<p>The original question asked if there was a difference in admissions between a top 5 ranked LAC and a top 15-20 LAC in regards to graduate admissions. There is no difference. None. Within the top 25-30, no paths will be closed off to you because of name. They are all basically the same.</p>
<p>Cool it. First, I must say I am slightly offended by your first comment about better chances of getting into grad school by attending a top 5 school instead of 15-20 because I am in 15-20 and the comment suggests that oh, maybe I shouldn't send in my application to 2 top 10 programs and 1 top 20... for history.</p>
<p>I didn't really think about a PhD at all until my freshman year.. I don't even remember how I got there. All I knew was back then I wanted to transfer for better history department because it was what I really loved despite not taking any such courses in my freshman year (except for one with my advisor). I haven't regretted at all. So my point here is not to look for a top school but if you're really passionate about sciences, then look to schools that are strong in sciences, including some LACs like Colgate. Because they usually have LOTS of money to spend for research so there can be opportunties for you. Research is very important because NO grad school wants to teach someone from scratch, they want you have a basic knowledge of getting around the lab or the library or the archives. They want you to come in with some ideas that you've learned in your own research.</p>
<p>I am going through the application process right now and I can tell you that it's extremely different from undergraduate. This time, the adcoms actually read my essays, my writing samples, and letter of recommendations...then the numbers. So it's important that I make a strong first impression with them with my statement of purpose of why I want to go to grad school. </p>
<p>You really, really have to convince them that you will be in seventh heaven for the next 5-7 years. Not only that, they want to know WHY should they spend nearly $200,000 on you (if the program is full ride)- what can you give back to them- that's when you'd tell them what you plan to do with the degree. They want to know if you've done some research and have any insights or ideas so you can bring something to the faculty. Those are the main things that are on their ideas when they read the applications- who can they afford to invest in and can't? The big thing they'll look from your recommendations is whether you have the capacity to finish that dissertation.</p>
<p>Graduate school is not a dream, it's going to be hard work but if you're right kind of person, it will also be a lot of fun. It goes both ways. Even the culture will be different from undergrad.</p>
<p>Not to mention that you don't want to enter grad school with debt at all because you won't be earning any extra money- you won't have the time to take a part-time job to pay off those debts. Since you're an international student, you're gonna definitely want to have as little debt as possible.</p>
<p>Seriously, my best advice right now is to enter college with an open mind, explore different opportunities (including community service if you can- that's how I realize that I can maybe do the TA job just fine...), and just relax. If you bring that up to your professors on your first day of meeting them, they won't take you seriously. In fact, don't even think about it until your junior year and then you'll have to fight them to support you in your grad school appolication process (You'll need them way more than you think!).</p>
<p>Also....you might even change your major. My friend really thought she'd do Chemistry until she took a random philosophy and ended up liking it a lot better... kind of screwed up her study abroad plans :)</p>
<p>I want a PhD because:
1. It's cool to have one.
2. It's cool to have one.
3. It's cool to have one.</p>
<p>... please tell me you're joking.</p>
<p>On the other hand -- it does fit with the original set of posts...</p>
<p>this kid is a joke</p>
<p>I was definitely joking.. because I knew no matter what reasons I gave, it won't be enough on this thread anyway.. You guys are going to criticize me anyway.. so what's the point?..</p>
<p>Here's why I want a PhD:
1. I do not just want my knowledge in science (physics or math or whatever) to just end after a degree.
2. I want to produce my own science = research (I know this may not sound professional.. So?)
3. I do not think that a degree is enough anymore these days.</p>
<p>PS: Blah, I can be a joke or even stupid but it is none of your business. Just leave here.</p>
<p>Points 1 and 3 are not reasons. They are repetitions of the original claim ("I want a PhD")</p>
<p>Point 2 would be a valid reason if you knew what field -- at least loosely -- you were going into. Econ, engineering, and chemistry research are such dramatically different careers -- ridiculously so -- that this tells me you don't know what you're getting yourself into.</p>
<p>Your university education may be a very expensive investment -- but so far you haven't yet managed to explain what you expect to get out of it. So far all we know is that you want an MIT PhD -- field doesn't seem particularly important to you -- so that you can do research of some kind, and again field doesn't seem particularly important to you.</p>
<p>In other words: this questioning is intended to make sure you have a firm grasp on what exactly you're meaning to do with this education you're so interested in. Because otherwise, you're flushing two houses down the drain for no obvious reason.</p>
<p>I will. Good luck in college admissions with that maturity.</p>
<p>^thanks a lot. with such attitude, good luck too..</p>