<p>At least mine wasn't. :) I picked two schools that I could easily see myself at for four years, applied, was accepted to both and had the decision made by fall of my senior year. I'll admit, my school (Waldorf) isn't prestigious, however it is one of the most caring and compassionate institutions ever. Going to college isn't about prestige or rank, it's about what you do after graduation. I just wanted all of you people to know that going to college isn't about prestige, rank or percentage of applicants admitted (which apparently the majority of you are freaked out about). Picking a college IS NOT the most important decision you will make in your life, trust me. Some of you are making it sound as though it is. You can go to a small school (such as mine! :)), get top grades, and still go on to graduate school, do whatever you want with life! :)</p>
<p>“Going to college isn’t about … it’s about what you do after graduation.”</p>
<p>I’ll disagree here. A lot of what college is about includes the development, in the moment, that one experiences. It’s about the process, not the job afterwards.</p>
<p>To the OP: You make valid points but you should not tease the Ivy obsessed ubernerds on this board with a vision of attainable happiness.</p>
<p>My college does focus, I’d say half and half, on the experience of college as well as life after graduation. Here at Waldorf we talk a lot about “vocation” and what “vocation” really means. I will not disagree that college is also about the experience. I have, along with many of my friends, been having a GREAT experience of the college life. However, what I am trying to point out is that prestige and rank don’t make college a better experience necessarily. Just because you go to Harvard doesn’t mean you’ll make better friends or participate in a better worship group…am I coming across with my point? As far as grad school is concerned, after college, if you graduate from either Harvard or Waldorf with a 3.9 GPA, most likely you’ll be accepted to graduate school.</p>
<p>To BigG - I’m not attempting to do that (but I’ll admit that’s what it sounds like), I just realized that there are A LOT of people here who think that if they don’t get into Harvard or Princeton or Yale that their lives will be over and useless. If they do by chance go to any of the Ivies, or even second-tier schools, then all the more power to them. I don’t mean to snub, honestly that was the least of my intentions.</p>
<p>Well, just how it is a priority for you to attend a school with a great “worship group” many of us want a school with rigorous academics.</p>
<p>Many schools are religious (such as mine) yet offer great academics at the same time (again, such as mine)…the two can be meshed, they are not inseparable…</p>
<p>Have any other students had a situation similar to mine? Where prestige and rank aren’t necessarily that important of a factor, but instead they are looking for a school where they feel like they are at home? Or is everyone on CC Ivy League crazy? Are there any average people out there?</p>
<p>What you have to realize, waldorf, is that many people would indeed feel most happy or at home at an ivy. The CC community is, as far as I can tell, mostly made of very bright people who are looking for a college that will challenge them academically and put them in an environment with like-minded individuals. It’s hard to deny that the environment is different between an ivy school and a school lower on the ladder. Many of the people on these boards simply prefer the environment of any ivy.</p>
<p>So most of what you’re saying has some truth to it, but realize that all of the positives you speak of can apply to ivies just as much as it applies to the “lesser” schools.</p>
<p>"Have any other students had a situation similar to mine? Where prestige and rank aren’t necessarily that important of a factor, but instead they are looking for a school where they feel like they are at home? "</p>
<p>Well that’s how I picked my college.</p>
<p>Oh wait, I do go to an Ivy. Look at that. 
Seriously, happiness and Ivies are not mutually exclusive. It’s not like everyone who goes to an Ivy picked it because they were afraid of the other options.</p>
<p>I’m glad that you like your school, though. :)</p>
<p>Ivy students and those at other top schools tend to be some of the happiest students in the Country. They are at resource rich schools with great peers and profs. Most have rampant grade inflation and employers line up for them even in economies like this. What’s not to like?</p>
<p>Wow, never thought I’d find myself defending ivies on CC:)</p>
<p>I’m not looking at the Ivies.lol.</p>
<p>I’m actually going to apply for nutrition early decision at Cal Poly SLO. I’m pretty much a match.</p>
<p>Having come from Waldorf and transferred into an intense prep school, I can see where your argument is coming from. You’re right in some cases, but wrong in a lot of others. If people are obsessed with a school simply because of prestige, you’re absolutely right. There’s no substantial benefit from attending ‘the name’ schools. However, if a person is obsessed with a school because it fits them (I’ve done this and failed miserably), I believe it’s justified. I’f you’re obsessed with a school because a professor you admire teaches there, you’re justified. If a school has a sport’s team that you feel you need to be a part of, your obsession is justified. If a school just feels right to you, your obsession is justified.
Just my 2 cents though</p>
<p>sadly, many here believe top colleges equals top jobs and happiness…that is usually not the case…my advice to all would be to find a way to work for yourself.</p>
<p>I am applying to Ivy, but I agree with the point that it’s about the college environment, not the prestige of the college. That is why I like Princeton, Dartmouth, University of Virginia, American University, and Syracuse University.</p>
<p>Waldorf2012,
I was joking. My wife states that my sense of humor is frequently too dry and acerbic to actually be funny (or even comprehensible).</p>