<p>I was just curious. So many people are trying so hard and competing to get into these ivy league or good college. Is it because your parents are forcing you? Belief that good college will make you a millionair? Or just because?
What is your purpose?</p>
<p>It wasn't my main goal. Getting into a school where I fit in was much more important to me. Of course going to a prestigious school to make my parents happy doesnt hurt, but it was hardly a priority.</p>
<p>My parents pressured me to go to school for free in Europe, and the thought of a middle-class lifestyle doesn't offend me. I wanted to go to a college where I wouldn't feel alienated for having academic interests, where I would receive a demanding, high-quality education, where I'd meet friends to keep for the rest of my life, and (here's the part about "fit") where I would be completely, blissfully happy. I happened to find those things at the Ivy League school where I was fortunate enough to be accepted. The reputation of the schools was only involved in the sense that prestige and academic excellence tend to be correlated; going to a "name" school was never a priority for me.</p>
<p>Actually, that entire post can probably be condensed into this simple sentiment: I always felt out of place in high school, but when I visited my "elite" college a few weeks ago, it felt like coming home. I never liked being singled out as an overachiever in high school, and there's something profoundly comforting about being in a group where everyone else is equally (probably more) accomplished and impressive as (than) you. I don't know if I'm articulating that properly.</p>
<p>I know exactly how you feel, Camelia (I hope that you don't mind if I abbreviate your user name...) That's what I want to find, too- an environment where I'm very challenged, but can also ultimately succeed. Here's a stupid analogy: Freshman year, everything was incredibly easy. I never really had to study, and I took everything for granted. I had a rude awakening sophomore year. I could -NOT- grasp Chemistry. I got C's on the first two tests (but I really should have gotten less... I just got lucky and guessed the correct answers). But, actually STRUGGLING ignited something in me... I became really motivated to prove to myself that I could do well. I adapted, and I ended up with an A+ as a final grade. THAT's what I want to feel again. The struggle to 'prove myself' helps me feel as if I'm doing something worthwhile.</p>
<p>Of course, the name doesn't really matter to me. Whether I go to Brown (an Ivy) or Williams (a 'lesser-known' but equally amazing school) doesn't matter- I only want to feel challenged and comfortable. I'll know when I step onto the campus =)</p>
<p>for me, the purpose is that the better school I go to, in some way, I would be used through that college. Does that make sense? Anyways, that is my theology.</p>
<p>cameila, that's exactly how i feel. I just want to be normal for liking school, not pegged as a freak! I also want people who understand that school's ONE part of me-I like musicals, I spend way too much time watching television, etc. I want to be challenged with my peers-I want to be able to discuss with them! I've always found that my best friends are INCREDIBLY smart (smarter than me, I think!), but I've only found about 5-6, so if I could find a lot, that would be great.</p>
<p>LesOs, I've always wanted to feel that way and it happened to me in Chemistry too. At first I was doing fine so I slacked off a bit and ended up failing a test and quiz. Now I study for hours for each Chemistry test (which is odd for me b/c I usually study for tests for 20 mins @ most) so I can do well. But I actually feel like I'm doing to deserve the A I'm getting in this class so I like it.</p>
<p>I have no economic incentive, my mother can care less about where I go, and my father does push me because he wants me to continue his legacy at Imperial(undergrad)/Harvard(grad.) But I don't care about his stupid legacy. Nor do I want to go to Harvard. What I consider a good college is one where there are other people like me, people who appreciate learning whatever they want to learn to the greatest extent and whom are also somewhat efficient at doing so. So my purpose of going to a "good college" is to satisfy my own mental hunger, and successfuly gain a feeling of fulfillment and independence. I have seen the lives of men who have "earned" a lot of $$ after attending top colleges, and the ones who did so intentionally live soulless lives, lives not worth living.</p>
<p>Um. Hot guys plus nerd schools = Hot Smart Guys. :D</p>
<p>I think I want to get in, because I don't think I'd fit in at other schools (like. sub50)</p>
<p>^^That reminds me, I would never go to MIT or Caltech. The chicks over there man, YIKES!!!!</p>
<p>I'm only kidding, I'm not THAT shallow (though I am shallow, yes indeedy, only four feet deep!)</p>
<p>i honestly have no idea.</p>
<p>the other day, i was saying i wanted to go to whatever "good" college would give me a good scholarship before i head off to vet school for loans gallore.</p>
<p>and my 3rd hour teacher asked me why i didn't just go to the local community college for the first 2 years to get my general classes in.</p>
<p>i stared at her blankly for a while, like, OMG, i would never ever EVER go to that school. and then i realized i had absolutely zero rationale for that decision. other than the fact that it's..well...a community college.</p>
<p>yeah, to me community college seems a little too low standard</p>
<p>I want to get an MBA/MD.</p>
<p>Because I'm probably mentally strange and I need to do something like this to feel that I am indeed worth something, if anything.
Same concept behind me dressing up everyday and tearing my hairs out over small academic "failures."
I just want to validate my life and I need to know that I am not just another body wasting space and resources on this world.</p>
<p>Networking. If I wanted to go out in the real world and start my own business I've already had enough information (8 years of self studying) and experience (with having a company/helping run a corporation) before.</p>
<p>I hate it when people let social norms get to them or parents or outside influences. You should be going to a good college because YOU want to go, for your own reason. To validate yourself, to challenge yourself, to meet other high calibur students with the same interest as you.</p>
<p>As an only child, in a complete smart nerdy school with science Geeks, I just, for once, want to hang around in an environment where people who are as intelligent as me hold the same interest and passions I do. That, is why I want to go to a good college.</p>
<p>true i agree</p>
<p>hey, I have my own little business too that earns like 1000 dollars too. I have a question radronomega. What kind of business liscence do I need to make an online store? What else do I need besides the liscence?</p>