<p>UCLA is prestigious enough to have its own forum on CC Top Universities. ;)</p>
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<p>I thought this had to be a joke because I couldn’t deduce any commonality between “prestige” and slight of hand, so I looked it up in the “Online Etymology Dictionary”:</p>
<p>prestigious </p>
<p>"1546, ‘practicing illusion or magic, deceptive,’ from L. pr</p>
<p>That might say more about the flimsy basis for most of what passes for prestige in this country. I learned something today.</p>
<p>Prestige, to me, very specifically connotes “what OTHERS think of my choice.” Buying a prestigious handbag to show that I know What’s What, even though I may personally think it ugly. It’s so different from excellence, to me. Excellence is excellence regardless of who else may know about it or what they think about it. My handmade fine leather handbag represents excellence, beauty and classic value even if there is no logo on it.</p>
<p>When I go on vacation, do I want to choose a prestigious hotel or locale that will impress OTHERS, or a hotel that provides excellent service to ME?</p>
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<p>Reputation seems a better word than prestige, to me. Reputation is earned. Prestige can be arbitrary.</p>
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Eh? Haverford? Seriously? I’m educated. People I know are educated. No one thinks it’s prestigious.<br>
Here’s a convo I heard at the beginning of the year. That was probably the first time I heard of Haverford.<br>
Girl 1: my bf goes to Haverford
Girl 2: he’s not very bright, is he?
Girl 1: yeah, i’m thinking about breaking up with him.
Girl 1 broked up with bf.</p>
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Ok, we get it. You like Valextra, excellence, beauty and classic value even if there is no logo on it. But you can have your cake and eat it too. Why is it one or the other? Why can’t you choose a prestigious hotel or locale that provides excellent service to you?</p>
<p>Because they usually overcharge for the privilege which is often part of building prestige.</p>
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<p>Because if I choose a hotel with excellent service and accommodations, and it’s prestigious too, the prestige is just icing on the cake (to extend your analogy). However, if I choose the hotel for the purposes of impressing others, it’s possible I’ll miss out on a hotel or vacation that would have been more enjoyable FOR ME, because I cared more about impressing others than about impressing myself. </p>
<p>Why are so many CC’ers so insecure that they derive self-esteem from surveying others about the prestige of their school? WHy wouldn’t your internal knowledge that it was excellent be enough? You know, I’d have loved to have gone to Harvard – because it’s an excellent educational experience. Not so I could name-drop at parties.</p>
<p>well done gadad.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. You see, I come from a rather poor family that has never sent a member of the family to college. Both my parents never received formal education but they knew that education was absolutely essential in this era so they worked tirelessly to save money so that I can go to a good - “prestigious” - university. I’m sure my parents know that going to a less recognized university and doing well there can do me just as good as attending a prestigious university, but they keep telling me “good school equals good opportunities”.</p>
<p>I personally love UCLA. I visited the university twice already and I already feel that it is a great fit for me. I love how the students are so happy and active, the sports, the campus, and pretty much everything. Well thanks again everyone.</p>
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<p>That right there is your best reason for going to UCLA.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
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<p>That is the exact same reason why my son chose UCLA. It’s a really fun school, in a great location, with fantastic sports, music, research, and a gorgeous campus.</p>
<p>a gorgeous campus is right! Combining architecture, weather, flora, elevation changes, situation (sandwiched in between Bel Air, Holmby Hills (Playboy Mansion hehehe), Beverly Hills and Westwood, and a 25 minute public bus ride to Santa Monica Beach), and the generally enjoyable vibe of the better suburbs of LA, it is one of the Top 10 most desirable campuses in the US in my book.</p>
<p>^Pfft…yeah the area has tons to offer a poor college student lacking a car. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Yes??? It’s prestigious in CA and you did not state where so yes it is.</p>
<p>Oh, don’t be poopy UCBChemguy – </p>
<p>The Santa Monica Blue Line Bus stops on campus and is really cheap (.50 I think), and connects UCLA to Santa Monica with Downtown, and all areas in between from all the major West-East super boulevards – Sunset (to West Hollywood and all the clubs), Wilshire, Santa Monica, Olympic and Pico. Getting North/South is much more of a hassle, that’s true.</p>
<p>Big Blue Bus is 25 cents with a Bruincard during the school year (September - June) or $22.50 for free rides the entire quarter (you can buy one for the Summer too).</p>
<p>Getting to Beverly Hills is a bit more difficult.</p>
<p>Once again, thanks for all the replies.</p>