<p>While studying today, I asked myself this and I honestly couldn't come up with any good answer. </p>
<p>Sure, a prestigious college can provide a quality education. But recently , when talking to a harvard IB banker, he doesn't remember much about anything from what he learned in college 22 years ago. He knows how to do his job well and the general math and idea behind what he learned, but he doesn't remember much of the specifics that students are forced to know for tests and exams. All of the critical thinking he did in school helped him, well, to become a better critical thinker, but he felt that he could have received something similar almost anywhere else. </p>
<p>Is it the money? Even that seems unsatisfactory. A prestigious education won't guarantee money. You can get money anywhere. Money won't make you happy.</p>
<p>I remember when I was a freshman in high school, not caring about grades. I remember how much happier and relaxed I was back then. I enjoyed my life significantly more and was generally a much happier person. Sophomore and junior years came, grueling and studying , stressing about tests, stressing about grades, stressing about everything. Pressure from parents. Extremely negative thoughts. Complete loss of self-confidence. Placing all self worth in test grades,</p>
<p>I guess it has "payed off", my stats have improved significantly, and I have a decent chance at some solid schools. But even if I get into a "prestigious" school, I don't know if sacrificing my high school years, and the happiness I used to have as a freshman was worth it. Of course for those who are brilliant and don't have to try at all in school and still do excellent, it's great. But for those intellectually inferior, who have to try harder, I wonder if it was all worth it. I wouldn't have minded going to a less "prestigious" school, and be happier during those two years...</p>
<p>
Everyone is more carefree when they’re younger, even if they’re not worried about prestigious colleges.</p>
<p>I agree with your perception that happiness and liveliness are perhaps very important things. From my perspective, it could be a couple of things. Part of it could be pressure by parents/society. This is especially prominent if your parents are part a generation that really appreciate the fruits that a good education can bring, often pushing their children towards these schools. Others feel that if they work hard in high school that they “should” apply to these schools just because their peers are. Some are attracted by some of the cool opportunities those “good” schools have and advertise, which may or may not be found at other schools.</p>
<p>For me, I always wanted to be challenged and to be in a place where there is plenty of opportunity. In high school, I was in a place that often faced budget cuts and was sometimes limited by what the school offered. Some of the teachers were not the best, so I really wanted to go to a school where teaching was a priority.</p>
<p>I do agree with you though that the majority of people on here are to obsessed over getting into “top” schools that they fail to see the opportunities in front of them. There are alot of “good” schools out there and it may be a different fit for every student. For some it may be it’s alumni connections, others it’s research opportunities, it’s programs in a field, professors, ect. Going to a certain school doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily be happy, but the “fit” for the school, which I have come to realize, matters a great deal.</p>
<p>yes</p>
<p>I guess it has “payed off”, my stats have improved significantly, and I have a decent chance at some solid schools.</p>
<p>Quality of education.</p>
<p>When I watch lectures from HYPSM, and compare them to some of my professors, I get pretty jealous.</p>
<p>I imagine they pick the better lecturers to videotape, though. </p>
<p>Well I’m sure what he learned in school put him in a position to have a long term and successful job. </p>
<p>It’s a goal to strive toward and an amazing opportunity to surround yourself with people that you know will someday be leaders of our nation. Your acceptance into one of these schools speaks volumes about your drive and tenacity since you were able to get into such a fantastic school. Your alumni and professors and your other connections are also extremely valuable in your professional career. Many of these universities have names alone that open doors.</p>
<p>Just a couple of my own reasonings :)</p>
<p>It depends on what you want from your education, I guess. Lots of people aim for the ivies because they want the “ivy experience” in college. For me, I’m going into engineering, so I aim to get into good engineering schools- a lot of which are top tier. Also, bragging rights may come up in there too…</p>