<p>kwu - she is stating the obvious, though it is surprising how little some students get it. I am often suspect of the deflecting Ivy League answer. Especially as she goes on further - if fame is what you want, then Ivy is for you. I think that Columbia proves that a school can have a true individual and collective benefit. And though it is not a perfect place for everybody - I can name a handful of people that wouldn’t do well at CU - for the right kind of student (independent, industrious, thought-oriented, urbane, adventurous) Columbia should be on if not at the top of their list. The anti-Ivy mentality actually serves to keep people at a distance from the schools and so students who might make a good fit may not apply as they just assume it is an impossible Ivy to attend. It is a shame. I wish more people could see through the veneer of the prestige Ivy-baiting and the equally unnecessary Ivy-deflecting. But that sounds like a massive societal reorientation.</p>
<p>I agree with admissions geek. People are too hung up on “pulling down” all those people who want to Ivies for the fame and also pull down people who would actually do well at those schools.</p>