<p>That is the most rediculous statement on c.c. and also one of the most frequent. People who choose what college they will forever belong to based on simply an athletic conference really need to think about their logic. The ivy league schools are extremely diverse LACs, small universities, large universities, research based, undergrad based, they are all very different and their common attribute is their athletic affiliation, so how could you simply want to go to an ivy league? Yes, they are all top quality; but each tier of ivy league has its peers that are equal in quality:
1. HYP have probably 3
2. Col, dart, and cornell prob. have about 10
3. Brown, and penn, prob. also have mabye 12-20
What is the logic behind wanting to go to an ivy league? I think that many people seek the ivy league for the shallow reason of being able to say "hey, look at me, i go to an ivy league." Alot of the problem simply comes from the hype that is built around these 8 schools. The ivy title has come to mean way more than is deserved, remember folks it was started in 1952 and it is only an ATHLETIC CONFERENCE!!!
How many people who go to duke, uva, and wake say i want to go to an ACC school??? Or people who decide on Berkeley and stanford, do you really think it is because of the "pac-10".
Sorry for this rant, but it just bothers me that so many fellows students make the most important decision of their life not based on what school is best for them, but instead seek out ANY SCHOOL as long as it competes in the Ivy athletic conference.</p>
<p>While I agree, this is how our society is and this is how it will remain.</p>
<p>Your point is extremely valid and even though I am going to an Ivy next year, 3 of my top 6 choices were not Ivies. One should not base their college application process based on prestige. One should base it on the opportunites a school can afford you as a student. I applied ED to my college because I love what it can afford me as a student, the faculty is excellent and the students there have a similar, quirky style as me.</p>
<p>I dont believe it is right to place Ivy schools in tiers because each school is different in personality, strengths, weaknesses and population. For students, if they are qualified to attend a top 25 school, they need to realize that there is far more than just the name of a school. Do in-depth research and do a self-gut check as to what you want. I was planning on applying SCEA to a non-Ivy college before I had a self-discovery on what I wanted in a school and realized that I could not achieve all that I desired at that university. </p>
<p>Let this be a lesson to EVERYONE on CC...Apply to schools that fit you academically, personally, socially and opportunistically. DO NOT apply for name and prestige...apply because you love a school and what it has to offer. When you put your heart and soul into an application for a school you have a true desire to attend, it is far more sincere and the college will see that.</p>
<p>I hope that more people read this thread because it can hopefully provide valuable advice.</p>