<p>So I'm taking an intro to macroeconomics class at my state university (Rutgers), and we have a rising junior from Princeton in our class who is taking a summer class just to fill in an elective, and because it's cheaper at Rutgers. </p>
<p>I asked him how the academic environments compare, and he said spending 4 years at Rutgers would have drained all his intellectual curiosity. The class discussions, the faculty, and most importantly the students, are apparently laughable when compared to Princeton. </p>
<p>He said he had never seen classes so devoid of intellect and ability to hold meaningful conversation since high school. He claims he is sorry for anyone who thinks the undergraduate school you attend is unimportant, because those 4 years develop your discussion and research abilities. </p>
<p>I will admit he is super snobby and aced all 3 tests with a 100 so far, but nevertheless, I thought his comparisons between Princeton and Rutgers were pretty insightful.</p>
<p>That’s the reason. In top ranked universities nearly everyone will be as intelligent and focused, if not more, than you. For people who lived all their lives with no one to socialize with that had the same level of intelligence this is a god send. Plus prestige, awesome fin aid, networking, famous professors, etc.</p>
<p>lol I won’t go to top ranked because of the cost…
But yeah, heck if you go to a famous school, I guess it allows you to have bragging rights. RIGHT?</p>
<p>But back to the discussion. I always have times where I want o have an intelligent convo but my HS peers are too uninformed (or misinformed) to relate.For example, I love politics. I could talk about it all day. But most HSers dont even know who the VP is, so its tough to have as stimulating face to face (or faces) discussion. Hopefully at a top tier school people will want to talk about more than what he or she said on Jersey shore last night</p>
<p>Some people want to immerse themselves in an environment of very, very smart people who talk about more than Jersey Shore. And who care about their futures, or at least their education. I’m not saying you don’t have bright conversations at state schools, however, universities like Harvard have an entirely intelligent student body. It’s definitely a different atmosphere than (the majority of) high schools.</p>
<p>If you’re not going to pursue education after undergrad, then having a degree from a top tier school is going to place you leagues above those who do not.</p>
<p>You generally have more opportunities for things like research at a top school.</p>
<p>Plus, some people like to brag. And if you get into JHU, Stanford, MIT, or Princeton, then I do definitely think you have bragging rights to a certain extent.</p>
<p>Ugh. So because of my good but not great ECs and my good but not great 31 ACT, I’m cursed to an existence of comprehending what the smart people do, but never actually being included in their number? :(</p>
<p>Sometimes, I feel out of place at my high school. Most students’ conversation topics are entirely uninteresting to me, and I have to plaster a fake smile on my face and feign interest to avoid awkwardness. Occasionally, I find myself in an environment with only smart peers, where I’m intellectually (and socially) stimulated. I’ve realized that this sort of intellectual environment, which includes driven and interesting people, is where I belong; otherwise, I’d be unhappy. This is why I wish to attend a top-tier school. I want to be surrounded by intellectual thinkers who have ideas and dreams and passion.</p>
<p>Clearly, instead of Jersey Shore, POKEMON is the show that smart people talk about :D</p>
<p>Seriously though, I can already tell from the WashU '15 Facebook group that it is a very different crowd from my HS. Granted, we’re not Princeton, but it’s definitely different.</p>
<p>Honestly going to a top ranked school does not equate to always getting a top ranked job. It can open doors but snobby kids with no actual communication and social skills don’t stand a chance. My friend’s dad went to Rutgers and told us how makes more money than a lot ivy league educated people under him!</p>