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But for some people college isn't simply a means to procure a high-paying job. Rather, it's a badge of honor, an intellectual challenge of one's ability.
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<p>Where you go to college matters way more, even than just this. Setting aside any monetary success differences, where you went to college defines much of who you are and who you will be. It is a life-changing experience: it will likely determine how you look at the world, who your friends will be, where you will live and look for work, what you will do in your free time, what your dominant values will be, even how you will dress and present yourself. All of these things can, and often are, shaped by the peers and environment where you went to college.</p>
<p>while I don't disagree with the principle you describe, I think you miss the timing on that. You cede too much to college and too little to Jr. High and High School. Those are the value forming years, especially 8-10th grades.</p>
<p>I think college is for value refinement, not formation. I would choose the high school years as the primary container of the influences you list.</p>
<p>Well I wouldn't. My sister and I were one year apart in age, best friends and very much alike, but we went to 2 very different colleges. Where we went to college made a huge difference in who we each are today.</p>
<p>But were the two of you "the same" throughout middle school and high school? Did you do the same activities, like the same classes, etc? Did you have the same college majors? Did you have the same type of friends, marry the same type of men, etc? Probably not. I think there are way too many variables to draw any conclusion one way or the other.</p>
<p>Bay, I agree with your post #61. To say that a student will receive the same level of education at, say, a local public university and small, highly selective LAC is not true. My D, a senior in HS, is currently enrolled in the local public university for two classes and is very disappointed in her experience there. The students aren't serious about their education. Her experience has only reinforced that she is making the right choice in the school she will attend in the fall.</p>
<p>Campuses have a culture unique to them and this culture, in turn, shapes and affects the students attending. Having said that, I think each person needs to define "success" and "fit."</p>
<p>Let me explain. It matters in the sense that there needs to be a good "fit" between the kid and the school. That piece is HUGE. But, good fits can be found anywhere, from a state flagship, a state open-admission school, a private LAC, a large public, or anywhere in between. Also, there is not "one perfect school" for each kid. There are several places out there that are a good match for each kid. Read "Colleges That Change Lives" and "Beyond the Ivy League" for a good perspective on this. </p>
<p>Here's how it doesn't matter: prestige. This is the one thing you should NOT base your decisions on. A lot of times, it is all gloss and no substance. Name-recongition probably won't get you too far. I think that the "prestige school" crowd tells themselves that it will, because they somehow need to justify their insane obsession and their huge tuition bills.</p>
<p>What a fabulous thread. Its so true! And sometimes rejection or waitlist from that dream school is a WONDERFUL GIFT! It was for my kid, I can tell you that much. Now we just laugh when someone mentions "THAT SCHOOL" which hosed my kid (very unjustifiably, I might add). She is SO much better off in hindsight where she is at. And thriving. Just thriving. Oh, btw, she is at a match school.</p>
<p>endlessrecession, my son had that same experience! His dream school did not make attendance affordable and he went elsewhere. Turned out to be the best thing ever! Many good undergraduate opportunities and post-graduation options. :)</p>
<p>Thanks HeartArt for posting that article. After watching my son's crushed heart from his second choice, and not having yet heard from his first choice, I am comforted that he has several good schools to choose from. This is definitely one to keep and share with my son some time down the line.</p>
<p>Go to a good school does matter. The reason is the peer pressure. People tend to perform best when challenge. When I went to good liberal art school on full schlarship, I wasn't challenge at all. I was top student without even trying and I was bored to death. So I transfer to top research school. Even though professors don't care much at this research school, the fellow classmate constantly force me to work hard. I learn as much from my classmate as my professors.</p>
<p>I believe we can all consider ourselves fortunate that our chidren have excelled academically. We have sacrificed to provide opportunity for them to succeed. Given that all our kids come from different backgrounds. Some kids are afforded more opportunity than others. (private vs. public) No matter the statistical advantage , the cream always rises to the top. As our kids wait in agony for college selection board school X to make their decisions. We empathize and hope they see what we've seen in our kids for 17 yrs. No matter what choice they decide to make their determination and drive will enable them to rise to the top!</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me the chances of after doing an undergrad from a LAC like 'Illinois Wesleyan University' going to an ivy league for post-grad? I mean it's the most financially feasible school for me right now and if I maintain a very high g.p.a and all that, do I stand a good chance to get into Ivy-league or similar uni for post-grad?</p>
<p>jim1980 -- what you describe is true for many. </p>
<p>The opposite is equally true, that is, that many perform less well under duress... they perform much better, are more motivate, and more creative when they are at the top of the class.</p>
<p>... that's why we have Ph.D. programs in social psych... to help us understand how people perform differently in different environments.</p>
<p>naminator -- LACs are actually better (per capita) than nationally known research universities at preparing <em>UNDERGRADS</em> for Ph.D. research.</p>
<p>hmm at my job, at a pretty prestigious institution, there are two other people with the same title and responsibilities as me. one has a degree from yale, one has a degree from cornell, i have a degree from a relatively no name school....so did i overachieve or are they underachieving, or why else would we all be equals...</p>
<p>huskem55, are the 2 people who have the same title as you the same age as you? Same working experience? Same number of years at this institution, at this job? Same salary?</p>
<p>Why would you assume they did? Many people often overlook things like that. Of course it's possible for graduates of any school to get to top positions, but it often takes longer for a no name university than a name university. Also, just because you have the same title doesn't mean you have the same pay. People can get up to 20% more in salary for the same job.</p>
<p>The only goal of this article/ thread is to make rejects feel better
Truth be told Where you go to college does matter ...there's no point protecting yourselves from the truth which you'll face 4 years later
I'm a high school senior whose been accepted to pretty solid schools but none of their 'top' 'elite' 'prestigious' schools which will guarantee me top notch jobs
I have accepted the truth and will slog my butt of for the next 4 years in order to stand an equal chance against ivy and top 20 college undergrads</p>