<p>i absolutely loved reseraching colleges. in fact, so much so i created fantasies about college--the ivies were the standard. harvard was my ideal. looking back, i was so naive to think so. not that harvard isn't "good" but just that i should choose the school based on me, not prestige.</p>
<p>prestige is a rightful factor, but shouldn't be a driving factor. ultimately, education comes down to what YOU, the individual make it, not the school you attend. a state school grad. is equally capapble as a ivy grad. you can still contribute to society whether you are a ivy grad or not. i'm not trying to put down the ivies, just triump the individual and the difference you can make without attending the most prestigious school.</p>
<p>i just want to give my experience... 9th grade, i thought i was going to apply to harvard, princeton, stanford and georgetown. i did this by looking in u.s. news. how wrong i was. after discovering my self from sophomore year to this year (senior year) i realize that if i kept the same blind path, i wouldn't have found colleges that matched me. now, i'm applying to u of hawaii (state school), u of washington, william and mary, brown, and wash u in st. louis. these schools are still in the top 50 but i neglect thinking of it that way--i think of it more as these schools match me.</p>
<p>smile05-It is important for you to find a fit. I urge you to consider climate unless you have lived on the mainland recently. Too many students end up moving back home because they are surprised that no one knows what spam musabe is or because wearing snowboots instead of slippahs is just not fun.</p>
<p>I know a number of students do handle Yale winters but quite a few end up leaving places like Seattle to finish school in Hilo or Manoa.</p>
<p>Some schools actually have Hawaiian clubs and that helps ease the "my home is on an island in the middle of the sea" blues. Good luck and if you do come to the mainland take sometime during breaks to visit the 48 neighbor states.</p>
<p>thanks for the consideration. i have definately thought of weather. living in hawaii, cold is the low 70s, 60s is freezing. but i went on an east coast trip in 9th grade and experience the east coast (spring time). i fell in love with the east coast and since then have vowed to go back for college (plus, i'm an american hist. fanatic). </p>
<p>rice dominates here in hawaii but i can live without rice. in fact, i love bread. i love potatos. however, i love clean air and clean water. </p>
<p>unfortunately, i think i'll be stuck here in hawaii for school. my dreams were crushed when i found out my counseling office sent in my apps for my TOP 2 schools in late. :( what makes me so frustrated is that i gave it to them in october and checked on it... i can accept rejection b/c i wasn't qualified--i had a fair chance and did all i could. but rejection b/c my apps were sent in late... i can't swallow.</p>
<p>Smile05, good for you! Good luck w/ getting into the colleges of your choice. It's always important to find schools that are the right fit for you. Prestige and collegiate rankings are over-rated.</p>
<p>look I think education matters I mean I have heard of smart people going of to harvard etc. and dropping out and other people go off to not so prestigious colleges and succeeding...but its up to you</p>
<p>I am sorry for your problems smile05, there are schools that are still accepting applicants and you may want to consider them or if your heart is set, plan a great semester in Hawaii and start the transfer process.</p>
<p>Incidentally, my biggest adjustment wasn't the weather it was the dark of winter at 4 pm. Kind of like being on the top of Mauna Kea at 7pm (only more oxygen)</p>