<p> is our ambivalence about the quest for status. What will the world at large thing about me if I go to [name of school goes here, henceforth NOFGH]? Will they view me as smart, accomplished, foolish, a partier, a snob? What will the admissions committee at NOFSGH think of me if I apply? Will they view me as a foolish bounder (to use the British term), a borderline candidate, an ideal candidate? Will they reject me merely to protect the status of NOFGH, for fear that I may reject NOFGH in favor of a rival institution when the tables are turned after the admission letters go out?</p>
<p>Questions of fit can be seen as another way of asking what will my status be at NOSGH if Im admitted? Will people view me as a good student, campus leader, an honors student, a hopeless nerd, a marginal student, someone who was admitted only because my parents went here, or because of my race? Will they see me as a valued peer, worthy candidate for admission to a profession that might further confirm my status?</p>
<p>We crave all carve high status, but understand the paradox that appearing to crave status too overtly will have the effect of lowering our personal status.</p>
<p>Ill confess my own ambivalence about the quest for status, illustrated perfectly by bemusement with which I will regard my promotion from Junior Member to Member with this, my 300th posting.</p>
<p>Very nice post. I don't think that sub-text really applies to me, but I haven't yet decided if that's because I'm different or because I'm in denial.</p>
<p>I don't agree with it. I mean: Will people view me as a good student, campus leader, an honors student, a hopeless nerd, a marginal student, someone who was admitted only because my parents went here, or because of my race?</p>
<p>Does it matter? You are who you are. Maybe this post shows your own point of view. Others are more secure about themselves.</p>
<p>Personally, I don't give a rat's behind what anyone thinks of where my kids go to school. I just want to find out what others know about certain schools and share info. I am not concerned about their status where they attend. They will have it or they won't. They don't seem to be concerned about it either. They all want to attend schools that will meet what they are looking for educationally, intellectually and socially, but status is not part of the equation.</p>
<p>I somewhat agree. Status is important. Part of why one goes to college is to get a diploma that will be valuable when in comes to job seeking, grad school, etc. College is an investment, and I don't think it's unreasonable to want a good return on a costly investment. Going to a school that has a good reputation can only help in this respect.</p>
<p>As for fit being about status, I'm willing to admit to that too. I don't want to go to a school where people will not respect me and my desires and accomplishments. I don't want to be somewhere where I am at the very bottom of my class. I want to be liked and admired. And I'm ok with that. </p>
<p>True, some people are in denial, and others take it too far. But there is nothing wrong, imo, with being interested in one's status.</p>
<p>I don't care about my status, but for some reason, I do care about my kids' status.
Not really in what schools they go to, but how they are perceived by society. I want them to have opportunities and I want things to go as easily and smoothly as possible.</p>
<p>Greybeard, excellent point as befits your maturity (see "old" thread) and status ("full" Member). The key to what you are saying, imho, is the word ambivalence. Many of us here are simultaneously trying not to let the search for status guide us and/or are certain that status is not guiding us, yet we are worried re the consequences of not going for the status plum.</p>
<p>(1) will D fit in there & be happy? (will it be the right academic level-- exciting & challenging but not killer, the right social mix-- not too greek nor too staid, etc...)</p>
<p>(2) can D get in there?</p>
<p>(3) is the school "as advertized," or are there aspects we may not have found out that are important to know? What is the tone, the feel, the sort of student drawn to school? </p>
<p>(4) Is this a place that will enhance her life, be inspiring, help her on her path intellectually, socially, etc?</p>
<p>Prestige enters in-- because of course if you are admitted to two schools that both provide a great match and one is more prestigious, it would be more desireable. Also, prestige schools do attract high-caliber students, and the environment at these schools is usually more intellectual. But there are plenty of prestige schools that D did not apply to because they would not be a good fit.</p>
<p>Some of D's school choices do not get an ounce of recognition in Calif but we know they are great for her. In our town UCB or UCLA probably has more prestige; few here have ever heard of Amherst or Mt Holyoke, so they wouldn't have a clue how to view an Amherst student.</p>
<p>Basically, I just want to go to the best school I can get into. If it's not HYPS, a lesser Ivy or great LAC like Amherst and Williams is OK. These schools take only the best people and give them the best education. However, if you don't get in, you can always make up for it by getting your grad degree from HYPS. But I hope it doesn't come down to that for me.</p>
<p>Well I admit that I think in general I care more about what I think than what others think.</p>
<p>But I also admit that I get a frisson of smugness when I think that Bill Gates sends his kids, where my daughter attended school. I don't know why, heaven knows I don't agree with his politics or his business methods and don't use any Microsoft products except at gunpoint, but I must figure that since money isn't an object( for him anyway) it must be a quality place ;)</p>
<p>then again I have reverse snobbery because the riffraff haven't heard of Reed except to associate it with John Reed that commie.</p>
<p>I also get a big kick out of saying that my younger daughter attends an inner city urban school. Even though Seattle doesn't really have an inner city, the way Detroit or LA does. Even though they have as many National Merit scholars than any school in the state including the preppy alma mater of Paul Allen and Bill Gates.</p>
<p>Even though their free and reduced lunch rate isn't as high as the practically suburban school that she attended previously.Even though their graduation rate for all students including minorities, is probably the highest in the city, I still get a charge out of saying my daughter goes there, cause I grew up in the suburbs and just thinking about going to Seattle * made people lock their car doors, let alone saying the *Central District!!</p>
<p>Well, maybe when I have a 100+ posts and have been around a year or so I can start thinking about status, status schools, and ambivalence - but right now Im still trying to figure out what most of the initials stand for. ;)</p>
<p>After I figured out the initials, I started talking to my parents and friends about "LACs", "stats", "URMs", and "ED" (they should have gotten the last one). They looked at me like I was crazy, not understanding my :cool:ness.</p>
<p>In the words of my great Jewish Grandmother: "So, what would it hurt if the best fit had high status too." Actually, she never said any such thing because she came to this country fleeing for her life, and was simply grateful that my grandfather had a steady job and that noone was trying to burn down her cottage.</p>