<p>I applied to LClark through an EA plan and was accepted. However, I've always called it a back-up school through this process, always keeping it in the back ground. I applied to several top tier schools and was essentially rejected by all of them. I was waitlisted by Grinnell College, and subsequently have sent in numerous additional materials and recs in the hopes of being admitted. I apparently have a high priority on the waitlist as my father is an alumnus of the college, but an 8% waitlist admissions rate isn't very encouraging.</p>
<p>So I'm now doing my best to get excited about the school I know I can go to, and that is LClark. Don't get me wrong; I LOVE LClark and its academic program (not as much as Grinnell's) and would love to be there next year. However, I have certain dreams to attend a top graduate institution, and though I know I will receive a stellar education at LClark, I may not appear as competitive to, say, Georgetown's Graduate School for International Affairs as a Middlebury applicant. Why? Simply because Georgetown is a renowned university, and Middlebury's IR program is a renowned one. More so than LClark (that's what I hear anyway.)</p>
<p>But yeah...I kind of want to go to Georgetown and maybe Tufts for graduate studies in International Affairs, but I don't know if a degree from a slightly lower tier LAC such as LClark will be able to get me an admission to these schools...What do you all think?</p>
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Where can a degree from Lewis & Clark take me?
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<p>down the Oregon trail!</p>
<p>(Sorry, someone had to make the joke, might as well get it out of the way)</p>
<p>In any case, you're much more likely to do well at a school you love than attempt to just get by at a school you hate. Besides, despite CC obsession with the very top, Lewis & Clark is pretty good in the grand scheme of things.</p>
<p>No school really takes you anywhere. How far you take yourself from any school depends on your talents, your willingness to work hard, and your luck.</p>
<p>Agree with Greybeard. Lewis and Clark will not hold you back.
On a practical note, standardized tests (and most notoriously the LSAT), are "the great equalizers". Sad to say, if you were my son or daughter, I would advise you to start thinking about these now.</p>
<p>I think you are looking at this in the wrong way. It's what YOU bring to the college experience, not the "name brand" recognition that will determine your future. You remind me of teens who aren't happy unless they are wearing designer labeled clothes. Yeah, they might be clothed in something expensive but it's the person inside the clothes that counts.</p>
<p>Many people from public universities (ie: not name brand) go on to excellent graduate schools because of what THEY did in college, not what the college did for them. I see you came from a college prep school, probably hoping that it would get you into some "top tier" colleges when in reality it didn't. Don't make that same mistake with your college and graduate school experience. YOU are the one to make or break yourself, not the college. Just like a designer shirt isn't going to change who you are, a name brand college is also not going to change you, it's up to you to make the very most of your college experience and not worry so much about if the name of your school is going to open doors to your future. You are the one with your hand on the doorknob...</p>
<p>Texanne,
Oni and I kinda applied to the same LACs and judging from his old threads since we all particularly camped out at those college forums waiting decisions, I know he is serious about his education and not a "brand" chaser.
Oni, I think LClark is a great place and you will do great there. Grab all the intellectual opportunities up there and you will do good great! Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone (SkyGirl in particular). I think it's important to everyone that I never claimed to be a "brand-chaser." Like I said, I seriously love LClark, but I've never thought about how getting into graduate school works. I know that any college can be fantastic if you choose to make your experience that way, but it's frankly a little difficult to deny that "top institutions" have good graduate school placement. They have connections, smart students, etc.</p>
<p>Honestly, I know that wherever I go for college, I will ultimately have the same academic and social experience. So called brands and names aren't a concern for me, but G-Town's graduate school certainly looks appealing, and I want to be able to go there someday. If that takes me doing well in college and getting a high score on this LSAT exam that danas mentioned, then I will do it. </p>
<p>This thread was just a curiosity and wondering, that's all.</p>
<p>My husband is involved with admissions for a well regarded graduated program ranked around 7th in the nation. It is a large program and they accept about 250 students a year and enroll around 50-60 in their PhD program each year. Students come from all over the world. The US students come from many different colleges, some of which you have never heard of and that have never been mentioned on this board. They have admitted students from Lewis & Clark. </p>
<p>When he reviews applicants he is most interested in your GPA, your GREs, your TOEFL (if applicable) and your undergraduate research. The school you attended is not much of a factor.</p>
<p>Had you asked "I know nothing about getting into graduate school. Could someone please enlighten me?" my answer would still have been the same. College will be what you make of it (no matter where you go) and how you spend your time in college will be what ultimately decides if you get into graduate school. You have to demonstrate passions, good grades and standardized test scores. This is basically the same thing you've had to do the past four years to get into an undergrad program. </p>
<p>However, your original question seemed to be saying you were worried that L&C would not be looked upon in graduate school admissions as favorably as someplace like Middlebury. Since that ship has sailed for you and you seem to be saying you have been left with L&C as your college, then I wouldn't worry about how any future graduate schools will look at the differences between the two colleges (you have zero contol over that) and instead start thinking about what you can control and what you can do to improve your chances with the hand that has been dealt you. I wish you much success.</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice Texanne, and thanks to everyone else. I'll apply myself to all my college studies if I end up at LClark or Grinnell next year.</p>