<p>I think you might laugh if you took a tour of the eight Ivy League colleges. They are not interchangeable colleges. Harvard is in the middle of a major metropolis. Dartmouth is in a small New England town. You’d be happy in one place if you like funky bookstores and happy in the other if you love hiking and canoeing. </p>
<p>The term “Ivy League” came way back when the eight colleges were similar in size and they played football against each other. Today, the schools are vastly different places (Does Brown even have football any more?). </p>
<p>I am wondering if you might be happier if you expanded the thinking from “Ivy League” to “An education of high quality”. Sure, “Ivy League” has some established cachet – but if you wanted to work in Naval Architecture, then the established “top of the line” program is the Webb Institute. If you wanted to be a superb musician, you would want a credential from Juillard. If you wanted to be a superior engineer in explosives, then you’d head to tiny New Mexico Tech. </p>
<p>For now, your work may be in supporting the four kids while you piece together what sort of work makes your heart sing. There is a huge difference between parenting a preschooler and parenting a tween – you will have more time to think and study as the kids get older. You can use this time now to support them and learn about your abilities and then pick the institution that will get you the credential you ultimately want. </p>
<p>Please don’t narrow the scope (As in “If I don’t get Yale, then my life is worthless”). If there is a path forward at a local college or Community College, use that path to begin the process of growing more. (Yale does have PhD programs for later!). </p>
<p>Your kids won’t wait. You can’t put them on hold while you pursue your dreams. You have to inch forward on your path of discovery while helping them grow. That may or may not be “Ivy League.” What it will be is “worthwhile.” Hang in there.</p>