Myopic Ivy

Parents Forum
21

<p>In response to post #8 - in a word - DIVERSITY</p>

<p>Every school has their high achievers and lower achievers - and middle of the roaders as well - some who excel in one thing - won't in another. The Ivy's are just ONE group of schools for any one to consider - they are not the end all in the education realm.</p>

<p>Why are you soooo HOT about this subject?? It would seem that you be better served researching things that apply to your own situation - and maybe any Ivy is it - who knows.</p>

<p>One thing that does happen - and it needs to be discussed in all families - since you mentioned the gal crying for a weekend - is the financials as they relate to what you CAN afford - and CANNOT afford - that is one reason people say - make sure to love thy safety....... The financial thing needs to be established BEFORE an application is done - and - if finances are a huge issue - then ED at a school that is out of range is not a good choice/fit for you and your kiddo.</p>

<p>Believe it or not - there are MANY students who want nothing to do with the Ivy's!!! Even VERY bright ones who would be able to manage being at one quite well - some just want noooooo part of the label - the $$ stuff. THere are many on this board who don't seek Ivy level schools - there are some for which an Ivy education is the ONLY acceptable way to go - you just have to find your own individual place in the college journey - and follow that lead.</p>

<p>I guess another thing to consider is - the passing of time - many years ago - college application/status was far far different from today - and many other factors were brought into play as far as who got what and why. At that tie - even 30 years ago - a legacy was a legacy and highly considered - but by todays standards and numbers - there are no guarantees for ANY applicant.</p>

<p>Again in a word - Diversity!!</p>

22

<p>If Yale is in the business of cherry-picking future leaders (which it is) then it did not go wrong in selecting the applicant whose stats you posted.</p>

23

<p>Quote: "It's just not very practical for them (Ivies) to offer merit aid; at these schools pretty much the entire undergraduate study body consists of very smart, high-achieving kids. They are nearly all "merit" kids. Which ones would they or should they single out for merit aid? Well, since they are all bright, the ones they choose single out for aid are the lower income kids. And instead of "merit" they call it "need-based financial aid." (altho Mini would argue that merit is linked to these aid packages as well).</p>

<p>I was about to state this, but Coureur did it so well. But, I guess when someone has a specific agenda--to bash certain schools--, they can overlook these realities in favor of broad generalizations that mislead.</p>

24

<p>Like all colleges and universities, the Ivies have a variety of institutional needs which prevent them from being academic meritocracies. Students with different strengths make for an interesting campus. The football team can be very important to a sense of school spirit and community, even if the center wasn't a National Merit Finalist. He may even bring an interesting perspective on self-discipline and the value of competition. IMO, trashing athletes and legacies as "unworthy" is taking a very narrow view of what education should be.</p>

<p>Also, looking back at my college friends (at, yes, an Ivy), it is not the most academically accomplished students who have been most successful, professionally or personally. Accepting every valedictorian may not be the formula for producing alumni who distinguish themselves later in life(see G Bush and J Kerry, as noted above).</p>