<p>And I must say, that is exactly what I have found since I have been looking. People thing Ivy Leagues are the best. Of course they are good, don't get me wrong. But are they the best for you? Read the article, and let me know what you think.</p>
<p>although i could probably get into one of the "lower" ivies (like Brown) if i wanted to, i don't plan on applying to any.</p>
<p>i think an two important sentences in that article is "Most Ivy League schools are primarily graduate schools" and "Grad schools don't seem to favor Ivy League grads over others"</p>
<p>there's nothing intrinsically wrong with reaching for the ivies. just keep in mind that it may not fit you, no matter how talented you may be.</p>
<p>i like the line the guy from the engineering firm gave about going to the school that gives you the most scholarship cuz that's what i did and im going to be an engineer!</p>
<p>seriously though, ivy is a great education, but it isn't everything. i really feel that school is about best fit. and sadly about money too. it doesn't make sense to go to an ivy to get the ivy name to get a better paying job if you're going to be in debt for the rest of your life any way to pay it off.</p>
<p>I know it's rather superfluous to the topic of the article, but I feel I should mention that Brown, even though a "lower" Ivy, is one of the hardest schools to gain acceptance to.</p>
<p>i've been thinking about that very issue a lot lately, and ultimately have been turned off to the ivies as a result of it. kids who are aiming for harvard and yale don't really know what to do with themselves once they're in. you can see that a lot on this site. and i dont want to be at schools that encourage that irrational sort of mindset.....it's not healthy for its students.</p>
<p>liveinlove: don't judge the intrinsic qualities of those eight schools by the mania that's exhibited here on CC and perhaps by a few of your classmates. I went to one of the schools you mentioned and I highly disagree with your opinion that they "don't really know what to do with themselves once they're in".</p>
<p>I was surrounded by some of the most fascinating, driven and intellectually and culturally curious people I've ever ment in my four years there. I and my fellow alumni are EXTREMELY loyal to the school and what it provided for us.</p>
<p>Again, don't judge the book not only by its cover, nor by all the mobs wanting to open the pages, too.</p>
<p>Is the "Ivy-Chase" bizarre and annoying? Yes. But is it the fault of the schools or the USN&WR rankings chaos that engulfs so many families? Don't let that keep you from really looking deeply into what some of those schools can offer you. They might really be your "fit". You never know.</p>
<p>Good luck to you in your college search, regardless.</p>
<p>thanks T26E4, and you're right, not everyone in those schools is like that. i have a friend at princeton who is one of the most down to earth people i know, and he loves it there. i won't count some of those schools off my list. there's one ivy i actually think might fit me pretty well....you're right, you can't judge a school by the ivy obsession....thank you</p>