Do you need to go to one of the big-name schools to be successful?

[violadad]

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When someone is at the out edge of the bell curve where relatively few are at the same level, there is less external motivation to improve, whereas if the program is such that the middle of the bell curve is way out there, it can help drive students to excel.

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<p>While I don’t disagree with the above, the corollary is that a top student at a “lesser” (for want of a better term) program may often have better opportunities and exposure within the program and externally than as a middle of the road undergrad at a school a notch above. I agree that being among better musicians will normally raise the motivation level for most, it does not necessarily follow that being at the top of the heap decreases motivation.</p>

<p>Just my $.02.</p>