What's the whole point of this?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
41

<p>^^Then how about those students whose race and/or financial status don't qualify them for a full ride, which, when you think about it, is a large percentage of the applicant pool? They still have to put in the work.</p>

<p>My bottom line, is, don't kill yourself, but do your best to give yourself the most/best oppurtunities you can. If you have to ask about retaking your SAT, you probably don't need to, but if you really want to (and are okay with paying for it), go ahead. Your GPA is what it is...you can only make it better with the time you have--don't worry about what you did in the past too much. Look forward. Prestige isn't everything (hell, it's not much at all), but it's good for the ego, and let's face it, we all like to pat ourselves on the back. No matter where you end up, be it a top 10 school or not, you will succeed if you put in the work.</p>

42

<p>You guys are kidding yourselves if you think employers don't look at where you went to college. Overall it is never a deciding factor but it can sure help a lot. Employers like top colleges because they are essentially safer-a kid who graduated from MIT clearly knows how to work and analyze stuff. There are sure to be kids who can do what he can do or better from StateU but because of the overall quality of academics at MIT Vs StateU it is a safer bet for the employer to go with the prestigious school. At a top school, nearly the whole class is academically elite while at a state u this just isn't typically true.
Of course this is concrete or anything and you can be successful from anywhere. My dad is extremely successful from a big state university and so are countless others.</p>

43

<p>Robert E. Lee, you say that employers hire people based on character and hard work, not by colleges... But people who go to ivies are generally more hard working, smarter, nicer than your average joe that graduated from an unknown college.</p>

44

<p>Some people go to top colleges for the learning experience...Let's face it, the average college's engineering program is not going to be as rigorous as the one at MIT or Caltech, and there would likely be fewer research opportunities.</p>

45

<p>go-vibe, are you saying that state university students are not hard working or dedicated? If so, then I highly disagree. Yanners, state universities have honors programs which are highly competitive and intellectually stimulating. Please do not think that a state university hinders this stimulation.</p>

46

<p>As time passes, the effect of attending an elite college to a state college will diminish at an exponential rate. There simply will not be the guaranteed security and fulfillment that these colleges once endowed to their students. Why? Because these colleges are not the markers of social status that they once were. Ironically, as these colleges are opening their doors to populations that they traditionally wouldn't, they are stripping away from the exclusivity of their institutions. When a product is in more supply, when it is more accessible, the value diminishes. </p>

<p>The drive for education is a recent phenomena since it has become accessible to a larger population. Additionally, more people are pursuing higher education. The college diploma in itself, regardless of whether it was earned in a state school or an elite college, is not a rarity anymore. Employers don't look in awe at college grads. In fact, recent studies say bachelor degrees aren't cutting it anymore. Masters are becoming the new Bachelors. So, the influx of college students from both sides, the elite colleges and the state schools, are devaluing college diploma to the extent that its recipients can't rely on it as an indicator of future stability and opportunity.</p>

<p>Now, specifically about college diplomas from elite colleges, the brand name of these college has lost some of its luster. Whereas alumni of elite colleges were once the rightful heirs of powerful old boy networks, when all students were white, wealthy Protestant males, and Gentleman Cs were the predecessors of the cozy life in the gentility, the elite colleges of today's alumni don't share in that legacy. The alumni today are asian, female, black, poor, lesbian, gay, farm boys, and inner city survivors. The pool of students has become so diverse that society can't categorize them, it can't stick them into some formula to determine their social status. Society can't say here is a standard profile of people who will reap the rewards of all that we have to offer.</p>

<p>Before 1970, I think, colleges were successful in doing just that, cultivating an elite class of kids that would become the nation's leaders. To some extent, this is true today just without the stringent criteria of uniformity and moreso for that of merit and accomplishment. But, now, it's not about name and prestige as it were before. I Attending Harvard for many alumni may be the only worthwhile experience they will ever have, only success they will ever have. For the successful grads, it will be about positioning themselves for success, working hard and networking. </p>

<p>Anyway, this is an opinion and, as I believe, if one is truly brilliant, opportunity won't have to come to them, they'll come to opportunity.</p>

47

<p>Couldn't have said it better myself. BRAVO! BRAVO!</p>

48

<p>What about getting a job right out of college, with no work experience...you can't tell me that somebody reviewing your resume would look at somebody from Harvard no different then your diploma from Pish Posh State if that's the only thing to base it on. Do you know what I mean?</p>

49

<p>Both the graduate from Pish Posh and Harvard would still have 0 experience. So, that is when CHARACTER comes to play. Who appears to be the hardest working, smartest, adept. On the Apprentice, Donald Trump hired many from Pish Posh Universities not because of their educational background, but because of their work ability.</p>

50

<ol>
<li><p>first, motivation for 'prestigious' universities. THE PEOPLE. yes i know there are many talented, nice, intelligent ppl at virtually any school, however no one can deny the fact that ivies and top tier schools have a significantly LARGER portion of ppl who are hard-working and who want to learn and want to be there to learn. I've dealt with enough people who love to party and don't give a care to school. THE POINT IS I DON"T WANT TO be around these people for another FOUR years of mylife. THEY ARE not the ones who can make it to the ivies. They will be the ones that I will be around if i go to my state school. </p></li>
<li><p>I disagree with how some people shouldn't place an emphasis on grades and test scores. I admire the people on here who can achieve those scores. I don't think we should criticize someone just becuase they have high standards for themselves and high expectations. IT IS healthy. It is good to push yourself to see how far you go, how much you can learn. IT IS NOT A bad thing.</p></li>
</ol>

51

<p>^^ Why would anyone go to ivies just to be around smart people? Its more about name and boosting and flaunting your ego</p>

52

<p>Eh.. Being around smart people is a lot more helpful than having an ego. I have one, trust me, it sucks. A lot. Being around smart people is awesome because you can learn from them and see an unique more informed perspective of the world. You get smarter and more informed around smart people, ego-boosting just sucks when you have to start dealing and working with different types of people. (one big edge to going to State U, tons of different people). I don't think you ever really get away from the partying in college unless you go to a small LAC without any party atmosphere (or frats). </p>

<p>Realistically, the emphasis you place on test scores and grades are what you personally want to make out of it. What does it mean to you and do you not hate the effort you put in to it?</p>

53

<p>


Don't be absurd (assuming you're not joking...). Having true academic peers - unlike in high school for many students going to top schools - should not be underestimated in value!</p>

54

<p>Agreed. Taking classes with people decidedly worse than you at a particular subject really, really sucks. And it's probably the same the other way around.</p>

55

<p>After college, most individuals have to get...you know...a JOB! Is a prestigious company going to hire someone from Average University over Harvard, Stanford, or another prestigious institution?!</p>

56

<p>

Exactly!!!!!!!!!</p>

57

<ol>
<li>Work record/experience</li>
<li>Superior interview</li>
<li>Better grades at the respective school</li>
</ol>

<p>All of these would be legitimate reasons.</p>

58

<p>i think, robert e lee, that you are dealing very much in what should be the case as opposed to reality. right or wrong, elite colleges are very much favored in the job market. there are not a lot of cases of people getting jobs on wall street due to their 'character'</p>

59

<p>well, i'm still obsessed with getting into one of the ivy universities. only because the pish posh universities have not so smart people. i mean, anyone can get into pish posh universities, including stupid people. am i supposed to spend 12 years of regular school with these stupid people only to see them again for another 4 years?</p>

60

<p>


I hope you're not implying that all universities and colleges outside of 8 east coast schools aren't top caliber. Perhaps you should broaden your horizons a bit and realize that many of the top 50 schools can fulfill your desire to have numerous stimulating peers.</p>