<p>Right now, as a senior in college, my friends and I get asked quite frequently where we're going next year. Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that when a kid tells an adult that he/she is going to some prestigious university, there's always a sense of hesitation, like the student expects to get some enthusiastic response from the adult like "wow! that's amazing!" Sometimes it might be hesitation, other times it might not, but can anyone else read these people like a book when it comes to telling others about their college? </p>
<p>How do you guys tell others what school you go to? Do you say it confidently? are you hesitant about being so open about your school (especially if you go to an ivy, let's say.)</p>
<p>Some will just avoid it as it gets old. Many a Harvard student will say ‘I go to school in Boston’ even though that’s technically a lie. Obviously that strategy is no help for those going to school in New Haven.</p>
<p>When some people asked me where I was attending undergrad, I got some praises. I believe they knew about Northwestern because most people in the Midwest have heard of the school and are in tuned with the football/Big Ten culture. It is seen as one of the more academically rigorous schools in the conference.</p>
<p>It’s hard because at first I just told ppl flat out and I got the “ohh well I’m not going anywhere fancy like NYU” response. I mean I still tell people but I try to avert the question (if that makes any sense). I hate that people make me feel like some sort of snob for going to a good school.</p>
<p>Well, nooob, in a short time they will be asking you what you do for a living, or where you work. you’ll find people have all kinds of responses for that question too, ie I’m a doctor, or I work in health care, or I’m in the medical profession, or I work at XYZ hospital.</p>
<p>Just tell them what college you go to, no need to be awkward about it. I live close to my college and like half the town applies here so it’s nothing special, so I just say “nyu”. Sometimes prestige is in your head. </p>
<p>A girl I went to HS with goes to Cornell College and everytime she said it, people would think it’s the Ivy and then she would explain and it would be awkward She started saying “Cornell College in Iowa” to clarify. </p>
<p>Wolfpackmom is right, the person I babysit for is a neurosurgeon and I notice he says “I work in the healthcare industry” or “at a hospital” instead of “Brain surgeon”. He told me it’s cause people often make assumptions about him based on that (that he’s extremely smart, very rich, etc).</p>
<p>This seems to be quite unrelated to your thread topic… If you’re a senior in college and they’re asking about where you’re going next year, you shouldn’t be answering with what college you’re attending for undergrad…</p>
<p>I often just say “a small liberal arts college outside of Philadelphia.” Haverford is relatively unknown outside of certain circles (although I am absolutely excited when I meet the rare person who is familiar with my college).</p>
<p>I often just say “a small liberal arts college outside of Philadelphia.”</p>
<p>I also find that this kind of answer works well. If interested, the person will ask for further details, and those who are interested almost always know the school or react more neutrally.</p>
<p>I know what you mean! I’m just a junior but when I say where I’m looking at going, everyone always says “Why don’t you go to IU or Purdue?”</p>
<p>Yeah they’re good colleges but I want to get out and EXPLORE. There’s more to life than just the state of Indiana! And, for a major in communications, a big city is where I need to be.</p>
<p>I’m going to Cornell and I’ve gotten my share of both “way to go’s!” and strange looks. Whenever i’m talking with someone very well educated, like a Ph.D. at the lab I work in, or a doctor, they’re really impressed and congratulatory, but most people just give me a strange look. I’m not sure whether they think I’m a snob or anything, but I don’t parade it at all.</p>
<p>I definitely never ask anyone where they’re going because it’s frowned upon to do that if you’re going to an Ivy or top 20 school because apparently you’re belittling that person, rather than just takin a sincere interest in where they’re going to school. </p>
<p>I usually just say “Oh I’m going to Cornell” and leave it at that. I’m not gonna lie or hide it, I’m proud of it, but nor am I going to brag about it and rub it in other people face.</p>
<p>I suppose that that’s a benefit of going to a liberal arts college. The names are less well known than the top universities. Granted, Macalester is tied for 25th on the US News LAC rankings, so it isn’t top of the top, but still, it’s fairly high up there. Most people in Michigan haven’t heard of it unless they’re in something intellectual or happen to know somebody who went there, so that saves any awkwardness about prestige.</p>
<p>I have to say, I just looked at the rankings for Universities on US News, and it’s interesting that the University of Michigan is ranked higher than several schools that would probably be considered “more prestigious” around here. It’s partly because of in-state admissions being easier, but the vibe I get at home is that Michigan is a “if you’re a good student and have relatively good ECs and essays, there’s a reasonably good chance of getting in” for in-state students. A fair number of students from my high school go on to U of M, and while they’re certainly good students, they aren’t miraculous wonders. There’s also a high percentage of students who go to school in-state, so that probably adds to the prestige of OOS schools.</p>
<p>oops, sry i meant “high school” haha. Well, it’s not that i’m not sure how to tell others where i’m going. I say it with a regular face, don’t hesitate or anything. I have a few friends going to ivies/other really prestigious schools who use abbreviations, assuming everyone has heard of it, or even smile and giggle to themselves before they even finish their sentence, anticipating some wild reaction from the person/group they’re talking to.</p>
When I would say “a small liberal arts college outside of Philadelphia,” people who had heard of Haverford would sometimes be a little offended that I had assumed that they hadn’t heard of it. You can’t win!</p>
<p>Everyone reacts differently. Some people give praise, some wonder why so far, some say pick something cheaper, some say pick something with less controversy, blah-blah-blah…</p>
<p>If I went someplace with prestige, I’d say it with as much pride as I would if I went somewhere that wasn’t as fancy. At least you got into college. Some people can’t even accomplish that much, believe it or not.</p>
<p>To be honest, everyone who is going to a top 20 university undoubtedly responds to the “What are you thinking about for next year?” question with pride. Correct me if I am wrong but I think all people, on the inside, get that pleasant rush from telling people that they are going to X, Y, or Z University within the US top 20. I am attending Emory University next year and live in the South. When I get the “question”, even at this law firm in which I currently hold an internship, I respond confidently but am usually surprised by how few people have heard of Emory, despite its prestige. To be fair, North Carolina is in love with its state schools and Wake Forest. I had to choose between UNC full ride and Emory full ride and chose the school that was 1. more prestigious and 2. demonstrated the greatest interest in me (Emory gave me $52,000 a year to attend). It’s truly interesting how different regions have their own preferences and predispositions pertaining to the reputations of colleges. I bet everyone has heard of Emory outside of the South.</p>
She started saying “Cornell College in Iowa” to clarify. </p>