision, friends that ended up in some of the aforementioned schools are reporting a very geeky atmosphere and loads of head-on competition with superstar brainiacs. My S was looking for a more holistic experience from college, figuring he’d dive into the fray for grad school. He is getting a great ivy education and without all the competition from within, he is getting opportunities for internships, jobs and projects that he wouldn’t have had a chance at those other schools (and yes, he did get into them).</p>