<p>I ask this because it has been hovering in my mind for months. My sister and I are both seniors...I have applied and gotten into top schools. I have worked hard and stressed myself out this year. My sister, however, continued to be relaxed. Dont get me wrong, she did not slack, but she did not stress either. And while I am sitting here stressing about "Ivy day", and all the other acceptance days that have come already, my sister is totally relaxed, because she already knows she is doing her first 2 years at community college, getting her requirements out of the way, and then transferring to a "real" school.</p>
<p>So my question is, what will be the real benefit of my approach as opposed to my sister's? We will both end up with college degrees, and we will more than likely both be successful...so why did I decide to take this route while she's taking a much easier one?</p>
<p>You care more about what other people think about you. Not like it's a bad thing but no matter how much I say I don't care what other people think, I care what I'd think, knowing what they'd think (if that makes sense?). I've always seen the jc as a kind of cop-out...it's the place where the people who didn't want to do anything except get by went after high school. I know there are loads of brilliant people who go to community college to get their general education requirements out of the way for less money, they just don't want to leave home yet, or they've got family stuff to deal with first and feel obligated to stay close to home. My city has one of the best jcs in California, but I still see it as that "other place" where you don't wanna go unless you must.
There are just some things people like about getting those acceptance letters, being able to spend time with friends during the summer, then going off to start a new chapter. It validates what you've been doing for four years whereas going to a community college is somewhat anti-climactic. You spend the last semester of senior year getting exciting about graduation and being your own person--moving on the bigger and better things--but then you're still in the same place 3 months after you throw your cap into the air.</p>
<p>maye that's just me...some people think it's cool to be able to stay home, party with the same people and not have to get caught up in all the college stuff (SATs included) that others chose, it doesn't mean they'll be less successful than someone who went straight to a 4 year....just that they have different priorities.</p>
<p>For me, the name of the school drew me in, and then I fell in love with it, which was the completely wrong approach, I realize NOW.</p>
<p>If I did get into one, I would've been thrilled, but who's to say the quality of education is better or worse than another school?</p>
<p>Well, some statistics do, but look at some of the great minds of the world - they didn't all go to an Ivy, and they accomplished a lot.</p>
<p>Make the choice based on what feels right for you, and you alone - don't let the shiny admissions posters with smiling faces, and the fame of a school be the deciding factor.</p>
<p>Because for me, I <em>know</em> I worked harder than most of my classmates. I wouldn't be in the top ten otherwise. It'd feel frustrated and like it'd been a waste if I ended up going to the same school as some of those slackers and believe me, if you met some of them, you'd think they were slackers too. It's a little arrogant, but I feel I deserve more and something to compensate my hard work. It's also because no one believed in me and everyone pretty much thought I was never going to become something. I just want to be able to prove them wrong.</p>
<p>I agree, but I'm asking, overall, is the only factor prestige? Because my sister and I will both have jobs, and depending on how far we take it, we could both make the same amount of money presumably. There is almost no difference that I can see, besides maybe personal justification.</p>
<p>For me, I think it'd almost be embarrassing for me to go to the local state school with them, not because the school itself is bad, but because many of these people simply didn't study the amount/work the amount I did.</p>
<p>Maybe it is the prestige a little, but I honestly feel a top school would suit me better. I mean, they're a lot more generous with aid and those kinds of schools attract brilliant minds. And I guess going to a top school would tell people, "Wow, that girl worked hard." I want people to recognize that I worked hard.</p>
<p>I think it's prestige and the experiences that I'll have while I'm away at college that drove me to apply to the schools that I applied. I know that applying to some of the best schools in the nation will not only guarantee me a kickass education and prepare for a good job, but it will let me have some of the best experiences of my life. (I know you may be able to say the same for community colleges, maybe, but there is definitely a distinct difference!)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Actually, I'd have to agree with Nickel.</p>
<p>For me, I think it'd almost be embarrassing for me to go to the local state school with them, not because the school itself is bad, but because many of these people simply didn't study the amount/work the amount I did.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'd feel the same way. It'd be embarrassing.</p>
<p>Prestige is a factor simply because of the fact many people, including me, are wary of the fact of going to the same schools the "others" are also going to. Now, I didn't even apply to an Ivy, but applied to other reputable, top 50 schools and got in. Still, believe it or not, I'm seriously considering going to a tier-three school instead because they have a selective honors program that has its unique benefits, like awesome dorms that have kitchens because they used to be real apartments. (Only 20% of those in the top 10% of admits who applied were admitted.)</p>
<p>Nickel Xenon makes an excellent point. If you are the top of your class, why would you want to go to the same state school as those who didn't try nearly as hard/who aren't as smart as you. I am facing that same problem right now. Everyone in my honors/AP classes wants to go to UNC, but I (the valedictorian) and my best friend (the salutorian) want to get away from them and go elsewhere. Like others have said on this thread, it's not that the state school (UNC in my situation) is a bad school (in fact, UNC is a wonderful school), but I don't want to end up with the same slackers, cheaters, and idiots I have had the pleasure of dealing with for the past six or seven years.</p>
<p>LizziePoo: Maybe focus on what you expect college to provide for you? By drawing out from an institution its best academic offerings, by contributing to a community of scholars and students, by exploring new ventures in culture and self maturity, by meeting and engaging what may be life-long friends -- and also getting a diploma. College is not just a way station to the career world. In you comparison w/your sister, you oversimplify things. Don't worry about what she may or may not do or how "easy" things may go for her. Frankly it's her life. She may be wildly successful afterwards, maybe not as much, maybe very unhappy and spinning her wheels. Regardless, be an honest cheerleader for her.</p>
<p>But you go and strike your own path. The so-called "top tier" schools have gotten that reputation because of what they can deliver in terms of actual experience. I graduated from one of those and along with my group of a dozen or so lifelong friends, we point back and say those were four of the most life changing, world expanding times of our lives. We went there to learn and experience. Jobs, grad school were important too but the time at college has great value: beyond what you can imagine right now. If I think about how I viewed the world as a HS senior and how I viewed the world the end of my college Freshman year -- it's amazing to think about. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you AND your sister. Don't fret about it. Make the most of your next 4-5 years and enjoy the rest of your Sr year!</p>
<p>I think a lot of young people on CC chose to attend top universities for the wrong reasons. Education is not about getting a higher paying job upon graduation or about recognition. Yes, attending a top university can help in those domains (assuming the student works hard), but that is by no means guaranteed. Attending a top university should be about personal growth and education. About having a world-class faculty teaching its students the newest trends and developments shaping our world. Abour having the most advanced labs, libraries and resources availlable to those willing to use them. Not about impressing one's neighbors or feeling special because the institution turns away many qualified candidates. </p>
<p>The fact of the matter is, in the real world, adults aren't going to assume one is smart and capable because they attended a top university or, alternatively, dismiss another simply because they graduated from a not-so-impressive university. There are simply too many average people graduating from elite universities to extend those universities' reputation onto its alums. Employers and graduate school adcoms are still going to want to see what classes you took and how well you did in those classes. Employers are going to expect you to come into work, roll up your sleeves and work 60+ hours per week doing minial tasks, delivering multiple projects and assignments on time for years before acknowledging you. Graduate school adcoms are going to want to read your essays, evaluate your personality in interviews and see how you do on standardized tests (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT etc...).</p>
<p>I disagree with a lot of what's been said here and with the general CC mentality. I want to go to a top college for the same reason that I wanted to go to a top high school and for the same reason that I spend my summers in academic camp: I love to learn, and I love to surround myself with intelligent, passionate people. I love discussion and books and parties where inbetween dancing, people talk about the latest Stephen King novel.</p>
<p>Am I going to apply to Harvard or Princeton simply because they attract intelligent, passionate people? No, because there are many aspects of both schools that I don't like. Am I going to apply to Yale and Brown? Probably, but not because they're prestigious; my favorite schools at the moment are Brown, Kenyon, and Hampshire, and you can guess just how many people have heard of the last two.</p>
<p>T26E4, Thank You! That is the answer to my question!
I know it seems really weird that I would ask such a question, but it was just a realization to me because my entire life it was just always known I'd go to a good school and always reach for the highest I could reach for. I never really stopped to ask myself "why? what will the difference be?"...
but you answered, so thank you very much!</p>
<p>For me, with Nickel's comment, it does feel a little embarassing, because I worked much harder than most of my classmates, as shown in my grades. But clearly that wasn't enough.</p>
<p>I think that going to Community College is not the best choice, because a majority of Community College students drop out. Not to say that your sister would do that, but by staying at home, a lot of kids get distracted by life and forget about the importance of college. When you are at a 4 year university, your whole life is college.</p>
<p>Another thing is, it is harder to transfer into a top school then to get in as a freshman. So, unless your sister does some seriously amazing stuff, she will have much more stress later (when she transfers) then the stress you had while applying for a freshman position.</p>
<p>Community College is like high school in a way. You go there, you go home. Pretty basic. However, the four year colleges are a lifestyle. You live there, and you begin to live life on your own.</p>
<p>i agree with Alexandre and the one after him, I didn't care about prestige because I've always planned to get a graduate degree and only then, will the prestige of the institution really, really count. However, when I researched colleges, what set apart the top tier was the quality of education promised. I didn't care about the prestige but I did know that I wanted to be with people who I found intellectually engaging. That is really why I want a top tier, not just for the school, but for the people who compose the school.</p>
<p>I agree with Alexandre somewhat. However, at a school like UCLA, only about 10% of the students benefit from "the most advanced labs". The rest are stuck in large lectures and smaller teaching assistant-led discussion groups. I think it's important to go to a school where you can benefit from what the school has to offer. If you have the capability and drive to be that top 10% then great, but if not you might be better off at a different school. The same applies to discussing great literature or whatever else you want to do. The trick is to know what you want out of a school and find one where you will thrive.</p>