<p>All right guys, that comment just about does it for me. Thanks to everyone who contributed thoughtful advice. As for Mr. Payne and the other CC sheeple, I hope you enjoy dedicating your lives to looking good on paper! If this thread made me realize anything, its that I’m glad I have more going for me than just what school I went to. And if nothing else, at the end of the day, at least I know I’m not a pretentious ass. </p>
<p>Adios</p>
<p>In the old days when uni was somewhat affordable, employers etc were very impressed with degrees from name brand schools. Now that uni is so outrageously overpriced employers etc understand that really talented kids, who can’t afford or don’t want to go into debt, go to lesser known colleges.</p>
<p>PureHoney, my advice to you is to not stress. It all matters what your priorities and goals are in life. I attended a state university on full scholarship. I graduated with zero debt and then was able to attain a master’s and doctorate on assistantship so I paid zero for my education. I have a great job, make a salary that allows me to live comfortably, and I’m happy. I loved every minute of my college experience. I was involved in tons of activities and was able to find lots of friends with similar interests. I guarantee that no one looking for prestige would be impressed by my school, but it has served me very well thus far in life. I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. I worked hard both in school and afterwards. Oh, and my friends that attended this state school are hardly poor and unhappy either. No, we don’t work at big investment banks in NYC, but we didn’t want to. That was never my goal. However, my friends do include doctors, attorneys, pharmacists, financial analysts, physical therapists, etc. You just have to ask yourself what is important to you? I wouldn’t trade my current life for more prestige and a mountain of debt. Some would and that’s fine, but it wasn’t for me.</p>
<p>I wonder if some of the problem is that you visit these forums, where, as a whole, the population is unbelievably focused on prestige and which schools are the best schools. Spending a lot of time here could convince anyone that all that matters in life is the brand name of your college, and that is SO far from the truth. The experience you have in college matters a great deal. The name just doesn’t mean as much as many here think it does. College should not be about impressing others.</p>
<p>Indeed…once into school…a student should NOT spend time on CC. They can forget college admissions forever and just focus on the future and doing their level best where they are at. I am only here to help people…especially those who are undecided or who feel like they arent as good as people who go to Harvard. </p>
<p>Have a nice day.</p>
<p>^^^ if only i could follow that advice! oh, the procrastination!!!</p>
<p>PureHoney, I feel the same way as you. I’m a high school senior and I just got accepted to Loyola Chicago yesterday. I decided about a month ago on the university of Colorado, but applied to Loyola incase I want to stay close to home. I’m in AP Chemistry and this week 6 people in my class were accepted to Northwestern, some to UChicago, and a couple to UMich. I really wanted to go to UMich, but can’t afford it. Now, I’m regretting not applying to more selective schools. It seems like all of my peers are going off to these great futures and I’m being left in the dark. I feel like all of the work I’ve done in high school was such a waste. People tell me that I can still go to a great grad school if I work had at undergrad, but at this point, it seems almost hopeless. It’s nice to see that I’m not alone on this issue. The advice people have given on this cite has been very helpful/reassuring.</p>
<p>seriously, being at an elite school isnt everything u wish once you’re there.</p>
<p>i go to a top tier liberala rts school and although the work is challenging and makes me a bit proud, the people are real party poopers and the atmosphere is not condusive to any sort of fun. parties are lame and the activities arent so great either.</p>
<p>the stories my friend tells me of his “crappy” state school are amazing and the events are far more appealing.</p>
<p>it really depends on ur personality.</p>
<p>^^^ </p>
<p>find a school that has both!!!</p>
<p>I’m a freshman in college. I was an average student in hs (B+, standard and honors classes, no APs, etc.). I never worked too hard because it wasn’t important to me. Luckily, I got into the school I wanted to Early Decision and was extremely excited to go to a prestigious (top 60) school. I got there and absolutely hated it. The kids were not intellectual in the slightest, partied non-stop and were generally uninteresting. I transferred out and will be starting at a third tier (not that it should be) school in January. I realized that prestige is great and all, but I can get the same education for over $100,000 less and still be just as successful as my former classmates at the other school. It’s also a much better fit for me, which is MUCH more important than going to as prestigious a school as possible. As I said, prestige is fine and all, but if you do well, you’ll be fine. No one said internships and connections are impossible outside of prestigious schools. I couldn’t be happier and know I made the right decision.</p>
<p>^^ A top 60 school is prestigious? I didn’t know that. :P</p>
<p>That’s pretty low, Nick.</p>
<p>I’m kinda in the same situation as you. I know my potential is great, but I slacked a lot during HS. I know my potential is great because I have awesome test scores, and I used to be in all top classes and get straight A’s before I started getting the impression from friends that it was ‘cool’ to not work.</p>
<p>My plan is attempt to transfer. I mean I’ll go to a good school, like a Loyola, or good Big 10 school. I’m from Chicago. Then I’ll hopefully transfer somewhere that I dream of going to now. You could try that. Or explain your situation to your employers? After some work experience you can prove yourself as being better than those NU guys.</p>
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<p>Yeah, BU’s ranked pretty low right, like 60 or something? :P</p>
<p>I call this post-acceptance-depression :(</p>
<p>I like my school and all, but every time I see anything that has a logo printed on it from a school I didn’t get into, I cringe. Like I walked into this department store and saw a Yale t-shirt, and I just let out a big sigh.</p>
<p>“All right guys, that comment just about does it for me. Thanks to everyone who contributed thoughtful advice. As for Mr. Payne and the other CC sheeple, I hope you enjoy dedicating your lives to looking good on paper! If this thread made me realize anything, its that I’m glad I have more going for me than just what school I went to. And if nothing else, at the end of the day, at least I know I’m not a pretentious ass.”</p>
<p>HAHAHA!! <em>claps</em> BRAVO! </p>
<p>Exactly, OP!</p>
<p>I like my school and all, but every time I see anything that has a logo printed on it from a school I didn’t get into, I cringe. Like I walked into this department store and saw a Yale t-shirt, and I just let out a big sigh.</p>
<p>erhswimming, I know what you mean. I was accepted to a school that I considered tied for my first choice, but a very good friend of mine just mentioned that he could have helped me get into Amherst, had I applied (<em>huge</em> family connections, plus my stats are right there). I was frickin KICKING myself! At the same time, I know my school is a better choice (I really wanted to attend a single sex school, and so preferred my school over similar but higher ranked coed schools), but… Amherst!!! The sad thing is that my school is RIGHT BY Amherst, so, yeah… Amherst t-shirts and apparel all around.</p>
<p>Good schools are like good brands. They aren’t necessarily the best product out in the market in terms of quality, but is the most recognized and demanded.</p>
<p>^^^ </p>
<p>This is very true. But it’s so hard to not want it, or not somehow feel like you “deserve” it (admissions, that is)</p>