<p>I've read some threads on here before I decided to post and it seems like some people believe there is a definite advantage of going to an ivy league school vs. Other top schools (besides caltech stanford MIT). So if we're talking about schools like duke northwestern or uchicago is this the case?</p>
<p>well it depends, if you want a very small school, going to a school like Amherst, Williams, or Bowdoin may be better for you, if you want a college sports scene, then maybe a school like UVA or UCLA may be better than you. There are some things that the ivy's don't offer. If you don't qualify for one of the hefty financial aid packages that the ivy's offer, maybe going to a public school for undergrad and an ivy for grad school would be better. If you want to stay near home, you may not consider an ivy.</p>
<p>The point is, the ivy's aren't for everyone, there is not a big difference in job opportunities between a Washington University In St. Louis, Duke University or Yale University graduate. It depends on what you are looking for in a school.</p>
<p>"Ivy League" is an athletic conference. You can receive a similar education at other schools such as Northwestern, Duke, Berkeley, and Michigan. It's all about which place fits you the best socially and academically.</p>
<p>I agree with tenisghs, the ivy league is simply an athletic conference that happens to be made up of all top 25 schools (that's why schools like Rutgers can use the "we almost joined the ivy league (athletic conference) excuse)</p>
<p>notice how MIT, Stanford, Caltech, Duke, UChicago, Northwestern, Washington University In St. Louis and Johns Hopkins are not in the ivy league but are comparable or even arguably better than Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth and other ivy league schools</p>
<p>^
tenisghs is 110% right. There are so many tier 1 schools that are comparable in education to the Ivies, so pick the one that feels right. In fact, many MANY people would be more successful and happier in what are seen here as "lower level" schools, simply because of atmosphere or the increased amount of opportunities. Try not to pay attention to the prestige-obsessed :)</p>
<p>Like 1% of the entire college population go to an Ivy League Uni. Probably less.</p>
<p>If you can get into a top 15 school like Johns Hopkins, Chicago, Northwestern, WUSTL etc... you will do exceptionally well. Definite advantage maybe that you will get a lot more "oohs and ahhs" from random strangers who ask which university you go to. Each of the top schools have a strong alumni base to work with so it depends which field you are interested and want to enter in.</p>
<p>It isn't the end of the world if you don't get into an Ivy but the Ivies have a great education, culture, and cache'. They excel in the intangibles as well as academics. It matters a lot in terms of self-confidence and self-esteem. People are impressed by the Ivies. If you are accepted at an Ivy, go. If you don't, you will always wonder how it might have been...</p>
<p>collegehelp, I agree with your impression of the ivies. I think the question the poster is asking is that if you were accepted for example to Duke or Northwestern and Brown. Would you go to Brown just because it's in the ivy leagues?
I think that if you go to Duke instead of Brown and you are happy, I don't think you will be "wondering how it might have been" and people will be just as impressed.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you are accepted at an Ivy, go. If you don't, you will always wonder how it might have been...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>And if you go to an Ivy and it's not a good fit for you, you will will always wonder how it might have been if you went elsewhere.</p>
<p>To college help....</p>
<p>so you're saying if I go to MIT instead of
Cornell, i'd always be wondering to myself...
"hmm, I wonder what would have happened
if I only went to an ivy, cornell, instead of
MIT...what a blown opportunity!!!"</p>
<p>Seriously...? Like...you for real???</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. Any more thoughts on this?</p>
<p>Like many others have already stated, it's all about which college "fits" the best and where YOU feel comfortable. </p>
<p>Ivy or not, the school that makes you feel at home will be your best bet because you are more likely to succeed there than any place else.</p>
<p>It doesn't matter. Period. Look, all the Ivies are outstanding schools. But so are a lot of other schools. Stanford. MIT, and Caltech are better at the things they do best than any of the Ivies. Duke is as good or better than several Ivies. Swarthmore, Amherst, and Williams provide a very different kind of educational environment than the Ivies but the academics are every bit as rigorous and for many people the smaller, more intimate living and learning environment of a LAC is a better fit. And for some, the flagship state U may be the best fit of all, a place that offers virtually unlimited academic opportunities for those willing and able to chart a challenging course for themselves.</p>
<p>I just don't think "one size fits all" is the right answer here. Go with what fits you. </p>
<p>And I must say that if CCers are any fair reflection of broader attitudes, those most drawn to the Ivies seem to be attracted more by the perceived prestige than by the quality of the education. To my mind, that's actually a huge negative for the schools themselves, because that kind of attitude can be a real impediment to genuine learning. And I say this as someone who has attended two Ivies and taught at a third. I do think it's a real problem. If I were on an Ivy adcom, I'd be working my tail off to keep the prestige whores out, because I think they're poison to any serious educational institution.</p>
<p>Going to an Ivy matters because of academic quality and campus culture. The prestige associated with the Ivies does not fall out of the sky. It must be earned and maintained over many years. Some of the differences in quality can be seen in the numbers but other important differences are found in the intangibles. Culture affects how you develop during college. There is a perceptible difference on Ivy campuses, especially between Ivies and public universities.</p>
<p>Prospective students should not discount the significance and source of prestige although many people engage in self-serving efforts to diminish its significance and turn prestige into a negative. It isn't prestige itself but the reasons for the prestige. The differences become apparent when you spend a lot of time interacting with students and faculty on diverse campuses. </p>
<p>There are a lot of great schools and once you choose, you can be happy there. But, the Ivies are special.</p>
<p>It is important to understand where prestige comes from and not rationalize it away.</p>
<p>Somehow I feel that Stanford and MIT are more "special" than most of the Ivies.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Going to an Ivy matters because of academic quality and campus culture. The prestige associated with the Ivies does not fall out of the sky. It must be earned and maintained over many years.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Are you arguing that the Ivy's are more prestigious than any other school? Or just that they are prestigious and that is important? If it's the former, I must disagree. There are quite a few other schools that I consider to be more prestigious than some Ivy schools.</p>
<p>Read the resumes of the American Presidents for the past 100 years.</p>
<p>Look at the schools congressman and senators attended.</p>
<p>Look at the CEO's of the Fortune 500.</p>
<p>Do not doubt that for good or ill the country is run by people with Ivy league connections.</p>
<p>The best path to an Ivy pedigree might not be a bachlor's degree. Attendance at one of their excellent graduate and professional schools after a stellar undergratuate career at a non-ivy might be better.</p>
<p>Cache. But what is cache? Its a perception. Not that there isnt truth behind the perception, but the issue is whether its an exclusive or not? I would suggest its not. There is also some backlash from some people. Loyalty to one's alma mater is normal and even desirable. I can't stand anyone who puts another college down. But I REALLY can't stand anyone who puts down their own college. Its bad form and shows a serious personality deficit, in my view. That all being said, it really depends on what you want from your college experience and where you intend to go with it. I know people who hope to earn their terminal degree (PhD) at an Ivy, but are plenty content to be at another top school for undergrad. There are some who want the Ivy for undergrad but a terminal degree from somewhere else. </p>
<p>There isnt a simple answer to this question and certainly not one answer for every person. Would I have gone to Harvard, Yale or Princeton if I had applied and been admitted? Of course. But not having gone there doesnt make me feel inferior to those who did one iota. There are brilliant kids at most every college, from the top LAC's to the top state flagships to even the second and sometimes third tier schools. </p>
<p>The important thing is once you make your decision, you close the door and shut the book on all this school comparison stuff. You EMBRACE your school and alma mater. Stand proud, work hard, and help others. </p>
<p>Just the other day I was over at NCState going on a tour and open house of their world renowned College of Textile Science. (About 800 students) The Dean of the School was speaking and giving a slide show. He put up a slide of who were the famous alumnae of the College. I was stunned at the number of FAMOUS Generals, including one former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hugh Shelton, and scores of corporate CEO's in almost every industry imaginable, not just the textile industry. They were working on top secret classified projects in EVERY department of that college. Stuff that our enemies would LOVE to get their hands on. It was simply amazing. Stunning. The professors I spoke with were all world class scientists. Do you think they care about cache at other schools? Hardly.</p>
<p>That is NOT a put down on the Ivy League. I am just trying to put it in perspective. Some people are OBSESSED with getting into an Ivy. Is that healthy? I dont think so. If you get in, great. Good luck to you. If not, move on and embrace your school. There are really wonderful schools out there doing some amazing things, as I learned at NCState the other day.</p>
<p>As an Ivy League student--</p>
<p>No, it doesn't matter. There is a different level of prestige that exists, a different kind of way that a lot of people view the Ivies even versus their peers, but that's nonsense that people who don't have that kind of education feel/think because of the name "Ivy League".</p>
<p>Go where you want to be and where you'll thrive.</p>