<p>I am trying to decide between two colleges. I change my mind constantly about which school I want to go to but I've realized that I keep bringing up school#1 and almost cheating to make it win over the other simply because I am trying to deny to myself that I like school#2 better (for the sake of politeness, i dont want to mention which schools they are so i dont accidentally insult anyone who may go/have gone or know somebody who goes to either school).</p>
<p>School#1 is a great academic school and is well known and has a great reputation. It also has good sports, a nice campus, and a friendly student body. It is also where my sister went so I already know quite a bit about it. For all logical reasons, it sounds like its is the right choice, but for some reason i just cant seem to really be confident with it. However, I would be extremely proud to go there..</p>
<p>School#2 is a small regional school in the midwest. It has its basis in building a strong school community (which was one of my requirements in a college), but it does not have the best academic program. In all, its probably my top choice since it has the sense of community and social life which i want and I was accepted into the honors program so theoretically that could make up for the academic deficit (?), but I just know that I will be ashamed of it. I go to a really competitive private high school and both my brother and sister went to really good universities. I originally applied to this school as a safety and most people assume that I would never want to actually go there. Whenever people ask me where I am deciding between I am always slightly ashamed to mention this school. I know everyone says that a schools reputation shouldnt be a factor in college decisions, but I dont think that that is a very realistic idea. Should I choose this school if I do still have a few reservations (about academics and such) and am slightly ashamed, but hope that i will get over the superficial problems I have with it (which may never happen)? Or should I go where I am sure that I will be happy, but perhaps just not as happy is I could be at school#2?</p>
<p>If you are feeling the love school #2 and not #1, go to school #2. Once you get there, you won’t have to worry about telling people much about where you go to school. There is much to be said for the feel of the school.</p>
<p>zeusy, my son is choosing a school like your #2 school. It is a regional school, and virtually unheard of in our area. He doesn’t have the same feelings of shame though, because he never followed rankings. In fact he never opened up a college guide book to look up school rankings. He is only choosing based upon how he feels about the school. I am okay with it. Just so you are aware, my son got into much more prestigious schools, so he has other options. I hope this helps you in some way.</p>
<p>My only advice is to not pick a college for the time between now and the first day of classes. That means, don’t pick the one you want to tell people you’re going to, don’t pick the one that is in a better geographic location (location is overrated) just because you’ll look forward to getting the hell out of your hometown. Once you get there college is college, no matter where you go. You should consider 2 main things:</p>
<ol>
<li>Which will make you happiest now</li>
<li>Which will set you up best for the future</li>
</ol>
<p>If you truly feel that school 1 will get you a better job, and you think you will be happy there, go to school 1.</p>
<p>If you feel that your degree from school 2 will ultimately put you in just as good a situation as school 1, and you know you will be happy there, go to school 2.</p>
<p>“Feel” is something that I haven’t really been able to grasp during my college search. Part of me says that no matter where you go (with a few exceptions) you will end up loving it because most college kids end up loving their school. Another part of me says that you should feel at home at your college because it will be your home for the next 4 years.</p>
<p>Part of me says go to the college that will give you the best degree and the best job, and the social aspect will sort itself out. Part of me says that you should go to the place you feel you will be happiest at, and the academics will sort themselves out. This is precisely the dilemma that has been eating at me during my college decision process.</p>
<p>My advice to you is to read what I have said, think about its relevence, and then ultimately throw it away because no one can make this decision but you.</p>
<p>Well I actually know the two schools your debating on. I think the one you speak of having a closer community is a Roman Catholic school, the other school your speaking of as prestigous etc… is in North Carolina. I personally would attend the school in North Carolina.</p>
<p>You are a step ahead of many people because you applied to a safety you like!!</p>
<p>Maybe you would like to get out of the shadow of your sister, or just have “your” school.
Maybe you want to be in the honors program of school #2. All of these could be good reasons to choose #2 and not feel any shame.</p>
<p>My daughter is at a safety. She loves it! Lots of her other acceptances are very well known, but she doesn’t care.</p>
<p>^^^^^^
Don’t be a prestige whore like thenatural.</p>
<p>Prestige isn’t everything. If you know one school will give you a significant leg up in the job market, that’s certainly something to consider. But prestige for the sake of prestige…that’s just superficial. Don’t go to a college just to hang your diploma on your wall.</p>
<p>How big is the difference in academics between School #1 and #2? You need to do some research into the honors program and then decide if the academic deficit is worth the difference in “feel.” </p>
<p>Personally, if the schools are nowhere near peers and you don’t despise School #1, it may very well be in your best interest to choose the one with the better reputation and opportunities. Fit is important, but, IMO, it is most relevant when choosing between peer institutions. Grad prospects, whether further education or a job, can be significantly affected by the school you graduate from (though this is more acute in some areas, like i-banking). </p>
<p>I think naming the schools would help. It’s hard to way fit versus prestige when we have no concept of the latter.</p>
<p>There’s a difference between prestige and opportunity. So, listen to glasses. If you think school 1 will significantly help you after graduation, and you feel that you will be happy there, go for it. If you feel like you can end up in a similar situation academically and financially no matter where you go, follow your heart. Remember-prestige isn’t necessary for grad school. If you work hard and get close with your teachers, ect, you can go anywhere from anywhere. Will a prestigious school help your chances? Sure. But ultimately the college you graduate from is only half of the equation.</p>
<p>I agree, do not choose a school base on its prestige. Reason why I stated the more prestigous school was only due to your (OP) own absence of listing the schools and that was the only way I could distinct each besides their state. If anyone looks at OP other thread it states the two schools. I think that the school in North Carolina could offer what OP looks for at the Ohio school. If OP have religious concerns there are typically clubs/ organizations for one to join with interest of a culture/ religion.</p>
Exactly. I vote for school #1. Wake Forest is extremely well-known for its sense of community and school spirit; I’m surprised this is perceived to be an issue.</p>
<p>The OP is being unintentionally misleading by not naming the schools, I think, because his/her description of school #1 does not do it justice.</p>
<p>Zeusy, without actually naming your two options, I don’t see how you can expect anybody to give you good advice. For now, I would sayoption 1 is the way to go, unless you would be miserable there. However, from your description of it, it seems like you would be perfectly happy.</p>
<p>Zeusy - I’m an alumnus of #1. Why on earth would you be ashamed of #2? First of all, it’s not a small regional school. It’s twice the size of #1 and ranked by US News in the top half of national universities. It’s also likely to have considerably better financial aid than my Alma Mater, if that’s an issue. And while I love #1, it’s not all THAT prestigious. As far as I know, the name of the school has never generated any tangible benefits for me, as it might have had I gone to an Ivy, MIT, Stanford, etc. Princeton Review’s surveys put #2 among the top 20 in the country for student happiness. I think it’d be a great choice if that’s where your heart is.</p>
<p>IMHO, your life will be much easier if you go to School #1.
Your parents, sibs, friends expect you to go to #1.
If you choose #2 then you’ll be explaining your decision the rest of your life.
Again, IMHO.</p>