<p>I'm just wondering what motivates everyone to apply and hope for admissions into an Ivy school or other Peer Institutions like MIT and Stanford. Besides going for the diploma with a brand-name on it of course....</p>
<p>Can't another school that's less well known or cheaper offer the same things? Will you really make those fabled 'connections'? Are we really in it for the chance to meet 'amazing' and talented people? (Who by the way, exist everywhere else as well, lest we continue to pretend that's not true) Perhaps the true reason is we are a ton of egotistic people who really just want to make ourselves feel better than everyone else just by saying we go here or there...</p>
<p>Ironically in your attempt to provide a deep insight into the flaws of man you are unable to comprehend the "good" in attending an elite school.</p>
<p>Honestly, it really is about the people. I am really looking forward to being part of a group that is not only intelligent (yes, this can be found in many places), but that also encompasses a wealth of talents and experiences. Diversity in this sense is the cornerstone of education, and at the elite schools it flourishes greatly. That is the primary advantage to attending one of the top schools, although some of the other advantages that you mentioned do exist in varying degrees.</p>
<p>if you think about it, going to a really elite school, say harvard, will make it hard for you to stand out b/c everyone there is super genius/talented. when it comes time to apply for grad school which most of those elite undergrads will do, you are essentially competing with the best. and also i hear about grade inflation which will make it even HARDER to stand out when half (probably exaggerated) the class gets As or Bs and pretty much no Cs </p>
<p>so being a avg student at a high end university may not be the best for you. instead consider other options. if you are CA resident, UCs cost less and have great resources...plus there prob arent as many super geniuses in those campuses as compared to the "ivy" schools</p>
<p>If you strive for an Ivy for your four years of highschool, you most likely have stellar stats. Therefore, you most likely have a much better chance at getting in with merit aid at a slighlty less presitigous university.</p>
<p>Why ATTEND an Ivy? Certainly some people choose it for the reasons mentioned by previous posters. Ivies certainly aren't everything, but for some people they are the best choice. If you can comfortably afford them (either with or without need-based aid), the experience may be worth the price. Someone may be happy being one of the smartest people at their school for another four years, but others don't want that at all. It is a personal decision, whatever they think is right for them.</p>
<p>the people who whine about ivy league schools and other top schoools are the ones who wont be able to go there. Its a fact that an ivy education opens up doors for u immediately after graduation that no other school can do.</p>
<p>I want to go to school with some sense of diversity. One of friends who graduated this past year is going to a school (oh how shocked was I the first time he told me) that's 90% white. I'm not racist or prejudice or anything, but I know that's not a vary accurate portrayal of the real world, one i'd be in outside of college. I want to meet a bunch of different people with different experiences and from different places and learn from them in areas outside of academics. Some choose what college they want to go to based on the college environment (student body and surrounding area) as well as the college's reputation in one or more fields.</p>
<p>skibob- I'm not whining...just questioning... :)
quantum leap- Are these schools really diverse? Its mostly white and asian. The hispanic and african american populations at these schools are completely disproportionate compared to national statistics. Is that diversity?</p>
<p>diversity is the biggest bs idea ever invetented by the multi cultural politcaly correct left. Diversity as a concept is stupid. In my eyes it means nothing when a place is 90% white or 50% white and 50% something else. That doesnt take away or add to anything. In fact, true diversity is absolutely harmful. Its the natural order of things to have people of the same religion or race to stick together and there is nothing wrong with that. I am jewish, i want to be around other jews, simple as that. I am not a racist, i dont care if there are mexicans, chinese, or black people around. To me they are just people, but my preferance is to be around my own. Secondly, the idea of diversity as it applies to colleges, jobs etc is built on an inherent belief that because races ARENT equal diversity must be forced. Things should be allowed to take their own natural paths without worrying about things like race or religion</p>
<p>
[quote]
Are these schools really diverse? Its mostly white and asian. The hispanic and african american populations at these schools are completely disproportionate compared to national statistics. Is that diversity?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>actually, the number of hispanics and blacks at nearly every college/uni in the country (with the exception of historically black colleges, of course) is completely disproportionate to national statistics. that's why they're URMs :/</p>
<p>but I think the Ivy Leagues might be a lot more 'diverse' than some state schools. UVA, while an absolutely amazing school, is - according to the people I know who go there and have visited - pretty much 60% white and 40% fobby Asian/Indians. the UCs are even more disproportionately Asian (not that I'm complaining about it of course; I'm Indian :P). while the Ivies are crazy expensive, they DO give a lot of preference and aid to low income/Hispanics/blacks/Native Americans, possibly even more than state schools do.</p>
<p>I think diversity in ivy league schools is such a fallacious idea. The top schools pride themselves in trying to bring diversity, but they dont realize they are the ones that are helping create the discrimination by labeling people as URMs. These people should be held to the same standard as everyone else who applies. Its like the principle of welfare. You cant just keep handing out money to people who dont try to work for it themselves. </p>
<p>That said whats so attractive to ivy league schools is it gives you the confidence in yourself i think to accomplish your goals, and it shows employers that you worked hard to get to where you are at presently.</p>
<p>1) Community: While you are there everyone is brilliant. The community of intelligent people is absolutely incredible and a once in a lifetime opportunity.</p>
<p>2) Social: these brilliant people are your friends for life. </p>
<p>3) Networking with peers: I see it already. The guy playing beer pong with you is going might be your future business partner. You are not only in charge of yourself, all your friends and acquaintances are doing their best too, and you have special access to this network.</p>
<p>4) Networking in general: People from your school are likely very powerful and will help alumni from the same school. </p>
<p>5) Recognition: At any job, in any function, you mention where you went to school and people instantly assume you are smart. Its your to lose as opposed to the other way around. </p>
<p>So your saying that if you went to a school that was 100% filled with rich kids, then your views on life wouldn't be skewed? That if you went to a school where everyone drove BMW's and Porsche's and would complain if they didn't get AC everywhere they went, that your standards wouldn't change?</p>
<p>Lets me honest with ourselves. We change based on our environment. While you bring up good points, I think diversity itself is not a stupid concept.</p>
<p>people arent molded by their enivronment in america as much as u think, we all have free will and we all know the diff between rite and wrong. Also the reason that i mite not want to go to a school like u described is not because of the lack of diversity but because i mite not like the kids "who complain about no AC"</p>
<p>Yes, they are. I've lived in the projects for years, and I now live in a middle class neighborhood. As much as you'd like to think they aren't people are the product of thier environment. Your entire moral and socioeconomic views are shaped by your parents and your environment.</p>