<p>Is it really worth giving up a BIG part of you soical life to get into John Hopkins or MIt or whatever? I was really thinking about this...I don't want to go to my state college but I think I could handle it, but at the same time I really want to go to JHU, but idk. So what are y'all thoughts on this? </p>
<p>PS I am posting this in HSL because there are a mix of CC'ers here</p>
<p>It depends on what your priorities are.</p>
<p>Are there great opportunities at these colleges? Absolutely.</p>
<p>Are there great opportunities at your state university? Absolutely.</p>
<p>Personally, it’s not worth it to sacrifice a social life for college. So much more happens after college.</p>
<p>I didn’t get your last comment it was kinda contradicting</p>
<p>What I meant is that college is such a short time, that to give up large parts of your social life for getting in isn’t worth it.</p>
<p>But at the same time I really don’t like the people at my school and I have a rep there I don’t like. I think it would be awesome to start over at a different school that NO ONE knew me at…</p>
<p>I’ve sacrified a few parties and dates for debate tournaments and some mid-week hangouts for friends, but overall, I’ve managed to maintain my academics and a social life. (I’ve been admitted to Georgetown, UNC, and UChicago as a University Scholar thus far.) It’s certainly possible; in fact, most of my highest-achieving friends are also social.</p>
<p>Which is why the main thing I’m saying is, weigh your priorities.</p>
<p>I am going to put more focus on ECs and Academics…</p>
<p>Rhodes scholar winner Myron Rolle put it best as to why he chose to go to (and play football at) Florida State versus Harvard or Yale. I don’t remember his exact quote, but he said that something along the lines of:</p>
<p>“The books are the same wherever you study. Your education is what you make out of it.”</p>
<p>If you put your mind to it, you can learn just as much at your state school as you could at MIT/JHU for undergrad. You’d just need to work a little harder on your end, but it’s possible.</p>
<p>^Its not the same thing. I really don’t care that much about the academics as I do the fresh start to some where I know no one would ever go</p>
<p>I guess I am just freaked that I might that if I don’t get into JHU or MIt or whatever and go to State school and wasted my highschool social life for nothing…</p>
<p>You don’t need to go to MIT or JHU to get a fresh start. If you get into those two schools, then awesome. Just remember that there are thousands of universities and colleges in this country, 99% of which none of your classmates will go to.</p>
<p>I seriously considered Penn State because I wanted a change of scenery and was looking for that hyper-social atmosphere, but I went with MIT instead because I realized that while education may be what you make of it, the same applies to social lives too. But I’m in Boston, and we’ve got tons of other universities just over the bridge, so it’s not like I’m having trouble finding parties. And I’m still super involved with ECs and things like that, so it’s not like I spend every hour of every day just studying. (I also chose MIT because “I want to go party every single day” wasn’t exactly a valid reason.)</p>
<p>Of course, I’ve never been one to skip a party to study for a plain old test, so it’s never really been an issue. Honestly, the opportunities for both education and sociability are there no matter what university you attend. Wherever you go, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people you’re age.</p>
<p>And on that note, I have some advice for incoming Freshmen. If you can, go dorm in a Freshmen dorm. While you’re there, meet a ridiculous amount of people. Even the cocky stereotypical freshmen jerks. Only after you’ve made friends with literally every single person you’ve seen are you allowed to start picking your real friends. Not before. None of this “Oh we wouldn’t mesh well” or “We have nothing in common, it’d be so awkward” nonsense. This applies to every scenario in which you ever find yourself among a new group of people. (Although I wouldn’t suggest jumping the gun and thus establishing yourself as that kid who’s looking acceptance and validation and is therefore easy to step on. It’s a balance.)</p>
<p>I’m posting because you specifically mentioned MIT. As someone accepted into MIT EA, I just want to comment that I don’t think I gave up a huge part of my social life.</p>
<p>Was I able to party every weekend during the school year? No. I gave up outings and whatnot to study for midterms or to write research papers or just to finish homework. I put myself on social house arrest starting from two weeks before midterms/finals.</p>
<p>But I saw all the movies I wanted to see. I went to homecoming when I felt like it and junior prom. I had friends who hung out with me every week, or multiple times a week, during break. I dated a couple of boys. I played two varsity sports and joined many clubs - I consider that to be a huge part of my social life.</p>
<p>I have friends going to Ivies and other top schools with similar schedules. Many of them had more legit partying time than me (I’ll admit, I’m not a huge partier by choice).</p>
<p>In short, it’s entirely possible to have both a social life and be accepted into a top college. Setting the goal of going to a top college just means you can’t do whatever you want, whenever you want. You’ve got to prioritize, but you can definitely have fun throughout high school - or else it’s not really worth it.</p>
<p>^^No thanks I not really into that many parties and stuff…
^^^No I have this really dependent that will follow me if possible. Plus my parents won’t let me leave the state unless it is a really good college…idk what I should do?!</p>
<ol>
<li>Give up on academics and ECs and enjoy high school</li>
</ol>
<p>OR</p>
<p>2.FREAK the students FREAK the teachers and do whatever it takes to get into those schools and not care at all about others and what they think of me</p>
<p>bump! One or two which do you think I should do?!</p>
<p>I don’t want to seem rude, but thinking that those are your only two options is completely inaccurate and it’s that mindset that many of the people I know have had that’s made them regret some aspect of high school - whether it’s having more of a social life or getting better grades/whatever for college.</p>
<p>some people don’t need to give up social life to get into JHU…</p>
<p>^Well I’m not one of those people…well at least idk…how hard is it to get into JHU?</p>
<p>JHU is a very selective school. One of the top schools in the nation. Planning on BME? Have fun. A very difficult major to apply into.</p>