<p>So I'm toying with the idea of applying to uc berkeley/ucla, but honestly if i don't get in i bet you i could get a decent job without that. in fact, i'm almost positive!
however, do you think going to a place like san fran state or UC santa barbara would be a better deal than absolutely killing yourself for a few short years (seemingly long) at Berkeley, for example, just to get the name? Or is it all just a mind game?</p>
<p>What're your thoughts?</p>
<p>My thoughts are to ignore rankings and prestige, pretend they dont exist, and go where you would be happiest regardless.</p>
<p>Go where you would be happiest. I got caught up in the rankings but finally went with my cheapest option that is known for happy students. Guess what? I love it here and I’m so glad that I rejected my higher ranked schools. Looking back, I feel stupid for worrying about it so much haha. Work hard and take advantage of as many opportunities as possible- you’ll go far regardless of where you go. :)</p>
<p>The benefits of attending a top school are undeniable. Whether it be internships, job recruitment, or social capital, a competitive university will be more likely to put you in a competitive position after graduation.</p>
<p>Yes, less expensive or lower ranked schools may be more fun, but they’ll be more work later when finding a job is a priority. Taking advantage of opportunities is a must at any school. However, there’s a HUGE disparity in the opportunities presented to you at, for example, Berkeley as opposed to San Fran.</p>
<p>going to a college with prestige makes things easier after college…that’s pretty much the “for-sure” only benefit</p>
<p>you can say that you dropped out of harvard and people will be impressed lol</p>
<p>To me, it seems like it gives you a leg up for after college opportunities and maybe even Grad school. I could very well go to a school like University of New England or University of Southern Maine and get my bachelors, but I doubt I’d get as many opportunities as if I went to BU, or Northeastern, etc</p>