<p>my grandpa & my dad went to Harvard. My mom went to penn state. and my brother is at Brown right now. So i kind of have high standards to live up to both of my parents want me to go to an ivy leauge school, but im not sure if i want to… i know i want to be a doctor so i guess that would be the best choice. everyone is telling me that i should try to get into Harvard since a lot of my family has gone there. Im just not sure if i want to do thattt… any suggestions?</p>
<p>Go to the college you want to go to and feel that you would be happy at. You don’t /have/ to go to Harvard to be a good doctor.</p>
<p>the only reason why your parents have any legitamite control over what school you go to is if they are paying for it.</p>
<p>go to whatever college you want…pick the one that you are happy with, not the one your parents would be happy with.</p>
<p>just remember that they can decide not to pay for it (if they origionally were)</p>
<p>…keep that in mind, if youre parents seriously are the you-better-go-to-an-ivy-league type</p>
<p>First of all, how old are you and do you have a decent shot at getting into “an ivy” (other than Harvard b/c of legacy)? </p>
<p>Also, why might you not want to go to an Ivy, which have you visited?</p>
<p>Did you mean Penn state or UPenn?</p>
<p>just visit them, apply to harvard and whatever other schools you’re interested in, and see where you get in. then do more overnights or w/e you have to do to make your decision… not to be a downer but you may not even get in and all this worrying will be for naught</p>
<p>I agree with unwritten… </p>
<p>I mean apply were you want to apply plus Harvard. You never know anything can happen…</p>
<p>alannancp: i think i could have a decent shot of getting into an ivy leauge. I’ve visited Harvard but not as a prospective student. Same with Brown.</p>
<p>Clendenenator: Penn state (for track/xc)</p>
<p>& everyone else, yeah i know i might not get in, but i have talked to people at harvard, counselors at my school & gotten advice from my dad & grandpa. i really dont think i even want to go there. i told my parents ohio state… and they thought i should try to go for an ivy leauge. They’re really like… want me to do whatever they want… aka laywer or doctor & ivy school.</p>
<p>Personally, I totally reject the individualistic ideals on this board. Unless you’re paying for college all by yourself, college is something the whole family goes through, not just yourself. All four of my grandparents starved themselves and worked extra hours everyday on the farm just to let my parents study and attend college while they should’ve been working alongside them. They worked hard just so their parents wouldn’t die of dissapointment. Needless to say, they never even considered if college would make them happy, but rather what way could they ever make up for their parents’ sacrifices. Your case might not be as extreme, but the sentimentalities apply. </p>
<p>Apply to Harvard just to calm your parents if you need to. Personally, I think you should consider what you parents contributed to raise you for 18 years. They might love you no matter what, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out of your way to make them feel proud. If you don’t get into Harvard, no biggie. If you do get in, I think you should go to Harvard anyhow. If you don’t like it, just transfer back to Ohio State next time around (it’s not like Ohio State rejects Harvard transfers every year), and then you’ll have an explanation your parents will understand. After all, what does not kill you makes you stronger, and this is Harvard, god damn it.</p>
<p>I could tell that you really don’t want to go to Harvard and that just tells me that you should go to the school that best fits you. I know a lot of people who’s parents wanted them to go to a specific school (preferably one they went to) and they ended up going to the school they love. College is supposed to be one of the best experiences in your life and choosing the “right school” for yourself is the best decision you will make. Although some people I know told me their parents were upset, in the end everything worked out because their parents supported their every decision and they have said they have had a better “education” in their choice school. Not that ivy schools suck because they are excellent for people who really want to go there because of what it’s offering not it’s name. You want to go to another university, I say go for it because you really don’t want to make regrets in your life and again this is YOUR life and YOUR happiness. Believe me, your parents love you and will support your decision.</p>