<p>There is always so much pressure about getting into a good college when your in high school. My question is does it really matter if I go to HYPS, or a great UC vs a lower tier university. Will it make a big difference in my future? Will it affect my salary? My job? My opportunities? Shouldn't depend on the kind of person I am than wat university I went to? The area and culture I live in is so competitive that it seems like ur a failure if u don't get into an Ivy League or a top tier UC. That's why I'm so nervous.</p>
<p>Well, it depends.</p>
<p>What is your career goal?</p>
<p>Unless you want to work on Wall Street, then most UCs are probably good enough for nearly any career goal.</p>
<p>Studies have shown that your future success is more dependent on who/what you are than where you go to school. Students who were accepted at Ivies but attended other schools had the same outcome as those who went to the Ivies.</p>
<p>Depends on the job. Engineering will make a difference-becoming a teacher or a nurse-you’ll end up in about the same place</p>
<p>The simple fact is, there are dozens of colleges in America that can be described as “good schools.” So is up to you and your desire and motivation for success. Choosing a college isn’t like a young married couple searching for a public school district.</p>
<p>There are pros and cons to all colleges. You’d need to tell us your stats, comfortable finances, desired major or plan for after college, and which schools you are comparing to know what the best choice for you is.</p>
<p>It is known that success can come from any college, but IMO, the actual education/academics is better at some than others pending the info above. College A is not always equal to College B, but as someone else put it in another thread, there are probably 100 colleges in the Top 20 and those 100 change based upon what one wants to do.</p>
<p>Do you want Ethnobotany? Those in the field have told us U Hawaii at Manoa is the best, but you won’t find them on any Top 20 “generic” list.</p>
<p>Want Engineering? See what local schools employers like to hire from (assuming you want to live local) as they have their favorites, but those shift with location. Around here it would be Penn St or Va Tech.</p>
<p>Want teaching? Check with your school to see which schools they recommend. Usually those are in state and tailor their education to getting state certification.</p>
<p>Want Wall St banking? Those tend to come from certain Ivy schools.</p>
<p>Want med school? Almost any school can work, but check to see which med schools graduates tend to get accepted at IF you have a preference for med school (some do due to specialization purposes, many don’t).</p>
<p>In general, your answer will vary, but it’s rare to see any recommendation that would call for your family going into oodles of debt for your undergrad education. Your “best” school should also be affordable. If not, adjust “best” as success can (and does) come from many places.</p>