<p>Okay, so I am going to be a Senior in high school. Right now I am trying to figure out which college I want to go to. I currently have a 4.0 gpa and am first in my class. I only have a 28 on my ACT, but I am going to get it to a 30 (at least). I was wondering if it really matters what college you go to? Does going to an ivy league really increase your chances of getting a job, or give you a higher starting salary? I am asking this because I am not sure whether to go to Ohio State (what I have planned on my whole life), or if I should try to get into an ivy league to give me a better future since I have the grades.</p>
<p>Also, I have done research and my state school and all of the ivy leagues have the program I am interested in majoring in.</p>
<p>You should apply to both, then decide. Ivy league admissions are very low, so even someone with good stats could get rejected. You have plenty of time to decide on where you’re going, so focus more on where you will apply.</p>
<p>ALSO: there is more to fit than just having your program. Can your family afford both these schools? Will you fit in with the social atmosphere? Does it have the vest program for your major? Find out as much as you can about any school you apply to, regardless of which school it is.</p>
<p>That question (does it matter what college you go to) has been debated a lot. IMO, it can, but you shouldn’t let your college define you. Yes, there is definitely a certain amount of prestige when going to an Ivy league. Does it guarantee you a job? No, but it is a nice (some would argue very nice) thing to have on your resume.</p>
<p>Does that mean you’ll be unhappy and unemployed going to a state school? Not at all. I’m a firm believer in ‘college is what you make of it’. So whether you go to Ohio State or you go to an Ivy, you have to make the most of it.</p>
<p>As for should you apply, there’s nothing wrong with trying. Definitely do your research though.</p>
<p>Remember that there are more options than just community college, OSU, and the Ivy League. There are also LACs (especially good for grad school preparation) and many large universities that aren’t in the Ivy league which offer excellent educational opportunities.</p>
<p>Ohio is particularly rich in great LACs, including Oberlin, Denison, Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan, Wooster, and others. Nearby states also have plenty to offer, including Earlham in Indiana, Kalamazoo in Michigan, Juniata in Pennsylvania, and many others. If you think you’d be interested in a smaller environment, you should check them out :)</p>
<p>^^I agree. Your ACT scores are a bit low by Ivy standards so while it is worth applying, it may be a moot point. If you get in to an Ivy, look at the school, your finances, your interests, the program, how far away from home you want to be and then made a decision.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t limit myself to just Ohio State or an Ivy.</p>
<p>“I was wondering if it really matters what college you go to? Does going to an ivy league really increase your chances of getting a job, or give you a higher starting salary?”</p>