<p>It's perfectly 100% true and deep down inside you know it.</p>
<p>We say that we value higher education and while that may be true, the greatest constituency in our intent relies in the fact that we apply only to please our parents, please ourselves, show off, and follow expectations and tradition.</p>
<p>Admit it. When you get that letter from Duke or Stanford, after the initial shock of excitement, what do you think next? It's either: "I gotta go tell mom and dad!" or "I got to tell my best friend Bob!" or more commonly "I got to change my facebook status!" </p>
<p>It most certainly is not, "I can't wait to go to Stanford, begin studying hard, and taking midterms!"</p>
<p>So do you really want to go to college? Or do you just want to know that you can go to college?</p>
<p>Honestly, do you really think that so many kids apply to all HYPSM just because there's a chance for each that they might go that one?</p>
<p>This is a good point.
Though I hate to admit it, I feel this is true for many people, though not all.
The second I heard from my first school (even though I'm almost certain I won't attend) I immediately called everyone I knew. It's almost like a time to prove that you didn't waste your four years of hs...</p>
<p>Well, yes, but this seems obvious and undeserving of a thread. We've worked 4 long years for our persistence to pay off in the end, and that dream acceptance letter legitimizes our efforts.</p>
<p>Mmmm...as a warning, my post sounds idealistic and you probably won't believe me.</p>
<p>I didn't want to apply to any of these schools for the reason that I didn't want to compete with people like that. Too bad for me, because actually, I really do want to go to Stanford. I sucks more than just wanting to see if you can get in, because I'm actually thinking that I'll be happiest there. I don't think that as many people would be quite as freaked out as they are if it were just about pride. Though I'm sure some people are like that, I think for some people it's about where they want to spend the next four years, too. </p>
<p>It's sort of like how there are lots of people who get good grades because they want to be the top, but there are some who do it because they genuinely like to learn and expect the best from themselves.</p>
<p>I will admit that I will probably feel cool or something if I were to get in, but I don't think that's my primary reason. o.o I do agree to some extent with the people commenting that it legitimizes our high school efforts, though. I do think that many of us are feeling that as a factor, I know I've thought about it.</p>
<p>Would you really run around bragging about getting in, though? That seems rude to me...</p>