So, you can call me "IVY-Obsessed"

Applying to College
21

<p>Hey Ivystudent and everyone else, </p>

<p>It's been entertaining and insightful reading everyone's post. I'm slightly older (26) and I feel like I'm sounding like an idiot: What is a troll?</p>

<p>To Ivystudent, I know exactly how you feel. When I was in the third grade, I asked my grandfather about good colleges and he told me to attend Yale. Being Chinese, it makes sense as Yale allowed the first Chinese students to study abroad. I kind of became obsessed (superficially) with the Ivy League schools and especially Yale. However, I wasn't that smart (and still not) and I wasn't very wealthy (my family fits in that perfect not too rich, not too poor group of folks). I eventually attended UC Irvine, a public school in the same system as UCLA and Berkeley but not ranked nearly as well. </p>

<p>But like what many of the other posters have suggested, try for an Ivy the second time through (grad school). I thought, if I went to UCI then attended Stanford Business School, then people will only care I went to Stanford Business School (yes, I know it's not an Ivy, but I was thinking very California-centric at the time). I don't want you to just take my advice, because if it goes wrong, you may regret it down the line. But, I decided to go to UCI, work for five years, and work like hell to save money. This way, I knew money would not be a factor for business school (by the way, it still is, but I didn't know that at the time). </p>

<p>I stuck to my plan, realized I was ready after four years, and will be attending Oxford next fall. Yeah, it's not Yale (or another Ivy), it isn't Stanford or a new Ivy (out of curiosity, which are the new Ivies?) but it's the oldest school in the world so it fits my superficiality quotient. </p>

<p>The truth is, it probably won't matter where you go to school as an undergrad especially if you are planning on going to Medical School. Previous posters are correct. A great GPA and great MCAT will get you into a great Medical School.</p>

<p>Btw, I never realized what the Ivy Schools were or why they were created. After I found out, I realized it was kind of funny how they became the Ivies (but I was still very intriqued in joining). </p>

<p>Good Luck and don't hate yourself if you never go. Most of them are probably full of snobs. Go to Oxford =).</p>

22

<p>lkao: your advice to the OP is very sound. However, your last casual remark about the Ivies being full of snobs really is poor. I'm Chinese, grew up in the Midwest and went to an Ivy where I was surrounded by lots of private school, Northeasterners. I don't doubt there were snobs but I was too busy being surrounded by some of the most fascinating and friendly people I've ever met. </p>

<p>You noted that you don't know a lot about the Ivies -- that's fine. Then try not to insult alumni of them either with a glib remark like that, OK?</p>

23

<p>At least Harvard, Yale, and Princeton do not distinguish between citizens/permanent residents and internationals when awarding financial aid. So if you would get into one of those schools, tuition should not be a problem.</p>

24

<p>However, I would also like to say that universities in the Ivy League are not necessarily the best in the country and degrees from such schools certainly do not guarantee success after graduation.</p>

25

<p>Although top tier colleges do not guarantee success, they can help facilitate a person's success.</p>

<p>Just like not going to college doesn't guarantee a poverty stricken life, it does severely hinder one's chances at being successful.</p>

<p>Being successful (money, etc) and happy in life requires skills (knowledge, charisma, talent, etc) and opportunities. Going to an average college might give you the skills, but going to a top tiered college may give you better opportunities.</p>

<p>I do agree with many people that Ivy League is not necessarily the best depending on your intended major/interest. Engineering majors have a completely different Top25 college list than other majors. A friend majoring in engineering turned down Harvard for Cornell simply because Harvard engineering is weak.</p>

<p>However, I will also have to say that top tier colleges are distinctive that for the most part they do have great academics. While at many "non-elite" you may get a very good education, there are MANY MANY non-elite colleges where you will just get a degree with no real skills or knowledge.</p>

26

<p>@Kyt: You have a wise, clear-minded friend there. Tons of people get caught up in the dilemma of biggest name Ivy vs. best engineering program. Kudos to him.</p>

<p>But you know, intended major makes a big deal. Want business? Go to Wharton, NYU or Michigan. Want engineering? Go to Cornell, MIT, CalTech, Olin, Michigan...there are tons. Have you noticed that in each case I mentioned only one Ivy? Look beyond the name, pal. Look into strength in your intended major. (Undecided? Check out Grinell, Brown and Amherst)</p>

27

<p>You should want to go to a university that offers you the best education, not the best prestige or pride.</p>

28

<p>if you want it so bad, why didn't you work harder for it?</p>

29

<p>OP, I think your growing up had ingrained your mind with a sense that there are no good schools in America except the Ivies. After all, almost any aspiring student in Asia who is studying in America wants to get into "The Ivy League" and become a doctor when they grow up. Going into the Ivy League or eventually becoming a medical doctor is not a definite indicator of success. If you gain entrance to an Ivy League school (let's say by sheer chance) and you cannot complete your education, where is the glory in that? What if you worked your butt off in college and cannot gain entrance to a medical school (remember, the admission rate to ANY medical school in America is around 48%)? There is more to your life and goal-setting than just the idea of getting into an Ivy League school or being a doctor.</p>

<p>I know the Asian stereotype always think the "life of success" is going to a brand-name school and becoming a doctor in the future - but you have alternatives.</p>

<p>Not to bash your ambitions, but I think you need to reconsider your motives of going to an Ivy League school. Are you just thinking about the name and the prestige that you will get? What about your abilities and your happiness at college? What about your finances? These all need to be taken into account before you define your goals completely. But if you want aid and an Ivy League school, you have to be prepared to work very, very hard. Finaid at Ivies for internationals is quite parsimonious (unless you can make it into HYP). </p>

<p>Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage you, but I think you need to review exactly WHY you want to go to an Ivy League school, rather than just personal longing.</p>

30

<p>Come on, it's not end of the world. You can always work hard and try for Graduate school.</p>

31

<p>so ivy is just overrated</p>

32

<p>It's better to go to ivy league for graduate school than it is for undergrad</p>