GUEST STUDENT OF THE WEEK: Rohan is a freshman at Dartmouth (and loves it) having gotten in ED for the Class of 2023. He's here to debunk myths regarding admissions and student life at his school. ASK HIM ANYTHING!
Make sure to check out our May Checklists for HS Juniors and HS Seniors. Consult these quick resources to get you started on the process this month.
As we work to adjust to the current reality, make sure to check out these dedicated COVID-19 resources: our directory of virtual campus tours, our directory of extended deadlines, as well as the list of schools going test optional this fall.
Top schools, my anecdotal impressions.
CU123
3697 replies76 threads Senior Member
My impression of the type of student that attends each of these schools I visited with my DD. Just a general, funny, impression not meant to insult or demean feel free to add your own impressions.
Stanford- I’m here because I want to start a start up.
Princeton - I’m here because I really like myself
Cornell - I’m here because this is an Ivy
Harvard - I’m here, we’ll because, it’s HARVARD
UChicago - I’m here because I like studying
19 replies Stanford- I’m here because I want to start a start up.
Princeton - I’m here because I really like myself
Cornell - I’m here because this is an Ivy
Harvard - I’m here, we’ll because, it’s HARVARD
UChicago - I’m here because I like studying
This discussion has been closed.
Replies to: Top schools, my anecdotal impressions.
Based on your comment above I wish your DD luck in avoiding the "anonymity" of non HYP ivies. Hopefully she won't have to settle for those "other" schools.
My Impressions:
Columbia I love the pace and access NYC provides as a backdrop for a world class education.
Brown The flexibility of an open curriculum affords me the opportunity to explore academic areas I might not otherwise be able to in a more rigid school, and every kid I share a class with is there because they want to be.
Dartmouth I enjoy a beautiful bucolic setting and the cross over opportunities some of the graduate studies opportunities that are available.
Cornell I enjoy a challenging academic environment and the size of the schools affords me many benefits only available at a large school.
Penn I enjoy an urban setting along with the combination of traditional humanities courses and some Wharton/business specific classes to choose from.
Great and unique school's all. Never would I think their student bodies to be defined by generalizations. Neither would I ever imagine those in attendance claiming "Ivy League" over specific school loyalty. The vast majority choose the schools in question based on fit not failure to get into HYP.
I once again wish your daughter well and hope her expectations are framed so that anything shy of HYP remains the amazing achievement it truly is assuming it is a school that makes her happy.
it. Heck my cousin even graduated from an Ivy...………………..Dartmouth.
Once again I have never in my life experienced that having met literally hundreds of the cohort you are describing.
Many kids choose to apply only to schools that appeal to them based upon their personal specific criteria. At all the ivies you are talking about super elite kids. They don't default to HYP but take a nuanced approach. Similarly they make their ultimate attendance decisions based on fit. Once in they embrace the decision with pride. The 23 kids at my sons school that were accepted at ivies wore their sweatshirts with equal pride across all 8 school. Also of note the other kids who went to the entire range of schools were equally prideful.
That is in no way an emotional response just fact. My emotion however is involved when I think your characterization risks setting kids up for artificial failure and self doubt. Once again the majority of kids choose schools that suit them. They don't impose your value basis of HYP and then the rest. Again I hope your daughter gets into the school of her choice but it is perilous for you to frame such a distinction.
Heck you even did it. "Heck, My cousin graduated from an Ivy...Dartmouth". You are clearly more focused on the term Ivy League then those who have attended one of the 8 schools that comprise it. It's called school spirit not League spirit.
So to my question if your daughter goes to Cornell will you respond to queries with Ivy or Cornell?
I think all ivy league schools consider other schools in the league as peers. It is people they are lack of self confidence that need extra boost to claim which one(s) is (are) better than the others.
@Nocreativity1 +1 vs @CU123 -1