<p>I hate people like that. i don't tell people my college choices, SAT score etc unless they ask because i don't want to sound conceded. Also, many kids on this website have cruel parents. my dad is just proud that i'm graduating high school, college is icing on the cake. after my sister dropped out they're just happy that i'm not following in her footsteps. I'm adopted from south america, so no matter what college i go to, i'm happy that i'm getting a good education. About college, my mom tells me "its not where you get your degree, it's how you use it that's most important"</p>
<p>Seriously, once people start acknowledging that it isn't where you get in, but what you do where you go that makes you stand out, it'll be a happier world for students. I don't think most kids can claim to be, say physics whizzes of the highest order. It's a lot easier to take a shot at getting into a top school, and then put others down because you go to a big name. When you really may be a fairly ordinary student who had a good day. </p>
<p>I have noticed that the guys who're really really smart and academic tend to be very realistic about how much [or rather little] name matters over what you do with your time.
And often tend to be nice people. Perhaps because they know how it feels to have one's eyes gouged out after braving really genuinely tough academics.</p>
<p>Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but this is my experience. Seriously people get arrogant at the first opportunity. I don't think people realize that if the kid going to Harvard as an undergrad is decent, that right in Harvard, every single math professor [and I'm sure in other departments too] is likely among the top 0.00000000000000000.....1% most insane, amazing minds around. A little awareness does tons of good for people's humility.</p>
<p>And before someone goes on about how academics aren't the only way to get into top schools, let me save them the trouble and say I already know. Just making a point that there are highly crazily impressive people out there and there is no reason to get arrogant at first opportunity like some do.</p>
<p>This story reminds me of what happened to a friend of mine.</p>
<p>This kid skipped two grades, was in the National Spelling Bee, is ranked #2 in our class and has taken math camps and stuff at Princeton. The thing is, he HATES the snootiness of the Ivies.</p>
<p>So he applied ED to Carleton and got in, of course. [Personally I couldn't imagine a better fit.] But whenever he says where he's going, everyone's like "Carleton? Why aren't you going to Harvard!"</p>
<p>Not to put Wake Forest up with the Ivies, but I do get a little put out when I say I got in and they think Wake Tech (community college). Or got into UNC CH and they say I should have applied to NC State.</p>
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It's a lot easier to take a shot at getting into a top school, and then put others down because you go to a big name. When you really may be a fairly ordinary student who had a good day.
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<p>There was nothing more pompous or arrogant than the CC threads of the Ivy League on Early Decision release days mid-December. Amid all the kudo's and congratulations were disappointed students being told that perhaps it was their essay or other "fault" of their own. Very few could or would admit that the deferred or rejected could possibly be equally as special as they were. Oh.. and if you called them on it, you were just jealous and bitter.</p>