The financial aid is amazing if you’re low income. A world-class education with little or no loans? What’s not to like?
I would say, not even low income. Average per capita family income in the US, last year (2014) was a tad under 60K, at HYP, now revised, closer to 75K, you would pay nothing at all on tuition,room/board/fees, that total close to 65K.
Yeah, after going through medical school they have neither the money nor the energy to seek out attractive pictures to cover the same real estate.
OP: why do you want to go to an Ivy for medical school? Probably the same reason people want to go to Ivy for undergraduate.
Most of it has already been touched on: the resources, the intensity/intelligence of your peers, the facilities, the research, the professors, the financial aid, the job placement statistics, the grad school placement stats, the post-graduate network, etc… Being at an Ivy (rightfully or not) gives you certain advantages in this world. And yes, the prestige is fun too. But there is also something special about the history and traditions of these universities that just can’t be replicated. Ivies were integral in the shaping of both higher education and this nation from the very start, and they continue to have an outsized impact on the world for only 8 schools. It’s not a reason alone to apply to a school, but I enjoyed feeling like I was part of something bigger than just my own college. I was joining a network of institutions that contributed to the world in a way that no other group of colleges ever has (except maybe Oxbridge). When you couple that with all of the other previously listed benefits, it’s a pretty hard deal to pass up.
I’m assuming that by “Ivies” you mean elite colleges in general. I think there are some tangible rewards that come with attending an elite college as an undergrad (which I observed indirectly, as an elite university graduate student).
-The caliber of your classmates. Since top schools cull from the cream of the crop, your classmates are extraordinary - all of them. Those classmates will eventually become part of your alumni network.
-The resources that are available. For example, I was majorly impressed by the career center and the sheer volume of recruiters that my Ivy grad university attracted for its undergrads. Libraries, study spaces, special programs, and study abroad opportunities are similarly broad.
-The support. There’s a reason why low-income students who are admitted to top schools graduate at rates similar to their peers. The support network is simply outstanding: from counseling services to academic advisement to residential life support.
Then there’s also perceptions of quality of professors and research. Frankly, I found the professors at my small LAC to be much better teachers and overall more invested in the outcomes of their students. But people perceive that excellent researchers and well-known scholars will be better teachers or somehow translate to better classes. There is also the reality that top schools do tend to have top research going on, and many students envision themselves getting accepted to these labs and doing top research alongside the professor for a better shot at grad or med school. (The reality turns out to be slightly different, but they’re not entirely wrong.)
Buuuuut
I think the biggest reasons people apply to Ivy+ schools is not any of the above reasons. They probably don’t even realize those things when they’re applying, except maybe the last one. I think for many students, it’s the sentimental/emotional attachment to the prestige that these schools confer. They have imaginings that they will tell people where they go to/went to school and those people will ooh and ahh, and that will feel really good.
I’m curious. What are those?
@juillet after reading your post you make really good points lol. My reasons for Ivy Med is basically the pros of what you posted, but many people look at your grad degree more than undergrad. A lot of myths were debunked right here, so yay!
@hzhao2004 Basically the top notch facilities, funding, resources, and honestly speaking the name and not to mention the respect. I understood why people wanted to go there for grad, but not for undergrad. I guess their reasons are the same, but I still think going to Ivies for grad is a better choice.